Ratatooie Intarsia - Currently working on an Intarsia project for my wife

[rafairchild2]

Currently working on this for my wife, as she is a Disney fan and loved the Ratatooie movie.  I just finished cutting the pieces out yesterday and started some rough carving/shaping of the hat and spoon.  About to head back into the workshop shortly. The ultimate plan is to affix it to a large wood "cup", that will hold her wooden cooking utensils. I am using multiple techniques including hand carving and typical soft barrel sanders to shape.

I am still trying to figure out how I am going to use the eyes, as the pattern has really small pieces.

 

[daveww1]

looking forwaed to seeing it finished

[preprius]

nice.   As for the eyes stained doweling

[Peter N White]

Looking good.

[MarieC]

Nice start.   Will be fun to see it finished!

[rafairchild2]

Progress report: Finally in the loose dry fit stage, with a little more tweaking until I glue him up today.

Multiple wood species, layers, and textures: Basswood, Walnut, bloodwood, Bird's Eye Maple, Limba wood.
 

Edited May 28, 2023 by rafairchild2

[Scrappile]

WOW! Nice work!

[rafairchild2]

20 hours ago, Scrappile said:

WOW! Nice work!

Thank you!  I just completed my Ratatouille.  Pattern by Sirhan of  ChipilWood. This is my 4th Intarsia project.  

I finished this piece with a matte clear finish as I think gloss would have been too much.  I think I am going to move more to a satin finish on most of my pieces. I attached/added the cup behind so utensils can be stored behind him.

Now for the funny part...  My favorite part is his ear!  I hand carved, then sanded the concave and with the grain, it really gives some depth.  I also like how I was able to carve and sand the hat to give it a realistic look.

First time using the birds eye maple I got from KJP Select Hardwoods.  Cuts well, and has wonderful grain and patterns.
PS: Sadly my wildflower garden is not doing too well this year, I might have to plant a new one in a different area.

Edited May 29, 2023 by rafairchild2

[rafairchild2]

I have a personal blog, mainly for just my musings and such, and this is what I posted along with photos of Remy (Ratatouille). My blog is in my signature.
>>>>>

Greetings, fellow woodworkers and craft enthusiasts! Today, I'm excited to share my hilarious adventure in completing an intarsia project featuring none other than the culinary prodigy, Remy, from the animated masterpiece Ratatouille. This project had me dancing between the world of sawdust and uncontrollable laughter, as I tackled the challenge of combining five different types of wood into a single work of art. So, grab your woodworking tools and get ready for a sprinkle of humor with a side of scroll saw magic!

Act I: Choosing the Ingredients
When it comes to intarsia, selecting the perfect blend of wood is like picking the right ingredients for a gourmet dish. In this case, I decided to go all out and use five different types of wood: birdseye maple, bloodwood, walnut, black limba, and basswood. It was like a woodworker's version of a Ratatouille recipe. Little did I know that this colorful cast of characters would add some unexpected flavor to my project.

Act II: The Dance of the Scroll saw
With wood in hand, I embarked on the intricate task of cutting out each piece of Remy's charming little face. The scroll saw became my partner in this whimsical dance, as I maneuvered through the curves and corners of Remy's expressive features. It felt like I was directing a master chef in a lively kitchen, juggling knives, vegetables, and, well, wood!

Act III: The Comedy of Misaligned Pieces
As any scroll saw artist knows, precision is key. But sometimes, the pieces of the puzzle just don't want to cooperate. My Ratatouille project proved to be a mischievous little critter, as I found myself misaligning pieces more often than not. Remy's smile turned into a mischievous grin, mocking my attempts at perfection. It was as if he was saying, "Even the best chefs have their off days!" Laughter (and cuss words) filled my workshop as I embraced the imperfections and decided to let Remy's charm shine through the slight mishaps.

Act IV: Fitting, Sanding, and Whisking
With the pieces finally in place, it was time to sand, finish, and bring out the true beauty of my intarsia creation. As I worked on refining the edges and achieving a smooth finish, I couldn't help but be reminded of Remy's meticulous attention to detail in the kitchen. It was like I was whisking away imperfections, just as Remy whipped up a gastronomic masterpiece.

Act V: The Grand Finale
After countless hours of sawing, sanding, staining, and chuckling swearing, my Ratatouille intarsia project was finally complete. Remy's mischievous eyes stared back at me, his little paws ready to create culinary magic. It was a bittersweet moment, saying goodbye to my wooden companion who had brought so much laughter into my workshop.

Completing a Ratatouille intarsia project was no easy feat, but the laughter and joy it brought into my life were worth every sawdust-filled moment. From the challenges of misaligned pieces to the dance of the jigsaw, this project became a hilarious journey that showcased the whimsical nature of woodworking. So, fellow craftsmen and craftswomen, embrace the imperfections, let the laughter flow, and create something that brings a smile to your face. After all, in the world of intarsia, just like in the kitchen, it's the little quirks that make the magic happen!

Bon appétit, and happy woodworking!

Edited May 29, 2023 by rafairchild2

[barb.j.enders]

What a great blog.  You write as well as you cut.  Remy is wonderful.