I too will be busy with Holy Week, and I’ll be on retreat for Easter week, so you won’t be hearing from me for a fortnight.
That being the case, have a blessed Easter and a refreshing retreat.
Yes—though off-topic, a blessed Easter to all and a refreshing and well-deserved retreat for Fr. Dohrman!
Thanks to all, I know all are busy this time of year!
Kyle=
Dohrman Byers;55667 wrote:
Second, a lion’s face gules jessant a cross crosslet fitchy azure:
I was thinking about this, but also thinking about a way to bring my pine tree into it.
I was thinking… could the crosslet ends of the cross be shaped like pine trees (in the same way that the partition line in Fr Selvester’s arms is shaped like fir trees)?
I’m not sure how this would look, but it seemed interesting to me.
Kyle=
Trying to incorporate too much stuff for a badge IMHO.
I agree—too much. By making the cross unlike that in the arms, that connection would be lost; and the cross would be so unlike the pine tree that that connection would not work either.
What about adopting two badges: one with the lion’s face jessant a cross-crosslet fitchy (as shown), and another with a lion’s face jessant a pine tree eradicated?
Dohrman Byers;64346 wrote:
What about adopting two badges: one with the lion’s face jessant a cross-crosslet fitchy (as shown), and another with a lion’s face jessant a pine tree eradicated?
Thanks, Kenneth and Fr Dohrman.
I was thinking it was probably too much…
Anyone want to take a stab at the second suggestion… "lion’s face jessant a pine tree eradicated"? This seems interesting as well.
The lion’s face jessant is "growing" on me (and perhaps on the tree as well). 
Thanks!
Kyle=
Somewhere I think I also suggested (or intended to suggest) the red hand holding the pine tree eradicated. The lion and cross badge connects the first with the second/third quarter. A hand and tree badge would connect the second/third with the fourth quarter.
Kyle, this is quickly thrown together, but you get the idea….
http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/520/macleapinetreebadgeur8.gif
Dohrman Byers;64376 wrote:
Somewhere I think I also suggested (or intended to suggest) the red hand holding the pine tree eradicated. The lion and cross badge connects the first with the second/third quarter. A hand and tree badge would connect the second/third with the fourth quarter.
I can tie them all together….
http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/3310/macleapinetreebadge2nf4.gif
I kid. I kid.
I always think a beast’s head jessant of anything but a fleur-de-lys looks like the poor thing has been stabbed either through the back of the neck or the roof of the mouth. That’s particularly the case with any cross fitchy. (In fact, I wondered if Kyle’s question, "Anyone want to take a stab at the second suggestion?" was an intentional pun.)
Jessant-de-lys would probably have the same effect if it weren’t already a relatively well established charge.
For purposes of the present discussion, how about a pine cone Or charged with a cross-crosslet fitchy Azure, or a cross crosslet fitchy azure surmounted of a pine cone Or slipped Vert?
How about a Cross crosslet fitchy Azure enfiled in base by a pinecone Or?
http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/8858/macleapineconecrossyf2.gif
Joseph McMillan;64379 wrote:
I always think a beast’s head jessant of anything but a fleur-de-lys looks like the poor thing has been stabbed either through the back of the neck or the roof of the mouth. That’s particularly the case with any cross fitchy. (In fact, I wondered if Kyle’s question, "Anyone want to take a stab at the second suggestion?" was an intentional pun.)
I have to admit the jessant design brought the same to mind for me, but it has grown on me a little nonetheless… Still, I’m taking this very slowly.
Thank you to Kenneth for the emblazon… I think it looks interesting, actually. The second though…. reminds me of some kind of "captain caveman" type abomination. 
Joseph McMillan;64379 wrote:
Jessant-de-lys would probably have the same effect if it weren’t already a relatively well established charge.
Also agree here!
Joseph McMillan;64379 wrote:
For purposes of the present discussion, how about a pine cone Or charged with a cross-crosslet fitchy Azure, or a cross crosslet fitchy azure surmounted of a pine cone Or slipped Vert?
You know, I hadn’t thought of the pine cone being a more subtle allusion.
A very interesting idea!
The enfiling is interesting as well… if anyone has some software that could throw Joseph’s other suggestions together, I would love that too. It seems quite simple but effective.
Open to other creative uses of the pine cone, too. I have to think on this…
Thanks, guys!
Kyle=
Just to update…. going to let the badge question percolate for a few more years…
I had contemplated making some minor changes to the arms, but am going to leave well enough alone. I’m now actually able to send out copies to my family and have them enjoy them too, which will be fun!
Haven’t been on the forum much this last year or two, don’t anticipate that will change much. But I am always interested when I have the chance to do some reading and enjoy all that the members have put together.
Thanks for making it fun, guys!
Kyle=
I’ve always considered your current arms to be one of the more successful American designs based on the West Highlands quartered totem theme, so I’m happy you’re not going to mess with them!
