Scroll Saw Village

For those who are still with me, here is the next installment of our video series as I create a scroll saw pattern using Adobe Photoshop.  This time we’re working on the dog’s body.  If you have any questions or comments, please stop by our forums.  While you’re there, be sure to introduce yourself.  There are a lot of fun and talented people there.  I think you’ll have a good time.  We also have a nice collection of free scroll saw patterns located in the Pattern Library.  Check it out!

Anyway, on with the show!

Well.  We made it past the half way mark!  For those of you still watching, we pick up where we left off.  This time we’re working on the right ear and the face! If you have any questions or comments, please join us in the forums! We’d love to have ya!

Note: I had trouble with audio drift on this episode as well. But don’t worry, the next few episodes recorded properly.

Welcome back!  We’re picking up with part 3 of the 7 part series where we convert a photo into a scroll saw pattern using Adobe Photoshop.  This time we’re working on the ear and left side of the face.

Note: I ran into a little technical problem when recording this episode.  You’ll notice the audio drifts a little bit.  Which basically means the sound and the video start getting more and more out of sync as the program progresses.  You’ll notice it more at the end of this program than at the beginning.  I apologize for this.  I have a few ideas on how to fix this, but in order to keep on schedule, I’ll post this episode the way it is.

Have a question or comment?  Join us in the forums!  We’d love to have ya!

Anyway.  On with the show!

This is part 2 of the continuing series where I convert a photo of a beloved pet into a scroll saw pattern using Adobe Photoshop.  We pick up right where we left off and work on the eyes, the forhead, and a little on the left side of the face.  For those interested, I’ve included the original photo along with the finished pattern so you can see where we started and where we ended.

If you have any questions regarding the techniques I describe, please let me know by posting a comment or asking in the forums.  On with the show!

There has been interest in the Scroll Saw Village forums on how to create a scroll saw pattern from a photograph. While there are hundreds of ways to design a scroll saw pattern, I share one technique that I use when it comes to difficult patterns. I’m using Adobe Photoshop in this screen cast. But these techniques can easily be adapted to your favorite graphics program.

Fair Warning: This is a monster of a tutorial. Each episode runs about 30 minutes and we have 7 episodes. So if you do the math, the whole series runs 3.5 hours long! Why so long? Well, first, the pattern proved to be a little more difficult than I originally anticipated. Normally it doesn’t take that long to create a pattern. And secondly, there has been interest to see the complete process. So, those who like to see the whole process will enjoy it. Those who only want the bullet points will be bored to tears. However, most of the information and techniques can be found in part 1.

One other note.  This is an experiment, so I’d love to get a little feedback. You can email me directly at scrollsawgoodies[at]gmail.com, leave a comment on the blog, or reach me on the Scroll Saw Village forums. Future episodes will be much more concise. I also plan on covering other graphics programs as well. If you’d like to see something specific, please let me know and I’ll see what I can do.

On with the show.

David Pruett from Folding Rule blog and podcast has a really neat project that’s perfect for scrollers; a saw blade organizer! He designed this organizer for a friend that does a lot of marquetry. David’s design will hold 6 blade tubes, a Archimedes drill, and drill bits. Beautifully made of cherry and finished with shellac and hand rubbed wax. He includes some great pictures with commentary, a video overview, links to sources, and a free project plan presented in PDF format. This is a really cool, check it out!

Thanks to Handi for the heads up on this really great project!

This video series was brought to my attention by Steve Good’s blog Scroll Saw Workshop.  It was so wonderful, I had to share it as well.

Dick Sader of Northwest Indiana Woodworkers Association has put together a great three-part video tutorial on how to cut compound Christmas ornaments.  He goes through each step with detail.  I’m sure you’ll learn a few things and perhaps you’ll give it a try yourself! After you’re done watching these videos, be sure to check out his other videos on violin building. Very impressive!

Here’s a neat video about wood mosaic artists Robin and Kathy Tucker. It isn’t scroll sawing per se, but it should interest those of you who do inlay, marquetry, or intarsia. Check it out!

First, I want to thank all of you for the kind words and encouragement. There are a lot of you just as excited about this podcast as I am, which is quite a relief. I was afraid no one would listen! Hopefully we’ll be able to discuss a lot of great scrolling topics in the months ahead.

I received a few emails from people wanting more information on how to use the podcast. I’ve put together a little tutorial to show you different ways of listening to the Scroll Saw Goodies podcast. Steve Good has also put together a great video showing you how to subscribe to the podcast with iTunes. You can see his video here. If these videos don’t quite answer your questions, feel free to email me with specific questions. I’ll do my best to answer them for you.

I’m already in the planning stages for episode 2, which should be out in a couple of weeks. Until then, we’ll get back on track tomorrow with our daily dose of Scroll Saw Goodies from the web.

As a blogger who highlights scroll saw resources on the internet, I have a difficult time not constantly writing about Steve Good’s website, Scrollsaw Workshop. If I was to write an article each time Steve creates a wonderful pattern, this blog would quickly turn into a Steve Good fan site. So I constantly have to reel myself in and only write about the patterns I really find extraordinary. Today, Steve came through with this wooden toy bi-plane pattern. The thing I like best about this pattern is that this design isn’t bogged down by excessive detail. I think a lot of designers get caught up in detail. There’s a fine line between too much detail and not enough, and I think Steve found that balance. The simple elegance and smooth curves really make this project stand out. This free scroll saw pattern is provided in PDF format for easy printing. Steve has also included a great video covering construction tips. Check it out! You won’t be disappointed.