Noah and his wife Joan

I have been plugging along for nine days now, working an hour or so, here and there.  I finally completed profiling the edges and hand-sanding each puzzle piece on both sides.  I didn't realize how many pieces I cut and how labor-intensive it is.  How can you put a price on something like this?  Would you pay $200.00 for a hand-made puzzle?

Doubtful. But the hours add up.

This is the start, laying on the pattern, drilling holes for eyes and noses, and cutting.

Here I have completed cutting all the pieces and created a storage tray that I stained.

Needless to say, this labor of love is being given as a gift to a childhood friend of my daughter.  She is finally carrying to term a baby boy after losing multiple babies to miscarriage.  My daughter mentioned that mom and dad-to-be were thinking of naming their son Noah.  As my daughter was telling me this, I asked if she thought the parents-to-be would like a gift I could make for them.

So now I am at the stage of airbrushing color onto each piece.  This makes me a bit nervous as I am new to this technique.  I have decided though I am going to water down the paint so it is a very thin coat where the grain still shows.  

Above is the completed puzzle. Overall I am pleased and look forward to one day doing another and implementing all my lessons learned.

ps.  Does anyone get the joke in my headline?