Please recommend me your crafts, or things you do instead of watching TV

[Athenajm80]

Hi, that was a bit of a long thread title, sorry. I'm trying to find something to do in the evenings that isn't watching TV or films. I already read loads, but I want the kind of thing that I can do while listening to a podcast for example.

I am useless at crafty things and art, but would love to be better. I've tried felting (lots of blood!) and crocheting. I'm sure there must be a thing even I can do, but I need help finding it. I used to do jigsaws but have nowhere to do them except the floor, and my old bones plus the tribe of cats make this less than ideal! :)

Oh wise women of Mumsnet, please help me find something I can do.

Have you looked at Cricut? You can pick up a second hand Joy quite cheaply to start you off.

You can do online jigsaws. They’re quite flexible and you can easily change the number of pieces.

Hi there

I was wondering if any hertford mums have been to the annual Teddy picnic at hertford castle? Just after what your views are on it? Good and bad points? Thanks

Look up the crystal gem kits. They’re flat backed little plastic diamonds that you stick to an adhesive surface and when it all comes together it’s a pretty artwork. You can do little ones (Easter and Christmas themed) or you can get stuck into a big one, for example a replica of a Monet etc.
They’re really easy and so monotonous that they end up being really relaxing.

Hey @Cs1984 you’ve posted the question in another thread, you can start your own thread and you’ll get a lot more replies :)

Painting by numbers. You don't need to be good at art, but the results are amazing. Very relaxing and rewarding. I do them whilst listening to the radio or a podcast.

Twitter, Patchwork, decluttering, Quilting, I have a mini DIY project, painting, repairing stuff.

MN, Facebook, reading books, Sudoku, video games, colouring, cleaning.

Ah thanks I'm new to this ha!

Thanks, some great suggest. I haven't heard of Cricut, will check that out.

The online jigsaws are ok but I should have said I want some non screen activities.

I've got one of those crystal painting sets, I should get that back out, providing the cats stay away.

Painting by numbers sounds great, I think in my mind it's for little kids, but that's probably the right level for me!

@lljkk

Twitter, Patchwork, decluttering, Quilting, I have a mini DIY project, painting, repairing stuff.

MN, Facebook, reading books, Sudoku, video games, colouring, cleaning.

Patchwork and quilting appeal, I'll have to look into it more. Colouring and painting (not by numbers but 'properly') annoy me as I never seem to have the 'right' colour, or they don't look how I want them too. I think I'm the only person I know who finds adult colouring stressful. I've got tons of the books upstairs but I hate them all. 😡

I've doing a lot of computer stuff during the lockdown, so maybe you'd enjoy this, too? Something like building your family tree or making slideshows with family photos? You don't have to be a tech savvy for it (I'm certainly not!), there are lots of simple programs for creating slideshows with music and photos (take something from this list or just use Windows Move Maker), or there is a website www.family-tree.co.uk/ that helps you to build your own family tree. I've also worked on recoloring some old family pictures, and there is a program that basically makes old photo look new and it doesn't require any special knowledge.
Another good thing to do is to make scrapbooks, it's exciting and when you go to the store and see all the materials for that, you want to buy them all! Here is a great video about scrapbooking

Watching this with so much interest op! I am exactly like you. Try my hand at so many things but they don't stick!

I havent found my "thing" yet.

I have one of those crystal kits I started in December (Xmas theme) and will be hauling that back out. In the meantime though love seeing other suggestions!

Colouring books for adults are great. Very relaxing.

www.amazon.com/Secret-Garden-Inky-Treasure-Coloring/dp/1780671067/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=colouring+book&sprefix=colouring+&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1616649010&sr=8-5

Calligraphy. Making jewellery (you can buy all the beads and clasps etc on line). Card making. Decoupage. Origami.

Sort out your photos? Get them printed and in albums?

I've taken up knitting. It's so easy! I can't follow a pattern yet and I've only learned a couple of stitches, but I find it really soothing.

I'm trying to master crochet and I'm struggling. Knitting seems easier somehow!

Life admin - paper work, shredding old documents, researching savings and investments accounts

Gardening

Litter picking

Properly listening to music, not just having it on in the background - chasing up groups, composers and musicians that have been randomly selected by Youtube

Home improvements

Mending and upcycling furniture

Cross stitching

Scrapbooking
Bullet journaling
Homemade cards
Jewellery making
Make some pom poms for your cats

@MinnieJackson

Scrapbooking Bullet journaling Homemade cards Jewellery making Make some pom poms for your cats

I think the cats are voting for the pom pom idea! 😂

My cat would destroy a pom-pom in about 10 seconds! He's a thug though.

I'm another suggesting cross stitch. You can get lots of great patterns (not just twee or traditional ones) and I find it very relaxing - like colouring in with thread. Have a look at Etsy for patterns and kits, or buy one of the magazines to get you started.

OP, I like jigsaw and I bought a zip up jigsaw case so I can put the puzzle away if I need to. It was quite expensive and is huge so you can t do the puzzle anywhere except a table really. It means you can take your time. I like 1,000 piece puzzles so they are quite large. Mine is like this www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Portable-Jigsaw-Board-Puzzle-Storage-Carry-Safe-Case-Carrier-1000-Pieces-New/284224198634?hash=item422d1517ea:g:1jgAAOSwcGtgU28Z&redirect=mobile. I paid about £40 for mine about 12 years ago.

I got a Cricut for Christmas and I'm obsessed with creating stuff. It's such a versatile machine!

Knitting - I'm currently knitting a stuffed toy dog!

Embroidery

Image editing using either my own photos or, occasionally, those I find online. I've sent a lot of time recently creating my own textures and using these to improve still-life photos.

Like a pp I have enjoyed restoring old and damaged family photos and then colouring them but I use photoshop. Depending on the level of damage, it can take anything from 10 minutes to several hours.