There are so many cool hobbies out there that I've always wanted to try, but have never known exactly where to get started. My secret Santa has generously given me the nudge I need to get started with two of them: wood carving, and drawing. I received two wonderful instruction manuals:

How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way by Stan Lee and John Buscema

The Big Book of Whittle Fun: 31 Simple Projects You Can Make with a Knife, Branches, and Other Found Wood by Chris Lubkemann

When I was a little kid, I used to sit for hours and watch my grandfather make the most incredible things out of wood. I always wanted to learn, but unfortunately he passed away before he ever got around to teaching me. The interest has still remained with me, and this book seems line an incredible jumping off point. Additionally, I'm a huge fan of Marvel comics, and I so appreciate my secret Santa's creativity and thoughtfulness in giving me a wonderful instruction manual on how to start drawing my own.

I'm no artist. I don't think I've even attempted to draw anything since my junior high school art days. But when I flipped through the book, I felt compelled to try anyway. So here's a thank-you sketch for you, Santa! (And now I'll go back and actually READ the book, and hopefully my next one will be much improved.)