I just print out the pattern and use spray glue to attach to the wood (for fretwork) - for intarsia I spray glue the pattern to posterboard, cut out the pieces and use the posterboard pieces to trace the pattern onto the wood. this way I can use them over and over without having to reprint the large pattern.
I feel you pain, after a few hours with my granddaughter I'm usually ready for some peace and quiet. She is generally a good kid, but gets in the moods not to listen and that irritates me.
Have a safe trip home.
This was cut from one piece of poplar. The face and insides of hand are natural color the rest was painted with really watered down acrylic craft paint. the grain still shows through slightly. I don't normally like to paint wood, but this was cut for a good friend. Stands about 12 1/2" x 21
thanks for all the great comments. I gave it to the customer today and he loved it, but he bought it for his wife so I will have to wait and see if she likes it as much as he did.
I use corel paint shop 10 for my pattern making(when I find time). I use this because this is what I learned on. on one of the old forums Arpop had a nice tutorial on how to use it and set it up. I use inkscape for some things, mainly smoothing lines after pattern is finished.