This week, I thought I would discuss new hobbies or new things I’ve been doing during quarantine. Because I CAN’T READ.
* Making masks was the first pandemic frenzy hobby and gave me the excuse to buy a sewing machine. I’ve wanted one for a while but wasn’t sure I would use it but saving the world seemed like a valid reason to purchase one lol
There’s a steep learning curve and I’ve had to ask my MIL for guidance, but I think I’m getting there. I’ve made two masks – so not really saving the world exactly…more like one person at a time with uneven seamed masks but they fit great and work so...
It’s also a difficult hobby to start during a pandemic. There’s a run on everything you need to get going, including the sewing machines which kept selling out as I was looking at them!
But I have a mastermind internet searcher living with me and have been able to find the basics.
The kids in the neighborhood loved it & I overheard them saying that an artist must live in that house because it was so beautiful 🤣🤣🤣 Chalk is also hard to find now but I found some on Etsy.
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* Puzzles are all the rage and it seemed like a good thing to get. Another item sold out at most places but I found a few at B&N. My friend (another Jen lol) has a fun post about how to find puzzles from small businesses. Kevin dug up an oooold one from his childhood – at least 40 years old?? and we put it together and ONE piece was missing….NOOOOOOO!!!!!
I’ve read a few methods for replacing the piece. One is taking a picture of the box photo and readjusting the size and attaching it to cardboard. Seems labor intensive but what do you know??!! I have PLENTY of time on my hands lol I love this puzzle so much and really wanted to frame it. It's vintage, it has a garden filled with animals - it's SO me!
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Next up for me is learning to cut Kevin's hair 😱
What have you been up to? Have you learned any new hobbies or done anything interesting?
Yeah this whole has been tough on reading, but I finally am getting my groove back and it feels fabulous. Hope you get yours back soon.
ReplyDeleteGreat list of hobbies you have shared here. I think hiking is one of the BEST things to do. It gets you that fresh air and sunshine we need as human beings. I am going up into the mountains every week to get my vitamin D in :) And it helps keep my mood positive through all of this.
Sometimes I get that insomnia/mind racing thing going on and the hiking completely exhausts me so I can barely even stay awake lol I feel really fortunate to have places out here where I can get out but no be violating any rules.
DeleteI totally love your chalk art. I mean, that bunny! :) The kids saying an artisit must live there is too cute. We're still working on our *first* puzzle... that we started over two weeks ago. We apparently unwittingly started with the hardest one. Brilliant! So are you going to actually try to recreate your missing puzzle piece? It would bug me but considering the amount of work involved in making a new one... I think I'd get over it. LOL
ReplyDeleteI haven't really done anything new, I guess. The husband and I play backgammon (against each other) on our ipads every evening. Work on the puzzle. Read. Go for walks. Have Friday Night Driveway Picnics. We've definitely settled into a routine.
I might try to make the piece. Only because it's vintage and adorable. I think it would look so nice framed. But if it's TOO much work I'll probably give up lol I have 2 other 500 piece ones to work on next.
DeleteThat bunny is cute! My friend did it first and I copied lol
I'm so envious of your forest hikes! We're not allowed to walk more than 1km from our home unless it's for essential shopping and even the supermarket's not much further than that. I have learned I can carry a week's food for two people without breaking my back so it looks like my new (3 weeks now) daily yoga routine is already paying off. Other than that, it's watching our tomato plants grow (we have diddy tomatoes!!) and reading, reading, reading.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed with your mask - even if you're not so much. It looks like the business from here :-)
Thank you! If you could see it close up you would see where I kind of screwed up but I'm really proud of it. That was only my third time sewing and it came out good!
DeleteI know so many people can't get out at all and I'm SO lucky & grateful to live where I do. We have rules and the national parks are closed but we are allowed to walk in the local areas as long as we maintain our distance.
How cute, that the kids gushed over your chalk art. I must say, that bunny is fantastic. I am a horror with a sewing machine, so good for you putting in the time and getting it done. I am still awed that Kevin has a puzzle from his childhood AND that it's only missing one piece. I wish I liked to hike or had a place to do it nearby. It would be a good way to get out, get some exercise.
ReplyDeleteI totally copied other people's chalk art lol I could never come up with that on my own.
DeleteI can't believe it either. We sort of went through the pieces because I thought more would be missing but it looked like we had the whole thing. Only to be foiled!! lol
People have been walking like crazy in the woods here. DO they usually do it, no. But now, the woods!
ReplyDeleteIt's a big thing out here. Especially trail (on a bike) riding.
DeleteMy grandmother's quilting hobby came in handy this week when she sent all of us grandkids masks!
ReplyDeleteAt home, we've been doing a lot of baking to the point where our old KitchenAid mixer finally died. Thankfully a new one arrived at our doorstep this morning, so the baking can continue!
My MIL is a sewer and sent us masks too. She's also making them for my husband's coworkers and they're paying her $5 a mask so she's got a nice little side hustle going lol
DeleteI really need to get locked in with a baker if this ever happens again!
"The kids in the neighborhood loved it & I overheard them saying that an artist must live in that house because it was so beautiful 🤣🤣🤣"
ReplyDeleteLOL, but it was!
