hobbies

[MarthaB]

:) hi, i sometimes wonder what all of you do in your spare time, (that's if you have any) for example i love to do cross stitch and have done so for for the last 30 years, i also like making greeting cards, especially baby cards, they are my favourites,i make the ones with the little knitted baby bootties and jumpers and hope to sell them at the markets soon, i have made about 90 cards, also i like to scrap book, which is very popular here in australia, maybe we could have a section for our hobbies and arts and crafts,what do you all think, take care martha

[nss]

Hi Martha I have a stack of scrapbooking stuff, just cant find time to do any. Must get my photos in order and extra copies.

A hobby thread sounds great. We could bounce ideas off each other.

[MarthaB]

yes i agree it may take our mind of our bladder troubles for a little while, sometimes i find that all i think about is my bladder, and we get so pre-occupied with that, we let everything slide to the sideline, i am sure there are a lot more girls out there that have some sort of hobby, it does not matter what it is, as long as you enjoy what you are doing, so i hope to get some more suggestions, martha :idea:

[traceann]

Oh! I love to scrap also (scrapbook, not fight, lol)! It's just finding the time and the concentration + inspiration lately. I seem to be in a funk. I thought getting the new computer (as I was computer-free at home for about 4 years) would help, since I could work on my photos and pages etc...but nope. Have worked on my photos (Love photgraphy) but that's about as far as it goes. Instead of writer's block, I have scrapper's block...lol

I love to crosss stitch too, but haven't done that in ages, usually that's a winter project for me, lol.

Hugs!

[ICNDonna]

I like to sew. I've also been trying to learn to operate a spinning wheel.

Donna

[traceann]

Oh yeah! I forgot about my sewing! I am not very good, still a bit of a novice, but there's something to be said for the good feeling I get when I successfully navigate through a pattern, on my own -- and have it turn out!!! Yippy!! :)

[MarthaB]

:) thanks for the replies so far guys, i went to k-mart today and bought some more paper, i have this thing about paper, i seem to have more than i know what to do with, donna you're a moderator, do you think Jill will give us a section for hobbies, arts and crafts?? thanks martha

[traceann]

Sheeba, I am a pen fanatic, my hubby teases me about it! But, gotta find ones I love sooooooo I end up buying tons just to find the "perfect" pen! And all I do is write in my journal at night! LOL

[Bianchi]

I like to do mosaic (if it doesnt move, it gets mosaic). It is very tedious work, but i like it and it keeps my mind off things.
Bianchi

[ICNJess]

I like to read a lot, and I listen to music, do my school work, write, and go online. I'm home alone during the day every day usually, so I spend a lot of time curled up with my little yellow lab.

[dyno]

I like to fish, I am really into fly fishing. I also sew and quilt.

[kadi]

I make Christmas ornaments by bead embroidery, also make bracelets with beads. I also like to make cards with nature prints. Colored stamp pads & use leaves & flowers instead of stamps to make designs.

[dancemomof2]

WOW you girls are really crafty. I am the one who buys all your neat crafts when you get done. I guess my only hobby is "taxi mom" seems that is all I get done is running one of them somewhere, no time for a hobby.

Wait can I count shopping...............that seems to be a good thing for me. Hubby says I have a black belt in shopping. :biglaugh:

[VickiB]

Painting used to be my hobby, 'til it turned into a job.

That leaves me with fishing & hunting for hobbies, though I don't seem to have the time to get out much anymore!

Vicki

[Sarojini]

I read a lot... and I like to find new recipes to cook. I used to be very into photography but don't have enough time these days when working full time... I also like to sketch, but again, no time these days!!! I would love to start scrapbooking and get my photos (taken by me, and also by others) into some nice books, but again it all falls by the wayside in favor of sleep a lot of the time :biglaugh:

[MarthaB]

:) yeah, i am a bit of a pen fanatic too, i do crossword puzzles as well, and i only do them with certain pens, weird huh, martha

[Rosalie]

I love having a go at just about anything. And have to buy all the bits and bobs that go with anything new.
Hence, I have glass paints, fabric paints, oil and watercolour paints, stuff for glass etching, knitting wool, crochet yarns, buttons, beads, a whole cupboard devoted to card making, cross stitching paraphanalia and a stash of patchwork and quilting fabrics that is way too large. I do cake making and decorating and pencil portraits.(I've even made a little money on these two)
And bookshelves filled with craft books and magazines to which I subscribe.

Now I'm not blowing my own trumpet here because I'm not an expert at any of these.
I just love having a go. I went to a scrapbooking party a while ago and I swear I saw my husband cry. We may need to extend my storsage in the roof!

I was actually going to post in the Canada site for help with a quilt I want to do. So if anybody checking out this thread can help I would appreciate it. My nephew has married the most beautiful Canadian girl. They were married in Central Park NY and we will have a big party when they return to Oz in Nov.
I want to made a quilt for them in a maple leaf design. I have bought Australian florals to make the leaf pattern. Does anyone have a simple pattern that would work? Something authentic is what I am looking for.
Martha, this is such a great idea. I hope we can get our own section just for crafts with hints and help for crafters.
Rosalie

[MarthaB]

:) hi rosalie, i do have books and magazines full of craft lying around, beads and buttons, paints, ribbons, stickers, craftpapers, craftscissors, fiskars cutters, punchies,knitting wool, i cannot help myself, so here it is I AM A ADDICT, to craft, i buy cross-stitch books from the uk, it's called quick and easy, it's a bargain for $10.50, it is full of patterns , and now i am addicted to papercraft inspirations as well, it's also from from the uk, i have over 300 colours for my crosstitch, i just don't know when to stop, if i see something new, i have to have it,( if it is not to dear of course) but i have to admit cross stitch will always be my first love, Rosalie, i hope you come across someone who can help you with your quilt, i don't know much about sewing, it's a great idea to mix the canadian maple leaf design with the australian florals, and i hope you come up with some thing really good, either way i'm sure they are going to love it, take care martha

[traceann]

You two sound like me, I have dabbled in just about all of it. But not enough to be considered "good", lol. I have done ceramics, crocheted, macrame, gel candle making, soap making, etc. Gotta try it all, and gotta do it up right and buy all the stuff to go with!! I have supplies stored all over the place! My problem is in dive in head first, and start out too big for my britches, and end up in over my head on too complicated a project, get frustrated, then on to something new.....LMAO!!

But ones that have stuck are my photography, cross stitch and scrapping. I too have a huge cross stitch supply, I am addicted to pattern books. And the thing is, I have done very few - if any - projects out of them!! But I always just buy one more....just...one...more..... :) Oh and I am not happy unless I have all the floss colors, you never know what I might want to make, and I want to be sure I have the floss to work with!!! ;)

[MarthaB]

hi traceann, a couple of things i would really like to try is soapmaking and candle making, i have seen some beautiful soaps on the markets here, they look like real slices of cake, the soap is transparent, and they look like they have icing on them, and bits of fruit, and they all smell beautiful, they are a bit expensive though, i also buy a lot of candles, but i really would like to have a go at it myself, and maybe i will one day, i have also tried painting on ceramics, i had some lessons, but i found it wasn't really my thing,.... i too can get a bit overexited over something new, at one stage i wanted to make those little country rag dolls, i had seen them on the markets, and i thought hey i can do that, wrong, i can't even sew properley, what was i thinking???, so excitement turns into frustration, but i know i most likely make that mistake again with another project, but hey, we like our crafts, it's an addiction. take care martha

[Rosalie]

Not addiction! I think of it as therapy in order to maintain a healthy psyche. In which case it is a necessity. Indeed, it is compulsory. Perhaps even illegal not to be into crafts!
Now I feel better about all my stashes.
My family knows what crafts I've been into that year cause that's what they get for christmas. One year it was ceramics, another they all got pj's, another ties, painted photo frames, baked goods etc etc.
It left a hole in my crafting year when they all decided to have a Kris Kringle instead of so many presents to organize. ( I have a very large family)
I've made my chrissie cakes and puddings. And will soon start on my cards.
What are you all crafting now? What projects have you undertaken?
Rosalie

[MarthaB]

:) hi rosalie, i haven't done anything specific, just doing my cards at the moment, it's a challenge to come up with different designs, i'm also doing my cross stitch, i cannot seem to leave that alone, i have to do some every day. maybe i will start to do some x-mas cards soon, i can't believe that time of the year is nearly here again, anyway, do you think i should try to e-mail Jill to see if we could get a section for craft?? i'm not sure how to go about this? what do you reckon,?? martha

[nss]

I have a stash and half of scrapbooking goodies. If I see something I'll buy it. I too dive in and can't resist a bargain.

By the time I want to scrapbook my Endep (elavil) has kicked in and I'm almost asleep. :biglaugh:

But next year DS is off to school and I will have loads of time and should start scrapping. I hope.

