Failed First...

I have got to start with something I feel in my heart, that coat of arms!

I lay the sad caged cat down and head over to the kitchen table to find another piece of wood to fashion at my desire. I decide that I have to go with the balsa wood since it is only 1/4" thick. I grab my mini saw, make my lines, and cut my slab off. I am really excited now! I etch my pattern onto the wood and gather my woodcarving tools. I realize that I have nothing to hold the block down and steady it for safety but I have to get at this and carve to my desire.

I decide to start off with carving out the open space around the stork and antler. This should be easy enough for me to start out with. I start my carving and I am feeling good about this. Each stroke comes a shaving of the wood flakes off and lands somewhere on me, the table, or the floor. I am immersed as time passes without me even giving it any thought to the world outside me. My stokes are thoughtful, novice, and purposeful. I am feeling the wood's texture vibrate in the palm of my hand as each groove is made. I can hear the clean yet rough noise from the friction of my blade against the wood. Splitting, carving, chipping, shaping this block before me, I stop. I look down and a smile comes to me as I stare at the wood now my desire in design.