I need a hobby

I sent a reply to Maria and will echo to you what she mentioned--counted cross stitch. Another thing I do (but tend to get way behind on) is photo albums.  Since it's easy to delete bad pics on my digital camera, I take tons of photos.  I don't do actual scrapbooking (although now that I'm retired, I'd like to get into it), but I do enjoy putting photo albums together & adding cute captions.  When I get working on this, it really occupies my mind & hands! And now I'm going to do what I said to Maria--go thru my pile of "future counted cross stitch projects" and get started on one! Jo

Melinda, so sorry to hear about your huge snowfall and the distress it caused you.  I have to second Cha and Ruth's suggestions.  I'm a quilter too and really enjoy it much more than plain garment sewing.  The creative outlet is fabulous and then I have wonderful things to share with family, friends, charitable organizations.  There are just no end of organizations who need donations of good, simple, serviceable quilts.  If you found yourself in a snow-bound situation like this again are you within walking distance of neighbors who could use a hand.  Elderly people often just need visitations and someone to chat with.  Maybe you could find a group home or nursing home where you could bring the craft projects to them (maybe not candy wreaths, though, LOL) and lead them in being creative, too.  It'd be fulfilling, get you out of the house and you'd be giving back to your community and increasing your selfworth at the same time.  The stronger your sense of self worth, the less chance you'll abuse your new healthier body with food again.   Molly

I have a hobby but it's not crafty at all. It requires thought and organization and keeps me entertained for hours...I do genealogy on ancestry.com and rootsweb.com. I've searched my family back 8 or 9 generations (in some links) and found all sorts of new relatives (well, mostly friends) all over the country and across to England; Czechoslovakia; Lithuania; Ireland... A few weeks ago, someone saw my name on a website and emailed me. Turns out it was an old girl friend of my husband's (I do his genealogy too) from 1966.  It's not like staying at home when you're searching on the computer for clues. It's like you're going back in time and attempting to see what they "saw" and "felt".

These are some really terrific crafts.  I personally want to learn how to make beaded jewelry.  I've bought some at the farmer's market and they are some of my favorite pieces.   It would be a good way to keep my hands and mind occupied to keep me from starting the grazing habit again. Betsy

My advice is: Go to the craft store! Look around I bet there'll be SOMETHING that'll catch your fancy. You don't have to be an artist at it, it just has to occupy your time! I'd let you have one of my hobbies but I don't think things work that way, but I'll share some things I have tried. For a few weeks I made bird houses.. well didn't really make per say, I went to the local craft shop, bought an unfinished bird house, some glue, some neat little wood cut outs and some paint. I then "finished:" the bird house and sealed it to make i****er tight. IT turned out OK, slightly better then the sort of thing my kid brings home - but it made me happy and it still hangs in my tree.   There's also gord carving. Dried gourds are pretty easy to get. And I LOVE working with my little Dremal drill. I've carved out holes and shapes in dried gourds, painted, and again hung the final project. Even made a dried gourd wind "chime" (more of a wind bang) I can't paint to save my life so I sketch with soft pencils on paper. These are more forgiving, and erasable. Also.. more easily hidden from curious family members who'd be happy to point out my utter lack of talent, or something along the lines of "is that a seal? NO? But it dosn't look anything like me" blah blah.. I've also tried cross stich, crochet (I can make a snake, a scarf, and a snood) I tried knitting, I can't knit. I quilt moderatly well- well enough to make myself a quilt and call it good. I hooked a rug, braided a rug and FULLY intend to learn basket weaving this fall. I don't scrapbook. I just don't have room in my closet for another half finished occupation.  I however have heard that it's fun and quite fulfilling. Just.. not for me. :)

Great ideas, the gourd project sounds fun, as does a braided rug. I do like to weave, but can't afford a loom nor to I have the space. LOL I need to consider a table top loom. Thanks for teh ideas.

TRY BELLYDANCING.  THATS MY NEW THING.  I LOVE TO PLAY "DRESS UP " AND PUT ON MY HIP SCARFS AND FINGER ZILLS (THOSE LITTLE FINGER SYMBOLS)  AND POP IN A TAP AND MOVE MY BODY.  THE COSTUMES MAKE YOU FEEL SEXY AND YOU GET IN A WORK OUT. ( AN TO ANY THAT SAY BELLYDANCING ISENT CARDIO TRY DOING A FULL BODY SHIMMY FOR 5 MINS WITHOUT STOPING) I GOT MY COSTUMES ON E-BAY FOR CHEEP.  JUST A THOUGHT

I live in the great white north too you so I know what you mean about the snow driving you to distraction! Here are some thoughts. - Take up cross country skiiing. You might be able to ski right out your front door or, at worst, find a nearby groomed trail. Most trails here are free. You just need skis and poles. And it is easy as it gets. - Learn to ice skate. We have ice rinks in our city parks that anyone can use. If you can roller blade, you can ice skate. -  Wood refinishing. I like to look for beat up furniture at flea markets and rummage sales during the summer. In the winter, I strip them down and refinish them. If I can't use them, I give them away or sell them. I don't pay much for them so it isn't like I lose much on them besides time. You don't need many tools. Stripper, a scrapper and a paint brush. A sander and sandpaper. Paint or stain. Polyurethane for sealing. - Redecorate one room in your house. This can go along with the wood refinishing. I tend to redecorate at least one room at year. That way, you always have one room that's fresh and new. - Get a pet if you can. My dogs push me to take them for walks, play with them, wash them, feed them and pet them. They are a hobby unto themselves. I'm sure there are a million other hobbies to consider. Don't limit yourself to traditional crafts. Think about guy-type hobbies then twist it your way. That's how I got into wood refinishing. My Dad always built furniture. That takes a lot of time and tools. Refinishing is easier and just as satisfying and creative.

Judy, those are some great ideas, thank you!