Speedball Carver Review

I was becoming more and more intrigued to create prints from a carving. I had watched numerous videos on YouTube to learn about the techniques and methods that people used. I was hooked, and ordered my Speedball Linoleum Cutter.

I had some dense foam on hand that was used in some basic picture frames. It seemed that they were soon going to have a new purpose. My Speedball cutting tool arrived and I looked forward to cutting out my first print. Nope! Didn't work. The foam was a bit too dense. I had grown up with the adage of 'make do with what you got.' Well sometimes that works, and sometimes not. It was time to get something that I saw people have success with.

I placed another order for the Speedball print making blocks, called Speedy Carve. I figured since my first try didn't work, I wasn't going to go with a less expensive brand. I definitely wanted it to work. I ordered the Speedball Carving block.

The time came. I was going to make a real print. Something I actually dreamed about printing, and not just some little things to give it a try. I drew a picture of my cat, Tori, from a photo. She is gorgeous, no matter if I didn't draw every change in fur color!

The method I used was to first trace around my Speedy Carve block, so that I would have the appropriate dimension for my upcoming drawing.

With photo on my phone off to the side, I commenced to drawing, and shaded in the areas that I wanted to print, on my paper. The areas that you don't want to print, are the ones that get carved away.

I darkened my drawing with my pencil, and then laid it on the carving block, face side down. I used the smooth round side of a marker to rub over the back of my paper, to transfer the drawing to the block.

Cool, the image was easily transferred. As per tips from the videos that I watched, I went over my drawing on the block with a pen, as the pencil marks can easily get smeared away.

Then the carving began. I started with the smaller V shaped carving tool to carve right around the edges that I wanted to make my prints from. I used a larger V shape carving tool to carve out the larger areas. I even laid the large V carving tool on its side to cover more area. That worked pretty good.

Overall, the Speedball carving tool works really well, and glides smoothly along the surface of the Speedy Carve block. Per instructions from videos that I watched, I held the carving tool at an angle and with light pressure, pushed the tool along, away from my body, and my other hand.

I found that it helps to have good eyesight, good lighting, steady hands, and being able to see all the lines and areas that you want left intact. With a bit of a slip, part of what you want to print can easily go away. The black in one of the cat's eyes, was mistakenly made smaller, more like a slit when a cat is looking at a light. So guess what, the cat now has black slits instead of the wider eyed look. Oh well. She's still gorgeous!

I have since cut away the areas around the cat, and glued the carved block to a piece of wood. It gives me a solid piece to hold, and isn't wobbly or flexible.

I also found that I get a cleaner print when I press the carved block down into brayered paint that is smoothed out, rather than using the brayer to apply the paint directly to the carved block.

Hope you found some helpful tips here. If you want to try making prints yourself, I do recommend the Speedball Carving Took, along with the Speedball Speedy Carve.

Speedball Carving Tool Set Check for price.

Speedball Speedy Carve Check for price.

Thank you for visiting and for your comments. My plan now is to fine tune my print making of this cute cat, and then design some products with the prints in my CherylsArt store on Zazzle. Let me know if you have a cat color request and or product type that is available on Zazzle. I will be glad to oblige.

Cheryl Paton

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Decorative Window Film Review

I purchased a DIY decorative window film for my sliding glass door. This is my review and experience with it.

Years ago, I had installed a tinted window film to reduce the affect of the sun's rays. It served it's purpose and did a pretty decent job. Although on very bright sunny days, I still had to close the curtain to make the space more comfortable.

Spring forward to me getting a new computer desk and deciding to have it face the window instead of the wall. I wanted to see something more decorative, other than a tinted view of my neighbor's shed. I wanted something that was colorful.

I decided on the one with the grapevine design. (This is the view from below my desk.)

I love that I now have colors to look at. I can glance to the other glass panel to see what the weather and the birds are doing. So far, when the sun is bright, it gets scattered a bit and works as long as I don't look directly at the brightest spots.

I am happy with my purchase.

Installation Supplies:

The brand that I purchased is by Gila, and they recommend buying a separate installation kit. It comes with a liquid solution that gets applied to both sides of the film, and the glass that you are applying the film to. It also includes a spreader, cutter for spreading out the bubbles, and to do a final cut of the film around the edges.

