Sammy the sad slug is sad for one or both of the following reasons:
- Sammy the sad slug’s dad has gastric flu;
- Sammy the sad slug is sad because people keep pouring salt on his friends?!
Here’s Sammy the sad slug himself …

full size image here
Hand carved from random hardwood kindling, this caused me no end of bother when I messed up the finish and had to re-sand and re-varnish, still I think the thinned indian rosewood stain worked quite well.
This next piece was a collaboration with the mrs, she blocked it out and gave it it’s general form while I did the detail … “old woman of the wood” to keep “old man of the wood” company.

full size image here
I’m going back to bed now …








Hi A,
Those are fabulous! I also admire your ability to get your wife involved. Mine is just barely convinced that my carving bench and its attendant mess should remain in the house instead of being removed to the barn. Can’t wait to see what you do next.
the Grit
By: the Grit on 15 April, 2008
at 9:25 pm
Hi Grit,
Thanks! The mrs actually volunteered and comandeered the knife for an evening … I was glad when she decided that her fingers were sore and it wasn’t for her, it meant I could get my knife back :lol:
In the house is by preferable to in any type of outbuilding. I tend to sit in front of the fire, on one of our dining table chairs aiming to get the bits of wood in the coal bucket …
… next thing on the go is another ‘head’ as yet untitles and I also have a small ‘birdman’ character on the go as well :)
Alasdair
By: Alasdair on 16 April, 2008
at 3:27 pm
Hi A,
Well you’re making me feel lazy. I’m not even a quarter of the way through with my current project.
the Grit
By: the Grit on 16 April, 2008
at 5:13 pm
Hi Grit,
Don’t feel lazy! I bet you have work to do and stuff, I just look after a pair of kids all day – one of which goes to nursery three afternoons a week.
Then, once they’re tucked up in their beds I only have a couple of things to do. Lacking a tele I don’t get sucked into watching everything and nothing, so I either surf the web (and get bored) or whittle!
I haven’t even really got any books on the go at the moment … although I am working my way through a compilation of AC Doyle’s short stories, but it’s something I can take or leave.
Alasdair
By: Alasdair on 17 April, 2008
at 1:47 pm
Hi A,
While I always have stuff to do, on most days I could make a bit of time for woodworking. I suspect my problem is that I’m at a rather difficult point on my new work, and I’m using that as an excuse to put it off. On the other hand, I’m doing a full head with some complicated features, at least where my talents are concerned, and I’ve got the profile on one side roughed out to my satisfaction. So now, I have to rough out the other side to match, and a modest mistake could ruin the entire piece. Thus I’m looking for an hour or three where I can ignore the dogs, phone, and farming and concentrate on carving. Oh, and it would help to have the sun at the right height so my work bench gets good light :)
As to your copious amounts of spare time, it sounds like you should start writing the next Harry Potter books. I’ll get you started, “Once there was a mouse with magical powers…”
the Grit
By: the Grit on 17 April, 2008
at 9:48 pm