Saturday, February 4, 2012

"I'm So Excited...."

It's 5:30am on Saturday morning.  In exactly, 2 1/2 hours I will be somewhere that I've dreamed of being 20 yrs ago.  Where you ask?  In a woodworking class!  I am a tool fanatic, but I don't know how to use all of the tools I have.  Most of my tools are regular size, but I have a miniature table saw and a miniature lathe.  Neither of which I have ever used since buying them 9 or 10 yrs ago.  A lathe is the tool used to make the legs on wooden chairs.  I'm sure it does other things, but that is what interested me.  But these are just two of the many tools I am looking forward to mastering.  The router and the scrollsaw are two more tools that I am looking forward to seeing in action up close and personal. 

I have dreamed of making perfect small scale wooden dressers, chairs, cabinets...   OH MY!  I'm getting excited again.  So maybe my Etsy shop will have some new interesting pieces this year.  Time will tell.  To prepare for class, I stopped by Lowe's yesterday to scope out my first new tool purchase in many years.  It will more than likely be the Blade Runner pictured below.  It is quite the versatile tool, and the compact size will work well in my workshop.



I am taking a couple of dolls with me.  Vanessa will definitely be going.  After all it is her dream.  Racquel's husband, Terrance may go.  He still enjoys doing things around the house, even though he could hire out the work, and usually does so because of time cnstraints.
 
Another thing to finally mark off my "Ultimate To Do List".  Woot woo!   Gotta go.  I don't want to be late.

By the way, how is your "Ultimate To Do List", coming along.   What?  You don't have one!  I highly recommend them. 

Message to the young people:  Don't ever stop taking classes.  Any and every thing that interest you, take a class on it if possible.  There are continuing education classes at local colleges, online classes, seminars, etc.  It's all aound you, all the time.  You just have to look for it.  At 43 yrs of age, I am still excited about classes. 

18 comments:

  1. Congrats! Lifelong learning is very important! I use to have alot of tools also. My father and brother helped me move in to my then boyfriend/now husbands house. They also helped me out of all of my tools in the process (some of them I helped then out of). ;) I guess it is a family thing! I have never had a "Ultimate To Do List". Maybe it is time!

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  2. Congratulations on realizing a long held dream! My grandfather was a carpenter and cabinet maker. My father learned all of those skills when he was growing up and passed them down to my brother. I learned to sew from my mother but somehow missed the wood-working.

    Continuing education is very important and it doesn't have to be academic subjects. Learning trade skills can pay off big time. I used to make all my own clothes and saved bundles of money in the process.

    Looking forward to seeing new furniture designs in your Etsy shop!

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  3. Congratulations on marking off an item on your Ultimate To Do List. Life is one big classroom. We are never too old and it is never too late to learn something new. I endeavor to do that each day I am blessed to live.

    I hope you and your doll companions enjoy/ed the class.

    I look forward to seeing new wooden products in your Etsy shop.

    dbg

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  4. That's awsome! I have taken some painting and sewing classes, bu never woodwork. Maybe I'll take that next! Then I can finally make some furniture for my poor dolls LOL

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  5. Congrets! Have fun, finely you learn to work with this machine! It is a shame you never used it....Hear me talking, i have here a sewingmachine witch i never used. I have to ask my mum to give me some lessons soon. Good idea to have a list of to do thing, never to old to learn new skills.
    Hugs
    Maria

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  6. Woodworking sounds like a lot of fun! What a useful skill to have in our hobby!

    I've been working alot on sewing myself... I agree with you a hundred percent - we always need to be picking up new skills!!

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  7. Exciting! I can't wait to see what you get up to! I better get my doll budget in order!

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  8. Thanks to everyone for your comments. I won't answer individually like usual, but I will say hello to Verona. Welcome to my blog.

    The woodworking class was everything and more than I could have expected. There were about 50 people there. I was one of 3 women and one of 4 African Americans there. Everyone was wonderful. There was so much experience and knowledge in that room, I could hardly contain myself. Most of the people there were over 60. I felt like I was infiltrating a 'good ole boys club', and I felt right at home. Many of the members reached out to me and I can tell they are going to be eager to help. I took my miniature lathe and it made the 'show and tell' table. It totally threw all the people there who had never seen one that small. They didn't know what to do with it. There is a lathe group that meets this Thursday. I will go back, with my tool and hopefully after 10 yrs, it will be plugged in and turned on.

    Limbe dolls is right. The classes can be on anything that interest you, academics and otherwise. On my way to class, I was reminded of a couple of classes I took, two years after getting married. I had started the MBA program at University of Rochester, and I had signed up for my very first dance class, all while traveling around the US for Kodak. I was 28 at the time, and I was the only adult and again, the only African American in the class. It was a Hip Hop type class, but they didn't call it that. So picture me at 28 on stage with 12 yr olds, dancing to Janet Jackson, giving my first recital of any kind ever in my life. Sitting in the audience, giving their love and support, were my husband and 4 of my 5 stepkids. My dance recital trophy currently sits on my fireplace. I couldn't tell you where any of my academic degrees are.

    Now that I am analyzing my life, I am thinking that I need to see Tina, too. I think her diagnosis will just be one word. Crazy!

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  9. Hi from Spain:, how exciting you can make furniture to scale 1:06 in wood materials. What a machine! I look forward to seeing your new creations. I hope to show pictures. I see little sleep .... I love your life so full and interesting. No time to get bored. Have a great personality. Keep it up. I also try to take my time to the fullest and learn everything you can.keep in touch

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  10. Oh Vanessa, how exciting and congrats
    on your new venture! Wishing you well Honey, but I know you will/can do it! Have a Super weekend! Luv

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  11. Wow I have always wanted to take a wood shop classes to make furniture for my dolls

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  12. Marta, Loretta, and jessikaj - I hope to be sharing some of my new creations soon. I've made wood projects in the past, but not using the correct techniques. It will be nice to know all the ins and outs of woodworking.

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  13. Congratulations!! You will have fun. I can see all the great items now. This year I want to take a tailoring class so I can perfect sewing in 1:6 scale. With God on my side I know I will be able to do it.

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  14. Congrats and enjoy your new adventure! Will love to see the creations that you will make!

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  15. That is awesome! For now I'm just sticking with the junior hacksaw and sandpaper :) I'll have to branch out soon! Can't wait to see your miniature cabinets/dressers, and other wood dolly furniture! :)

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  16. Congratulations Vanessa on doing something that you've wanted to do for a long while and meeting an ultimate goal. That is absolutely wonderful! I do have a ultimate list and accomplished one item on there at the end of January. I am taking a sewing class the first of March to enhance my sewing skills. Thanks for the encouragement.

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  17. Frannie, Cat, and Adrian - Thanks! Better late than never, right?

    Georgia Girl - That's wonderful! I hope you will be posting some new dolly fashions on your blog.

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