I didn't go with an installation kit and instead did some searches on YouTube. I found out I could use distilled water with a couple of drops of dish detergent mixed in. (I didn't have distilled water on hand, and instead used some of my purchased drinking water.) As for the spreader, I used a 12 inch plastic ruler that has smooth edges and is see through. Here is a link for one if you need a ruler. https://amzn.to/3BGdr4d

I also used a utility knife and scissors.

Trim first:

I purchased the 3' by 6.5' size for the window film. The sliding door was two to three inches smaller than the film. Gila recommends cutting off excess film, leaving only around an inch of extra film before applying it to the window, glass. It is quite awkward to apply the film, so I do recommend trimming the film as well. I laid it down on my lightly carpeted floor to do the trimming.

Apply tape and separate top corners from backing:

The window film comes with an attached adhesive layer to keep the film from sticking to itself. This layer will need to be removed before applying the film to the glass. Gila recommends applying tape to the two upper corners on both outer sides of these corners. This is a big help to separate the film from its' backing. See diagram.

The upper ends of the tape are to be kept separated. The holder will then pull the two pieces of tape apart and watch for the film to separate from the backing. Separate a small section, then repeat on the other corner.

Spray on solution:

Spray on solution; either from kit or homemade mix of distilled water and a couple drops of dish detergent. I sprayed the top side of the film, the part that was facing up once I removed the backing. I kept spraying it in sections as I continued pulling the backing from the film.

While that was sitting, I sprayed the glass window that it was to get applied to. Then as best I could, I sprayed that back of the film that had been laying on the carpet, and then carried it to the sprayed window. You need to keep the film away from sticking to itself.

Apply the prepared film to the window:

I placed the smooth side of the film to the prepared window. It is quite slippery, which it is meant to be, so that you can slide it into position. I sprayed on more solution as needed. Since my desk was already in place, I had to work around and under it to get things in place. Oh well.

Once I got the film straightened out on the glass, I used the plastic ruler to squeegee the film to the glass, working from center areas out toward the edges. The goal is to work the bubbles out from under the film. Don't worry if the film starts to come down when you first doing this. I just pulled the film out and sprayed more solution on wherever it was needed.

Final trim:

After I got the bubbles all worked out, I did a final trim with the utility knife and scissors. The utility knife didn't always cut through the film, so I pulled it away from the glass, and used the scissors. I then applied more solution when needed and squeegeed again with the ruler.

Voila! I got it done. It took me longer than I thought, but would have went better had I decided to decorate my window before building my desk!

Anyway, I got it done and I am pleased with how it turned out.

Smaller windows should be a lot easier and also when nothing is as close as five inches in front of it; i.e. my desk. {grin}

Amazon did not show the grapevine scene that I purchased. If you want the grapevine scene, you can check with Menards. You can also peruse other designs on Amazon by visiting the link below.

If you're looking for an inspiring way to add more color to your life, and you're okay with DIY, I recommend a decorative window film.

Gila Glass Scenes Spiral Mosaic Decorative Window Film on Amazon.

Hope you enjoyed this project and that you learned some helpful tips.

Cheryl Paton

As an Amazon affiliate, Cheryl Paton earns income from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to the purchasers.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Introducing Shepherd's Wool Yarn by Stonehedge Fiber Mill

My first experience with hanks of Shepherd's Wool is that this yarn is extremely soft, beautifully colored, and easy to work up. I am thrilled about my choice of yarn color and the mill that spun it. I could not have made a better choice of my first handspun wools for my first crochet cardigan project. 

I recently went to my first Fiber Festival and purchased handspun yarns with the plan to crochet a sweater for myself. Previously, I hadn't had the confidence to attempt crocheting a sweater. Especially, with more expensive handspun fiber yarns. I've decided to jump right in. I researched an easy cardigan crochet pattern and the various vendors that were going to be at the Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival. I had chosen the yarns from two vendors and only  had to choose the yarn colors and weights while at the festival. 

I had recently reviewed the Companion Fiber yarn that I purchased during that adventure. Today, I will tell you about the Shepherd's Wool from Stonehedge Fiber Mill, Michigan. 

I had gone to the festival with a plan of purchasing yarn from two specific shops. I first bought the hand dyed yarns at Companion Fiber then made my way to the Stonehedge Fiber Mill booth to choose the neutral colors that will make up the majority of my cardigan.

