Introducing Scroll Saw Village

What? It doesn't look like I redesigned the site! Yup, it's true to a certain extent. The truth is, I've been working on a completely new site! Can I get a drum roll please? I'm happy to announce...Scroll Saw Village! A brand new online community for scroll saw enthusiasts. Join us in the forum where you can talk with fellow scrollers about our favorite past time, share ideas and techniques, and maybe brag a little about our latest project. And not lets forget about the free patterns! We've installed a Pattern Library where you can easily browse free scroll saw patterns. No more wasting hours looking through file names. Patterns are provided in a photo album format so you know right away if its something you're interested in. But that's not the coolest feature. When you find a pattern or two (or three, or five), add them to your Download Cart. When you're ready, click one button and your favorite patterns will be automatically downloaded to your computer! No more fussing with 'right click, save image as, blah blah blah...

Along with the Pattern Library, each user gets their own personal User Gallery. Show off your latest cuttings, newest tools, or the shop makeover! Organize your personal User Gallery with any number of sub albums to keep things nice and tidy. Or just shove them all in one album. Its up to you! And the best part is, you don't have upload limits! Anywhere! So upload away!

Want to stay in touch with your scroller buddies? The private message system allows easy messaging between other members. Add your friends to your buddy list to keep easy track. With the file attachment feature, you can easily exchange pictures, patterns or whatever!

What about Scroll Saw Goodies? Are you giving that up? Heck no! I've moved Scroll Saw Goodies over to Scroll Saw Village and will continue to blog on a regular basis! Those of you who subscribe via email and RSS, don't worry because I'm taking the feed with me. So you won't have to change a thing. For those of you who like to read Scroll Saw Goodies the old fashion way, you can find me by navigating Scroll Saw Village, or just type in my new URL http://www.scrollsawgoodies.com. You'll be automatically forwarded to the right place.

Wow! That's quite a makeover, huh? Well, to help celebrate the new website, I'm having a contest! I'm giving away a Pattern Designer's Pack! The pack includes 3 clip art books from Dover Publishing (Big Book of Silhouettes, Ready-to-Use Sports Silhouettes, 1500 Decorative Ornaments). This is royalty-free clip art that can be used in designing your own patterns! Entry is easy. Head over to Scroll Saw Village (http://www.scrollsawvillage.com). Register for your free account and just post in the contest thread that you want to be entered! Want a better shot at winning? For each picture you upload to your User Gallery or a pattern you designed to the Pattern Library, you get one additional entry (for a total of 5 possible entries). I'll be doing the drawing on Feb. 14th and will announce the winner in the forums.

So be sure to join me over at Scroll Saw Village and lets ring in the new year with, what I hope to be, a great year for scrollers! Check it out!

Are You Excited Yet?

Are you ready? Are you as excited as I am? Because, tonight at midnight is the grand unveiling of Scroll Saw Goodies redesign! A complete overhaul with a couple of new features that I think you'll really enjoy! So be sure to stop by and see what all the hub-bub is all about! Tonight at midnight, Midnight, MIDNIGHT!

Happy Holidays!

I wanted to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I hope you all enjoy your time with your families and hopefully create a few memories along the way.

I know it has been quiet around SSG for the last couple of weeks. I've been working hard on the redesign of the website and will be launching the new changes in 6 short days. So join me on January 1, 2009 to ring in the new year and a very special Scroll Saw Goodies. I've added a couple of new features I think you'll really enjoy!

A Little Update

Here's a little update for those of you who take the time to follow my modest blog.

As you know, I haven't been posting as frequently as I normally do. For that, I apologize. So what's the deal? Have I been slacking? Nope. I've been working on a project that's been keeping me pretty busy, lately. I've been working hard on redesigning the website. I've even added a feature or two that I think you'll really enjoy. "What is it," I hear you saying. I can't tell you. Its a surprise. A New Year's surprise! So, make sure you stop by on January 1, 2009 and find out what the special surprise is. I think you'll like it.

Anyway, I'm still around and will continue to provide more Scroll Saw Goodies. Even if it is less frequent right now. But the end result will be worth it.

