Some of My Hobbies, What are Yours?

[Ironhorse]

I do several things in my "spare time". Keeps me from losing my sanity and I have fun with them. One of the things I do is make skating dresses for my granddaughter. Here's some pics of some of the dresses I've made. So, what kind of hobbies do you have?

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/buzzard_03/skating%20dresses%20I%20made/savannaoutfit6.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/buzzard_03/skating%20dresses%20I%20made/savanna.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/buzzard_03/skating%20dresses%20I%20made/savannaoutfit7.jpg


This one, the skirt is actually a bright neon lime green, but for some reason the camera makes it look yellowish green.
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/buzzard_03/skating%20dresses%20I%20made/Savannaoutfit2001.jpg

[Ironhorse]

Then I do wood burning also:

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/buzzard_03/crafts/outhouse-1.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/buzzard_03/crafts/lionclock.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/buzzard_03/crafts/welcome.jpg

[Ironhorse]

None of this is "expert" work, but I have fun, and my family and friends like what I make (hey, they ask me for them, LOL). The Lion clock above, my son and I made for my dad for Father's day. He loves it, he belongs to Lions Club. I did the woodburning part and the staining.

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/buzzard_03/crafts/bucket-1.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/buzzard_03/crafts/paintedbucket.jpg

Some of the crosses I cut out from patterns, some were bought already cut, some I "built" from craft molding strips. Then I decorated and painted them.

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/buzzard_03/crafts/crosses2.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/buzzard_03/crafts/crosses6.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/buzzard_03/crafts/crosses5.jpg

[Summer]

Iron, you overwhelm me with your abilities! I especially like the wood thing that you do. I, alas, am not talented in anything but I am at the point I would like to try my hand at some crafts - even it they come out badly! Anyone know of any crafty things going on? Scrapping, jewelry, etc.?

[Ironhorse]

Summer I bet you can do more than you think you can. I didn't know how to do any of this. I taught myself on some of it, and I'm still learning with the painting. The woodburning isn't as hard as I thought it would be. You follow patterns. The crosses, well those I just made stuff I thought I'd like (LOL, some I re-did 3 and 4 times before I "got it right".) As for the sewing, we won't talk about the words I said as I learned how to sew with lycra and spandex and stretch velvets! And I still have some I'm having problems with, like the materials with the sequins on it. I've been told what I really need is a serger to do those. The sequins cause the thread to break, so you sew and inch and it breaks, you sew an inch and it breaks, etc., etc., etc. So, I'm saving for a serger.

I did see an ad on the STI ads online from someone who was going to teach a stained glass class. She was in Coarsegold. Now that's something I've always wanted to learn, but with my babysitting schedule, I can't make it to her class. There's one in Fresno though that I'm going to try to do this winter. JoAnn's has scrapbooking classes and quilting classes, the quilt store in Oakhurst has quilting classes, and I've heard people talk about scrapbooking classes up there somewhere too, but can't remember who or where it was. Maybe Mysteefied knows something?

[Kahlua Kid]

I really love your woodburning and the iceskating outfits! How cool!

I can't sew, but I can sure seamrip!!! (Ask SheilaMae on the project we are working on together for our master bedroom - she is helping me sew curtains, bedspread, pillowcases, decorator pillows etc!) I picked out my fabric, she helped me with coordinating the trims (fringe, etc.) I can't wait til we are done with this project.

My hobbies:

Photography of course - you all know that. Gardening, oil painting, drawing, writing short stories/poetry, riding horses, working with all our pets, pretending to play the piano and travel. Not enough time for all I'd like to do!

[Ironhorse]

Beautiful pictures KK!!!! Now that's the kind of stuff my mom can do and my brother could do (although his favorite art subjects were the Rat Fink characters and steam locomotives.) He did some beautiful art work, but gave most of it away. I can't do that kind of painting, always looks like a 5 year old did it, LOL. But I to am an expert at seam-ripping, believe me, I've done a lot of it learning to sew those skating dresses, LOL

[jjcheyenne]

I love photography. I have entered photos in the fair. But, since the gas prices are so high, I haven't been able to go anywhere to take pictures. I really like to take the mountain scenes and old buildings. But, I have been stuck at home and work since the gas prices went up. I would really like to try to go to Yosemite this fall. I hear it is beatiful!