[traceann]

Oh yeah, the soap making was fun. A bit time consuming sometimes, so I have to be in the proper mood. I used to buy my big blocks of glycerin soap from an online site, but looks like they are no longer in business, bummer. I have had the olive oil blocks of soap, and the glycerin. Love working with them, easy to melt and pour. I had fun being creative, found some cool recipes and neat things to embed in the soaps. I just melted mine in the microwave, added what ingredients I wanted to, what scent I wanted to and poured into molds, really cool. My favorite one was the coffee soap. You use coffee grounds and powdered milk added. It was great for handwashing and removing odors from the hands!!

The candle making I thought was fun at first, but just didn't hold my attention, and kind of decided it wasn't for me. I was doing the gel candles, and think I would like traditional wax-type ones instead.

It's funny, but yep that's how my friends and family too knew what I was into that year!! Just lately I have not done that, but bought instead, or I bake tons of treats and every one gets them instead. But it never fails, whatever I decide to do (besides store-bought gifts) I get started too late, and it's a mad dash the week before to get all projects done, ugh. You'd think I'd learn!! LOL

Oh yeah, I can't start a new thing simply, I gotta pick the most complicated projected in the new hobby!! All that does is frustrate me!! LMAO!!! ;)

Hugs!

[Pristine]

I'm probably a bit different from the usual things one would hear about people doing as hobbies but I read, go to yard sales, turn my scene boy dolls into elvish boyz and went outside my normal genre and made one into a Bagoas doll from Alexander, I make my own elvish robes and clothes for them, re-wig them, collect fun lord of the rings *stuff*, do photo-shop art and manips of elves, pencil sketch lotr characters, paint with acrylics and water colors. I'm making a Bag End hobbit house out of a gourd at the moment and using sheet moss, and other wee accessories that i'm making out of polymer clay to decorate the grounds. I'm hoping to make some plushy hobbits one of these days when i'm not doing so many other things. I've slacked off a bit in the sewing through the summer though because i just feel more creative in the winter and i've been helping hubby paint our house. *love to paint most anything* :)

[traceann]

Hey Pristine! I think your hobbies sound great, it's just like the intricate doll houses/miniatures people do! I praise you for your patience!! LOL I too feel more inspired in the winter. Summertime, I have my hands full, with gardening and just wanting to be outside in the yard, or fishing (salmon, etc) on my hubby's charter boat on Lake Huron. But come winter and being cooped up, love to have my hobbies to keep me busy!

I too love to paint, but my hubby teases me that I am too slow, lol. When priming our window trim, I was attacking it as if it were a great piece of art, and that was a bit too slow for him, so he loves to tease me about that, lol! ;)

Our latest and greatest thing now is home canning...ugh, hubby is addicted....I now call him the "TaskMaster", LMAO!!! :)

[Rosalie]

Martha, I think it is a wonderful idea to have a Craft forum. Just look at all us fabulous crafters here already. I'm not sure other than emailing Jill how to go about this.
She must be very busy as once I tried to get an answer on avatars and I had to email her about nine times. I think the moderators keep an eye on posts so if they're out there "how do we go about this?"
Have you ever made the bath bombs? I love them.

Nadia, yes you do get more time when the kids go off to school but it's then that you notice housework that hasn't been done for years - like dust on top of things and windows and drapes. I had a wonderland behind my fridge.

Traceann, tell us more about the canning. Sounds very interesting. My mum used to preserve fruits in jars -Fowlers Vacola, I don't know if you have that system in the US or if I am just that old that I can remember it. We had a huge apricot tree in the back yard so we had preserved apricots and jam all year round. Mum would also swap apricots for quinces with the lady over the back fence and we then would go blackberrying in March. Yum blackberry jam, yum quince jam!
Pristine, do you do the dolls for yourself or to sell or as gifts? it sounds like a lot of fun. Are these dolls like barbies or bigger? I used to make barbie clothes when my daughter was little but they are so hard being soooo small. And I agree about crafting in winter. Stuff that can be done in front of the heater. I hate the heat in summer and my hands get sticky and sweaty with things like knitting or hand sewing. Unless I sit under the airconditioner, but then that blows stuff around - a cross I will have to bare!
My idea of retirement - Piles of fabric, paint, paper etc etc and nothing but time to do as I please... Oh no! it's only about ten years away... I'd better go shopping, not nearly enough stuff.
Rosalie

[MarthaB]

:) hi,rosalie, i think i may try to contact jill, and see what happens, i'm cleaning out my craftroom at the moment, it was my daughters room, but she has moved out, and lives with her boyfriend now, i tend to leave things lying around in there, and then i cannot find anything,i really have to get organised, it's strange because i am really tidy in other parts of the house, i suppose i think it's because i am the only person using this room, and i can just shut the door, and no one will see the mess, we do occasionally have guest sleeping in there, but i just tidy it up quickly, and they are none the wiser. it's good to see we have more people replying to this thread, and hope to see more, pristine sounds very creative, i'm trying to work out in my head what those dolls look like, not sure, pristine is there anywhere like maybe on the net that has something similar to what you are making?? i would love to see it!! martha

[Pristine]

Sheebah i'm just going to have to take photos of my dolls one of these days and post them on the net. I get lots of folks asking what they look like and the best i can describe them is that they are "My Scene" Barbie male dolls of which i re-wig with either long real mohair or synthetic mohair, sew elvish robes and sometimes tunic and pants outfits for them and sometimes i do a little touch up painting around the eye areas in case they are not exotic enough looking for my taste. And i only do them for me because i get attached to them. I usually keep an eye out on ebay when someone is selling some nude My Scene boyz in a group that they just dont want any more and i use them but i have used a couple of regular Ken dolls that look nice and not too goofy *as Ken dolls sometimes look lol* Lots of folks re-make Barbie dolls but it's usually the girl dolls. I'm Tolkien male elf obsessed so thats how I began doing this.

[traceann]

Hey rosalie, I have to say, it's a lot of fun...rather fussy a bit, but fun. So far we have done Hot Pickled Veg Mix (yeah, like I can eat that!! LOL) and just did salsa Tuesday night (another one! But it's fun to make, even if I won't eat...) Hubby's talking now about canning pear halves for me and a "pear sauce" (he makes wonderful applesauce, so he's going to use pears instead for me, although I can tolerate apples, with Prelief). He's got all kinds of grand ideas for this, I have to keep telling him, we can do that next year dear....

Here's the links we have been using, as we are VERY new at this, I have never done this before!! LOL This is the first time for both of us, and it cracks me up when he asks me questions, lol. I tell him, "honey, you know as much as I do, remember I am winging it myself here!!!" ;)

http://www.homecanning.com/usa/

http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/

Kind of fun sifting through all the recipes! The Hot Veg mix recipe came from the homecanning.com site, as well as our salsa recipe (we combined two different ones). There are lots more I want to try, I want to do jams and fruits next....

Hugs!!!

[VickiB]

I used to make soap and hadn't thought about it in years! The butcher would save the suet for me (Supposedly the fat from around the kidneys was the best for soap-making). Anyway, I took it to the local farmers market and sold the heck out of it, especially to the hunters who jump on unscented soaps.

Vicki

[Rosalie]

Thanks Tracey, I spent a lovely time poking around the sites you posted. This is the method that mum used to use. The lids weren't skrew tops but the basic method is the same.
My husband is a country Queensland boy and his mum preserved foods as well. Out where they were there was no nicking down to the shop for something. She died in 1966 but when I first met David he took me back to his home up north in 1980 and there were still some of her preserves on the pantry shelf.
Now neither myself nor any of his remaining family were game to try them but they still looked pretty good.
My girlfriend who lives in country Victoria, bottles fruits when they were in season. She also has a dehydrator that she uses to make fruit leathers(she grows raspberries commercially). She also makes chips from bananas, apples and kiwi fruit.
It's a great way to have seasonal fruits etc all year round.

[traceann]

I have read that the canned goods can last indefinitely, but they recommend eating within a year!! LOL Don't think I would be brave enough to try myself!! :)

Oh I have always wanted a dehydrator, I'd like to dry fruits and herbs too. I am sure I would come up with loads of things to experiment drying...LMAO!!

I agree too, it's great for seasonal fruits, that way you can have yummy stuff in the drab winter months. Now he wants to get a pressure cooker, so we can do low-acid foods, like veggies and soups...Oh boy, wonder where this obsession of his will end....hee hee!! ;) I guess he could have worse things he was obsessed with! ;)

That's funny, that was my plan to make a bunch of soaps and lotions, and sell them somehow, but there's nowhere where I live to do that sort of thing...bummer. But, my hubby has some really good friends that own a vegetable-stand type store that they are reopening next year (and they grow their own flowers for sale etc.) I was thinking of chatting with his wife and see if I can't do something on consignment maybe. I love to seed-start too, so was also thinking maybe grow some herbs and see if they would want to sell them, as I think they only do flowers...so we shall see....

Hugs!