I hope you all are having a wonderful Holiday season. Be safe in your travels, and Happy Scrolling!

---Travis

Automata Dog

Here's a fun little automata project that's perfect for the scroll saw! This project is provided by Lee Valley Tools. They include detailed instructions with plenty of photos. They also provide the pattern in PDF format for easy printing. The project is easy enough for an afternoon in the shop. Check it out! And while you're there, be sure to take a look through their woodworking catalog. It's like being a kid in a candy store!

Color & Shapes Puzzle

Here's a fun project that would make a perfect gift for the little ones in your life. This Color and Shapes puzzle was designed by relfEZ of Tangible Art Projects. The pattern is provided in JPG format for easy scaling. This quick project can be easily cut from plywood or MDF. Paint the shapes with craft paint, a quick clear coat of acrylic spray and you're set! Check it out. And while you're there, check out his other projects. He has a lot of unique scroll saw patterns freely available for download. Very cool.

No More Handmade Toys

We all remember the massive toy recalls back in 2007. Toys made in developing countries, namely China, contained dangerous amounts of lead and other chemicals. This brought a lot of fear and concern about regulations regarding toy manufacturing. As a result, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) was passed in August 2008. This act requires third party testing and certification of all toys distributed in the US. This testing could cost up to $4,000 per toy. Large manufacturers could easily absorb this cost. Unfortunately, it will kill the handcrafted toy industry. Thousands of home crafters who make toys to supplement their income will have close up shop because they can't afford to have their toys certified. Parents who want a natural alternative to Mattel products will no longer have that option. Can you imagine a world without handcrafted toys? No more wooden cars and trucks. No more plush teddy bears or dollies.

The Handmade Toy Alliance has a website that explains the details of the CPSIA and how it will affect crafters. I urge you to send a letter to your Senator and Congressperson and request changes to the CPSIA so we can save handcrafted toys. You can find a sample letter and the name and address of your representatives on the Handmade Toy Alliance website.


Addendum:
You can also sign an online petition here.

Easy Book Ends

Here's a fun project for that little reader in your life. This bookend project is provided by Sabrina of Seeds of the Heart blog. This is a great afternoon project that turns out really neat. The instructions are pretty straight forward. For the letters, choose your favorite font in a graphics program or word processor. Enlarge the letters until the fit and you're set! Definitely give this project a try. It goes to show you that even the simplest of projects can turn out extra special.

Taking Lath Art To The Next Level

Dave Lampman has been doing lath art since 1979. He describes his work as "Casual art with a touch of understated elegance." Whatever it is, it certainly is beautiful. Check out his online gallery of some of his work. Perhaps it will inspire you to give lath art a try. When you're ready, head over to Lath Art Discussion Help and Examples blog, where he's a contributing author. There you'll find some great tips and more examples that will get you on your way!

Wood Mosaics

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!

Puzzling Out 50 Years

Here's a neat article that was in the news yesterday. Pam McPherson is an 84 year old scroller from Carbondale, Colorado. She has been making jigsaw puzzles for her friends and family for the last 50 years! She cuts about 100 puzzles per year, but has nearly 3,000 images in queue. Check out this article from Glenwood Springs Post Independent.

Layered Deer Mountain Scene

Here's a great layered deer mountain scene pattern provided by GAbaptist. Perfect for that outdoor enthusiast in your life. The pattern is hosted on Bukisa, which offers a unique interface distributing documents as shown below. Unfortunately, Bukisa doesn't offer a download option But you can easily print the pattern by choosing the Print option under the iPaper menu. GAbaptist has a number of other patterns available too. Including several Christmas ornaments just in time for Christmas! Check out what he has to offer!

Black Friday

It's looming...Black Friday. Here's an opportunity to support Scroll Saw Goodies and get something for yourself at the same time. Why spend Black Friday scrambling for amazing deals and fighting for mall parking spots when you can shop in your pajamas from behind your keyboard? We already know that Amazon provides great service and so many products, you can easily and safely fulfill your entire Christmas list.

