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Well it's that time of year that I create a "Work of Heart" for a Memphis Child Advocacy Charity. This year, I decided to make a maple leaf out of yellow heart. This is a donation and all proceeds from the sale go to the charity.

As usual, I start with an angle grinder and then progressively sand until I have sanded it to 1,000 grit. I put a 3 part finish on the leaf to make it really feel awesome to the touch. The actual size of the leaf is 19×21 x 2 inches deep. I then mount it with stand offs to a frame covered with black felt paper to give it the contrast that makes it awesome for someone to hang on their wall.

One of the photos shows a penny under it to show the scale. Tomorrow night is the event. Hope everyone loves it as much as I do and hope it makes good money for the charity.

One thing new this year, I airbrushed the red stain on the stem and around the outside of the leaf to make it more "fall-like". This was new to me and I will definitely use this technique in the future. The non-grain raising stain worked beautifully. I had an airbrush and only this year realized that it would work off the compressor.

As always, love your feedback. And questions.

Gallery

Comments

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Beautiful work Ellen.
 

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Beautiful as always.
 

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Great work, reminds me of maple leafs formed of maple sugar, by the color.
 

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A love of love for a good cause - can't beat that! Fantastic carving - good luck at the auction.
 

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beautiful
 

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Very attractive!
 

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This is a very fine work of Art Elllen, plus it was made for such a worthy cause. You and your work are always such a pleasure to see. Good to hear from you thanks for sharing this fine piece.
 

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Your work is drop dead gorgeous. I recently posted a suggestion on having something in the picture to provide a sense of scale. Thank you for having something in your picture, in your case the penny illustrates just how great your work really is, that is a very large piece.
I wish you the best of luck in your worthwhile endeavor, It would be great if you could post an update to tell us how well you did.
RMC
 

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Stunning work Ellen…This is a beautiful piece as all of yours are. Someday I hope to see one in person. Memphis Child Advocacy Charity is so fortunate to have you as a donor.
 

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Beautifully done! It's great to see a fellow West Tennessee, who is such a fine woodworker/artist, with such an extremely high level of accomplishment. Beautiful work!.... Hope I get to see more of it in person sometime.
 

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Those are incredible Ellen. You have a very artistic heart. :)
 

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Beautiful….Any time you post your work i know were in for a real treat, and this has not left me wanting, you have done it again and i thank you for sharing your work…it inspires me to try my hand at carving..
 

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I love it, very nicely done.
 

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Thanks so much for the comments. I will let you know what this contribution means to the charity. Go West Tennessee! Just wish we had some of east Tennessee's mountains!!!

Without the penny, it's hard to see the real size. Hugs to all my LJ buddies!!
 

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WOW. I really like this. Yes, please tell us how you do!
 

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Wow! Those are really beautiful. Carving them really bring out the beauty.
 

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LOVE! I just looked at your other projects - you are very talented Ellen. Keep up the amazing work.
 

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Ellen,

Waiting a full year to see another piece of your beautiful artistry is far too long! Each year you reach need heights. We'll be excited to hear the results.

L/W
 
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