[MarthaB]

:) hi, guys, just wanted to let you know that i send ic Jill a e-mail yesterday, about maybe getting a section for hobbies, haven't had a reply as yet, but Rosalie said it could take a little while , she is a very busy lady, if i haven't heard anything in a few days, i will try again, martha

[traceann]

Cool!! I hope we get it, I love talking about all this stuff and seeing what others are into for inspiration...there may be something I haven't tried yet! LMAO! :)

[MarthaB]

hi traceann, i hope so too, all we can do is try, one thing i really like is astrology, not the every day stuff you read in papers and magazines, but i'm talking about the personalities about each star sign, i'm a cancerian and i think a lot of what it says about my sign really does sound a lot like me, i don't take it to serious though, but i have actually guessed some people's star sign, just by talking to them for awhile, but really it is all fun. take care martha

[Rosalie]

Hey there Martha, this is getting a bit scary. I'm fascinated with astrology. I used to work for a naturopath who also did astrological charts, for time saving she used a computor program. I tried interpreting it but you have to also have a pretty thorough and working knowledge of astrology.

One day I mentioned the wierd mood my daughter was in. She checked her chart for that week. She was not only accurate with what the problem was, but predicted something that was about happen and what to do about it. She was spot on with everything. Because I don't have my birth time she was never able to give precise readings for me.
My kids and husband are definately true to their signs and I think I am as well. I'm a Scorpio but I have learned to control most of its nastier traits.. I think!...I hope!

[MarthaB]

:) hi rosalie, yes it is true, to really get a accurate reading you need your exact time of birth, also where you where born, meaning country of origin , then they can also tell you what you your ascendant is, mine is cancerian and pisces, i think every sign has good and bad traits, we just like to hide our bad ones i think. i also like to read books about super natural stuff, yeah i know i'm weird, :loco: what star signs are your husband and kids?? my husband is gemini/ cancer because he is right on the cusp, my daughter is aries, and my son is gemini. martha

[MarthaB]

:) oh by the way guys, did you have a look at vicky B paintings? she posted a thread under '' sellers corner'' and she is so talented, i wish i could paint like that, you can click on her web site, and see her whole collection, martha

[traceann]

Hey guys! I too am into astrology! I am a Pisces and very true to my sign description, it's spooky,and I am a Libra Rising, also very accurate for me! And my hubby is a Scorpio, and oh boy is he ever a Scorpio! Crazy, but I seem to do the best with Scorpios, although the moody/emotional roller-coaster can be a bit much at times!! My first fiance was a Scorpio, and it was drama drama drama all the time, lol. My first husband was a Virgo...ho hum... apparently not ENOUGH drama for me. LMAO! My current hubby must have a tempering Rising sign, to combat some of the Scorpio-ness -- a nice balance, some drama - but nice drama! Ha ha ha.

I have always wanted one of the chart making programs, etc. Thought it would be fun, but have never gotten around to it. Are they fairly easy to use, or do you have to have alot of knowledge in the complicated aspects of astrology?? Yup, I agree, there are good and bad aspects of each sign, and I am fairly true to mine Pisces weaknesses. Although, I don't escape into drugs (well, not recreational ones anyway! Ha!) or alcohol. But, yep, I get walked on, have my head in clouds, alot, etc. Gotta take the good with the bad!! I have a "friend" - I use the term loosely, who I swear embodies all the horrible qualties of her sign, Gemini. Yikes, is she ever two personalities, and not good! ugh!!

Oh my, this is so fun! Maybe we all ought to email Jill!! LOL :)

Hugs!

[traceann]

Oh forgot, I love Linda Goodman's Star Signs book, great info. I need a new copy...have no idea what happened to mine....

[MarthaB]

:) hi, my first boyfriend was a scorpio, jealousy was his biggest problem, but god he was soooo cute.
gemini is definately the jeckyll and hyde sign, 2 personalities in one, it drives me batty at times, my son is a gemini, and i never know what mood he is going to be in, but i suppose being a 17 year old teen has a lot to do with that, but really he is a pretty good kid, and has not given us any trouble. My daughter is a aries, and can be pretty full on at times, speaks her mind, she is also very impatient, and gets bored easely, but she also has a lot of love for animals,and is caring toward others, so we all have good and bad sides, i have books of astrology, the last one i bought was 'Athena starwoman' and i have a book called ''the day you were born'' i found that one interesting, my sister send me a chart years ago, and a lot of what it said is very much me. it seems we all have a lot in common here, i really enjoy this thread. take care martha

[VickiB]

I would love to learn more about astrology. I find it amazing how accurate the descriptions are! I'm a pisces, married to a capricorn. When our aries son comes home for the summers I find myself outnumbered by disciplined, logical people! Hmm, maybe that's nature's way of finding balance?

Vicki

[Rosalie]

I get the distinct feeling that if we all met it would be an instant friendfest.
And if I ever win tattslotto, I will arrange it!

My husband is a Taurean. He used to drive me crazy with his lists of what and how to do things.He is methodical and boring, doesn't like to take chances and I don't think he has done a spontaneous thing in his life. Poor soul! He does have difficulty coping with my just jump in first and learn to swim later attitude.(Scorpio) My motto is "if you want to get something done - JUST DO IT"
My 20yr son is a Cancerian. He is kind and caring and very thoughtful of others. Occassionally his temper flares but very quickly he will apologize. The girl that gets him will be very lucky indeed.

My 17yr daughter is a Libran. She is a deep thinker and musically gifted with an all round balanced personality. If she had arrived a week later she would had been a dragon scorpio like me. Perhaps it worked out for the better.
I love the mix with the chinese astrology. Actually my son is the only one who isn't a dragon. Mr buddhist sister is also into astrology and feels sorry for him being amongst so many dragons.
I have an astrology computer program that a friend got for me but it is a copy and I don't have any instructions.
I read a book once on working out your purpose in life. It hit the nail plumb on the head for me. One of my lessons is to learn about "process". Not a bad thing for a scorpio to learn - I'm not supposed to jump in feet first! Oh no, this will start me off on another tangent about life lessons and the fascination I have with that too!
Love this thread. Love reading all your bits and pieces as well.
I think I'll but that lottery ticket. We would have such a fabulous time.
Rosalie

[traceann]

Ah yes, us Pisceans are a bit lofty aren't we? I think that's why I didn't ever mesh very well with my ex - the Virgo, although, he was "logical" it was always FLAWED logic, lol.

Oh yes, my first fiance - the Scorpio, was a very jealous sort, ugh. I think it was mostly cause he was what I refer to as a "serial cheater", lol. Scorpio hubby is adorable as well, but a pretty darned good Scorpio, and he's passionate about everything he does, his hobbies, work, sex...hee hee hee!! Moody every now and then seems to run every three months or so he gets male PMS, and then goes away as mysteriously as it appears....thank goodness!!! :)

Ack my gemini "friend" again I use the term loosely, is the very extreme Gemini...both side are so far apart, it's crazy. When she's nice she's really nice, and when she's a...well, you know the B word, she's full on! We all swear she's a sociopath..no remorse ever and it's ALL about her...yeesh...

Hugs! :) You are right this is fun thread!! Thoroughly enjoying this!

[traceann]

Rosalie, I fully agree with you! I think we would all loose our voices cause we chatted so much!!! And probably run whatever place we were at right out of water!!LOL

My Scorpio husband is in some senses like you, he gets the job done. Love that! With my ex (very boring person, people still come up to me and ask just how the heck I ended up with him...sad really, I often feel pity for him as he's not as "cool" as he thinks he is... yeesh, there's Pisceanness coming out in me.... Can't even be mean when I want to or should! It can be a curse! LMAO!!!) the Virgo, he just was wishy-washy. When we went to Cancun for a vacation, I felt like I had to run the show...everything with him was like that. Not that I want a man to think for me etc, but sometimes it's nice to feel "protected and taken care of", those concepts were totally foreign to the ex. Hence the reason for the "ex", LOL!!!

Oh this is much too fun!!! :)

[VickiB]

Rosalie,

OMG! LISTS! I hate lists! I thought my hubby was bad about that until I went on a vacation with his brother! "Hey,...let's do this today!" "No, we can't, -it's not on the list of things to do today." ????????? Arghhh!

It took me a good 15 years to break my husband of lists when I'm concerned. He still makes them, but accepts the fact that I won't neccessarily follow them! I have to admit though, that's what makes my hubby succeed at most anything he sets out to do. He methodically plans everything!

I hope you do win the Lotto! Maybe someday we can all get together anyhow. Like when they finally come up with a cure for IC, let's all get together and have one big blow out celebration!