So, what's the catch? When you purchase something for yourself or as a gift for a loved one through one of SSG links/banners, we get a small commission. That commission allows us to continue to provide great content, purchase equipment and bandwidth for the podcast, and help expand SSG. So in the end, you win both ways. You get great your Christmas shopping done early and you help support an online resource that continues to bring you great content!

Here's the deal. The Black Friday banner on this post has some incredible deals for a short time. So if you're looking to stretch your Christmas dollar, definitely check this out. It's for limited time, so you'll have to act fast. I'll also have an Amazon banner at the top the website through the end of Christmas. This will take you to the regular Amazon website where you can find everything under the sun. If you're looking for something specifically scroll saw related, you can check out the SSG eStore where I handpicked a lot of scroll saw related goodies.

There's other ways to support Scroll Saw Goodies, too. Most of them don't even involve the wallet. And in many ways, these are even more important to our success. You can read this article to find out more information.

Thanks for listening to my sales pitch. I try to keep these things to a minimum, so this will be the last you'll hear about it for the year. Thank you for your continued support and I look forward to what the next year brings. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Holiday Season. Stay tuned for more Scroll Saw Goodies.

Silhouette Letter Holder

Here's a neat project from Christine of Chantournage which I thought was rather clever. She cut out a silhouette of an animal. But instead of throwing away the scrap, she turned that into the back panel for this letter/napkin holder. It really gives this project a nice effect. Possible Christmas gifts? I think so! This would be a great project for those on your Christmas list as it can easily be cut in an afternoon. You can find silhouette patterns in a number of areas. Dingbats, internet clipart, Dover Clipart books or even 99 Silhouette Patterns for the Scroll Saw by Terence Calway!

Be sure to check out Christine's website and check out some more of her other work. Maybe it'll spark an idea or two for other Christmas gifts!

Turkey Tote

Here's a fun little project that should please the pilgrim in you. This free Turkey Tote pattern is provided by The Windfield Collection. Use this as a centerpiece filled with flowers, or vegetables from your fall harvest. They provide a nice printable pattern with detailed assembly and painting instructions. Make sure you get both parts of the pattern (November 1, 2008 and November 2, 2008). And while you're there, be sure to see what else they have to offer. They have a lot of great holiday patterns that are sure to please. Gobble gobble!

ep03 - Making A List And Checking It Twice

Who's on your Christmas list? This episode I brainstorm some ideas for possible handmade gifts for the loved ones in your family. There are a lot of great ideas out there, so this certainly isn't a comprehensive list. But it should get you on your way.


Listen to Episode 3 - Making A List And Checking It Twice.


---SHOW NOTES---

Traditional Puzzles

• Carter Johnson Tutorials (article 1, article 2, article 3)
  

Standing Puzzles

• Animal Puzzles For The Scroll Saw (Judy Peterson)
• Fantasy & Legends Scroll Saw Puzzles (Judy Peterson)
• Dinosaur Puzzles For The Scroll Saw (Judy Peterson)
• Scroll Saw Art Puzzles (Tony Burns)
• Scroll Saw Holiday Puzzles (Tony Burns)
• Scroll Saw Farm Puzzles (Tony Burns)
• Woodamals (Jim Sweet)
• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts (back issues)
• Creative Woodworks & Crafts (back issues)
• Scroll Saw Workshop (Steve Good)
• FreeWoodPuzzles.com
• Absolutely Free Scroll Saw Patterns

Tray Puzzles

• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts (Fall 2007)
  

Logic Puzzles

• Crafting Wood Logic Puzzles (Charlie Self)
• Scroll Saw Workshop (Steve Good)

Japanese Puzzle Boxes

• Bruce Viney (homemade puzzles)
• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Holiday 2008 (Bruce Viney)
  

General Toys

• Making Toys That Teach - Les Neufeld
• Making Heirloom Toys - Jim Makowicki
  
• Great All-American Toy Book - Norm Marshall
• Meisel Hardware Specialists
• Winfield Collection
• Scroll Saw Goodies
  

