Thanks, guys!
Yes, the plan is from Woodsmith issue 32 or 34. I've built one before using red oak, but I like this one a lot more. Don't tell my niece...
I gave it a seal coat of shellac and then did a light sanding. The finish is called Rude & Crude. At least that's what the guy I learned it from called it. Equal parts BLO, pure tung oil, and satin polyurethane. Apply liberally, let sit for 15 minutes, and wipe off. Wait a day and do it again - with no sanding between coats. I used three coats.
The rose is just yellow veneer for the petals and plain/white veneer dyed green for the stem & leaves. I had to re-apply the dye (using a brush) to the stem & leaves after scraping everything flush. As a result I had to re-do the petals due to the dye leaching into the yellow veneer.
I sealed the edges of the he
second rose with thin super glue where they mated to the green. The second rose actually looked a lot better, so I guess it was a blessing in disguise...
Thanks again, Everyone! I really appreciate the kind words!
Dave
"One should respect public opinion insofar as is necessary to avoid starvation and keep out of prison, but anything that goes beyond this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyrany, and is likely to interfere with happiness in all kinds of ways."