Vicki

[MarthaB]

:) hi guys, Rosalie have you bought the winning ticket yet?? i haven't been on the computer much yesterday , my bladder was burning like hell, the pain was going all the way into my hip and leg, i waddled like a duck, but today is better. Geeez, i hope we will hear from Jill soon, otherwise this is going to be one loooong thread, hey guys, maybe you could also sent a e-mail to Jill, i'm thinking that if she sees that we are serious about getting a section for hobbies, arts and craft, she may react sooner, we won't know unless we try. Rosalie does your daughter play any musical instruments??? I love the saxophone, it must be genetic, because my dad did too. martha

[traceann]

I agree the music thing must be genetic, my father was a drummer, and a singer. I unfortunately never had the chance to learn to play the drums, but I do sing!! :) It's like the only talent I think I have.....;)

Hugs!

[MarthaB]

hi traceann, i should have been clearer, i don't play the sax, i just love music with sax in it, like kenny g, and my dad loved music with sax in it too, my mum was a great yodeler, she had a beautiful clear voice, and she use to sing in a band many years ago, unfortunately i have not inherited her singing quality, martha

[Rosalie]

Scarier and Scarier!
Hilary has been playing the Alto Sax for nine years and will be sitting her sixth grade AMEB exam in a few weeks. Its funny to hear the sax playing Mozart but she has to be able to play a variety of styles. Now, when she hits Charlie Parker or Thelonious Monk.. thats what the sax is all about ... Jazz
She also plays guitar, acoustic and electric which is her favourite. She can play a bit of flute and clarinet. Her dream is to get into the Victorian College of the Arts after secondary school. I'd hate to add up what her music has cost over the years - her current sax is worth more that my car! But Hey! thats what Im here for.

I believe that musicality is genetic too but a lot depends on the amount of encouragement and opportunity a kid gets.
I was a product of the seventies when everyone played a guitar and sang protest songs! However my sister is the one with the real talent. She has a beautiful voice and has brought out three CDs of her own songs.
Personally I longed to play the bagpipes when I was a kid.. don't laugh! Its true! But Mum and Dad just couldn't afford anything like that. Still, I did sing in the school choir and played guitar at school masses.
Rosalie

[traceann]

LOL Martha! No worries, I honestly "knew" what you meant! Uh oh, must be psychic too!! (but that's a whole nother story, lol)!!

I too was in choir Rosalie. From grade school on. Loved it! I especially love highschool choir. It was my favorite. Only problem is I am afflicted with HORRIBLE stage fright!!! It's positively paralyzing. I can remember one time trying out for an ensamble to go to state comptetition, and was singing with a group of 3 or 4, and my director heard me for the first time (basically by myself) and wanted to hear just me alone in front of the whole choir (and it was huge, we had a super small school, my graduating class was only 230, but choir was huge)....oh god, it was embarrassing! I fell apart, my hearing went all funny, I got tunnel vision and my voice warbled and cracked, ACK!! But, I got the position anyway, lol. Thank god she knew I could do ok with a partner. We did a 4 part song, 2 of us each holding up a part...it was great! At that time I switched between first soprano and second soprano, although I really enjoyed second sop the best.

I love karaoke, that has become one of my hobbies, but haven't been in ages, hoping to go this Friday night, I miss it. Even though it's at a bar, I drink my water and sing my songs, lol. But it took me 2 years before I would sing by myself, lol. I have had so many people tell me I was wasting my talent here, should try for something bigger etc, but hell, with the stage fright I have, I need to have my own private nurse with me at all times for dosing tranquilizers, since I can't drink beer anymore - my old liquid courage, LMAO!!!!

Wow I would give anything to be able to play an instrument. I have always wanted to play the piano, but as I kid, we couldn't afford the lessons, etc. I had always thought I would only play classical music too. And I LOVE the flute, it to me sounds like the the purest, clearest soprano voice...love it!!!

Hugs!!

[Rosalie]

OK you crafters (and singers) I'm serious about this get together. So, I'm going to buy that tattslotto ticket for saturday's draw. I need 6 numbers between 1 and 45.

Come on give me some suggestions before friday.

Now for the location of this fabulous talk fest. Hmm, Martha shall we trip to the US or should we prepare for guests?
Alas I only have one toilet here, how about you? Doesn't matter we'll get some porta-loos.
Ladies, what are your thoughts on our get together.
Rosalie

[sunflower69]

Hi, I enjoy listening to music (I love 70s and 80s tunes), knitting, reading, cooking and trying new recipes, sports such as tennis, walking, yoga, spending quality time with my husband, our cat, family, friends, writing in my daily journal (it helps me deal with IC, gets out my feelings about it), and I just signed up for a adult ballet lessons (I have ten years under my belt, but quit ballet when my IC surfaced, now I'm ready to return).

[Rhonda Rhonda]

I like to scrap book as well. I haven't done anything for about a year. Would like to get back to it. As I have tons of pictures to do. :) I have tried making cards (christmas cards one year) that was fun. My husband and I love to go on cruises. We just got back from a Carnival Cruise (7day). We had a blast! I like to play cards too.

I am pretty busy with work and taking care of my children. :)

[Rosalie]

We have an amazing spread of talents here.
Sunflower,the only ballet dancing I could do would be the hippo out of fantasia. My daughter and I went to the ballet a fortnight ago to see Sleeping Beauty performed by the Australian Ballet. It was beautiful and fascinating to watch their skill.

Rhonda, my stash of photos would need a legion of scrapbookers to get it into order. I'm saving them up till I retire!
I like to play cards too. We had a crazy whist night here in April with 30 friends and family. It was such a fun night. I grew up playing 500 as my mum and dad and grandparents were players. I suppose it was the thing of their era - before telvision.

[Rhonda Rhonda]

Hi Rosalie,
Sounds like you had a great time at the play. I love to go to the theatre.

I also grew up with my family playing cards/poker. My husband loves to play poker. We like to play board games with our kids. Great way to get them to learn their numbers. They are 6 and 9.

[Rhonda Rhonda]

I also like to play backgammon. My husband has been teaching my son (9) how to play chess. He loves it. My son is now teaching me.

[Rosalie]

Backgammon is a game I've always wanted to learn. My girlfriend is supposed to teach me but she lives so far away we don't get together so often. Having said that I'm meeting her tomorrow half way to have lunch. But I don't think the shopping centre is the place for a backgammon lesson...hmm or not?
My Dad and eldest brother alway played chess. It was a bit of a running battle. The board would be left in play until their next meeting.
We also would play board games with our kids and it certainly teaches them many skills,math, reading, stratedy and co-operation. If you go about it the right way they can pick up on things like respect, understanding and forgiveness. OMG I sound like I'm preaching from the pulpit!

[MarthaB]

:) hi guys, it looks like the crafters are coming out of the woodwork, it's great to see, i'm just hoping to hear from Jill soon, I might send her another e-mail again soon.
Rosalie how about the number 13 for me, i was born on july 13th, come on guys give the girl some numbers, she needs them before friday.
I love the music of the phantom of the opera, I don't really go to see any musicals, but I would love to see that one. martha

[VickiB]

Scrapbooking is one of those things I really should take up. I hate to admit it, but I have a good 20 years of photos in a cardboard box in my closet! Our county 4-H offers scrapbooking as one of it's projects and the kids do the nicest work. I always enjoy looking through them at the fair.

Ballet Sunflower? Wow, that's ambitious! I'd probably hurt myself if I tried half the moves ballet involves!

I did recently get a keyboard as I've always wanted to play the piano. It's been here three months now and I've yet to get it out of the box. Too busy, but hopefully this winter.

I do love to play cards and board games. So, when we get together after Rosalie wins the lottery maybe we can play some games. I'll bring my backgammon board & you'll be playing in no time Rosalie!

I'll throw out 38 for a number. -No reason except as I sit here at the desk that's the number someone left glowing on the calculator. I'm taking it as a 'sign'! We have some sort of lottery game here too. When we get some more numbers tossed out I'll buy a ticket on my side of the world too. If it's meant to be, one of us will win!

Sure hope your bladder is feeling a bit better by now Martha!

Vicki

[traceann]

Oh yes, the scrapbooking... sigh... I got a really cool scrapbooking organizer, on wheels no less, with the pop-up handle like luggage. The last time I scrapped was last summer...pathetic eh? At least I am not alone in being a year since I dragged out my supplies, thanks for making me feel better about that Rhonda!!! ;) I guess between the dx of IC and the colitis crap, just didn't have any "creative" energy left, being sick took it all, lol! I have all kinds of ideas and what-not, but translating it to the page is another story. I whined and complained that a computer would be so great, and get me motivated and be a HUGE tool to my scrapping ...we got this in June I think, and I have yet to lay out any pages. I am building my digital photo collection though, now I just have to use them!! LOL

Oh I love ballet! I used to take dance lessons when I was young... I had regular ballet, on pointe, and tap dancing. My favorite was on pointe, I even still have my shoes, somewhere. Funny, I was just looking up new ones the other day, don't know why either, in my area we have no places for dance classes, there's one, but no ballet. Bummer! You are so lucky sunflower!

