Friends, I have a new crafty love interest. Power tools! I am head over heels in love at the moment with a pile of fresh lumber, a saw, some screws and a drill. Smitten, actually.
My children are clearly far ahead of me on this passion - Steve says he's always running out of nails and screws and can never find his drill, for all the places they take it for all the various projects they have going around the place - forts, refreshment stands, ramps for bikes and skateboards, "houses" for all kinds of animals they plan on trapping and keeping. And while sometimes I'll lend a hand to a project that someone else is working on, I haven't really done a lot on my own. Not for lack of interest, I don't think, but for lack of time and freedom to do so. Little babes clinging so tightly to Mama's legs are not so conducive to working with saws, now are they? But my babes are growing and with that, a freedom that comes with having both hands free, for exploring new things. I'm loving that.
I started truly easy peasy and simple in my efforts. The Modern Park Bench plans from Ana White seemed doable for me upon first glance...and it really was. With kids nearby, helping me measure and drill, the first bench came together so smoothly. And just as soon as that one (slightly crooked) bench was finished, I can't tell you how pleased I was. Nearly ready to abandon all other forms of occupation to dedicate myself to furniture building. Ha! That's what building one (slightly crooked) first bench will do to a girl.
I made a couple more over the weekend, bringing me to a lovely set of three. They aren't quite finished - I need to sand and then paint. I think my family is quite sick of hearing me belabor over the color choices for my simple little benches (blue lake or blue toile?), and the ultimate placement of them (all three around the firepit, or scattered about in different spots through the gardens and pasture?). But they have no idea what's coming their way - for I've got great plans. If I can build a simple (slightly crooked) bench, surely I can make some cold frames, and a table for us to use outdoors, and a bed frame while I'm at it. Right? Why not.
