Creative Woodworks & crafts 2005-09, страница 28

Pattern Located in Full Size Pattern Section No. 11

Robinson of SKWoodWorks

Introduction

Here is little Curly Sue, an adorable American Cocker Spaniel, as she waits for her beloved "Jim-Dear" and "Darling" {of Lady and the Tramp fame) to arrive home and shower her with gentle pats and heartfelt endearments. Cockers are such devoted little dogs. They are wonderful indoor companions and fit perfectly on your lap. Spoiling them comes easy as they stretch out in their own beds or curl comfortably atop your comforter. In either case. Cockers crawl irretrievably into your heart and warm you from the inside like a perfectly brewed cup of coffee. As Curly Sue patiently waits with her velvety muzzle across her ruffled paws, just the hint of her salon-trimmed nails are visible to the left of her puffed cheek and under the mass of a wavy, curly ear!

These dogs are also famous for their eyelashes, which are present (and precious) on both male and female dogs. Cocker pups are some of the all-time cutest animals I have ever seen (and this is coming from a bona fide

Golden Retriever and horse fanatic)! We had a fawn-colored, curly-haired "Goldie" Cocker Spaniel in our extended family when I was growing up, and she was as much fun to visit as our relatives!

"Accentuate the positive" was what we were thinking as we looked for the appropriate piece of wood from which to cut the pattern, and we soon found this curly maple board at our local woodshop. To give this piece c "mat" or framed area, I squared the corners around the dog. which also helped with the framing process. However, you can easily round off the 90° angles to create an oval shape that may fit into a narrower plank, possibly with a live edge. Kerry used a piece of Honduran mahogany for the frame to beautifully emphasize the red-gold in the maple and bring out the colors in the dog. He measured and built the frame according fo the final dimensions of his curly board. Depending upon your preferred thickness and availability of wood, your frame will vary.

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