Oh, I stink at cards, lol. I have no concept of poker, I am so a lost cause, even Yahtzee was over my head, LOL!!! :biglaugh: I do like Euchre! I learned how to play at college, huh, that's about the only thing I learned!! :bonk: I learned by playing what was called "Two-Man Euchre", and for the life of me I can't remember how it went! My roomie and I used to play EVERY night, sometimes into the wee hours of the morning. We'd sit across from each other, have our cards and then cards were dealt in a single row in front of each of us...that's all I can remember. If anyone has a clue, let me know!!!Would love to play it again. Then again, I wing it with that game too, never was one to remember what was thrown, etc, lol. My ex-fiance hated having me for a partner, and it was a hoot too...Whoever I did partner with, we always won! That showed him! HA! Other than that, "Go Fish" is the extent of my card playing, lol!!!

Hugs!!!

[Rosalie]

Euchre..Tracey that brings back some memories from a distant past. My parents and grandparents used to play euchre. Mr recollections of the game are very sketchy but I do recall the scoring system of using two cards.
I worked in large city branch of a bank for many years and the staff were mad on 500. The cafeteria would have at least ten games going at any lunchtime.

Crafters, I can still put my lottery ticket on on Saturday morning, so I need some more numbers between 1 -m 45 inclusive.
So far I have 13 & 38. I'm serious about funding a get together if I win the big one!

[traceann]

Hey Rosalie, my number contribution is 24, 32, 10 & 19...take your pick!! LOL

Oh I have to say I do enjoy Euchre. It can be fun, when I am in the proper mood, lol! But just wish I could remember the 2 man version! UGH!!

And a home-canning report, oh boy...Hubby bought 2 more dozen canning jars yesterday, we only needed pint jars, and he decided we needed some more quart jars too....goodness only knows what he has planned...now talking about heading up to a produce market when I get home from work today! Should be fun though, but I foresee a bit of a messy kitchen disaster in my future!!! :)

[GevaCarol]

I also do counted cross stitch, and needlepoint when I feel like it. I love to scrap book, and read. I can't crochet for nothing, but I can sew some things, like make curtains for bedrooms and valances. I have 3 cats that keep me company during the day, and they demand a lot of time and attention. Plus I have this bad habit of talking on the phone to my mom in another state and to my daughter that is in college. We have to have some bad habits, right.

[Babs RN]

My hobby is collecting baskets--of course now that I am not working full time I cannot justify buying then with me not working. Lindsey's kindergarten teacher collects them as well so we have thought about having a book party. Nothing better than an accomplice.

Hugs,
Barb :grouphug:

[traceann]

Hey there GevaCarol, there could be worse habits to have than chatting with loved ones, lol, and paying attention to kitties! :) I know my one kitty-girl is always looking for attention, and lately has had the habit of liking to be in my lap while I am at the computer here. So, instead of trying to type around a cat, I get her her own chair to sit on!! LOL

Babs, are those the (let me see if I get this right) the Longenberger ones?? My girlfriend loves them too... I got that wrong didn't I??? LMAO!

HOME CANNING UPDATE......

I am NEVER doing home canned tomato soup again (hubby loves tomato soup). Hubby did all the work on it though, I must give him credit, he's loving this stuff... But we have decided it's easier on him, me and kitchen stove to just buy Campbell's already canned tomato soup, lol. I for some reason thought it would be fun to drop a Pyrex bowl containing the flour-butter thickener into the the boiling soup! Oh yes, what fun it was, boiling soup splashed EVERYWHERE...and all over my hand and arm up to the elbow. Oh it was just a joy! NOT!! No blisters thank goodness, just the burning-stinging that lingers. Going to take some Tylenol soon, and thank god I keep my "cold pack" for my IC crap in the freezer all the time. So, not so easy to type right now!! LOL. I can't believe I did that. Hubby banned me from the kitchen for the rest of the evening. Thank god he's a sweetie, he cleaned the mess off the stove and WALL and did ALL the dishes... I think I owe him some cookies or something! (well at least the "or something" we could both enjoy...hmmmm....;) )

Ok, note to self - no more tomato soup making and no Pyrex over boiling food stuffs.....

[Babs RN]

Tracey,
You're right, those would be Longaberger baskets I was referring to. I have more than 60! I started buying them in 1996--what can I say it's an addiction :loco: .

Hugs,
Barb :grouphug:

[MarthaB]

:) hi Babs and Tracey, I got curious about the longaberger baskets,I like baskets, but have never heard of that name, so I googled it, and they are indeed beautiful baskets, but a bit dear, some are over a $100.00 dollars each, and you got over 60 baskets Babs, that must of cost you a small fortune, but I suppose we all have to have a hobby, i collect little trinket boxes, and pieces of swarovski crystal, and I collect old bottles, just about any trinket what is old, or what I think has some sort of value, but I don't think I will ever sell any of my stuff, I get very attached to my bits and pieces, I love to go to flea markets to see what I can find, or have a look in second hand shops, so I suppose I am a little :loco: too, lol martha

[traceann]

My worst addiction in collecting would have to be my cookbooks. I can't really say how many I have used, but I know there are tons I have never made one thing out of, lol. I have two small 3 shelve bookcases just for them. I just love the crazy things, as my mom does, so I guess that's where it comes from. It started in teenage years too. When I got the first "Frugal Gourmet" by Jeff Smith cookbook for my mom, I was hooked. I even used to take it down to the beach and read it while I layed out in the sun, there's probably sand still in-between the pages, LMAO!! (we lived on Lake Huron, so it was just a short walk out my door and to our beachfront)

Oh cripes, I guess I could collect just about anything, lol. I love to collect rocks (nothing in particular just interesting beach/river stones), old photographs (I'd buy them as souvneirs (sp??) when I used to go on vacation from antique stores), scrapbook supplies (haven't used half!), went through a huge nail-polish phase - must have had 20+ lol, Princess House crystal (yeah, crystal for a clutz like me, ack!!!), shoes (gotta love shoes! They always fit and never make your butt look big! HA!), cross stitch pattern books (have made maybe one or two projects out at least 30+, but since I will be quitting smoking here soon, that may change pretty quick! Hard to smoke and stitch!)...oh I could go on....

Ah ha! Longaberger, I was kinda close! Oh yeah, they are so very cool...glad no one up here does them, as that could be VERY dangerous to my pocketbook!!!!

hugs!

[Babs RN]

Martha,
You're right they are quite expensive! I am embarassed to say that I have a few that are close to 200 dollars--however in my defense they increase in value over time. Ok, that's an excuse I know. I have not purchased any since I quit working. Gosh, even hubby supplied my habit when we lived in Tennessee by having enough baskets for me that he became his own party he also ggt another at half price and a booking basket. Even got me some off eBay. That part of the honeymoon has worn off though...sigh...

Hugs,
Barb :grouphug:

[MarthaB]

:) hi,yes I like to look at cook books too, I mean just looking at them, and drool over the yummy things they have in there, unfortunately I don't like cooking,I can cook, I just don't like it, I rather clean the whole house, I have always said that if I win the lotto, I get myself a chef, lol.
I too have about 15 bottles of nail polish, my daughter who is a nail technician gives me a bottle of nail polish so now and again, and I have only just started to grow my nails, I used to bite mine all the time.
I do love shoes, but i can't fit in a lot of them nowadays, my feet are very wide, because i walk barefooted a lot of the time, except if I go out of course, and a lot of shoes they sell now are so narrow, i would not be able to fit in them, I also love handbags, I just bought 2 new ones, and I like earrings too, I have a few gold earrings my husband bought for me, but I told him not to buy them anymore, because I like the cheaper earrings, I like to change my earrings a lot, and because costume jewellery is cheaper, i can buy a lot more.
I also love perfume, I usually get white diamonds or red door for christmas, and that last me the whole year. anyway I could go on and on about things I like and i would be here all day, must get some house work done, martha

[Rosalie]

Alas I have nearly 300 crafting magazines. I first subscribed to Handmade magazine about ten years ago then added Stamping and Papercraft and now Australian Quilting. Trouble is, they keep ringing me with such great bargains on their subscriptions..whats a girl to do?
Just love Art Deco stuff. I would llike to be able to collect Chiparus figurines. I keep bidding ridiculously low amounts for them on ebay. Perhaps one day my bid will slip through...Ha! I've been giving blatant hints for my birthday and christmas.

I too checked out these Longaberger baskets. What is it about them that makes them so expensive? Is it what they're made from or where they're made or what?
They are quite lovely. Is there some tradition behind them? They remind me of the basket auction from Oklahoma!. My daughters school St Columbas, just did a production with St Bernards Boys college. Can't get the songs out of my head...its driving me nuts!
Tracey I know what you mean about cookbooks. I think its the element of possibility - we could cook just about anything we wanted from any part of the world. As some cuisine becomes popular, I have to have a book on it. From Moroccon to Indian, from vegetarian to full on die by colesterol.
Unfortunately, no joy in the lottery. I think I'm just unlucky with such things. Martha do you have an Irish background with their associated Luck?
Rosalie

[MarthaB]

:) hi rosalie, no I don't have the luck of the Irish, but I do have the luck of the Dutch, :biglaugh: if that makes sense???? martha
isn't it strange how we tend to hang onto our craft books, I just started to get my paper inspirations magazine, by the way rosalie have you had any luck with your quilt project???

