June 9, 2008
Handy Dandy Farm Devices -How to Make Them
Woodworking/Building
How to Build a Deck (video)
Cabinet Building Basics (video)
Buying Lumber for Pennies on the Dollar
Pallet Projects -videos
The Difference Between Wood and Plywood – video
Tools
Reading a Tape Measure (video)
Identify Tools and Use them Safely
Topics: Featured | 66 Comments »
Comments (66)
The most challenging thing about learning handiwork is that I learn visually. I will learn something better if I see it. I need someone to show me the steps and then I can remember them and do it. I see all these codes in books on the different stitches and they mean nothing to me. If someone shows me, I’m good. The only problem with that is that I don’t remember the name of the stitch and then a pattern is almost impossible to follow.
I’ve had trouble learning to sew and crochet. I think it’s because I’ve been trying to learn from books, and I need to see the movement (over and over and over, lol). I’m afraid that patience is also a bit of an obstacle (or the lack thereof).
My biggest chanllenge with learning handiwork is the lack of teachers or someone who could give you pointers. Learning from a book is okay, but seeing someone in person do it makes the craft easier to learn.
What a great giveaway! The hardest part of learning new handiwork skills for us, is not having someone with experience available to teach us. We have learned knitting from library books and was it ever hard to figure it out from pictures! We learned out of sheer force of will I think! ;o) Your DVD sounds lovely.
Blessings,
Courtney
Handiwork really impressed me in its importance when I was working as a nurse in a retirement home during my college years. There are many elderly people who think they are no longer of any use to anyone. When they were younger they could accomplish so much, and they measured their value as a person by the amount they produced in a day. Then they had a stroke, or fell and broke their hip, or a heart attack, or just became more feeble as they aged. Suddenly they couldn’t do so much,others had to help them do even the smallest tasks such as combing their hair or buttoning their shirt. Many of these precious people who had so much to offer in the way of wisdom or wise counsel felt they were a waste of others’ time and not worth it. They had never learned that God loves us not for what we do, but because of what and who we are – His creation. I saw my place as one of encouraging them, but this wasn’t easy day after day. Then one day a man arrived who was a Veitnam vet. He was very young compaired to all the other residents. He had one good hand and a stub on the other side, and was confined to a wheelchair because his legs ended at mid thigh on both sides. The first day he was there he asked me to unpack a suitcase for him, and set up his hook set. Then, in the common area he sat there for hours doing this latch and hook thing. He made about two projects per week, and was always talking about who he would give this one to, or send this to, or what it would be useful for. He was the brightest, happiest person who lived in the place. At first his enthusiasm irritated the others, but three months later, nearly every other resident in his hallway began to learn the same skill. They soon founded a club. Then, friends and relatives started to take their projects and sell them and give the proceeds to charity. Those who were paralized on one side from stroke found they could still do many things with their good side to help. I made it my goal to find a point of interest for every one of those residents. As more and more became industrious in working with their hands the morale increased and the whole air of the place changed dramatically. One man who didn’t have use of his upper body began to paint with his feet. Those who were not able to use any limbs found joy in the accomplishments of others, would offer suggestions, or would just bask in the comradarie of it all. Anyway, when I left that facility to return to my home town it was an upbeat place. Recently I visited that place while on vacation. It was a new group of people. All of them just sat around feeling sorry that they were alive. It was a pitifully dreary place. I wished I could stay and help them find something to do with their hands. I whole heartedly recommend handiwork in some genre and thank God for giving us His example, saying that His handiwork was ‘very good.’ Thanks for the reminder!
I am a highly visual person when it comes to learning something new and so if I don’t have someone to show me, I am lost! The other thing is having time to perfect the newly learned skill so that it sticks in my brain until next time!
What I find most challenging about handiwork is finding the time to do it. There are always rooms to be cleaned, laundry to be done, school to be taught, errands to be done… when it’s all said and done, I find it hardest to find time to do it.
Hello, I think a dvd on crocheting is a good idea. I have a hard time just looking at pictures in a book on the very subject and it tends to not turn out very well.
Thanks for giving us a chance to enter.
In the past I have tried to learn to crochet and have found it very difficult. I find it most difficult learning handiwork on my own from a book. I find it easiest if someone tries to teach me one-on-one. Thanks!
What I find most challenging especially with crocheting is finding someone who is left-handed to teach me. I think that even watching someone who is left-handed would be helpful….maybe the fact that I can’t find anyone who is could be an indication that left handedness might not lend itself to crocheting. I hope not!
Maybe a great DVD would be just the answer!
Lisa
Time… that’s probably the biggest challenge at this point in my life. When I do have the time, I learn much better when someone is walking me though whatever it is I’m trying to learn. I would love for all my girls to learn more skills to do with their hands. Mom’s not likely to teach them how to crochet, so a DVD would be such a blessing! Thanks for the giveaway!
Oh… and I posted info about the giveaway on my blog as well. Thanks again!
My brother was just saying this week that he’d like to learn to crochet. I’d love to win this DVD for him.
I posted a link on my blog.
I learned to crochet as a little girl, but have forgotten everything but how to make a chain. My girls love to make chains too but there is so much more to it. This would be a great tool to have!! I have 4 girls and they are getting old enough to appreciate these things. I want them to learn to be frugal and crafty so they can support their own household one day. It is cool to add to the income with something that can keep you at home as well.
I am adding a link to my website.
Thanks for this opportunity.
The most challenging part for me is not having some one that can show me how it is done. Reading directions from a book just never works.
Thank you for the chance to win the dvd!
Thank you for hosting this contest. My daughter and I would really enjoy winning the DVD.