The carving of Santa and Snowman in the middle of a wreath is a Harley Schmitgen design that was carved from one of his rough outs.  This photograph was used as our Christmas card in 2009.  My sister was so taken by the unique design that she commissioned me to carve two smaller versions of the Harley Schmitgen original.  Harley, who is an Emeritus CCA member, is noted for his relief portraits carved out of two inch thick wood that looks like it is a much larger carving in the round.  The two carvings that are the subject of this posting were each  carved in the round out of a five inches tall by three and a half inches square block of basswood.  Traditional gouge carving tools were used in this carving project.  Read the rest of this entry »