[Babs RN]

Rosalie,
They are so expensive because they are handmade. The headquarters is actually shaped like a large market basket in Dresden, Ohio. Along with the baskets you can order cloth liners and plastic protectors. They also offer special ones for the holidays. I am first generation Irish in the States and unfortunately have some rotten luck. I did get some good news today--hubby and I(he made the reservations)are taking a trip when he returns from Iraq to your neck of the woods--we belong to RCI and Fairfield and he told me to pick the city and hotel! Which city holds the most fun for tourists like us who have never visited?
Anyone can chime in--I appreciate it.
Thanks.
Hugs,
Barb :grouphug:

[Rosalie]

Well Babs, it depends who you are talking to as to which city is the best. I have to say Melbourne. We are the cultural (so they say)capitol of Australia with theatres, restaurants,art galleries and museums and a river that flows upsidedown!
Sydney is our oldest city here showcasing our history.
Brisbane is my favourite after Melb. The weather is wonderful and it is close to some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet.
Now don't go off at me ladies, its hard to describe these cities in a sentence.
The girls will tell you more and probably refute stuff I've said about Melb but thats ok. We have a bit of a rivalry going here between Sydney and Melb so I expect Sara and Nadia to jump in. Actually, anywhere in Oz is fantastic as far as I'm concerned except for Dubbo...but that is along and scary story!

[Rosalie]

Also Babs, it depends on what time of the year you are coming, Melbourne being much further south is pretty cold and gloomy mid winter unless you only want indoors recreation. And of course Football (the real stuff not that crazy rugby game!...only joking - I love rugby too) In winter, the snowfields aren't too far away if you like to ski etc.

Sydney is much milder and Brisbane is nearly always warm.
How long are you expecting to be here?

[Babs RN]

We will be coming in January sometime and staying a couple weeks. I actually love Aussie football, we actually have a team of Army guys out here who play it. I am actually pretty open to anything and this is a lifetime dream come true. My only concern is the plane ride with my IC--I believe the plane ride is around 12 hours or so. Thanks again for your suggestions and keep 'em coming.

Hugs,
Barb :grouphug:

[Rosalie]

January can be pretty hot in Melbourne - fine if you like the heat. No footy then but the cricket is on. I've never travelled more than three hours on a plane so I can't help you there.
Another US member travelled here a few months ago. I will try to find out again who it was and perhaps she can advise you on the plane trip.

[Rosalie]

PS Babs, it was KellyB who was here last January. I hope she can help with information on the traveling.

[Babs RN]

We live in the Mojave desert where our daytime temps during the summer can get as high as 120 degrees. Is it dry heat or humid? Sorry to ask all these questions, I am so excited. We are leaving our 5 year old with Grandma so we have a great flexibility with our schedule.

Hugs,
Barb :grouphug:

[Babs RN]

I will certainly look her up for suggestions. Thanks again for all your help.

Hugs,
Barb :grouphug:

[Rosalie]

Melbourne generally has a dry heat with days in the 40sC (over 100) after which we can get these delicious cool changes where the wind sweeps through.
Sydney and Brisbane are more humid. Ask as many questions as you like. It will be good when the other Aussies join in. You will get more info then.
I haven't even mentioned Perth, Adelaide or Darwin. I haven't been to Perth but I believe it is very relaxed. I thought Adelaide very stately- it is called the city of churches. Darwin is very tropical, extremely humid and hot.

[Babs RN]

Thanks so much--this is one of those once in a lifetime trip that we have been contemplating for years. Between my IC, Chris going to Iraq, and his crazy Mom this has been a year that has tested both of us. Suggesting this as a trip goes back to the earlier part of our marriage and I am touched he came up with this. The cool winds you mention in Melbourne remind me of living in Hawaii and the trade winds that would blow in when the sun went down.

Hugs,
Barb :grouphug:

[Rosalie]

Barb, if you want any specific information or even general tourist stuff let me know. I can get brochures from the relevant tourist bureaus and post it to you. I'll look into some web sites as well.
I have seen some that are pretty daft with their information about Australia! Sorry, no kangaroos in my backyard! Only a crazy fox terrier X who climbs trees. Oh and a 1970 yamaha 750cc motorbike slowly rusting away- hubby isn't ready yet to admit he will never ride it again!

[MarthaB]

:) Rosalie, i think i will have my turn with the lotto this week, so girls could i have your numbers please,??? and Barb, all i can say is that I am sure you will have a great time here, no kangaroos in the backyard here like Rosalie said, but where I live we do have a koala population, we have road signs that say ""koala's crossing"" unfortunately we do get less koala's, because a lot of bush land is being destroyed, and houses are build, I find that very sad. Brisbane does get hot, but we have a lot of beautiful beaches where we can cool off, the gold coast is always very popular with tourist, and going up to the sunshine coast is beautiful too, georgeous country sides, lots of cute little shops with handmade ware, I personally like to go to the sunshine coast, and now my friend has moved up there is even better, because we can stay the night at her place, and make a weekend of it. we also get a lot of celebrities out here in australia, and they always say they love it here, Nicolete Sheridan ( from desperate house wifes) is here at the moment, doing a promotion for lingerie, Drew Barrymore is here often, she's lovely and very down to earth, and Cameron Diaz was here last week, she has been here a few times too, but I am sure no matter what city you choose, you are going to love it here, aussies are very friendly and easy going , hope you have lots of fun when you get here.... take care Martha

[Babs RN]

Thanks Martha--I know what you mean about people thinking that Australia is full of kangaroos--I have lived in Hawaii where I think people thought there were pineapples in our yard and hula dancing was taught as an elective in my high school. My hubby grew up in Las Vegas and constantly had to tell people, no my family is not in the casino business, and even though we got married in Vegas it was in the church he grew up in. Oh yeah and people actually live in Las Vegas.

Hugs,
Barb :grouphug:

[VickiB]

Yeah, it's funny how folks get an idea of what an area, and the people who inhabit it are like. Saying I'm from North Idaho has created problems for me more than once. People are sometimes quick to assume all Idahoan's wear white sheets! After 18 years of living here, I find Idaho people generally are far more accepting of other races/cultures/religions than any other state I've lived in. Still, the stereotype remains!

I suppose it's a matter of hollywood image, but I must admit when I think of Australia I do think of kangaroos! So, if they're not in your back yards, Martha & Rosalie, where are they? -Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I really do want to know! And besides koalas, what other species of wildlife do you have where you guys are?

Vicki

[Rosalie]

Vicki I live in a large city, Melbourne being the capitol of Victoria.The first kangaroo I ever saw up close was in the zoo. There aren't too many native animals in suburbia except for the birdlife and pesky possums on the roof.
However, just a short trip into the Victorian countryside you can see eastern grey kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, wombats and emus. A closer look will find sugar gliders, echidnas and pademelons.
But the animal life is many and varied - from the numbat and quokka of the west to the platypus in the east, from the great red kangaroo of the north to the tasmanian devil of the south. Then there are the birds: kookaburras, budgerigars, cockatoos. currawongs, brolgas, black swans, wedgetailed eagles and the flightless emus and cassowaries.
We have some pretty wierd and wonderful creatures here not to mention the creepy crawlies like tiger and brown snakes and the redback and funnel web spiders. You sorta kinda want to avoid these if you can.
Come to think of it what American animals do I know about? Squirrels, alligators, grizzly bears, mountain lions, buffalo. Boy I'm having to dredge up images from films I have seen. Surely I must know more. I studied the New England states when I was in secondary school. Ha! Rhode Island Reds!
Guess I'll have to study up on the internet.
So, whats in your backyard or closest country area?

[Rosalie]

PS Martha one of my favourite places is the Melany Montville area. The craft shops are fantastic. I have a terracotta sun/face hanging in my family room..he smiles at me daily. I nursed him in the car all the way back to Melbourne about 20years ago. Also, my sister used to regularly sing at the Melany festival years ago.

[Rosalie]

PPS Martha. My contribution is 3...my birthdate

[MarthaB]

:) yes my favorite place is maleny,montville I have been a few times already, I can do some serious shopping there, they have such interesting things, I bought some green tree frogs, and they hang of my back deck, the artwork they sell is amazing, and I love the pottery, but just for the scenery alone it's worth going there, I think I might go back for another visit this Christmas, my husband has time of work then, and we can stay with friends of ours,who live in that area, so we can really take the time to see everything, one day just isn't enough time. martha

ps, just spotted your post with your number, I also need the numbers by saturday morning.

[Rosalie]

We even looked at a property at Maleny. Decided we would grow avacados and open a craft shop - as if there weren't enough already.

