Skip to navigation | Skip to content

Share your knowledge. Make a difference.

CRAFTING AND FUN THINGS TO DO

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 5 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ranked #6094 in Business, #77318 overall

Rated G. (Control what you see)

 

This site will be about crafting, sewing, quilting, writing, taking digital pictures, geneology, gardening, contesting, and any other fun things I find along the way.

 When I retired, I decided that it was time to do all the things I've wanted to do over the years, but didn't have time for.

Here are some examples -- with more to follow.

Be sure to rate my lens at the top and if you have any suggestions, let me know at "Contact the Lensmaster". Also, be sure to check out my other "Lens" at www.squidoo.com/seniormari for Retirement Tips for Seniors.

WRITING YOUR LIFE STORY 

Memories

How to get started -- The way I started was to number pages (for years of your age), i.e., 0-5, 6 through 10, 11 through 15, 16 through 20, etc. I also go back and at the top of each page, write the correct years for the ages. Certain things will immediately come to your mind as you look at the years. Write your thoughts on the correct sheet. Fill in births, deaths, marriages, graduations, etc. Any of these things will start prompting your memory.

I also carry a small notebook in my purse, because invariably I'll be in the car when a memory comes back and this way I can write a note to job my memory when i get home.

I attended a "writing your life story" class and the instructor said to write only the good things -- I disagree-- I think that everything that you think of is important (including the bad things, as long as they don't hurt other people). These are all the things that made you what you are today, so include them.
Writer's Digest (1-year)

Writer's Digest (1-year)

I subscribe to Writer's Digest and enjoy the articles and hopefully, it will make me a better writer.

Amazon Price: $19.96 (as of 09/07/2008)

2006 Writers Market (Writer's Market)

2006 Writers Market (Writer's Market)

Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)

The Best of the Magazine Markets for Writers 2006 (Best of the Magazine Markets for Writers)

The Best of the Magazine Markets for Writers 2006 (Best of the Magazine Markets for Writers)

by Marni Mcniff

This is very handy if you want to write for magazines. Many magazines want short fill-ins. You can do it.

Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)

SEWING 

Home Sewing and Crafting

This year, I'm into making purses. I like to have different ones for each outfit. Also, they are fast and easy to make. My most recent purses were made from Hawaiian fabrics that I found in Maui.

Fabric Mart has more fabric than I have ever seen in one place. Go to www.Fmart.com to order online.
Stone Cold

Stone Cold

by David Baldacci

Amazon Price: $17.81 (as of 09/07/2008)

Jelly Roll Quilts

Jelly Roll Quilts

by Pam Lintett, Nicky Lintett

Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 09/07/2008)

The Art of Manipulating Fabric

The Art of Manipulating Fabric

by Colette Wolff

Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 09/07/2008)

Purses 

This is one of the purses I made with the Hawaiian fabric I found in Maui at Fabric Mart. I just love it.

I used Simplicity Pattern #4625 "It's So Easy". This pattern would make a great reversible purse.

GARDENING 

Finally, my Dinner Plate Dahlias arrived from Brecks (www.Brecks.com) -- they actually came from Holland. I put them in according to the directions since I've never grown them before. When they come up, I'll post a picture for all to see. I have greaaaaaat hopes!
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life (P.S.)

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life (P.S.)

by Barbara Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver, Steven L. Hopp

Amazon Price: $8.97 (as of 09/07/2008)

Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food

Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food

by Jessica Seinfeld

Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 09/07/2008)

BALL Complete Book of Home Preserving

BALL Complete Book of Home Preserving

by Judi Kingry, Lauren Devine

Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 09/07/2008)

Tulips 

The tulips this year were exceptionally beautiful.

Cherry Trees 

Although the birds usually get the cherries from the trees, the flowering cherry trees are always lovely especially on an overcast day. It signals that Spring is here!

DIGITAL CAMERA 

Taking Pictures of Everything

How did we ever live without them? We bought uor first digital camera in 1998 -- a Sony that uses a hard disk and has a rechargeable battery. About a year ago, we bought a Kodak with a tiny disk that holds 150 pictures and is much faster at taking pictures. I now use both of them.

I have a lot of fun with my camera. Recently, when the banks of our river overflowed, my husband and I drove to the park and I took a picture and sent it in to our local paper, and they published it!! That was very exciting to see my name in print. They presently have a contest called "Real Living's Spring Garden Photography Contest" -- I'll be entering that one, too.

I've also used the camera to take pictures of my crafts and tips (or to enter contests) that I send in to my favorite craft magazine, Creative Home Arts.