Chess

• Scroll Saw Workshop (Steve Good)
• Wooden Chess Sets You Can Make - Diana Thompson
• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Summer 2001 (Ayleen Stellhorn)
• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Summer 2003 (Diana Thompson)
• Scroll Saw Goodies
  

Checkers

• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Summer 2008 (Sue Mey)

Tic Tac Toe

• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Ultimate Scrolling Pattern Collection Volume 1
• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Fall 2004 (Diana Thompson)

Barrel Of Monkeys/Elves

• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Holiday Ornaments Toys & Gifts 2008

Hair Clips

• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Spring 2008

Earrings

• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Holiday 2006 Theresa Ekdom
• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Holiday 2008 Dave Van Ess

Mirror

• Scroll Saw Workshop (Steve Good)

Pencil Holder

• Creative Woodworks & Crafts Nov 2008

Note Holder

• Creative Woodworks & Crafts Sept 2007

Clipboard

• Christensen & Burgout Designs

Name Plate Pattern Generator

• Scroll Saw Pattern Printer (Steve Good - Scroll Saw Workshop)

Business Card Holder

• Scroll Saw Workshop (Steve Good)

Letter Opener

• Scroll Saw Workshop (Steve Good)

Key Chain

• Scroll Saw Goodies
• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts
• Scroll Saw Workshop (Steve Good)

Ornaments

• Scroll Saw Workshop (Steve Good)
• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts
• Creative Woodworks & Crafts
  
• Holiday Ornaments for the Scroll Saw (Rick Longabough)
• Compound Christmas Ornaments for the Scroll Saw (Diana Thompson)

Free Standing Word Art

• Christensen Burghout Designs
• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts
• Creative Woodworks & Crafts
  

Lichterbogens

• Arnold Volkner
• Sue Mey
• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts

Christmas Pyramids

• Arnold Volkner
• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts

Wildlife portrait

• Sroll Saw Goodies
• Absolutely Free Scroll Saw Patterns
• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts
• Creative Woodworks & Crafts
  

Coasters w/Inlay Team Logos

• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Fall 2008

Sports Number Plaque

• Scroll Saw Workshop (Steve Good)

Desktop Book Shelf

• Scroll Saw Workshop (Steve Good)

Book Marks

• Scroll Saw Workshop (Steve Good)
• Scroll Saw Blog (David Griffin)

Trivets

• Absolutely Free Scroll Saw Patterns
• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts
• Creative Woodworks & Crafts
  

Paper Towel Holder

• Scroll Saw Workshop (Steve Good)
• Meisel Hardware Specialists
• Winfield Collection

Napkin Holder

• Creative Woodworks & Crafts Jan 2008
• Scroll Saw Workshop (Steve Good)

Wine Caddy

• Creative Woodworks & Crafts Aug 2008 (Wayne Bosler III)

Wine Holder

• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Summer 2008

Candle Holders/Luminaries

• Sheila Landry Designs
• Scroll Saw Workshop (Steve Good)
• Scroller LTD
• Wildwood Designs
  

Shelves

• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts
• Creative Woodworks & Crafts
  
• Scroller LTD
• Wildwood Designs
• Meisel Hardware Specialists
• Winfield Collection

Custom Portraits

• Absolutely Free Scroll Saw Patterns

Trinket Boxes

• Box Making Projects For The Scroll Saw (Gary Mackay)
• Custom Wooden Boxes For The Scroll Saw (Diana Thompson)
• Sheila Landry Designs
• Scroll Saw Workshop (Steve Good)

Bowls/Baskets

• Making Wooden Baskets On Your Scroll Saw (John Nelson)
  
• Scroll Saw Basket Weave Projects (John Nelson)
  
• Scroll Saw Workshop (Steve Good)
• Scroll Saw Blog (David Griffin)

Music Box

• Custom Wooden Music Boxes For The Scroll Saw (Rick Longabough)

Clocks

• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts
• Creative Woodworks & Crafts
  