:idea: This should be where we have our international get-together! I know the others would just love the place. Great craft, great food, great scenery and great company. I want to go and pack already.

But right now I really should get off this computer. I've been checking in all day. I think I'm addicted to this thread.

[traceann]

LOL, yeah I hear ya on being addicted to this thread, I am always excited to see when it's been added to! Yippy!

Ok Aussie girls, what the heck does a funnel-web spider do?(I assume their web is in the shape of a funnel, lol) Are they ** gulp ** big???

[ICNDonna]

I just did a "google" search and yes they are huge! You can see what they look like at http://www.avru.unimelb.edu.au/avruweb/Fws.htm

:::::::shaking::::::
Donna

[traceann]

OH......MY......GOODNESS! AHHHHHHHH! Oh I should have never asked...lol. Thanks Donna for the info, *gulp*. Oh I just hate spiders and are these ever ugly!! Thanks again Donna, actually it's very interesting!! Frightening, but interesting!! Who knew I could get freaked out just from a PICTURE of a spider...I need therapy now.... ;)

[MarthaB]

hi, you can also look at the redback spider at the same website donna sent, we get a lot of red backs here in brisbane, it is only the female spider we have to worry about, they have the red mark on their back, the male does not. martha :)

[VickiB]

Wow, that's one nasty looking spider! And it said they can be found in colonies of more than 100! Yikes!!

It does seem like Australia has it's share of neat animals and I love the names! Looks like I'll have to do some research as many of those you mentioned, Rosalie, I've never heard of. But I have this image in my mind of what something by that name might look like,...it's funny how that works!

I live in a fairly remote mountainous area and have lots of wildlife in my backyard. Deer (both mulies and whitetail) elk, moose, bear, cougar and coyote. No buffalo though! Thankfully we have no poisonous snakes and few venomous spiders up here. I spent nine years living in Texas and it seemed like nearly everything that walked, crawled or flew either stung or bit you! Shoot, even the vegetation down there had barbs!

Vicki (Leaving now to find out what in the world a 'wombat' is!)

[MarthaB]

:) hi girls could I please have some more numbers please for saturday, rosalie has given me number 3.
Also I am planning to sell my home made cards at the sunday markets soon, i have close to a 100 now, so it's time to get out there, I am not sure how much to sell them for, a lot of them have cross stitch on them, so it is a bit of work, but I realise that I can't make them too expensive, otherwise they won't sell, every body who has seen my cards thinks they are beautifull, and my friend buys all her cards of me. any suggestions to what price I should put on them?? I know its hard to say, without seeing the cards, but what would you pay for a hand made card, what would be your limit? any input is very much appreciated. martha

[Babs RN]

Martha,
For a handmade card--my limit would probably be 10 dollars per card. My Mom does stamping so I know how much work goes into each one.

Hugs,
Barb :grouphug:

[Rosalie]

Martha,
Have you checked out other sellers at markets? This might give you and indication of what price to ask.
It is really hard to determine what others will pay when you make your own stuff, isn't it? You look at something and think "I could make that".
One thing is for sure , you can't price them by an hourly rate to make them. You'd probably have to charge $50 or more!
Good luck with this venture.

[traceann]

Here's a few for you... take your pick.. 24(my bday), 32, 10 & 19! :)

[MarthaB]

:) hi, traceann thanks for your number(s) Barb thanks for your reply, I wish I could ask $10.00 for a card, but I don't think I will sell much, I think I may try to keep it around the 6 dollar mark and see how I go, Rosalie, yes I know I couldn't possibly charge by the hour, it's funny how people spend over $6.00 dollar for a mass produced hallmark card, but somehow pull their nose up to a beautiful once off hand made card, weird :loco: I really only do it to give myself some pocket money, and also buy more craft stuff, I would love to buy more stamps, but they are so expensive, anyway I'll see how I go, I try to price the card according to how much work I have put in, but I don't think I will go over 6 dollars, the markets here charge around $25.00 dollars so I have to try to earn that money back first. martha

[traceann]

You are welcome!!! :)

[deviation72]

:) Also I am planning to sell my home made cards at the sunday markets soon, i have close to a 100 now, so it's time to get out there, I am not sure how much to sell them for, a lot of them have cross stitch on them, so it is a bit of work, but I realise that I can't make them too expensive, otherwise they won't sell, every body who has seen my cards thinks they are beautifull, and my friend buys all her cards of me. any suggestions to what price I should put on them?? I know its hard to say, without seeing the cards, but what would you pay for a hand made card, what would be your limit? any input is very much appreciated. martha

Hi Martha,

I make cards too, it's my first "crafty" hobby and people have said I should sell them at markets, but I take sooooo long to make one that the return probably wouldn't be worth it. But I'd be interested to hear how you go.

What a great thread, by the way - so many of us are so crafty and what a great way to temporarily distract oneself from our bladders!

[Rosalie]

Perhaps you could make a series of cards just for ICers?

"Hap-pee Birthday"

[deviation72]

:biglaugh:

That cracks me up. And I could put an embossed stamp of a toilet on the front!!!!!

[Rosalie]

I reckon they should have Icers doing toilet paper commercials.
"I pee 40 times a day. I just LOVE my aloe vera tissues!"
"No chapped lips here." Ooooh, is that a bit crude?

[MarthaB]

:) hi Kirsten, I do my cards fairly quickly, if i'm in the mood, i could do about 3 in a day, I also have a box full of cross stitched pieces ready to go, because i have been doing cross stitch for so long, about 32 years, it does not take me long to do a piece, I also buy the cards really cheap, about 50 at the time, for 15 cents each, and I have the pastel colours, and the darker ones, the only problem I have is trying to get matching envelopes, I use to get them from the same shop I get the cards from, but they don't stock them anymore, I just don't think that white envelopes look the same,...and I also got the plastic bags for the cards really cheap at this wholesale place,. what do you put on your cards Kirsten?? martha

[MarthaB]

:biglaugh: :biglaugh: I love the no chapped lips here, you've got a wicket sense of humour rosalie

[deviation72]

I reckon they should have Icers doing toilet paper commercials.
"I pee 40 times a day. I just LOVE my aloe vera tissues!"
"No chapped lips here." Ooooh, is that a bit crude?

Rosalie you are naughty!!!! :biglaugh: :biglaugh:

Have to admit I've often thought about offering myself for toilet paper commercials, seeing as I spend so much time in my 'little room' :)

[deviation72]

:) hi Kirsten, I do my cards fairly quickly, if i'm in the mood, i could do about 3 in a day, I also have a box full of cross stitched pieces ready to go, because i have been doing cross stitch for so long, about 32 years, it does not take me long to do a piece, I also buy the cards really cheap, about 50 at the time, for 15 cents each, and I have the pastel colours, and the darker ones, the only problem I have is trying to get matching envelopes, I use to get them from the same shop I get the cards from, but they don't stock them anymore, I just don't think that white envelopes look the same,...and I also got the plastic bags for the cards really cheap at this wholesale place,. what do you put on your cards Kirsten?? martha

Hi Martha,

I am a stamper, so use mainly stamps and coloured/textured papers. I have stamps ranging from birthday motifs through to phrases, and pictures like flowers etc. I tend to only do them when I need to, when there's a birthday or something coming up, as work often gets in the way of my craft time. But it's so relaxing to immerse myself in glue, paper and inks for a few hours every now and then!

[traceann]

Heh, I am STILL laughing about "Hap-pee Birthday!", I would buy them for all my IC friends!!! :)

Hugs!

Oh shoot yeah, loved the commercial idea, that's fabulous!!! LMAO! ;)

[MarthaB]

:) rosalie how is your quilt going, did you get any replies from the canadian website,?? martha

[Rosalie]

Martha, I did get a reply from a site given to me through my post. They just gave me another site to check out. Great site but not really what I was after. Never mind, I will have a go at designing one myself. Mind you I'm quickly running out of time and I've got so many other things on the go at the moment.

A thought about matching envelopes for your cards. What about making them yourself from matching or co-ordinating coloured paper? I get my card stock usually at the craft shows and I have seen matching papers. You can make a template from the envelopes you are already using.

Don't you just love the craft shows? I always know that I'm going to spend far to much money and have way too much fun. I shocked a few people at the last one. At lunch I mixed some bicarb into my water bottle, we understand, don't we? But white powder from a little plastic bag - more than a few tut-tuts. Silly old bags.

[Rosalie]

PS Any word from Jill?

[MarthaB]

:) hi rosalie, I can just imagine the looks on their faces when they saw you with the white powder, great idea about the envelopes, thank you very much, I will definately try that out, and let you know how I went, martha

[MarthaB]

:) hi rosalie, I just made my first envelope, and it turned out great, I have a whole lot of sheets of paper in different colours, so I can make lots of envelopes to match my cards, and i found a recipy for glue to use on the card to seal it, I just put it on the inner top of the envelope, let it dry, and when you want to seal the envelope, you just lick the glue, and seal it and send it off, whoopie I learned a lot in one weekend, thanks again martha :kissing:

[Rosalie]

You are most welcome my dear.
I have spent the weekend decorating a christening cake for my new greatnephew Alexander Royce. Used a cutter that I have been wanting to try out to make a cradle as the centrepiece.
And fighting with my computer. Seems the hard drive is chockers..mostly with crafting stuff.

