Have you swapped an extravagant/expensive hobby for something traditional and crafty?

[Higglepig]

Any Mumsnetters found the credit crunch has forced them to give up a fairly pricey hobby (like golfing, scuba diving, astronomy or koi carp collecting...) and take up something a bit more traditional like needlework or jam-making or cultivating your own vegetable patch? And if so, have you found it more rewarding? Or do you look back with great fondness on the time when you could luxury spa treatments/skiing trips etc?

I have done a lot more home-baking just recently and putting a lot more into the freezer....cakes, meals etc rather than eat out. Also do a lot of cross stitching and take the kids to the library on a weekly basis so they read more rather than watch rubbish on tv, rent DVDs or go to the cinema.

cheers whispy. I'm really enjoying trying some home-baking, never quite ends up the way it says in the book but I guess adding the personal touch is part of the fun...

I'm trying to switch MNetting (not exactly an expensive hoobby - not financially anyway) for cross sticth. Initial outlay around £20-30....very rewarding. In fact I am just off to complete santa's cuff on this little beauty.

In reality it is revival of an old hobby.

Wow SlightlyMSC, that's fantastic.

Sorry,a whole load of questions coming: Out of interest, what exactly do you find rewarding about it? Is it the fact that you've persevered/overcome difficulties etc and created something that looks really professional? Or that you haven't frittered away the time online or watching telly? Or that you can save money on gifts by giving friends/relatives something you've made yourself? And on that note, is the cross-stitching that you do mostly as presents for friends and family? Or to decorate your house? Do you sell any of it? Also, can you recommend any really cross-stitch websites? (I've come across a few but it'd be good to get a recommendation from someone who already does it.)

My mum got me into cross stitch when I was little. I find it rewarding to see the finished articles. Until recently though it had kind of been depressing me though as I never did anything with the finished pieces - I have done tens of them, and they are all folded up in a bag upstairs. Only 3 had ever found themselves a proper home and that was a birth sampler for a close friend (which is the only one I have given away). Then a couple of disney ones which I framed for my DTDs nursery which I did when I was pg. That is why I have chosen a Christmas one to start with as I will use it as a Christmas decoration. I also have my eye on one which wil suit my bedroom - so I guess that is key you need to chose something which you can actually display in some way.

In terms of good sites I find sew and sew stock a very extensive range at reasonable prices. Once I have identified the kit I want hough I usually find that I can get it on ebay cheaper still. If it sn't listed find some of the power sellers and email them as they can usually get them,if you are prepatred to wait.

In terms of kist to recommend - I love the Dimesions Gold collection range. There are some stunning pieces like the Santa and wildlife and this. link{http://www.sewandso.co.uk/cgi-bin/find/db.cgi?db=zoom&uid=&Prod_Code=38073&ww=on&do=search_resu lts\this will be my next project}. There are some stunning oriental ones too which my mum has just done.

However I would only recommend the gold collection for experienced cross stithers. As they are very intricate, on a very fine fabric. Otherwise go for standard Dimensions, Anchor, DMC.

Incidentally - I don't sell any. But I have seen a completed version of the sanat one listed on ebay for $100 - so there is certainly a market for it.

Cross stitch is a major hobby of mine too. Absolutely love doing it. It's relaxing, rewarding and its lovely to watch a picture grow. I'm currently doing a lovely Pollyanna Pickering picture of a badger, hare, doormouse and squirrel - really pretty, hard work but lovely. I'm also doing a Snoopy bookmark for my sister as a pressie with a book for her birthday next month. My only problem is I have to have good light (so I recently bought myself a daylight lamp from Hobbycraft) and some peace and quiet so I tend to stitch in the evenings when the kids have gone to bed!

Yep! Great idea....I absolutely love the picture of the Santa that's on this thread...absolutely beautiful - how far have you got with it SMSC? The one I'm doing I started at Xmas and I'm about half way with it - but I also love reading too so I have to juggle what I can get done during the evenings - once I pick the cross stitch up I can't put it down - same with books actually!

Not very far. I have only been doing it about 2-3wks. I have done almost half of the main window panel (the one with Santa's arm in).

Where did you get the kit from?

I got it from an ebay seller called link Siamese.cat.woman. I think she also has her own website now too - I think this is it.

I have also used the ebay seller bmh0515 who runs cross stitch corner.

Both have happily sourced me items on request. The candy cane santa cost me about £23 inc postage. The cheapest I have seenit elsewhere would have been £32.

Thanks for the link - can't see it on there but I can look thru ebay anyway.....I also use Readicut - will take a look at their website too. It's such a lovely picture you're doing I'm very tempted!

are you specifically looking for my Santa?

If so contact the 2 ebay sellers I linked - tell them you are looking for Dimensions Gold Collection piece called "Candy Cane Santa" in the rectangular design (there is a stocking too in the same design). Siamese Cat Woman had one due in when I emailed - and I know that she actually put 2 on ebay - don't know if the 2nd one actually sold.

bmh0515 was prepared to order one for me with a 3 week wait.

I've found the one you're doing on the internet with a company called Cross Stitch uk and its £45!!!

yup. I paid £23. I think it is about £35+P&P with sew and sew.

my traditional/crafty hobbies have practically bankrupted me. i do however have a room full of beautiful soft and fluffy things to wrap myself up in and moan gently while the bailiffs come to take the telly/puter away and i can spin random animal sheddings into thread then weave the results, which should pass the time in the poorhouse

Incidentally all of the gold collection ones I have seen are stunning. My mum does more than me. She has just finished this one and it is stunning. She has just started this one to go with it

Gosh, I agree. I do all of the hobbies mentioned, and my husband thinks I am extravagant. I have never been to a spa in my life.

SMSC - the colours in that first link are amazing...I bet the finished product must be beautiful? I love to do pictures that have so many different colours but also colours that are vibrant too.

It is. It looks better that that link! I think the Samurai will be better.

I think this will be my next project I don't think the link worked well earlier.

SMSC...that is beautiful. Not too bad a price either. My DD1 does cross-stitch too altho she only does the Mouseloft ones - the tiny ones but she sticks to it and has done some lovely little pictures - her latest is of a wizard - she's got the bug from me! She can knit too - she's very quick and has made a lovely blanket out of lots of squares of knitting - using any old wool we've found plus she buys wool with her pocket money. She's only 10yrs old so I'm quite impressed! Whereas the younger DD (5) has absolutely no desire to do stitching and would rather play outside whizzing up and down the garden on her scooter! I've got a free(ish) day today so I think I'll pick up my sewing and do some more!

Thanks v much for all the useful links and comments.

Mileni & cloudspotter - quite amused at the idea of craft-related extravagance!! Bet your homes look lovely though.

you're clearly just dipping your toe in the craft water then higgle - i warn you now it's a bottomless lake filled with rowan yarns, liberty fabrics, custom blended silk spinning batts, vintage buttons and customs charges galore. run away!

Bottomless pit? I don't think so.

yes, a clearer picture is beginning to emerge mileni. Still looks v appealing though.