The Yarn: Shepherd's Wool

This yarn is so luxurious that I find myself touching the skein just to give it an extra squeeze. 

• Sport weight (2 weight)
• 2.5 ozs - 230 yards 
• Worsted Spun Fine Wool ("merino top")
• Hand Wash - do not agitate
• colors - granite and black

The website speaks more about "merino top" and that the way this yarn has been spun creates a yarn that is smooth, almost shiny in appearance, and creates wonderful stitch definition in your projects. I do not yet understand the different levels of yarn and what type of spinning creates what quality of yarn, but I have experiences that this yarn has a gorgeous look and does great a wonderful stitch definition. The way the yarn is spun, it looks like two different colored strands to me, it gives a depth of color in my project that I don't get with many other yarns. 

I purchased the neutral colors of yarn (black and grey) from Stonehedge Fiber Mill. 

The Mill: Stonehedge Fiber Mill, Michigan USA

This family owned and operated mill provides services such as carding, fiber spinning, and fiber evaluation (Please check their site for updates on the availability of these services. The site currently states that they are not accepting new items for services due to their backlog.)

They also offer handmade yarns, batting, and roving from their own flock. 

The Stonehedge Fiber Mill booth was filled with their yarns in various weights, a gorgeous colorful skein that is called Stonehedge Crazy yarn, T-shirts, and the most gorgeous handmade stuffed sheep, alpaca, and other animals. Deb had made the wonderful stuffed animals. Even though she had many customers, she took the time to help me make decisions about the best color and weight of yarn to work with the yarn I had purchased at Companion Fiber. 

The Stonehedge Fiber Mill is located in the northern portion of lower Michigan (on the Traverse City and Petosky side of the state). If you are not local to that area, and are not able to visit the mill shop in person, they do online orders. 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Reviewing Beginner Rock Tumbling Supplies

I have always loved interesting stones and fossils. I always thought polished rocks are gorgeous. But I have never tried polishing (or tumbling) rocks at home, until now. My first batch of tumbled rocks have gone through the cycles and while they aren't as shiny and smooth as the polished rocks found at souvenir shops, they are very pretty. And it was a fun adventure. Had I known that it was this easy, I would have begun long ago.

I had recently begun fossil and rock hunting again because my grandson was sending me photos of interesting rocks. Geodes were my favorite to find as a child in the Midwest. But it doesn't seem that geodes occur naturally where I live now in West Virginia. In my research about local rocks, I was seeing gorgeous photos of polished rocks that people in the rock hounding groups were sharing. I decided to purchase a rock tumbler.

Coincidentally, I learned that a child at work also has a great interest in rocks. I told him that we could learn how to polish rocks together. He is delighted with finding rocks, giving them to me, then having them returned clean and shiny. 

I've done this first two batches of polished rocks with a tumbler and with a set of polishing grit. Of course, there are many more products that could be purchased. But I had fun results with just this small amount of items. We are learning that some rocks polish and some do not. Some stay approximately the same size and become shiny and others quickly wear away to nothing or crumble apart. Beginning to identify rocks is becoming a part of this process.

Rock Tumbler

I chose the Central Machine rock tumbler from Harbor Freight Tools. I knew NOTHING about rock tumblers when I went shopping that day. But it turns out that I'm very pleased with my purchase. 

Central Machine tumbler from Harbor Freight:

• dual drum, 6 lb capacity
• low speed and quiet
• barrels are rubberized to reduce noise
• fan-cooled, V-belt driven
• can be used with all types of polish media (ceramic, glass, resins, and nut shells)

You can find rock tumblers on Amazon. There are unknown brands and brands from companies such as National Geographic rock tumblers and kits for children. There are also rock polishers that work by using vibration. I would recommend the National Geographic tumbler and kit for kids, even thought it is a smaller, single tumbler because it comes with everything needed to try tumbling once; including some rough stones. Great for a one-time adventure in a classroom or with a person who isn't sure they are very interested in tumbling rocks. You can find that National Geographic kit here. 

One of the reasons that I'm happy about my Central Machine purchase is the dual drums. Tumbling rocks takes a long time; weeks or more. With dual drums I am able to run two sets of rocks at different stages of polishing at the same time. 