I'm not cutting anybody's hair LOL. It is one thing to trim my own bangs, but a real haircut implies layers...and unfortunately, while the hubs is next to bald on the top, he's still got too much hair behind.
Good luck on the puzzle piece replacement!
Kevin does a very short, military style cut so it's not as scary. I've done a one size all over shave before but he wants the sides tapered and...we'll see lol
DeleteYOU ARE AN ARTIST KAREN. I love the little bunny. What will be your next project??
ReplyDeleteWe started doing a puzzle a few weeks ago (we had attempted years ago, but then gave up) only to find out we were missing like 100 pieces. The worst.
I saw a mermaid tail that vanishes into a garden that I want to try next.
Delete100 pieces??!!!! Nooooooo that's AWFUL.
Keeping busy is key! My sewing machine is way in the back of my long narrow closet on the top shelf, and every time I get the urge to get it down my son isn't home, but honestly... I don't think I have the patience right now to start any projects. I hate re-threading the bobbin! 😛 I did sew a mask for my son by hand, though, I love to hand sew. 😊
ReplyDeleteI can only "read" by listening to audiobooks, or ebooks with text-to-speech, while I eat. I did manage a couple of graphic novels this week, so maybe I'm getting better? I hope so. 😐
I want photos of the hair cut learn-as-you-go! 😁
I'm happy to hear you are both doing well. 🌞
I was MOST afraid of the bobbin lol but it's a breeze for me. I had a lot of problems with the tension which irritated me so much but my MIL helped me. My big thing is I'm not the most precise person so the cutting and measuring are what kill me.
DeleteI started a book last night that I liked so yay!
Here's to more reading! 👍✨
DeleteOh, wow! You've been making great use of your time!! I love all your new hobbies. And I totally feel for you with that one piece missing thing---so painful!!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This post makes me look way more active than I actually am lol
DeleteI would say I'm closer to 80-90% do nothing with bursts of activity hahaha
I have hair clippers and cut Ken's hair at home. I have a sewing machine but I cannot figure out how to use it.
ReplyDeleteI've done and all over shave on him before but never shorter sides...
DeleteThose kids are right, your chalk art is awesome!! And so is your mask, I am so impressed! I am fairly useless as a human, so my mom found some masks at a pharmacy (she is slightly less useless than me hahah). The puzzle, man. That is just evil! And a social distance hike is such a fun idea!
ReplyDeleteMy MIL sent us very good masks that she made - can add filters and everything - and that's what I use.
Delete"saving the world" haha you're a YA hero now. :):)
ReplyDeleteI can't read either. I mean I'm reading a BIT but nothing like a whole book or anything. It's bad.
That hike sounds insane but fun! Love the pic- all the green. Now all you need is a sasquatch showing up lol. Or... maybe not lol.
It's weird to me that all my dystopian YA never prepared me for this scenario. I thought I would need water and survival supplies but instead I need arts & crafts, masks, plentiful snacks.
DeleteWe actually have a Sasquatch festival here because...of course we do!! We have a festival for everything lol
First squirrels, now sasquatches???!??
DeleteWow, you have picked up a few things to keep you busy during this time. Love the chalk art, hopefully you get some decent weather soon so you can create another masterpiece to impress the neighbourhood kids. I am really impressed with your sewing, though. I have never been good at sewing, I don't have the patience for it and even now I have more time I know I won't have the patience. It would be useful to be able to make my own lockdown face mask, though. And sewing machines will always be useful, right?
ReplyDeletePatience is not a virtue I possess either lol I don't last very long when I sew and I have to call my husband out to fix things often hahaha
DeleteThat's adorable that the neighbor kids said an artist lived there! Your Easter chalk art is so cute. I don't really have anywhere to do chalk art, though it would be fun...if I had chalk as well. LOL I'm trying to stay busy - not really doing anything NEW per se though. I have been reading a bit more though, so that's fun!
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
It's like every hobby is selling out!
DeleteI WISH I was reading more :-(
I'm the same right now with not reading. It's been a huge struggle although I've been trying when I'm in the mood. No new hobbies for me though! I've been focusing a lot of my energy on final assignments and projects instead, but maybe after I'm done with classes I might find something out there. (But I've uh... found some more efficient ways to clean up old posts? Maybe?)
ReplyDeleteI love the sidewalk chalk art! I've been seeing others do the same from friends and I'm enjoying seeing photos everyone is posting. Bummer on the missing one piece though - I hope you'll find it!
Even my new hobbies can only keep me focused for a short time lol
DeleteI'm just so all over the place during all this.
I'd love to get a few more Game of Thrones or Harry Potter jigsaws but they are just so expensive to buy. I wouldn't risk buying them cheap in charity shops as I hate it when a piece is missing!!! I have really enjoyed my 3D puzzles on days when I have little energy!
ReplyDeletePuzzles can be SO expenisive!!!
DeleteI dont' know if I have the patience for the 3D ones but they're awesome.
Have you seen the comedy video "Oh Kay" about a woman sewing masks? It is so freaking funny. *dead* Anyhow, glad you are keeping busy and getting out. I'm still not reading a ton, but I've been a bit better. I've been walking when I can. This weekend is going to be really nice... can't decide if I'll work in the yard or just blow off my to do list and relax.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to watch that!!
DeleteIt's raining here this weekend so I'm inside :-((