[Iris]

You are obviously very creative and talented! Beautiful work!!
My primary hobbies are gardening, cooking (primarily love baking), reading and spending time with my hubby of 27 years and our beloved Border Collie. I love to crochet all sorts of items, and have made several afghans for Project Linus which is an organization of volunteers who create and contribute homemade afghans, quilts and such to those who are comforted by them. The local representative from Fresno picks them up at the Oakhurst drop-off (Customer Service in Gottchalks) and delivers them to Childrens' Hospital. Project Linus has a website for those who might be interested in volunteering.
I am relatively new to this area and to this site. So hello, you all seem so open and friendly!

[Ironhorse]

Welcome to the board Iris! I do some knitting and crocheting (nothing fancy) but not this time of year, to hot, LOL! I do it during the winter when I can use it to lay across my lap to help keep warm! I usually make simple hats, scarves for the grandkids (goodness they lose them so fast!) and have made a couple of afghans for family. I love to make those no-sew fleece blankets that are just knotted, so easy, but so cozy. I've made those for the grandkids and a couple for us to take to the skating rink for competitions and hockey games. I'm trying to learn to quilt, but it's a slow process. I do mine by machine. I have my quilt blocks pieced together, just need to get them put together for the top and get the backing on. I just try to stay busy, keep my hands going. For years I couldn't do any of this, didn't have time. Now I have lots and lots of time. If I see something I like, I'll give it a try. Have done a little bit of work with metal punching, tin and copper, but don't really have a place to put it when it's done. Made a whole set of ornaments for a "Western" Christmas tree one year. Like I said, whatever strikes my fancy, I'll try. Share some more of your stuff with us, especially recipes!!

[Summer]

OK, what is seam-ripping? Seems like something I could handle! Went to the Art Hop today and I am amazed at what these people can do. Not even being able to draw even a stick figure, I am amazed how people can draw replicas from posers, things, views, etc. Got to talking today about artistic abilities. I think my one thing may be writing. But I think I could "make" things if I have a guide or instructions. I would like to do that jewelry thing KK and some others did last year. Also scrapping. So, if anyone has info on that jewelry class or a scrapping session, please let me know. And hey, I could probably grind out a little story or two! I think I want to get back into the writing thing again. For some reason I think Fall gets everyone into the artistic mood. Sort of like "cocooning for the winter" or some such thing. And let's not forget cooking! Somehow the cooking juices start to bubble around Sept. I notice the recipe threads on here thrive come about Fall!

[Ironhorse]

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/buzzard_03/skating%20dresses%20I%20made/IMG_2097.jpg

Another one of the dresses I made for my granddaughter. She wore this one in a group number that the girls all did at the Fresno Falcons game on October 19th, and then again at her competition on October 20th.

[Kahlua Kid]

Ironhorse - the dress is beautiful - but your granddaughter is all the more!

[MtnEagle]

Well, guess I could finally post some pics of my wood hobby...

I don't have the creative detail talent that Falconer has, and I haven't really tried the wood burning and distressing stuff, but I love working with rough surfaced wood, finishing, and rustic stuff. I can thank Monkey for that! ;)

When we finally got our home in Tennessee, one of the first things I did was take the wife's Eastern White Pine log bed frame down into the basement and sand it completely down, stained and Polyeurathaned it. We put it up in the master bedroom which had this horrid wallpaper. We got new matress and box springs for it, and she bought a quilt and I picked one too. Mine actually ended up on this bed, her quilt would end up on the other bed you'll see below.

Of course I had to remodel the bedroom, so all the wood finish on the walls and ceiling, the log shelf, and the table by the window I built.

http://www.psychobabyl.com/misc/wood/bed1.jpg
http://www.psychobabyl.com/misc/wood/bed2.jpg
http://www.psychobabyl.com/misc/wood/BedRoomShelf.jpg
http://www.psychobabyl.com/misc/wood/BedRoom2.jpg

I didn't build these, but we had to have them.

http://www.psychobabyl.com/misc/wood/cedar_set.jpg

The second bed I built from scratch. Started with fallen rough Eastern Red Cedar (Aromatic) we had on the property, made posts and rails, and worked the ends by hand with chisel, saw, etc. Wire brushed and sanded all surfaces, then Polyeurathaned. This cedar doesn't need stain.