There's also a digital photo contest at www.gardeningclub.com Go to the site for guidelines and official contest rules.
Adobe Photoshop CS3 Classroom in a Book

Adobe Photoshop CS3 Classroom in a Book

by Adobe Creative Team

Amazon Price: $32.99 (as of 09/07/2008)

The Digital Photography Book

The Digital Photography Book

by Scott Kelby

Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 09/07/2008)

Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition)

Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition)

by Bryan Peterson

Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 09/07/2008)

COLLECTIBLES 

When more than one is not enough

My largest collection is Hallmark ornaments. My collection started when my oldest daughter gave me a Hallmark Bear (holding a book) for Christmas. It was so sweet. I then began finding ornaments at garage and estate sales -- I paid from 25 cents up to a dollar apiece. I have even found electronic ornaments for as low as $1.25. Oh, by the way, the bear ornament is now valued at about $150.

AND, don't forget to keep the box that the ornament comes in. A lot of the value is in the box!

In July, when the new ornaments for the year come to the stores, I go check and see if there is anything special that I like and add that to my collection.

AND, don't forget the new baby in the house. A nice gift would be to start a collection for them.
Collecting Lladro: Identification & Price Guide (Collecting Lladro)

Collecting Lladro: Identification & Price Guide (Collecting Lladro)

by Peggy Whiteneck

Amazon Price: $19.79 (as of 09/07/2008)

Lladro Authorized Reference Guide 2006 Edition

Lladro Authorized Reference Guide 2006 Edition

Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)

Collecting Lladro : Price & Identification Guide

Collecting Lladro : Price & Identification Guide

by Peggy Whiteneck

Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)

QUILTING 

Can't Have Enough Fabric

I love quilts!!! This week, I went on my first "Quilt Safari" (sometimes called a Shop Hop). Ten shops joined together for the Safari. Although this was a week-long adventure, we did the trek on 2 separate days. It was exhausting, but a lot of fun. Quilters are the best people.

You must visit all ten shops and have your "passport" stamped at each one -- making you eligible for a great prize drawing at the end of the Safari. Each store gives you a piece of the pattern to make the entire quilt and also a small gift of a fat-quarter (more fabric for my collection).

I found an article in our newspaper about a local woman, Darcy Toronto, who makes quilts for dogs and cats. She makes some with "piddle pads" for those that have a problem. The quilts can also be personalized for an additional charge. Go to www.Bluedogquilts.com for more information.

Quilts I've Finished 

This is my first quilt. I made 6 of them the first year I started quilting (in all different colors). I didn't know any better at the time and planned to be able to finish all my quilt tops each year. I now have about 12 tops to be finished.

Alphabet Quilt 

This was my first "paper piecing" baby quilt.

Pinwheel Quilt 

I tried to get creative with this pinwheel quilt. I still have a lot of small scraps because I tried to make the pinwheels too small.

Girlfriends Quilt 

I have to say that this is one of my favorite quilt pieces. I made it for my girlfriend. The pattern idea came from American Greetings.com. It was a greeting card.

Some Great Quilting Books 

Stone Cold

Stone Cold

by David Baldacci

Amazon Price: $17.81 (as of 09/07/2008)

Jelly Roll Quilts

Jelly Roll Quilts

by Pam Lintett, Nicky Lintett

Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 09/07/2008)

The Art of Manipulating Fabric

The Art of Manipulating Fabric

by Colette Wolff

Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 09/07/2008)

Related topics: ,  arts and crafts,  artsandcrafts,  Business,  more

X
marikraft

About marikraft

My husband and I retired to a small town in Oregon in 2001. My hobbies are Quilting, Sewing, Crafts, Contesting, Gardening, Genealogy, Healthy Living, and finding bargains.


We live on Social Security -- possible because of good planning and saving. I raised 5 children on my own and learned many ways to save. Although I have known my husband for 20 years, we were married just 5 years ago after all our children were grown. He has 2 children. We now have 9 grandchildren (including one brand new adoped baby), and 2 great-grandchildren. My husband has Type 2 Diabetes and we have learned how to get it under control with diet and pills. He also has other chronic diseases that are also presently under control. We have both been on a weight reduction program and have quite successful. This site will be regarding retirement fun things to do.


Mark this site in your favorite places (little red heart at the top of this screen) and come back often for updates. Please rate how you like this site and contact me with any suggestions at the "Contact the Lensmaster" button below.

marikraft's Pages

See all of marikraft's pages