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Welcome to the August 2009 issue of the LumberJocks eMag:
August 2009 Issue #26 Woodworking is good for your health. Research shows that challenging your brain to learn new things helps prevent the onset of alzheimers! So, it is in your best interest to try a new type of woodworking skill or to build something you have never made before. And, I'm sure that you will all agree with me that yet another way to keep the mind alert and active is to purchase a new tool and practice using it! Do you have someone in your life saying that you don't need that new piece of equipment that you have been drooling over? Well, now you can say that the investment is more than just for woodworking, it is for your future, for your health! Oh I'm liking this. I wonder if it works for shoes as well. It really does take concentration to adapt your walking to new shoes. Really. Honest. When was the last time you tried your hand at a new woodworking skill? Have you done intarsia yet? Veneering? What about chip carving? Or perhaps you have been putting off building something because you have never made one before? Well, what better time to give it a try and right now. And remember, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. It is good for your health! Happy and healthy woodworking, everyone! And have a great August. ~Debbie 
The LumberJocks Summer Woodworking Awards is now closed for entries. As you know the Awards Winners are selected by our members and that means you need to vote! Simply check out the entries posted here, select your top favourites, and wait to see the final results. Warning: With 54 wonderful entries the "simple" process is not that simple -- you will have a very difficult time choosing any favourites, let alone narrowing it down to five! Voting ends on August 7, at 3 PM Central Time. Winners will be announced the following day. 
What better way to spend a day than with a fellow LumberJock. It is always exciting to hear about our woodworking friends get together or about an upcoming event that you might be able to attend! The following is an event where several LumberJocks were in attendance. Do you know someone who would be interested in becoming a LumberJock? Here's a great way to connect: just forward this email! The Art Box Project Expo 
Last month I was approached by Traci Niese, Publicist and Marketing, from Fox Chapel Publishing, about reviewing some of their new books that they have available for woodworkers. Over the next few months I will review one book in each eMag and we will have a random draw for a free copy of the book here at LumberJocks. Turning Vintage Toys by Chris Reid Although there are almost a dozen pages dedicated to tools and jigs, this book is not about teaching how to use the lathe. It's about creating vintage toys. Each project is presented in a enticing, fun, and colourful format, complete with the "how to" information as well as tips on adapting the plans and using the toy. In order to review "Turning Vintage Toys" I thought I should try my hand at making one of the projects. Now, my experience on the lathe at that time was, well, exactly seven pens. That's it. Limited skill and limited tools. But that cute little mouse, the first project in the book, just begged to be made. Following Chris Reid's clear instructions I worked my way through the steps and I proudly made a mouse! Now, it didn't look exactly like the one in the book but it was definitely a mouse. And that funny little mouse was soon joined by two more - each one cuter than the last. While following the directions I realized how much about turning I have learned at LumberJocks.com. As I said, "Turning Vintage Toys" is not written to teach how to turn, although there are many turning tips scattered throughout the book, but with some basic knowledge the directions are easily completed - as proved by my nest of mice! My confidence level has grown leaps and bounds and now maybe I'll try making the Skittles Game. My Ratings of The Book "Turning Vintage Toys" is definitely a book to have in your collection if you have children, grandchildren, make toys for charities, or just are young at heart! Win A Free Copy A big thank-you to Fox Chapel for the donations. Focus On Walnut Ever since I made the decision to paint a snowman white, I have been reminded (over and over again) by my fellow LumberJocks, that one never, never, ever paints walnut! It doesn't matter if it is the only wood available. It doesn't matter if snow is supposed to be white. It doesn't matter what the reason is - walnut is never to be painted! Ok. Ok. I get it. Walnut is to be enjoyed "au naturel". I have to admit that as a newbie to woodworking at that time I really didn't fully appreciate the beauty of the unique wood colourings and wood grains found in the different types of wood. I loved the look, I loved the feel, I loved the smell but I wasn't really "seeing" all that the wood had to offer. Today, that has all changed and I would never, never, ever cover up the beautiful colour and textures of walnut. Just look at some of these projects that our members have made - can you imagine them in colour? Are you cringing at the thought of the beautiful wood covered up with paint?
Because of wlanut's dense grain, walnut is the perfect wood to make tables, chalices, gates, candlesticks , rocking chairs, rocking horses, rings, spoons, serving trays , and of course wizard's wands .These are just a few of the many projects here in our LumberJocks' shop that have been made with walnut. Check out all of the projects tagged as walnut, here. LumberJocks Share About Walnut Do you have a question, a project, or a tip regarding the use of walnut? Be sure to add to our lists.
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