My Short-Lived Hobby (Writer's Workshop)

My Surprise Crewel Picture

My mother was very good with crafty things, although wasn't one who did crafts constantly.  I always admired the afghans she made and especially her crewel projects.  I remember the surprise I got when I opened up the tree with all the cute animals around it.  I saw her working on it, but she made my sister one too and just let me think that it was for my sister.  I didn't know that she was secretly making one for me too!

My Crewel Project

This made me want to give it a try.  I was actually good at threading the needle but I couldn't relax while doing it.  I was so tense that I'd always get an ache in my neck and shoulders.  At least I had the sense to begin with something small.  My first and only crewel project I ever did was a little Panda Bear with some flowers. I think it's pretty cute and have it in my bedroom at the moment.  I will always treasure it because it was a huge accomplishment for me!  I like that you get to switch colors often and that there are varied types of stitches to help prevent boredom.  You should give it a try!

My mom though made another very big crewel tiger for me that is hanging in my living room.  It took her a long time to make and my dad made the fancy frame for it.  Isn't it strange that with two crafty parents, I am not into crafts much.  Perhaps when I'm older and have more patience, I will take on another crewel project.  Okay, I'm sure you want to see the tiger so here it is:

Grrrr, made by mom and the frame by dad

This post was inspired by Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop prompt:  "Tell the story of trying to learn a new talent or hobby that you only pursued briefly."

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What's Your Hobby--I Used To Paint

The Bayou on the left painted by me.

The book copy on the right.


My mom used to watch Bill Alexander paint pictures on TV and he would tell what he was doing as he went along. My dad knew she liked watching the show and built her an easel, made a palette, bought some oil paint, brushes and some of his books for her so she could paint. The books showed a picture with step-by-step instructions on how to paint it. After watching her do it, I wanted to try it too.

"Hunter's Cabin" by me on the left.
The book copy of "Hunter's Cabin" on the right.




My mom and I got many hours of enjoyment from this hobby. As we would finish paintings, dad would build frames for them. The only problem was that we ran out of space to put them. It sure was fun to do though, even if they didn't look exactly like the pictures in the book. I specifically remember doing the "Bayou" and "Hunter's Cabin." We laughed so hard at our attempts to get it just right. The Bayou went pretty will until it was time to put in the canoe with the person in it. The "Hunter's Cabin" one we did twice and couldn't get the cabin the same size as the picture.

Here is a little slide show of the pictures I painted:

Visit www.moblyng.com to make your own!

I only did one original of my own which was supposed to be a camp site. Again, I had a hard time when it came to putting in people. When I was painting, I noticed things more and found myself thinking, "I could paint this sky or that tree." I would look at a sunset or dawn and actually see the different colors in the sky.

Unfortunately, when clearing out dad's house after he died, I threw out the easel. You can read about it and see three paintings my mom did at Are You Sure You Want To Throw That Away? at "My Funny Dad, Harry.

What hobbies do you enjoy or have you given up and why?