If you do not have a Harbor Freight store near you, there are many rock tumblers available on Amazon.

Polishing Grit

I chose the grit set because I saw the labels on one of the rock polishing channels that was most helpful to me on youtube. 

Polly Plastics rock tumbling kit was the brand she was using so it was the brand I ordered from Amazon. The kit came with 5 separate containers. They included:

• Step 1 Coarse grit
• Step 2 Medium grit
• Step 3 Pre-polish fine grit
• Step 4 Final Polish (Aluminum Oxide)
• container of 1 1/2 lbs of Ceramic Media (used to cushion and protect the rocks during tumbling at different stages).

While I had watched a variety of tutorials on rock tumbling, and everyone seems to have slightly different preferences, the Polly Plastics kit also comes with step-by-step instructions for their set. 

If you have ever wondered about tumbling rocks I hope you give it a try. I wish I would have started my rock tumbling adventures years ago. 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Signs of Autumn Coloring Book for Adults Review

I had been looking through coloring books that had relaxation somewhere on the cover. So many of them had intricate designs, many with no real rhyme or reason to them, that filled the page. If I were to describe what I saw, I would say that they were too busy for my taste.

When I think of relaxation, as far as coloring goes, I like at least somewhat recognizable designs, that have larger shapes for the most part. Being an artist and designer, I decided to design a coloring book that I would like.

I chose autumn as the theme; therefore, I could choose a variety of designs that could cover a variety of things that represented autumn. I could have autumn leaves, Halloween, apple pie, and more; all in the same book.

Yes, I do like the themed designs. I chose to make the coloring pages single sided, so each coloring page could come out cleaner. There would be little to no bleed through should the coloring artists choose markers.

Provided in the back of the book are pages to test out various coloring mediums. Below is an image of the different mediums that I checked out. I used mediums that I had on hand, to give you an idea of how well they and the paper performs.

Results of testing of mediums:

Bleed through:
There wasn't any bleed through from any of the colored pencils that I used.

There was bleed through from both types of markers that I used. The bleed through showed on the back of the page I colored on, but did not show up on the next consecutive page. Heavier pressure and or different brands could render different results.

There was some bleed through of the Prismacolor water-soluble colored pencils, once I added water to the color that I had already applied on the page.

There wasn't any bleed through from the watercolors that I premixed with water and paint on the brush, with very little water.

Pressure lines:

Pressure lines showed up through the back side of the page when I used the PaperMate Ink Joy Gel Pen. It was a size 0.7. The pressure lines also went through to the next page.

Pressure lines also showed up on the back side of the page when I used the Office Depot Gel Pen, but they weren't as noticeable as the pressure lines from the PaperMate gel pen.

On with the review:

Each design page has a dark gray border around the perimeter of the drawing, should anyone want to frame and or hang individual pages. The frame type border also provides a nice finished edge.

The paper has a good weight to it. It has a smoothness to it that is not overly smooth; it is not type writer paper. It has a bit of texture to it, as to grab and hold the color from colored pencils, etc.

My recommendations:

If you or you know someone who likes coloring larger images and or autumn themed coloring books, then I recommend this book.

If you prefer using gel pens in your coloring book, and you like this book, then I recommend placing a sheet of thin smooth cardboard under the page that you are coloring and or outlining with gel pens.

My preferred coloring medium for this project is the Koh-I-Noor Polycolor Coloured Pencils. I used the twelve pack, but would very much like to have the 24 pack, as they have a variety of landscape colors which would be great for coloring leaves and such.

This coloring book is ready for purchase on Amazon.

Signs of Autumn Coloring Book for Adults on Amazon

You can find more coloring books by Cheryl Paton on this blog: Coloring Books by Cheryl Paton.

Cheryl Paton

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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3D Printing In Libraries Reviewed

Are you intrigued with 3D printing? The 3D printing market has exploded the last few years, but is it reasonable and affordable for consumers to own a 3D printer?

Look no further than your local library! Did you know your local library may provide access to 3D printers for free or at a nominal cost?  An alternative does exist to owning a 3D printer and the use maybe included with your library access (or in many areas, shared access between libraries.)

