Has anyone taken up something new?

Due to osteo and rheumatoid arthritis I can't walk much but I do like craft. I make cards and have tried jewlry but my hands have not taken to that so well.

My daughter is getting married next week and it is on a shoestring so outfits are organised but hats not. Daughter has decided no hat. GD aged 10 going on 50 has decided she does and so should I (I don't do hats!) So I have made some fascinators instead. GD chose designs and colours and is very happy with hers and mine to. Now daughter has asked for a bouquet from me, eeekkkk!

No good deed goes unpunished, BG! I am sure you will make a wonderful bouquet - could be the start of a profitable cottage industry!

Hope you have a happy day.

I make cards for my family too. I started a few years ago and now they all expect them and get all huffy if I don't have time to make them one.

I use stamps, ribbon etc and other little bits and bobs you can get from a craft shop.

I don't think I'm quite ready for zumba, don't you have to 'shake about' a lot? I don't need to exercise to do that, I'm naturally wobbly .

I have taken up baking with a passion. Never had much time for it before but oh how I am loving it. Trouble is I then eat it. Going to be the size of a house by next Christmas if it carries on

I have made all my grandchildren ornaments for the Christmas tree and decorated a mirror for my daughter. Am determined to make more time in the new year for crafts as all I do at the moment is work.

I never did much singing after I left school much to my regret, but in my 50s I joined a local choral society and then had some lessons. All of which was brilliant. This year I have joined an operatic society, Surrey Opera, for the first time and it is SUCH FUN! I didn't know this when I joined, but we are putting on the World Premiere of an opera by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor which for nearly 100 years was thought to have been lost. That makes it even more exciting - knowing that when we rehearse each piece for the first time, it is the first time it has ever been sung. And it's tuneful, enjoyable music.

Anyone in the Croydon area - don't miss the performance - Ashcroft Theatre, Thur, Fri, Sat 9. 10, 11 February 2012.

Decoupage with a difference - get a pretty 3-ply table napkin and a blank Ikea sort of box, waste bin, tray, drawer chest - anything simple to start with. Paint your box all over with watered down paper glue and let it dry. Strip your napkin down to just the printed layer and lay it over your object, cover with a bit of baking parchment and iron over with a warm iron. The napkin will adhere to the glue and the box will look hand-painted. Finish off with a couple of layers of varnish or, if you are really clever, crackle glaze.

The harp, and egg decorating. Faberge style.

Or covering polystyrene egg bases with tiny folded little bits of fabric, adding a hanging loop and making an easter tree

Started painting (watercolour) 4 yrs ago.I used to think it was wishy/washy and insipid but have since discovered there are so many styles and techniques .I have learnt so much from friends at our mixed art/craft gp.Some use other media or do patchwork/embroidery etc.etc.-and there is lots of friendly chat.
Now I'm running out of wall space for my paintings!
A recent visitor wanted to buy one of my early efforts.I was very chuffed.

Learning Italian. Well actually I have been learning it for the last 5 years and managed to achieve grade B at A level but still can't speak it very well - brain will not work that quickly. But I love my Italian group, and the sound of the language. I sometimes just walk around talking Italian to myself and enjoying the musicality of it. Not been locked up yet.

I have recently been forced to retire early (arthritis) and after having three new hips (yes, you did read that right) have also been trying to find something interesting... and I found Pininterest.com!
Its an electronic bulletin board which is seriously addictive. Members post photographs/humour/decor/crafts etc and it is like having a fresh, free, fasinating magazine delivered to your laptop/pc/iphone every few hours.
Not sure how popular it is in the UK as a lot of the users appear to be based in the US, but it really is endlessly fasinating - some of their cultural ideas are more than just a tad difficult to get used to (eg the feedback of 'I want one' when a pink and black handgun was posted!!!) but I guess that is why I find it so fascinating.
In an earlier life I was an anthropology lecturer, so dipping in and out of this site really educated me.
Check it out for yourself I really would love to hear how other British viewers react!