• Miniature Wooden Clocks for the Scroll Saw (Rick Longabough)
• Super Simple Scroll Saw Clocks (John Nelson)
• Scroll Saw Workshop (Steve Good)
• Absolutely Free Scroll Saw Patterns

Inspirational signs

• Absolutely Free Scroll Saw Patterns
• Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts
• Creative Woodworks & Crafts
  
• Christensen Burghout Designs
• Words of Faith in Wood (Jeff Paxton)
• Inspirational Scroll Saw Projects (John Nelson)

A Few Notes:
First, a little self promotion. Scroll Saw Goodies has a ton of great information and links to free scroll saw patterns. Be sure to check out my "Free Patterns" section as well as the "Toys & Games" section. I have highlighted hundreds of free scroll saw patterns that should keep you busy until next Christmas!

Both Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts and Creative Woodworks & Crafts has a ton of great patterns. It would take me too long to link to each individual issue, so I only linked to the magazine's main website. Wherever possible, I noted the issue in which the project came from. I encourage you to consider buying a few back issues of these great magazines. I love having access to so many great projects.

Absolutely Free Scroll Saw Patterns has recently merged with Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts forum. I still have linked to the main MSN Group page. But it won't be long before the patterns will be moved to Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts. If you have trouble finding a project, just post a question in the forum. Everybody there is very helpful and can point you in the right direction.

Steve Good at Scroll Saw Workshop has a lot of great free scroll saw patterns. Again, it would take me too long to link to all of the patterns I've discussed in the podcast. So instead I pointed you to his main website. You can dig through the archives to find patterns. Or you can scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and select the "Pattern Catalog". This is a picture reference of all the projects available.

Lichterbogen

One of my favorite sites belongs to the German pattern designer, Arnold Volkner. He is best known for his lichterbogens (lighted arches) and Christmas pyramids. His patterns reflect a lot of German tradition that has a quaint old-world feel. He has a section on his website where he offers a free pattern. I like to keep my eye on that section because he rotates a new pattern every few months. Right now he's offering a lichterbogen with a wonderful winter scene. Check it out. While you're there, check out his other patterns. His website is in German, but with the aide of Google Translator, you shouldn't have too much trouble navigating his site.

Brass Snowflake Ornament

Many times, us scrollers only think about cutting hardwoods and plywoods. But there are a number of other materials that we can cut as well. The folks at Woodworker's Journal has a great article on how to scroll saw a snowflake ornament out of brass! The article includes the free pattern, detailed instructions and accompanying photos. You can find brass and other sheet metals at your craft store or hobby store. If you still can't find any brass, check your home improvement store. You should be able to find a brass kickplate for entry doors that would work great. After you cut this pattern, dig through some of your other Christmas ornament patterns. That will give you plenty to cut out with this great material.

Do You Tweet?

This morning, I jumped on the Twitter bandwagon. Twitter is a micro-blogging tool that answers the question, "What are you doing?" The posts are limited to a mere 140 characters and is namely used for basic updates on what you're doing or thinking at that moment. A lot of woodworkers in the woodworking community stay in contact with each other via Twitter. They share ideas, new projects and get advice. Perhaps us scrollers could do the same! Think about it. A network of scroll saw enthusiasts sharing their next project, answering questions, and ranting about how the fast food drive-through forgot your fries again!
Stop by the Twitter website and check out their video. It explains the concept of Twitter very well. After you watch the video, sign up and start tweeting! I've added my Twitter feed to the sidebar. You can also follow my Twitter feed by clicking here. Be sure to let me know what your user name is so I can follow you too! Tweet On!

Wooden USB Thumb Drive

Here's a great project for that tech junkie in your life. This wood enclosed USB thumb drive (a mini hard drive that plugs into a USB port on a computer) can easily be made with nothing more than a scroll saw and a sander. Matt Burns of CrunchGear.com put together this great tutorial, showing you each step of the process with detailed instructions and accompanying photos. He uses contrasting woods for each of the layers to create this unique and beautiful thumb drive you won't find anywhere else. It may look intimidating, but all you need is basic skills and patience. It can easily be accomplished in a weekend. So, give it a try!