The possibilities truly are boundless with 3D printing projects. The libraries in my area offer a myraid of 3d printing services and/or use of the printers by patrons or the library staff. Step 1 of 3D printing is to find a design and finding a free and open source design is as easy as visiting a website, choosing the design and uploading the design to your computer, cloud or thumb drive.

Where To Find Open Source (Free) 3D Designs

The three sites I review for free designs are:

Thingiverse (my favorite)

Cults

My Mini factory, free and paid designs, niche

The sites are easily searchable and also provide visual examples if a design was made by others. I found this feature especially useful so if a chosen design has been made successfully by multiple users I view this as a possible design to use. The sites are reminiscent of open source software sites of the past, but with 3D printer design files.

I love the variety and imagination of the designs. What a great project this could be for kids and grandkids with an innovative interest: shop for the design, upload the design, visit the 3D maker space to view actual 3D printers and use the printers (depending upon the policies of the library.)

How 3D Printing Works With Library

My local library offers free 3D printing through its' on site Idealab! And the free printing is not just for patron of the library; free to anyone!

The library has a monthly que with a limit of projects. Projects are submitted via email on a google doc form. The Idealab provides 200 kg of filament per monthly project. If the project requires additional filament then the patron can provide the filament per the instructions from the library.

The STL files are uploaded with the google form and the direct link to the files is also provided to the library.

When the project is finished an email is sent from the library and the project is then picked up in the grab n go area of the library. So simple! So easy! So fun!

The majority of large libraries in my area now offer 3D printing: the policies vary per library, but the intent is to provide a service at a nominal if any, cost.

A Few Examples of 3D Printing From The Local Library

Slow Feed Dog Bowl

Painting palette

Table!

The MCM table was a special project from the lab. Reservations were required and clearly it was anticipated the project would fill up quickly. Online registration was opened and filled to capacity within minutes.

The tables were printed within approximately one month and ready for pick up from the library. The table was in three pieces, the legs, base and tabletop. All pieces fit together and could be (if desired) reinforced with glue. It took only a few minutes to assemble.

The table below is similar to the table the library printed.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Make Homemade Easter Candy

 As Easter approaches, the joy of celebrating with family and friends is complemented by the sweet treats for this spring Holiday. 

Why not add a personal touch to your Easter celebrations by making homemade Easter candy to add a special touch to your Holiday festivities.

Make Homemade Easter Candy-Reviewed

We make a day of it yearly by making Easter candy with our grandchildren. Making your own chocolate candy for any Holiday is fun, and the kids have a great time being creative with decorating the candy.

The photo above shows some of our daughter's and the kids' creative work last year. I take no credit for the decorating, as none of it was done by me. My only job is to melt the chocolate and take some pictures.

We use a double boiler to melt the chocolate on the stove. You can also melt the chocolate in the microwave using a microwave-safe bowl. 

I never have any luck melting the chocolate in the microwave. I like using the double boiler because I can add chocolate discs to the melted chocolate and keep stirring it.

There are many brands of chocolates to buy. We have been buying Wilton Candy Melts. We use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and various colors for decorating. You will find instructions on the Wilton Candy Melt bags for melting the chocolate in the microwave or using a double boiler.

After the chocolate is melted we just spoon it into the various plastic molds and then set the mold in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. After the chocolate is solid you are ready to decorate with the different colors of melted chocolate. 

The bunnies shown above are just out of the freezer and will be decorated with different colored chocolates using small brushes and toothpicks.

In the photo above, Bobby is filling a mold with chocolate and adding sticks. Tyler is preparing to decorate with different colors of chocolate using toothpicks and brushes.

This Easter, take the opportunity to create lasting memories by making your own homemade candies. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, this delightful activity is sure to bring joy to your celebration. Share the sweetness with family and friends, and embrace the satisfaction of crafting your own Easter treats. Happy Easter!

Easter Egg Chocolate Molds 3pcs Silicone Easter Candy Molds 12 Design Egg Candy Molds Non Stick for Ice Cube Resin Expoxy

Candy Molds N More Easter Bunny Lollipop Chocolate Candy Mold 882

Wilton Dark Cocoa Candy Melts® Candy, 12 oz.

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5 Vision Board Ideas to Manifest Success in the New Year

As we enter a new year, many of us find ourselves setting resolutions and goals for the months ahead. 

However, amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it's easy to lose sight of our aspirations. This is where the power of vision boards comes into play. 

A vision board visualizes your goals and dreams as a daily reminder of what you want to achieve. Especially at the beginning of a new year, when optimism is high and possibilities seem endless, creating a vision board can be a powerful tool to keep you on track.

5 Vision Board Ideas:

1. Classic Collage Vision Board: The classic collage vision board is a timeless favorite. This is the one I used many years ago. I cut out photos of things I wanted to manifest in my life and featured the entire collage on the side of our fridge. Gather magazines, scissors, glue, and a large board. As you flip through magazines, cut out images, words, and phrases that resonate with your goals. Arrange them on the board in a visually appealing way. This hands-on approach allows you to tap into your creativity and intuition while creating a powerful visual representation of your aspirations.

2. Digital Vision Board: In the digital age, creating a vision board doesn't require paper and glue. Use online tools or apps to craft a digital vision board. You can include images, quotes, and even videos that inspire you. Digital vision boards are easily accessible on your devices, providing constant motivation whenever you need a boost. This type of vision board is particularly convenient for those who prefer a more tech-savvy approach to goal-setting.

3. Travel Vision Board: If wanderlust fuels your dreams, consider a travel-themed vision board. Collect images of your dream destinations, experiences you want to have, and the type of adventures that resonate with you. Whether it's exploring new cultures, relaxing on a beach, or hiking in the mountains, a travel vision board can serve as a powerful motivator to work towards creating a life filled with exciting journeys.

4. Career Vision Board: For those focused on professional growth, a career vision board can help clarify and visualize your professional goals. Include images and quotes related to your desired career path, skills you want to develop, and the work environment you aspire to be a part of. This tangible representation can serve as a daily reminder of your career ambitions, guiding you toward making choices that align with your professional aspirations.

5. Vision Board Book: Books have the power to inspire and guide us on our journey. Consider creating a vision board within the pages of a dedicated journal or notebook. Use each page to represent a different aspect of your life—personal, professional, health, relationships, and more. Include drawings, affirmations, and snippets of inspiration. 

As we embark on a new year, creating a vision board is a powerful ritual, aligning intentions with actions. We are what we think about; put it on paper or in an App and steer those thoughts towards the things you want in life.

Whether you opt for the classic collage, a digital version, a travel-themed board, a career-focused layout, or a vision board book, the key is to infuse it with genuine passion and purpose. 

Embrace the creative process, trust the journey, and let your vision board guide you toward your desired life. 

Happy envisioning; give it a try.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Flex Seal Liquid Rubber - Reviewed

 Flex Seal liquid rubber in a can is a liquid rubber sealant coating. Flex Seal can be brushed on, rolled on, poured, or dip something to create a rubber coating.

Flex Seal is an easy-to-use liquid coating that dries to form a watertight rubberized seal. Once Flex Seal is cured it will seal out water and moisture on a variety of surfaces.

Projects that I have used Flex Seal For:

My basement closet corner was the very first project where I used Flex Seal. The wall and baseboard were wet and turning black from mold.

I was walking around the hardware store trying to figure out how to fix this and that is when I found Flex Seal. I had seen it advertised on television so I thought why not give this a try.

After we cleaned all of the mold from the wall and baseboard, I painted the area with a primer. Then, I brushed the Flex Seal onto the wall, baseboard, and even part of the floor.

As you can see in the photo, after two years there is no moisture or mold. 

This is our outdoor dining table. I told Fran last year that this would be it for this table, next year we will have to get a new one.

It is a glass top table with a metal edge. The problem is that over the years the edge rusted. I have restored this table a couple of times and really thought it was time to get rid of it.

The edge rusted to the point where it had some holes. I filled the holes with a product called JB Weld SteelStick, sanded it down, brushed Flex Seal over the edge, and then spray painted to match the color. 

We just may get one more year out of this table.

My third project for Flex Seal was to seal some leaking gutters. The end caps and seams on the house gutter were leaking when it rained. 

I brushed on Flex Seal to all of the seams and end caps on the gutters and the problem was solved. This I don't have a photo of because there was no way that I was going back up the ladder to take pictures.

I'm very pleased with the performance of Flex Seal on the projects that I have used it on. I am sure there are many more uses for Flex Seal. It comes in a liquid, spray, and caulking I believe you can buy it in white or black.