Yes, I can see why it caught your interest - there are some fascinating things on there and it's nicely laid out. I've added it to my favourites so I can go back and have another look. Thanks.

Hi newlife I've had three hips as well. I also retired early, partly through arthritis.
Do we have any advance on three hips folks?

Hi

I am new to this and also to scrapbooking. I would grateful for any advice as I would like to produce sweet sixteen albums for my twin grandaughters.Their birthday is in June but I think I will need at least the next 3months to complete

Thought I would add a link for the ARCA colleges. I have been going for about 30 years now and they are wonderful, a huge selection of courses, a weekend away, learn something new and always great fun. Everyone is so friendly it is not a problem going on one's own and to spend time away with like minded people is a real break. www.arca.uk.net/

Thank you, Caro1000. I hadn't heard about these courses. What a cornucopia! I have sent for a brochure. Next month I am going on a short residential course with U3A. I think I may have caught the bug!

Hello everyone, Im a new member and still getting to know the site but so far have found gransnet very interesting. Eight yrs ago I had a major heart attack and had to take early retirement. After I had recovered I had to face up to filling in my time. I had amentally and physically challenging job so all the spare time and what to do with it was a challenge in itself. I started with painting going from oils, acrylics, pastels and finally to water colours which I liked the best. I went to the local library and read all I could on the subject and then started. I went from simple flowers to family portraits and although never good enough for showing or selling I felt tremendous satisfaction. I then went on to party cakes or at least the art of icing etc. Ive now left that behind and concentrating on my latest hobby sewing which I used to hate at school. I bought a sewing machine and hopefully will have as much fun with that as I did with the other hobbies.

Good for you. I have just asked for the brochures forarca.

You bet! I've been doing it for years now & I teach to my WI & various other organisations plus sell my cards through a local shop. I find it so therapeutic but I wonder how much the recent postage stamp charge increases are going to make?
I already have to pay around 75p to send a bigger card & I really think people will be sending ecards more in future.
Do you stamp or paint or both? Which style do you like? I have a friend who does beautiful decoupage but I prefer to do something that I don't know what it will finish up looking like at the end.

What is your style?
H

Oops..I am on this site to avoid rekindling my sewing skills! have two big curtains and two roman blinds to make and have cut fabric ..just need to get the machine out now....

I went to craft show at Olympia last week & saw decopatch there- It is very easy & I can sit with a tray on lap in evenings & cover photo frames etc with these little pieces of coloured paper for hours. It is fun to do & no stress.
I am really a card maker but as I run a craft group for WI I am always looking for new things to do. So any suggestions will be warmly welcomed!
Busy crocheting bunting for Jubilee Street Party too at the moment (along with learning Greek & dance classes)

Now don't laugh but try joining your local WI. I did this about 5 years ago
(in my earlyfifties) & I have been really impressed with the things I have done with them. I now run a craft group for them so I am trying new things all the time. The WI college - Denman colllege in Oxfordshire- runs courses on everything you can imagine & you don't have to be a member to attend. I did running a Reading Group & Greek cookery courses but friends have done silver jewellry making, water colour painting & various sewing classes & they are brilliant. Plus you can stay overnight & get wonderful food, beautiful accomodation & the bar is very reasonable!
I can't wait to go again.
WI has a sad reputation & I know some are very 'old' but try your local group- especially the evening ones- you may find you get a lot out of it. I'm even the President now & we have FUN!

GrandmaH you are right about the variety of WIs around! Some of the older members are old in thinking and behaving, but lots of the older ones have get up and go and really make life fun. There are newer trendy WIs too around, so it's worth asking about your local one. I have had great enjoyment from meetings and Denman whose courses I agree are well worth it. You can go on these courses as a non-member too. I took up WI (much to the disaproval of DDs "You're not OLD enough yet Mummy!") but it is enjoyable.

Took up U3A as many other GNs have too.

My latest is returning to an old love Art History; great courses locally.

Just clicked the ARCA link - what a sp-lendid range! Perhaps we'll happen on other Gransnetters there!