My PROUDEST project!

With help from the wood-cutting "professionals" (the Hemmerts) and all of his saws, I was able to cut most of this out (jigsaw, band saw and one other one...of which I broke the tiny tiny saw and had to go to Home Depot for 2nd time in one day to replace it). I had made a posterboard cut out, then we drew and cut out a template out of masonite (new to me) and then we went to the wood.

It really is enlightening to learn to do something new, especially something challenging and I can see why our kids need to "do hard things" (from LDS General Conference) so that they can build the self-esteem and confidence and satisfaction that only comes from setting goals and reaching them; or from simply sticking to a hard job and doing something hard. Finishing the job! A GREAT life lesson!! and I am feeling so good, too! This has given my new motivation in my "middle age" (what?!) to do new things and become more self-sufficient at home and more creative with wood and tools :)  who knew?

These were for our Cub Scouts receiving the Arrow of Light award. I saw them done by a LONG-time cub scout leader and was determined to learn how to do it and make about 10-12 for the rest of our boys over the next year. I enjoyed every sweaty minute in Hemmert's huge garage "shop" and then spent a late night sanding and staining while listening to a very entertaining book, "She Got Up off the Couch"...great week of accomplishment for this salsa-dancing/bookworm/gardening girl. Power tools!