Why Not Try Woodworking?

Spruce up your outside spaces with Weekend Woodworking for the Garden by Cindy Burda. "In just a single weekend, you can decorate your garden with a classic bench, bird feeder, planter, lawn furniture and more. No special skills required! From functional gadgets to fabulous furniture, here are 20 great looking projects that even beginners can make in just a day or two. If you can saw a board, hammer a nail, and drive a screw, you can construct a bluebird house, seedling tray, hanging wine chiller, picnic table and bench combination. There's no need for hard to learn procedures, advanced tools, or specialty lumber. With the carefully constructed plans, simple techniques, and inspiring photos of the finished items, your garden will soon be decorated. Don't fill your beautiful "outdoor rooms" with manufactured items when it's quick, easy, and satisfying to do-it-yourself!" (from Amazon.com)

The Well-Decorated Garden: 50 Ornaments & Accents to Make Your Outdoor Room is by Laura Dover Doran. "Decorative touches turn your garden area into an outdoor extension of your home. Fifty-five no-prior-skills-required projects for garden containers, stakes and markers, furnishings, and other features will add comfort, attract wildlife, and literally light up the space. Start small, if you'd like, with adorable planters made from stiffened garden gloves. Bend and twist wire into an ivy topiary frame. Take shelter in a romantic locust-log arbor covered with climbers. Soothe your soul with the sound of running water in a lava rock cascade fountain or with wind chimes. Feathered friends will flock right to the Victorian bird feeder--especially if you set it right in the midst of your most colorful blooms. Many of the materials are recycled, and a variety of crafting techniques will kindle your creativity!" (from Amazon.com)

Measure Twice, Cut Once by Jim Tolpin is the first book a woodworker needs! "Professional woodworker Jim Tolpin offers solid instruction on the principles of measurement and proportion, walking you through every step of the woodworking process. From design and layout to developing a cutting list, his easy-to-follow style introduces a variety of tools (new and old) used to transfer measurements accurately to the wood. You'll learn the best cutting techniques, how to prevent mistakes before they happen, and for those unavoidable mistakes, you'll learn how to fix them so no one will know!" (from Amazon.com)

The Complete Guide to Easy Woodworking Projects is from Black & Decker and the editors of Creative Publishing International. "Provides detailed instructions for fifty simple, attractive woodworking projects, for both inside and outside the home, including outdoor furnishings and accents, furniture projects, children's projects, accessories, and storage projects, all complete with plans, information on materials, and more. Easy woodworking projects. Step by step guide with photos to guide you." (from Amazon.com)