After game six of the NBA championship, I received several emails from my Canadian friends. Within hours they wanted to know if I would do a commemorative trophy pattern for their world champion Toronto Raptors. Yep.
Some of you know that I am a huge basketball fan. I follow the high school, college and professional leagues. I grew up in Indiana and now live in Kentucky and both states bleed basketball. I played all through school and just love the game.
If you love the game of basketball you have to be impressed with the Toronto Raptors. Their defense in the finals was outstanding. The NBA may be a superstar league but Toronto is first and foremost a team. Leonard and Lowery are great players but they have no problem letting other guys take big shots.
Congratulations to all Canadians who love their Toronto Raptors. If you can keep that team together they just might be in the finals again next year. I for one would not be surprised.
Why I believe hobbies are important:
I cannot remember a time when I was not actively involved in a hobby. When I was young it was art, sports and tearing things apart to see how they worked. After high school, it was electronics and building gadgets. After I got out of college it was computers and anything I could get my hands on to make things.
As I got older I had what my wife called my hobby of the month club. I tried many different crafts. I even took a few years of classical guitar lessons. Computers and woodworking remained a constant and eventually led to me starting this blog in 2007.
Hobbies are normally something you enjoy and are able to develop a certain amount of success with. Being successful builds confidence. Being confident in one area can lead to confidence in other areas of your life.
Stress is a killer. We all know that stress is an everyday fact of life. I don't care what you do in your professional or personal life, stress is there. You need a way to unwind and relax. Even just a short period of time with a hobby you love helps put your mind on autopilot. Hint: When the nightly news comes on, go to the shop and make something. :)
Many hobbies require a certain amount of creativity and the ability to solve problems. These are exercises for your brain. As we get older it is vital that we not only stay physically active but also mentally active. As young adults, hobbies can build skills that end up being important in future jobs.
Many job interviewers will even ask if you have a hobby. They know it shows a drive to work.
Our social lives can benefit from sharing our hobbies and skills with others. Loneliness is a common problem for millions of people. It zaps your happiness. Finding new friends through a hobby can be a huge plus if you are feeling lonely. Join local clubs if possible. Take your work to craft shows. Visit online groups. Teach your craft to others at libraries, night schools or stores.
I could probably list another dozen benefits from hobbies but I do want to mention one possible negative. You can take anything to excess. Pay attention to the time that your hobby takes away from other parts of your life. Balance is important. Don't let a hobby take away from parts of your life that are truly important. Family, work, spiritual and health all have to take a front seat to your hobby. If you can find that balance then your hobby becomes huge positive in many aspects of your life. It only took me about 30 years to figure this last part out.
$12 per sheet of 12 coins plus $3.50 shipping
Inlay with a 1" Forstner Bit.
The perfect way to sign your work.
Email Newsletter Readers: Remember that the Newsletter is just a copy of the daily blog post. To see the post in it's proper formatting click this link. If you ever misplace a pattern or any item you see here you can always find it on the blog. Everything stays on the blog forever.
Products for your consideration:
Every Scrollsaw Workshop Pattern from 2007-2018 in DVD
This DVD has over 2,600 patterns published from 2007 thru 2018.
The DVD is $20 plus shipping. Ships to 60 countries around the world.
The DVD is $20 plus shipping. Ships to 60 countries around the world.
If you use the DVD on a Windows PC there is a simple viewer program to browse through the patterns.
The DVD also works fine on a MAC. The viewer program is not MAC compatible but there is an included PDF with all the patterns shown as thumbnails for easy viewing.
All the same file but on an easy to use a thumb drive. The USB thumb drive option is $23 plus shipping.
Now Available on USB Thumb Drive
Don't have a DVD drive on your new computer. No problem. Buy the catalog on a USB thumb drive.All the same file but on an easy to use a thumb drive. The USB thumb drive option is $23 plus shipping.
Scroll Saw Pattern Design Tutorial: DVD
Let me teach you to create a beautiful wooden portrait pattern. I will show you everything you need from start to finish. The video will show you the free software program you can download for Windows or Mac OS. I will show you how to install the program and configure it for best results.
Let me teach you to create a beautiful wooden portrait pattern. I will show you everything you need from start to finish. The video will show you the free software program you can download for Windows or Mac OS. I will show you how to install the program and configure it for best results.
Then I will show you the technique to take your photograph and make a pattern from it. When the pattern is complete we will go in the shop and cut it.
The DVD is $10 plus shipping. This is a data DVD that you will use on your computer to watch the video tutorial
Want to create beautiful wooden vases on the scroll saw?
My two "Wooden Vases on the Scroll Saw" books make it easy.
The books are $12 each and available for instant download after purchase. Click for Video Demonstration.
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Support the businesses who support our community.
Home of Pegas scroll saw blades.
Ad: AffiliateThe North Toronto Basketball Men's Women's T-shirt
- Solid colors: 100% Cotton; Heather Grey: 90% Cotton, 10% Polyester; All Other Heathers: 50% Cotton, 50% Polyester
- Imported
- Machine wash cold with like colors, dry low heat
- The perfect tshirt for fans of Basketball in Toronto Canada. A great shirt to wear games, college campuses, parties and other events.
- This cool raptors Graphic Tee makes a great gift idea for people who love Canadian hoop teams.
- Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem