Here Comes Santa Again!

If you go way back to the beginning when I first started this blog, I spoke about making a wooden Queen Anne doll. I took an online class in which I purchased a kit. I haven't finished the doll. In fact, I think I have been working on it for two years. The reason I haven't finished is because of the carving involved. The kit has the hands and body cut already in a basic square form but I have to take the knife and actually carve the little fingers and hands to make them look more round. The whole process intimidated me so much that I never could actually get myself to even make one cut! Now I understand how fear can be paralyzing.

I am proud to say that I have overcome my fear of the knife! I recently took a woodcarving class at the local high school through the Adult Education program. What a fun class! The instructor, John Bontatibus,  was so helpful and so encouraging. My other classmates were a fun mix of experienced and novice woodcarvers. Mr. Bontatibus started us off with a square like Santa form ( I wish I had taken a picture!!), very similar to the way my Queen Anne doll is cut. He also carved the face and eye area so I can't take credit for that but I can say that I did the rest. Here's Santa:

What do you think? He's a cutie, isn't he? Thanks to Mr. Bontatibus and Mr. Santa, I am looking forward to working on my Queen Anne after the holidays are over. I am quite confident that she won't sit around for another year.

♥