Posts Tagged ‘hobby’

Now that I am the head teacher of a group of children, I do a lot of singing with them everyday. There are times when I think that I really should get back to learning how to play the guitar. My Fender cd 60 acoustic is up on the cupboard for such a long time. I’ve only played it for some months when I got it as a Christmas present four years ago. I asked for one because I really like the sound of the guitar, be it acoustic, classical or electric.

I was really happy with it when I received it and thought that if I get to learn how to play an acoustic I would eventually move on to an electric one – a rickenbacker perhaps. But then, without a teacher I started to slack in my practice routine and in the end stopped. That’s how most people end up I know. Sad isn’t it?

But as long as I have the guitar there and I still have the intention to learn, I know I can always pick it up and start back again. I can only wish that I have more time for work, family, rest, blogging, Japanese studies and guitar practice. I just started working for a few months at the new place. Once I feel stable at the new job, and I have a daily routine with my Japanese studies (I study minimum an hour everyday ) I would definitely include guitar practice in my schedule. The children would really love to sing accompanied by the mellifluous tone of the guitar.

Now that we have entered the month of November, Christmas is indeed a lot nearer and it is never too soon to prepare for the Christmas gifts if you are not a last minute person type. This year as we are trying to cut our budget for holiday gifts we decided to at least make some home-made gifts ourselves. House deco, cards, home-made video cd duplication etc.

I just bought some Fimo clay yesterday to try my hands on clay modeling. In case if you don’t know what Fimo clays are, they are polymer clay that you can mold into anything you want then you can bake it in the oven for a few minutes and it will harden into polymer plastic. Perfect for making your own diy keychain, phone charm, fridge magnet and the list goes on according to your creativity.

Blocks of 56g of Fimo clays.

Sample of a fimo clay cat.

First, I’d try to make phone charms and later on will move on to something else perhaps if my first few experiments is successful.

It’s middle of July and I’m at home relaxing the days away. Well, most days at least. There were changes at the Kindergarten and I was told only 4 people will be working for Summer camp. So I had my holiday a bit earlier. I don’t mind so much though.

I managed to read 3 books last week only and currently reading 2 books. In the day, I’d read ‘Mr. Darcy’s diary’ and in the evening before bed I’d read, ‘The civil contract’. I’m hoping to be able to squeeze in at least 12-15 books in four weeks. I’m in a reading frenzy.

Although I have a few more unread books on my shelves, I still go online to look around for more books to buy. For my birthday, I told myself. Some girls would rather have a pair of Black diamond earrings but I don’t mind having more and more good books as gifts. Well, at least that is how I feel at the moment as I’m in the mood for chain reading.

I was invited to a Belly dance class by an acquaintance. The class will be on every Tuesday evening for an hour. I said, YES, right away when she asked whether I would be interested or not. I’m doing Belly dancing by myself with the help of videos. To go to a class would be a wonderful change. I’m a little nervous but looking forward to it.

Despite what some say about belly dancing help reduce belly fat, the dance do not really do that. Well, perhaps a little. But you actually need to have a little ‘belly’ to do the belly dance. That’s what gives it the appeal. When you shimmy, a little fat must jiggle. LOL Well, funny when I imagine my fat going all jiggly. One thing for sure it won’t create bigger muscles like lifting weights would. I need my muscles to be leaner. I wish, just like bodybuilding supplements to help increase muscle mass, there’s some sort of supplement to help make musle leaner. Years of lifting heavy things, I have quite big arm muscles.*sigh*

If nothing comes up that needs the class to be canceled, then I’d be going for the first class next week. Yippie!

Every few weeks I’d buy something for my craft hobby. 2 weeks ago it was this organizer cabinet. It wasn’t something that I had in mind but it was okay nevertheless. Keeps my craft tools, materials and also a few stationaries organized and I can always find them easily when ever I need them.

If only I can order an organizer cabinet the way I want it, like how you can get custom cardboard boxes made for you nowadays. But I am not complaining at all. I’m still happy with my purchase.

What am I  jealous of? Well, I’m jealous of how some people can make really nice crafts – crochets, felt craft, smocking etc. I’m jealous I tell ya… But at least it makes me motivated to learn. I want to be as good if not better if I can. I suppose everyone has to start from not knowing how to do anything and they keep on doing and practicing till they become good at something.

Hairpin I made out of felt last week.

I’m off to go shopping for some more craft items today. Something that I may need later. You see, although I don’t need some of the things right now, but I am the sort that likes to have everything at hand when ever I need them. In case I have the urge to create, I don’t want the feeling to be interupted for not having the things I need.

Huh, while I shop for craft items, I suppose I will browse around for other things too – new acne creams, new eyeliner and a new lipstick. Women and shopping…

Ever since I ordered loads of craft supplies from ebay sellers last week, parcels have been pouring in nearly everyday. Thank goodness the volcano in Iceland didn’t effect the delivery of my orders. When ever I shop for craft supplies I would really compare prices from one seller to another. I’d put the same effort of reading reviews of other buyers just like I would read diet pill reviews if I were to look for the best diet pills. Yeah, I am a cheapskate. But who wouldn’t if many of the items if added together would cost a fortune. Hobbies can be really expensive.

A couple of days ago I picked up some green pea seeds, soil and a plant container at the local hardware shop. I wanted to plant the peas in the hopes that we’d be  able to enjoy our own home grown green peas by the end of July. We just live in an apartment so the peas were planted in the container and pots.

My mother in law has a garden at her weekend house somewhat half the size of a football field.

It did came to mind of such a waste it is not to do anything with it. Here I am planting peas in pots when there is a land waiting to be used. *sigh* Well, the place isn’t mine. But would be nice to have our own garden, with an outdoor fire place,  a nice fish pond – complete with a garden pond filter and a small fountain, and rows and rows of vegetables. I’m not the flower type. I’d rather plant vegetables.

Anyhow, lets wait a few more days and see whether my peas would sprout or not.

I got my amigurumi world book last December for Christmas. However, it was 2 days ago I first tried to make an amigurumi bear. It was really fun to make. Tiring. But fun. Not to mention the satisfaction you get when you manage to finish it.

Then, later last evening I made this rabbit.

Only thing is I don’t have the proper tools and materials to make them quicker and neater. Things like a tapestry needle to weave the tail to attach the limbs together, and also felt fabrique for the face, and safety eyes. I’m getting those soon. Perhaps this weekend when we go to the mall to check out Saniflo toilet for the weekend house. Can’t wait to start on my next project.

I’ve been crocheting for about 3-4 weeks now and loving it a lot. Though I have to say that it does wear my patience at times having to unravel the yarn every time I make mistakes – and I sure do make lots and lots of mistakes.

I have one project in progress at the moment. Making a round table mat. I used up a skein of yarn and need to buy another. I thought of just checking ebay to find cheaper yarns. They do have just about anything sold there – well except maybe Anilox roll, I know, I checked. But then is it really worth it to buy there a ball of yarn? Perhaps if I buy in bulk. So I won’t be getting any yarns through ebay. I just may buy a set of various sized crochet hooks there.

I think for about 6 dollars I can make a nice table mat. Crochet surely isn’t an expensive hobby right?