It starts with a design The first step is designing a pattern that tells about the personin this case Pat is an exquisite quilter.

Stick the pattern to the wood Once we agree on a pattern, I print it out and glue it to the type of wood you requested. The adhesive is easily removed later and using the print out ensures that the final product looks like the pattern. Well, using the paper pattern combined with my ability to follow the lines ensures it anyway...

Initial cut Depending on the board size, I often have to make a quick cut around the pattern to make it a manageable size.

Drilling the pattern holes Then I have to drill an access hole for each area that needs to be cut out. Its important for me to be sure Im drilling on the correct side of each line.so that I dont have to add pictures of me starting over.

Cuttin the plaque Then its back to the saw where I have to thread the blade through each of the little holes and cut away the relief areas of the pattern. Many patterns have 50 to 100 individual areas that must be cut this way and accuracy is very important as the areas are small and missing the line would lead to the do-over pictures I mentioned earlier

Keep going until its all cut out I just keep going until all of the inner areas are cut out and then I cut around the outside of the pattern. Its shown here completely cut out with the paper pattern still attached.

All thats left is to finish up After its all cut out, then I remove the pattern, sand as needed, build and attach a base. I very seldom use any stain as I believe the beauty of the wood is part of the allureand staining all of the little holes is a pain in the buttso I use a clear finish to show off the wood selection.