Corel Draw Graphics Suite X4

The new version of CorelDraw is being released so now is a good time to buy the last version. The New version is X5. You can get a deal on version X4 at Amazon right now. Many of you know that I use CorelDraw to design all my patterns. It's an investment in money and time but it does give the tools needed to design patterns. Don't buy it if you want a quick path to designing patterns. There is a learning curve. If you are serious and want to take the hobby to a new level then CorelDraw Graphic Suite X4 might be a good investment for you.

Designing patterns for the scroll saw requires only a small subset of the features of a vector graphic program like Draw. Because of this the older version are generally fine for us.

After this post I will get a bunch of email telling me that Inkscape is just as good as CorelDraw and it is free. Inkscape is a fine open source vector graphics program. I don't personally find it as easy to use as CorelDraw. By all means give Inkscape a try. If it works for you then use it. You sure can't beat the price.

Just for the record I am an Amazon affiliate but I receive no money from the link above. I only wanted to share this info because I think it's a good deal.

Art Deco Mini Picture Frame

You can probably tell I'm trying to use up wood scraps this week. This ArtDeco style mini picture frame is another project from the scrap bin. A small piece of Ambrosia maple and a little rosewood is all I needed to make this nice little desk picture frame. I used a 50mm photo insert from Woodcraft. It's nice to have a 1 7/8" forstner bit to cut the hole for the frame.

The photo insert costs $3.99. You can make a nice gift for practically no cost with projects like this.

Keep in mind that simple projects like this are all about the wood choice. This piece made from oak or pine would not be much to look at. Make it from some nice exotics or unique grained wood and you have something special. You are using so little wood that the high cost of exotics is not much of a concern here. In the project above the Ambrosia stain in the maple adds a great deal to the look of the piece. Then it is set off from the Rosewood background and really makes it pop. This piece also looks best with a high gloss finish.




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