Flex Seal Liquid, 16 oz, Clear, Liquid Rubber Coating Sealant, Waterproof, Flexible, Breathable, and UV Resistant, Roof Repair, Basements, RV, Campers, Trailers, Marine, EPDM, Masonry

 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Forest Animals in Wood Reviewed

There are many clever artisans who create Woodland animals hand-cut from a variety of woods for children's play. Other crafters create them as wall hangings, some especially sweet for a baby's nursery or a child's room. Others create wooden animal puzzles.  

Some are finished in natural wood, many of which are considered 'Waldorf Toy Animals'.  Others are hand-painted. All are special because they are lovingly handmade.

These Forest Critters include the animals usually found in the woods, including foxes, wolves, bears, deer, squirrels, bunny rabbits and many others, including birds such as the Owl. 

This page presents a few creative sets of Woodland creatures and a couple individual animals as toys – all created in wood. 

Waldorf Toys

According to a description on Google....

Waldorf toys are wooden toys, they are eco-friendly toys and of course organic toys. ... Toys that are made from natural materials, with rich, natural colors, and that are lovingly handcrafted are inviting and contribute to a child's “sense of life.” Waldorf toys are often simple, without a lot of detail. 

Woodland Animal Sets in Wood

Woodland Animal Nature Toys

All Natural toys for small children shaped like cute Woodland Animals to promote Nature-Based Play.

Each critter is hand-cut out of natural wood and sealed with a Non-Toxic Food Grade Sealant made from beeswax and olive oil. 

These natural wooden toys encourage key early childhood developmental skills such as brain development and small motor skills. They can practice balance by standing them up and stacking, counting the animal toys and families, or creative play with these fun natural toys. 

There are two sizes to the sets, which include a bear, a deer, a rabbit, a squirrel and a bird.  These wooden forest animals are handmade by Erik in Michigan and are available in his Etsy Shop Hessler Customs.

Animal Puzzle Handmade in Wood

Wooden Frog Puzzle

This stand up frog puzzle is handcut from 3/4" thick cherry on a scroll saw, sanded smooth, and finished it with a natural beeswax and organic jojoba oil polish.

The puzzle is 6 1/4" tall, 7 1/4" wide and 3/4" thick. It has four puzzle pieces.  This is a great beginner puzzle for ages 3+.

Woodland Frog puzzle is handmade by Susan who lives in Missouri near St. Louis. She has been creating adorable woodland creatures for many years and is a very talented craftsman. Susan and I met up several years ago when I was living in St. Louis and I have been a fan of her work ever since seeing them in person. You can find this frog puzzle and many other delightful wooden toys created by Susan in her Etsy Shop OohLookItsARabbit.

Woodland Animal Peg Dolls

Woodland Animal Peg Dolls

These Woodland animal peg dolls make for delightful playtime. They are made of solid beechwood, measure 2/5 inches tall and are hand-painted and sealed using CE tested (certified) non toxic paints and sealants.

Included in this listing are a Bear, a Fox, a Deer, a Hedgehog, an Owl and a Badger. They are available to purchase individually or as a set.

These Woodland animal peg dolls are handmade by Katie and are available in her Etsy Shop Multipegs.

Woodland Animal Wall Hangings for the Nursery

Woodland Animals Wall Art for the Nursery

This delightful array of Woodland animals for the nursery wall (or any child's room) are created by Lea of Michigan for her Etsy Shop NovelWares.

• Crafted from 1/4” solid walnut which is sourced from sustainable and responsibly harvested forests

• Sealed with a poly for durability and easy cleaning

• Comes with double sided tape for easy and quick installation on your wall.   

Some of Lea's forest animals include 

• Flin the Fox
• Rok the Squirrel
• Greyson the Deer 

There is also a bear, a bee, a hedgehog and a wolf.  Check out Lea's shop for many selections in this world of wooden forest animals. 

Summary

Many more Woodland Forest Animals are available throughout Etsy cleverly created in wood.  Just do a search for Woodland Animals in Wood for a wide variety of these cute animals who live in the forest. 

Related Post:

Review of Woodland Forest Animals as Soft Toys

*Forest Animals in Wood reviewed by Wednesday Elf

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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