[MarthaB]

:) hi rosalie, my son always blames me for the computer going slow, because of all the craft stuff I save, he always downloads music, I reckon that would slow it down a lot more, but you just cannot argue with an 17 year old, we know nothing, and they know everything, anyway no luck with the lotto, I filled in 12 squares, and only had 5 numbers, I can't win anything, I can't even win an argument, martha

[trytosmile]

I'm on disability so crafting is a huge part of my day. I started taking quilting classes the beginning of the now. IjJust finished my first queen sized pieced project (i got 2cd place at our local fair) and a 1/3 the way finished the top of my second one. I also did a large lap blanket size for the hubby. Now to quilt all of them.

I also do stained glass, knit, wood tole, sewing of all kinds, embroidery, custom make stuffed bears and rabbits, dry flower arrangements....hum, lets see what have I forgot. As you see I'm a busy beaver. Lots of unfinished projects and as a matter of fact just bought materials for two more projects today...he he he. So much to do , so little time.

[MarthaB]

:) hi,Jen Rosalie has started a quilt for her nephew, who is married to a canadian girl, and she is trying to make something really nice combining australian and canadian patterns, I would love to learn how to make teddy bears, I have about 30, but they are all shop bought, is it hard to learn??
I am hoping to hear from Jill soon, we are trying to get a section for hobbies and arts and craft, I think it is good to be able to think about other things, besides our bladders. Stained glass is another thing I would like to try, if we can get our craft section, we can give each other hints and tips, there are so many talented people on this board, we can all learn from each other. martha :)

[Rosalie]

Martha, tell me about it. I also have a 17yr old. Its amazing how much music she has. I lost count at 280CDs most of which has been downloaded. The hard drive is currently holding about 200 more songs.
I've threatened to wipe them if she doesn't burn them to CDs. A friend of mine actually carried out the threat. Just cleared out the Kazzaa file....forgeting she had downloaded stuff too!

Have you sent another email to Jill?

Jen. I love patchworking not that I've done much but I just love adding to my stash. Do you do your own quilting? Machine or by hand? I did a one day workshop recently on machine quilting and used it on quilting some small advent calendars.

[vm]

I make cards and also scrapbook. Both are very therapeutic. :)

[MarthaB]

rosalie, I have sent another e-mail to Jill, so we'll have to wait and see what happens,about the downloads, we used to use kazaa, but then my son :bow: changed it to bearshare, but now if we try to use it, the whole bl***y computer shuts down, I use to download a lot myself, everything from rock and roll to some opera, I also love country, like Garthe brooks, alan Jackson, etc, and I would also put it on a cd, so now I have stacks of music to listen to, oh I also love the Beegees, and Neil Diamond, and Abba, must stop now, I love too much music, and I could go on and on,..... martha

[trytosmile]

Martha...

Yes I read somewhere about Rosalie's quilt. It sounds wonderful. I'm gathering fabrics to make my Grandmother one. For years she was the one making quilts for all of us. She is now in a nursing home and needs a smaller one for her bed. My turn to return something to her.

I love the section for crafts idea. Always questions to ask.

[MarthaB]

:) hi guys,I got a reply from Jill, and here we are, our own section for hobbies, arts and crafts, thank you very much Jill, It is very much appreciated, martha :grouphug:

[vm]

Cool! :)

[traceann]

Wow!! Yes thankyou Jill!! This is sooo very cool!!! Yahooooooo!! I too emailed her to ask about a new hobbies board, and this is just wonderful!!

Thank you thank you thank you! :)

Big Hugs to Jill and all the crafters!!!
Tracey :)

[MarthaB]

:) hi, I wondered where Rosalie has gone to, I have not seen her on the board for nearly 2 days, maybe her computer is kaput.

[George]

Hi Everyone,

Just discovered this section. I don't really have any great hobbies that I can contribute to the forum but perhaps I can learn a few things! I did want to ask what scrapbooking is? Hope I don't sound too ignorant. LOL.

George

[traceann]

Hi there George! I love scrapping (scrapbooking, lol, not fighting). It's basically a way to album your photos, memories, keepsakes etc. Here's a links to one of the scrapping mags to give you an idea, it's kinda hard to describe, lol!! Easier to see the pictures, ;)

http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/

Hope this helps, I know it will do a better job than me trying to explain, lmao!!

Hugs!!! :)

[trytosmile]

Yippy, a craft section. This is so cool.

I'm pulling out EVERY project I have started or projects I have the materials needed to do. OMG, I won't have to buy anything for years. Certainly won't get bored. There is a little of everything to do. I could do something different every day for months and months.

[traceann]

Oh sure Jen brag about it, LMAO!!! ;)

Hugs!

[trytosmile]

No bragging, actually a little overwhelming. Didn't realize it was this bad...oh boy

[traceann]

Hee hee! I hear ya, I got all kinds of stuff, just haven't put any of it into "action" so to speak, eck!!!! :)

[Rosalie]

Don't you just hate it when you type out a reply and you accidentlly hit some or other key and it disappears? I'll start again.

I haven't been around much as I has been helping a friend with a party for her hubbys 50th. They are having a Greek theme. I'm going as Homer, Not Simpson but Homer of The Iliad fame.
My computer has been busy printing out life sized pictures of Greek statues. I've put Tom's face on a particularly well endowed Hercules. Vicki is very impressed!
We are making columns out of painted corrigated cardboard to go around the room as well and will drape metres and metres of netting.
I'm also doing the cake, a 20" x 20" mud cake with his face on the top and a very large protruding nose...his idea! It is going to be a fantastic night.

But now the best news... The Hobby Section Ta Da!
Thank you Jill. And a big big thankyou to Martha for coming up with such a great suggestion. I can't wait to see what developes. I know it will be a wonderful source of help and information to us all. Perhaps we should have a "bragging thread" because we all should be proud of what we can achieve at times. What do you think?

I'd better get back to Pegasus....my hard drive is so full that I can't work in photoshop and be online at the same time...Mr Fussypants Computer just freezes up on me.

Rosalie

[traceann]

Wow, that party sounds like a lot of fun, creative and clever! Also sounds very "crafty" too!! LOL Have fun!

Hugs ;)

[MarthaB]

:) hi, thanks Rosalie, it's good to see you're back, I thought your computer was on the blink, anyway I hope we can really get into the crafty stuff now, since we now have our own section.
I'm on a roll with those envelopes rosalie, made plenty... all different colours, the glue to use for the topbit of the envelope is so easy, just vinegar, gelatine,and vanilla extract, and you mix it all together in a pan, you have to boil it first, and then you can brush it on the envelope, let it dry, and when you are ready to seal the card , you just lick the glue, or use a sponge to dampen,...and the excess glue can be stored in a airtight container for future use, and melt again by putting in a pan of warm water, how easy is that? anyway hope you have a great time at that party, it sounds really good, ...take care martha

[vm]

Here is one of my pages. It's my youngest (now 4) when he was a baby:

http://static.flickr.com/27/52561260_6676943d01.jpg

[MarthaB]

:) what a gorgeous baby, thanks for showing his photo's. martha

[vm]

Thank you, Martha. :)

[Rosalie]

What a cutie Kim. How do you get photos into your message?
I'd love to be able to see everyones craft projects.
Rosalie

[vm]

First you have to upload your pics to a photo site. photobucket.com and flickr.com both have free services available.

ONce you have your pictures up on a site, you can link to your photo in your post. Use the "Go Advanced" option when replying to a thread or message here.

In the toolbar of your reply box you will see a little square that has what looks like a mountain in it. That is the "insert image" button. Click that and then paste in the link to your photo in the box that comes up. Click "OK" and your photo should show up in your post. :)

[MarthaB]

:) hi Kim, I had a look through the 2 websites you mentioned, do we need a digital camera for this?? and they also mentioned a camera phone, like Rosalie said it would be good if we could show photo's of our craftwork, I'm not that clever with a lot of computer stuff yet, but I am learning something new all the time, ..martha

[vm]

A digital camera will work. You just upload your pictures from your digital camera to your computer. Then you upload from your computer to one of those webpages.

You can also scan photos from a film camera. You scan them in and save them to your computer. Then you upload from your computer to one of those sites.

If you decide to try, give me a holler and I'll help if I can. :)

[MarthaB]

:) thank you very much kim, martha

[traceann]

Oh yes, those sites make it rather fun! I just learned how to insert pics in a post on my town's local newspaper message board! Watch out, once we all get doing it, we'll see everything! LMAO!! Hmmm, wonder what I want to share.....lol!

Hugs!