Christina

Hi and welcome Shelayla.............glad to meet you. Thanks for introducing yourself..........we love meeting new friends. I look forward to getting to know you and seeing your work too. Christina

I've been trying to learn GIMP myself......not doing too hot at it though lol. I'd be interested in your class too Travis. Looks like you'll have a full class! Christina

Hi and welcome William. I'm glad you joined us. It's a great site and I think you'll really like it. There's loads to see and do and a bunch of really friendly people. Thanks for introducing yourself...........we love meeting new friends too. You do really great work too. Christina

Travis is soooo right. But if you can get permission in writing that's another thing. But chances are that they won't allow you to use their logo without purchasing a license to do so............and that usually is extremely cost prohibitive. Sorry we can't help. Christina

Hi and welcome Jim. I've seen your work before I think........probably on Etsy. Thanks for introducing yourself......we love to meet new friends. Travis is right.........you fit right in. You'll really enjoy your time here........lots of great folks and lots to see and do. Have fun! Christina

I think he's just absolutely adorable Linda. You did such a fantastic job on this little guy. Thanks so much for sharing him with us. Christina

Beautiful work Fran! I especially love the boots. Thanks so much for sharing your work with us. Christina

Woohoo a bit of an update! I found a source for goat milk.............and I don't have to milk the goats ! And reasonably priced at $5 a gallon. Plus she sells fresh eggs for $1.50 a dozen! So I think I'm going to tackle cheesemaking this weekend if it's not raining like crazy........humidity makes it a bit harder to dry out the cheeses once you get them made. So maybe I'll get a few things done this year! Christina

Way cool pattern Travis..........just the thing to make for the little tykes Easter baskets! Thanks so much for sharing it with us and my copy. Yes indeed it does Vector..........and how! I love the way you decided to back your cutting......it's perfect! Thanks so much for sharing it with us. Christina

Absolutely beautiful Vector.............it doesn't look like you had a bit of problems translating this pattern for scrolling. I love asian designs myself and the lamp idea is a great one........as is a luminary! Really lovely. You did a great job on it. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. Christina

Spectacular project RealfEZ..............and the little guy in the second photo is pretty cute too! Thanks so much for sharing it with us and my copy. You did a great job on this! I love it. But you need to add your name to your pattern! I added it to my copy. Christina

You're quite welcome Vector anytime. Anyone who wishes to learn patterns and that needs a little one on one time is welcome to email me. I like to help out and it's so much fun when it all finally clicks! I struggled with it at first too and had some wonderful help. I have downloaded GIMP too but haven't had a chance to play with it and figure it out yet...........and also Photo to Sketch..........but again I haven't had a chance to play with it and figure it out either. I use Paint Shop Pro X2.......only because I had to get a new computer and it had Vista!!! I started out with PSP 8 and it worked fantastically to make patterns. I've also used PSP 9......and there is very little difference from 8. I have CorelDraw....but have never sat down to figure it out. Once upon a long long time ago I used CorelDraw 7 and loved it but can't for the life of me remember what it did. Back then I didn't make scroll saw patterns though. But I did a lot of computer graphics, web backgrounds, etc... It was great for that. Things have, of course, advanced greatly since then and I wouldn't have the first clue how to do it all now. Just give me a holler when you're ready. Christina

Naw Travis it's the operator not the blades lolol. I tried learning with flat blades and geez what a mess! I thought this really can't be that hard........like using a sewing machine, which I've done my entire life. NOT. Then I tried the spirals and OMGoodness what a difference. I do okay unless I get over confident and try to get in a hurry. I hear everyone talking about speeding up with different woods and I try it and mess it up everytime. I just think the choice of blades, as with anything else, is a personal choice. Some do better with this one......but another person might not have the same experiences with the same one. Eventually when I'm able to get a better saw I will probably give flat blades a try again........and actually maybe get it right this time lolololol. Christina

When making patterns from colored pictures and from photos it's sometimes easier, when first starting out, to turn them to grayscale...........this keeps the color from confusing you. In burning you are looking at the picture as a whole 3D image and that's the way you think of it. But in scroll saw patterns it's a 2D image........so it's kinda hard going from one to the other until you get used to it. Think of it as Travis says..........the white is the wood and the black is what you cut out............positive and negative. 1. Turn your image to greyscale 2. Use your threshold and play with the settings to get the start of your pattern. 3. Use your paint brush to clean up the pattern and strengthen or create bridges. Use your ZOOM to get in really close where you can see the individual squares (pixels)........this helps alot! 4. Periodically use your flood fill with color to check your pattern...........if all the white areas don't turn to the color you chose.............the leftover white areas are floaters. *You can also use your magic lasso to surround parts of the picture and use the threshold to do parts at a time..........this is particularly handy when you have a photo that has different lighting everywhere. Keep repeating all of it until you are happy with it and then run it through Inkscape to smooth it well. This is all very basic and there can be a whole lot more to it..........but it will give you ideas on how to play around with your program to find what works best for you. If you need any help at all feel free to email me and I will be glad to help you. I do kind of a email tutorial type thing with folks who want to learn. You email me your image and your pattern...........I will use the dreaded red paint brush to circle areas in your pattern that are problems...........then I will make a corrected version of your pattern..........send them both to you along with screen shots to illustrate what I mean and my constructive criticism and advice on what you need to work on. Then you can compare my corrected version to your pattern and try to redo your pattern to be more like mine. It's a learning process that seems to work well for folks. You do it at your own speed, when you have time. And you send me your results to me again critique if you wish..........and you can continue to do this as long as you wish. I am always encouraging and as helpful as I can be..........never negative or mean. We all had to learn and negativity never gets you anywhere!!! It's not required.........it's just a resource if you want it and there is no charge. Christina [email protected]

I only use FD new spirals...........#1. I've never had any problem with breakage or slipping. They last me through several projects whether it's hardwood or BB. Now making nice straight or curved cuts without wiggles is another story lmbo! Christina

Hi and welcome Mac..........I'm glad to meet you! It's always great to meet new friends. You will love it here.......everyone is really great. There's lots to do and see here and I hope you will share some of your work...........we love to see the goodies. With as much experience scrolling as you have I'm sure you could share some tips and techniques with all of us beginners...........and maybe add to our wiki! Thanks so much for introducing yourself and telling us a bit about yourself. Christina

LOL yep they would be impressed alright! Actually I think the idea of the props is a good one. And to help tote you could always get a little red wagon No seriously..........when I was doing craft shows I made myself a cart I could stack stuff on and then pull to my area like a wagon. I had to load, set up/tear down and run it by myself. Sure made it alot easier! Basically a flatbed wagon. I used straps, bungy cords etc... to help hold things if I needed to and sometimes it took two trips but...........it worked! Christina

That's a great idea Deb and I'm sure they will enjoy them tremendously. I hope you take pictures to share with us! Paul.....I agree with you about useful and reasonably priced items selling better. I know you'll do great. And you're right key racks are very versatile! Christina

Wow that is really beautiful Night.........you did a great job on it. Gayle makes fabulous patterns. Thanks so much for sharing your work with us. Christina

My hubby is laid off so we have to keep things pretty simple too. Alot of what needs to be done probably won't get done due to lack of finances. But it's a constant to do list anway. Making cheese is really pretty simple Travis and a lot of fun as is canning.............most things must be pressure cookered for safety.........a few acidy things can be water bathed like tomatoes. I like to can tomatoes, peppers and onions layered...........makes great spaghetti sauce, additions to casseroles and soups not to mention things like meat loaf. Home grown and processed foods just taste so much better and are so much healthier and in the long run much much cheaper. I can make pizza dough and roll it out, put my homemade sauce on it and freeze it. Then when I want to fix pizza night I just pull them out............add toppings and cook. Better than any Digiorno or Freshetta pizza you ever had or for that matter better than restaurant pizza! Likewise I like to make and freeze uncooked pies.........dutch apple mostly since that's my hubby's favorite. I make my own french fries............just partially cook them and drain really well and then freeze on a cookie sheet and then pack in ziplocs. It really doesn't take that much time and tastes so much better. The secret to great crispy fries with soft centers is to put them in ice water about 30 minutes and then take them out a handful at a time and drain and put in the fryer! There are a blue million cheese recipes to be had online and you can use store bought milk...........the enzymes you need are not expensive and they make a bunch and you can keep them in the freezer for a long time. As a woodworker you can make your own cheese press easily. Otherwise it's a matter of time.......and keeping everything as sterile clean as possible. It does take a bit of time to make it.............a good size batch of cheddar takes me about 6 hours. And then I like to age it a good long time to make it as sharp as possible. But there are a lot of soft cheeses you an eat right away........like mozzarella and cream cheese. I make my own bread alot too. I love sour dough and will make some of the best chocolate cakes with it you ever ate too. My step dad used to make beer alot too.......I can remember having to wash mouldy beer bottles for hours...........HATED IT! But as a reward he always made us rootbeer. I have to laugh remembering.....it was a hit or miss thing with the home brewing.........a lot of bottles exploding their caps off and scaring the crapola out of us! I want to make ice cream this year too. It's been alot of years since I did that. Since my son was little anyway. Back then it was the old crank machines.........a lotta work for little results. I want to get several of the electric ones and make several kinds..........we all like different ones. I make homemade candies too alot........my son and hubby have the worlds worst sweet tooth all the time. So gotta make a lot of candies to go in the ice creams. I'm boring......lol..........my favorite is plain old vanilla. No toppings either. I do however love rootbeer floats sometimes. I'm the original susie homemaker sometimes.......or so I'm told. Sounds like everyone has some great plans! Christina

