New hobby ideas?

[sandra]

I am on another messageboard and recently posted the same thing!

I want to do something different, learn something new, or try a new hobby. Something to keep life from becoming stagnant.

But, right now I don't know what that might be. I know it is not knitting.

[shootingstar]

I will be taking an acrylic painting course..more to rejuvenate my latent painting passion. 'Course I got into abit of multimedia...which you can see in my avatar/profile photo.

In the past I've taken several courses in Western calligraphy and illumination (decorating those borders, medieval style) and stainglass making. My interest in fine arts has been there parallel to cycling --in gets buried, then reignited ....

Before cycling, I used to sew most of my clothing...meaning seriously tailored jackets with lining, jeans with pocketc, French seams, bound buttonholes.

From seeing in all the wonderful stuff on cycling trips, shooting tons of photos...does give me inspiration to capture it on canvas.

I really don't want to just focus on cycling....after all, if I become ill/injured/sidelined from cycling, then for one's own mental health, a non-cycling passion is always a great thing long-term.

[bikerHen]

I'll second the vote for quilting. Once learned, it's a skill you can continue for the rest of your life. It's not fatting and you get lots of warm cozy quilts. If you don't have attachment issues, like I do with the quilts I make, they make wonderful gifts. And it's a great creative outlet. You get to play with lots of different colors and patterns and even create your own. It can be a real social hobby as well. There are all kinds of large and small quilt groups in every part of the country.

Enough said, I'll get back to work, quilting! Still can't decide if it's a good thing or bad thing that my hobby became my business! bikerHen

[sandra]

I have and can make the quilt tops, but I've never put the thing together and "quilted" it. How do you all do it? by hand or machine?

Maybe I should tackle that. I have a bag of fabric I bought years ago to make a quilt. (It's all red, white and blue. I was going to make it for son while he was serving overseas. never got it done.)

[solobiker]

About 5 years ago I taught my self how to quilt. It is a big destressor for me, except when the blocks don't line up I also started woodworking about 3 years ago which intails using a scroll saw and a wood lathe the DH had got me for Christmas. I have so much to learn!!

[bikerHen]

Solobiker - One word, square! If you square up your blocks as you assemble them, you stand a much better chance of everything matching up.

Sandra, I have a longarm quilting business, so I use my machines. Hand quilting is a great traditional method, but you need alot of free time and patience to be a hand quilter. Tying with DMC floss or Pearle Cotton is the quickest and easiest way to finish your quilts. You can also machine quilt smaller quilts on your home machine with a walking foot and free motion foot. bikerHen

[Zen]

. It is a big destressor for me, except when the blocks don't line up

The genesis of a crazy quilt!

[Mr. Bloom]

Why don't you visit Silver and let her teach you jewelry making

[solobiker]

Solobiker - One word, square! If you square up your blocks as you assemble them, you stand a much better chance of everything matching up.

Sandra, I have a longarm quilting business, so I use my machines. Hand quilting is a great traditional method, but you need alot of free time and patience to be a hand quilter. Tying with DMC floss or Pearle Cotton is the quickest and easiest way to finish your quilts. You can also machine quilt smaller quilts on your home machine with a walking foot and free motion foot. bikerHen

Thanks!! I actually do square them up, DH thinks I am to critical with it and often does not see the "errors" That is totally awesome that you have your own longarm business. I would be nervous that I would not quilt it exactly how the owner would want it.

[bmccasland]

I love to embroider (silk thread), but I haven't done anything for a long time because I can't find decent patterns. Everything is either dorky or cutesy or juvenile. I want something more artistic--but I haven't been inspired to come up with my own. Any ideas on sourcing more complex, interesting, artsy patterns? Thanks!

Jen - my tastes go to more natural or realistic looking. I generally don't like abstract art. SO I look to nature for inspiration, and old paintings. I've just gotten started in gold work, the kit I ordered was from Berlin Embroidery in Canada http://www.berlinembroidery.com/
She has some beautiful kits. If nothing else, I drool over her work.

There are also embroidery books out of Japan and China - their old school embroidery techniques seem a bit different than european techniques. What truely amazes me is the silk screen embroidery - same on both sides (can't remember off hand if this is out of Japan or China).

Some countries - England, Australia, and Japan - come to mind, actually have a sanctioned and judged embroidery master program. You might find inspiration chasing that angle.

What I need is TIME!!! Some many projects, so little time. That working 40 hrs per week to fund the hobbies really cuts into my hobby time! And bike riding time.

[Chile Pepper]

Thanks, Beth. That gives me a few ideas to start. This could be fun!

[SouthernBelle]

Also if you quilt, you can sew. In theory I do both. In fact my vocation gets in the way of my avocations.

I may take a year or two to hand quilt a quilt, but it is pleasant and relaxing, though it leaves your fingers sore.

[bacarver]

Silver -

If it wasn't for my full-time job, I'd head your way so you could teach me how to make pretty jewelry. I love my necklace with the silver beads, black leather cord, and the little cyclist ornament. It is so right and looks COOL!!

I live in the forest in the middle of no where. I envy those of you who live near craft shops and art communities.

I make mini-quilts too. I have collection that I am very proud of. I stencil (anything but the dogs 'cause they won't stand still long enough) and have decorated walls, clothing, furniture, etc.

Crafts and creating make me feel good about myself.

Express yourself!

Barb

[Possegal]

i'm a scrapbooker. not sure i'd recommend it to folks if only because for me it has required a lot of 'stuff'. i buy a lot of 'stuff'. my niece says my spare bedroom looks like 'michael's craft store exploded in there'. now i'm sure lots of scrappers aren't addicted to the purchasing, but at least i can say that once i called my hobby buying scrapbook supplies, but at least now i'm actually using them.

[Bron]

I started quilting a couple of years ago after an operation and am still happily adding to (and occasionally making things with) my fabric stash. It's not as common over here as in the US or UK.

Any childhood hobbies that you could resurect? I've also restarted flute lessons and am determined to pass the exam that I failed when I was 17.