Nanoblocks to the Rescue

What do you do when you aren't making any hobby progress?  Most people would preach patience.  That would be fantastic, if I had any.  When I get stuck, I tend to switch my focus.  That is how I became jack of all hobbies, after all.  I don't box things up and walk away (though that might be the wiser thing to do) but just sort of amble onto other things.  Presently, I have so many projects on the go that it shouldn't have been a problem.  Unfortunately, I really wasn't feeling inspired.

Ziploc package of nanoblocks

Nanoblocks to the rescue.

I decided to poke around Toys R Us (if there is a way to make that R like they do at the store on this computer, I don't know what it is) in search of inspiration.  I probably should have gone to a hobby shop, but the toy store was much easier--it's in the same building I take the subway home from work in.

I came across some fantastic Lego train sets that I had not seen before.  I was painfully tempted to buy them, but I have an N scale train that needs building, and working on a Lego train set would be like having an affair.  I should remain faithful (at least for now).

When you open the package

While browsing I came across some Nanoblocks.  I love Nanoblocks, but had no idea they were now being sold at Toys R Us.  I had to go to Scholar's choice, or Amazon to get them before.  They didn't have too many sets left, but I managed to find a couple of projects for me.

 

For those of you who don't know (and haven't ready my previous posts on the subject) Nanoblocks are a locking brick toy from Japan that is similar to Lego, but much smaller (I guess Japan has a reputation for miniaturizing things, don't they).  They have quite a few architectural sets, animal sets. and all purpose sets.  They aren't cheap, but they won't break the bank.  They are a little challenging for small children (and they are certainly a choking hazard for little ones) those they require nimble fingers.  They usually turn out quite well.



Everything sorted out and ready to go

This morning, after my morning coffee, and before I have to rake the leaves, I tackled the drum set.  This was the first time I purchased a set that didn't come in a box.  This one came packaged in a zip lock bag.  It wasn't too difficult, but my fingers are a little large, and not particularly nimble.  I needed tweezers, and some restraint.  I only dropped the pieces onto the carpet 10 or 11 times.  Fortunately, I was able to find them before frustration set in. 



the remaining pieces

I managed to put it together in the length of time it took me to listen to Rod Stewart's Every Picture Tells A Story. It turned out quite well, and I have a bunch of parts leftover for some future project or some abstract art if I can't figure out what to do with them.  And to answer your questions, before you ask them, the leftover parts were intended--There are always leftover parts.

I have included a few extra pictures, so that you can get a better idea of what comes in the package and what you have left at the end.