Annie, Jules, Martin and Gail put in a Big Tree shift this weeknd and made their own shave horses. Using ash and oak that our local forester on Lothian Estates had looked out for us, they made superb work stations for their own green woodworking projects. The hand skills, tool knowledge and general attitude was awesome. Two cracking frosty and bright November days  ... what a way to spend a weekend learning new technique. Well done guys !

Another great sunny and warm autumn day here at Buy Design Gallery. We had a great weekend of making and craic. "Repeat offenders" Dave and Gail were there making shaving horses and hedge chairs. Their work is always good and its great to see them coming on with the green wood. New boy Gavin made a fantastic chair at his first attempt on the hedge chair course. Beautiful lines and accurate construction. Let's see if he can encourage more of Scotlands architectural community to learn about timber, tools and technique - first hand. Mackem and Tackem - Make Them and Take Them coined by our Durham Dave - could be a new strap line for The Big Tree Society courses. Some new course dates up the the booking forms for 2013 folks - have a look.

Some images of the Forest Folk that we made as part of the Wooplaw 25 celebrations this month up at Wooplaw Community Woodlands. These wee gadjies went down a treat with bairns, and adults alike. Some great colours and hair -do's don't you think. We are going to leave them in the woods to look after the trees in Axehead and Gullet Woods.

Another great day making stools at Buy Design Gallery. Fiona, Callum, Dave and Annie put in a Big Tree shift and made beautiful stools on a hot sunny early Auumn day. Four gerat makers in the offing here we suspect. Keen as mustard and great craic.

Another great day with Big Tree participants managing to keep the rain away from the course day. See below for a studies in concentration. Some stool places free at end of August at Buy Design and at the Botanics, Edinburgh in October.