felting

Have you taken up a new hobby?

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Hobby Month

So did you know that January is Hobby month?

So you may have thought about taking up a new interest or even committing to it as part of your New Year resolutions?. Years ago – when I was a young girl, the most likely hobby was swimming or whatever activity was available at your local village hall, community centre or Youth club…yes I am that old.

The definition of the word Hobby according to Wikipedia is: “a regular activity during your spare time for enjoyment”. However if you search around the internet you will find references to a hobby as far back as 1676 from a Sir Matthew Hale, and this is connected to the term Hobby Horse which was a childhood favourite for many.

In this modern world where we have flexible working but also a lot of technology there is a wide range of activities that you could select to fill your spare time. What is also recognised these days is the psychological benefits of a hobby, giving people the opportunity to switch of from the trials and tribulations of modern day life.

Over the years my hobbies have remained constant with the textile themes of sewing, patch work and latterly felting. I have tried the swimming, running, keep fit, Zumba etc but somehow I always navigate back to activities that I am using my hands and I can see a tangible output.

So What Next?

In November I signed up for an evening class in Botanical Drawing and Watercolours. I never really understood art at school and did not have an interest in it but I am enjoying learning about colour theory and sketching and I think it is a new hobby that I will drift in and out of but can bring some learning to my other crafts.

So most of my free time is booked up, I have left a few hours in the week to do the housework…but I am lucky enough to have a husband who loves a good clean on a Saturday morning so I might just get some extra painting practise in…

So whatever hobby you have or plan to take up make sure you enjoy it and if possible dedicate some time to it regulary.

Midwinter Magic

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Winter – a time to look for the magic

As we enter the last few days of December and into the winter months for many it is a time to relax and look forward to the warmer months with promises of holidays.

For the crafting community it is a time to plot and plan the magic that we are going to create for the following year. The new calendar is out and already filled with dates of trade shows to attend, craft shows to prepare for and courses to attend to expand our own learning.

January Blues

To ensure that there is also some pleasure mixed with the planning I always try and book myself onto a few workshops in the early months of the year, this means I learn something new or pick up a twist on an existing skill and meet new like minded people. This year I have had  a great christmas gift to attend a course on making a wet felted hat!. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time and now is my opportunity to be creative and make a mess in somebody else’s house – perfect….

I will give you an update when we virtually meet again in 2019 when hopefully it will be a happy and healthy new year for all of us.