Anyone else take up a new hobby or re-discover and old hobby during this time? I was looking for something interesting for my 11 year old grand niece to do during her downtime, and discovered some very cool items that I had not known were out there. One is a book of paint by sticker art projects, and the other is a very adorable DIY house kit that is just decorated so cute! I loved it so much, I bought one for myself. I also have been thinking of doing some wet felting, and finally bought all the stuff to dive in. I now have a lot of distractions to keep me busy instead of cleaning my house. What have you been up to/ considering doing?
I REALLY want to figure out how to make book nooks!! Has anyone seen these? They’re little decorated scenes you put on book shelves. They’re really intricate, some even light up. They are exceptionally cool but oh, so expensive on etsy!
Repotting a lot of plants that have outgrown their current pots. I know, I know – too exciting!
I’ve picked up my ukulele that has been gathering dust for the last year as I’ve had a pretty busy year. I had missed it and am happy to hear its sweet sound.
Our restored Steinway grand piano was delivered to us on Sunday (thank goodness the company was still operating! They’re in NJ but considered a manufacturer.). So I am looking forward to playing seriously again. My daughter is already enjoying playing it. She is a jazz pianist and can improvise the most beautiful pieces. I haven’t touched it yet because I’m intimidated! I am so rusty and this piano looks and sounds like a Lamborghini, if that makes sense. I wish I could post a photo of the inside of it so you would know what I mean.
My needlework is beckoning from just-outside-social-distancing range of the writing desk where my laptop lives. This thread is a nice reminder to heed the call.
@MaineLonghorn take it for a spin! It’s not like you’ll wreck it on an icy road if you drive too fast. 
I’m using a whiteboard app to make personalized, narrated storybooks for my 2 year old grandson. I just finished The Book of “Grandson” which shows each of his family members, his dog and his favorite things to do. On each page there is a kitty hiding for him to find. It’s been a great hit for a little guy who’s been stuck inside a one bedroom NYC apartment for almost 2 weeks now. Next I’m making a book showing his stuffed animals doing various things such as taking a bath, going to the potty, napping, reading, etc using photos his mom has taken for me. Each page will have a little puppy for him to find. This makes the time go really fast for me! The first book has been a huge hit. I got the best grandma ever award from my daughter-in-law.
^^ What is the name of this app?
Mostly, I have been following S’s directives and cleaning out decades of old things. It’s good but has been tiring and yes, tempers have been a bit short from time to time with all 4 of us in the house and the sorting all over the great room of the house. We ARE making progress though and S is a great motivator.
@ChaosParent23 , I confess I didn’t know what a book nook was. I just looked through some very inspiring images. I bet my Kindergarten students would love one for our classroom! Once I get some skills building my miniature room, I am for sure going to design one. Thanks for the inspiration!
@newpreironic , I love your idea for the books for your grandchild! I used to make homemade books for my boys when they were toddlers with family pictures and pictures from their favorite books. You are making a family heirloom.
Whether it be playing your beautiful piano or picking up needlework, potting plants or organizing your home, I think these are all great things to keep our minds and hands busy during this time. I am trying to think of it as “the gift of time”.
I have gotten back to needlepointing. The Facebook needlepoint group that I belong to has challenged everyone to do 20 projects in 2020. I have 3 completely finished, 2 more that are very close, but I need just one more thread, but I can’t go out to a needleworks store. The projects are small. I should be able to do it.
I also have this huge cross stitch project that was a gift from my daughter for Christmas. It will be started soon. I plan to work on it a half an hour a day. It will be a daunting project – probably more than a year. (I hope that we won’t be quarentined that long!!)
@silverlady: Can you get what you need from Amazon?
@silverlady I’ve had wonderful experiences with both http://www.needlestack.com/index.html and https://www.lynnsofmadison.com/ for mail orders. Both were remaining open for online purchases last I saw.
I’m also still getting daily emails/texts from JoAnn Fabrics. (annoying! I need to get rid of them) - but you could probably also order craft supplies from them.
The app is called Vittle. I’m using the free version and although it’s crude, it’s easy to use and a 2 year old doesn’t care about slick.
I like doing ikebana-like flower arrangments in a some of my small containers. I inherited tons of frogs and black stones from my mother. Current one has a flowering quince, some forsythia and a mini daffodil.
It’s more serious than a hobby - but I’m also trying to be more regular about (Chinese style) ink painting and (western style) watercolors and posting them to instagram.
Piano - I’m planning to master some Chopin’s pieces!!
@MaineLonghorn - I’m jealous of your grand piano! We recently switched to a digital piano. It’s just not the same…
Language - I took up Hindi sometime ago because my daughter’s BF is from India.
I was surprised how much I enjoy the language. Watched some very good Hindi movies, too. This is a good time to practice some more.
I’m working on a detailed paint-by-number that I coincidentally ordered right before this all hit. It’s sailboats silhouetted against a sunset sky, which is normal sight around here.