Thanks Woody. Christina

Welcome back Handi........glad to see you. I have trouble watching videos since I'm on dialup but I'm sure you have a great shop........thanks for sharing it with us. Those video games will definitely get you caught up..............my hubby is a video game junky too lol. Christina

Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us. I'm glad to hear you made your expenses at least and gained valuable information. That in itself is worth it's weight in gold! Hopefully your next show will be much more lucrative for you. But at least now you know what to expect and you have the knowlege to show your work off to it's very best. Christina

Great job on the cutting and pattern both! Thanks so much for sharing your work with us. Christina

I give up making plans for anything lololol. They just never seem to turn out the way I plan them. I NEED to work on my property.....clearing and cleaning. House maintenance............and finishing my building so I can use it for a shop no matter what the weather. I WANT to work on my scrolling but everything seems to get in the way for the last few months. Now I'm going through a particularly bad time in my health and seem to just want to sleep my life away. So I'm finding it difficult to finish anything much less start anything new. My husband was laid off work a few months ago and there is no new job or rehiring in the near future...........makes finances more than a little tight. I've been thinking of maybe doing some woodburning since I can basically do that sitting on my couch...............a necessary evil. I've got a host of scarves, hats and slipper socks to get knitted before winter.........I give most of these to charity. Along with a few soft toys I make. And I make most of my Christmas gifts and am sadly behind on production this year! I do want to get my garden (big planters) planted..............I rescued 5 giant heavy duty plastic ones from a dumpster behind a grocery store. Every year we get rained out and I'm lucky to get a few very miniature veggies! You've never lived until you grow miniature heads of lettuce and cucumbers to go with the cherry sized tomatoes (that aren't cherry tomatoes)! Not to mention the teeny tiny little melons and peppers..............cute but not exactly what I was after!!! I plan to get alot of canning done even if I have to buy the dang veggies. I love to have a big selection of canned veggies, soups, chili, and of course fruit on hand..............nothing prettier or tastier than home canned foods! I also plan to get a good amount of cheeses made and aging for next winter. My husband and son are the biggest cheese eaters I've ever seen! I make cheddar and we like it sharp! Also mozzarella, swiss, pepperjack and parmesan and romano.............and soft cheeses too, cottage cheese and cream cheese. I make my own yogurt all the time too. I like to have pies in the freezer so all I have to do is take them out and bake them. I want to make my own smoked sausages this year and would love to smoke some fish............and I always have to make a boat load of jerky! I need to build some good sturdy pens and shelter for wildlife.............but this project may have to be put on the back burner yet another year since my hubby is not working. I want to be a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. We live in the boonies and I am constantly being brought tiny babies that have either lost their mother due to death or my dog raids a nest that I can't find. The year before last it was tiny bunnies..............so tiny it took me a while to figure out just what they were! Last year it was birds..........we had such terrible flooding and then the ice storm we had a lot of starving and injured birds. Mainly that's what I want to care for the most.........birds of all kinds. I wouldn't be against having other kinds of wildlife but mainly birds. Likewise I want to build a chicken pen and house.............totally enclosed to protect the chickens from predators. Another project that will probably have to wait! Lotsa of stuff I want to do.......whether it gets done or not is a whole other story lol. My hubby isn't too good at this sort of stuff............he just really has no interest in any of it........except the part where you eat lol. Christina