I designed it more as a day bed, for reading, enjoying the rain, napping, etc.

http://www.psychobabyl.com/misc/wood/RawCedar1.jpg
http://www.psychobabyl.com/misc/wood/RawCedar2.jpg
http://www.psychobabyl.com/misc/wood/Start.jpg
http://www.psychobabyl.com/misc/wood/Unfinished.jpg
http://www.psychobabyl.com/misc/wood/Finished.jpg
http://www.psychobabyl.com/misc/wood/Finished2.jpg
http://www.psychobabyl.com/misc/wood/Finished3.jpg
http://www.psychobabyl.com/misc/wood/Matress.jpg
http://www.psychobabyl.com/misc/wood/Done.jpg

I'm doing smaller projects these days with cedar (I just love this wood), which I'll show someday when I get pics.

I love the simpler life, rustic home, fireplace, etc. and I think the following pics are just a small hint at why.

What we have now we could not have in California, so while some sacrifices were made, we gained so much more in our situation.

http://www.psychobabyl.com/misc/wood/HouseCaveIce.jpg
http://www.psychobabyl.com/misc/wood/CaveWaterFall.jpg
http://www.psychobabyl.com/misc/wood/ForestCanopy.jpg
http://www.psychobabyl.com/misc/wood/Peaceful.jpg

Cheers!

[Ironhorse]

Ironhorse - the dress is beautiful - but your granddaughter is all the more!


Thanks KK! She is definitely a cutie. (You know how it is.................... Grandma's partiality, LOL!) But I do love making her pretty dresses, all I had were two boys and you couldn't make them "cute", well, not after a certain age anyway, LOL

[Ironhorse]

Mtn Eagle, those beds are beautiful. That's the kind of furniture I would love to have throughout my condo someday. I wish I had the room to make something like that, and the talent, but the larger projects are beyond my ability. But maybe someday, LOL And I love your house!!!!!! That waterfall outside like that is priceless for a view, all year round! Beautiful picture, you should enlarge and frame it.

[Michelle]

WOW what a great thing to read.. and see all those pictures.. you guys are awesome...

very beautiful stuff here...................

thanks for sharing...:cool:

[Ironhorse]

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/buzzard_03/family%20and%20gkids%20pics/IMG_2121.jpg

I got to spend the evening this year for Halloween with the Zombie Figure Skater (her idea, not mine) and the Fractured Falcon hockey skater. (Uh, I'm the witch in the middle, LOL). I gave the Falcon a "black eye", he had lost some baby teeth from a soccer ball hit in the face. I made my costume (except for the hat) and the Halloween skating dress. I sit outside and pass out the candy and most people don't know I'm real until they get to the front door and I say something, LOL

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/buzzard_03/family%20and%20gkids%20pics/IMG_2120.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/buzzard_03/family%20and%20gkids%20pics/IMG_2124.jpg

We have a CD playing with spooky Halloween stories and music from the upstairs window. I tell the little kids that I'm the good witch, my sister, the bad witch, isn't allowed out of her bedroom and they can see her in the upstairs window, LOL

[Ironhorse]

Here's "daddy" with us too, LOL. Aren't we a handsome group?

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/buzzard_03/family%20and%20gkids%20pics/IMG_2125.jpg

[Ironhorse]

This was the first complicated competition dress that I made for my granddaughter. She wore it last month and won 1st place! She was beautiful in it and her skating is so much improved. She passed her testing to go to the next level in competition last weekend in San Francisco and can now starting adding jumps, etc. to her routines. Her daddy helped me design this dress and he's the one who did the layout of the pattern for the crystals for me to put on the front and back. They don't show up a lot in these photos, but will have another one later on to show. I made this dress from 3 different patterns combined together, and some parts of it I just winged it, no pattern! Took me over 2 weeks to put it together. Her dad says we're not selling this one when she outgrows it, he's going to have it put in a shadowbox and put it up in her room. She skated to music from Lord of the Dance and looked like an Irish princess in it. The dress is a dark emerald green velvet, with gold lace and braid.

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/buzzard_03/skating%20dresses%20I%20made/JA-MLH_4605.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/buzzard_03/skating%20dresses%20I%20made/JA-MLH_4601.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/buzzard_03/skating%20dresses%20I%20made/JA-MLH_4588.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/buzzard_03/skating%20dresses%20I%20made/Savanna10202007.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/buzzard_03/skating%20dresses%20I%20made/JA-MLH_4573.jpg

[captin sanchez]

this is somthing I have found quite usefull. I can make a rose from a bar napkin. I left out a few traid secrets but you get the point

[Mysteefied]

That is cool!