What are your non-diamond related hobbies?

[iheartscience]

I just saw neatfreak''s post in the Craigslist thread about buying Eames-era furniture and refinishing it (so cool!), which made me wonder about my fellow PSers'' hobbies.

So...tell me about your non-diamond related hobbies! How you got started, if you sell stuff related to it, etc. (Or just list ''em!)

 

[iheartscience]

Guess I should start it off since I''m asking!

1. Soccer! I LOVE soccer (I''ve been playing since I was 5), and right now I''m on 4 different teams, so I play 4 times a week. I play on 1 outdoor co-ed team, 1 outdoor women''s team and 2 indoor co-ed teams.

2. Reading-I''m a huge reader, mostly fiction, with a little nonfiction thrown in. Paul Auster is one of my favorites, but I''ll read pretty much anything!

3. Shopping/fashion-I love clothes and shoes, so needless to say I love to buy them!

4. Playing with my kitties! (Is that a hobby?) I have three gorgeous kitties and I love to play with them. We play with toys and sometimes we play tag, where we take turns chasing each other down my big long hallway.

5. Traveling-I love going to new places, preferably outside of the U.S.!

 

[marcy]

Astronomy

Knitting

Photography

Shopping

Reading

 

[angel_nieves]

Hmmm.. Interesting topic.

Animals - I volunteer at a local animal sanctuary and also assist at an exotic animal rescue. I use to foster dogs until 3 months ago when I adopted a yorkie-chiwawa mix that has tons of heath problems.

Fashion - Oh dear god I go to Miami and Palm Beach every chance I can to spot the latest trends.

Restoring old furniture – I love finding old old pieces and making them look grand again.

Reading anything dealing with history.

Anything that deals with home décor – I not the best, but boy do I like to try.

Cooking with my son the greatest thing ever

 

[MichelleCarmen]

With two little boys, I don't have much time for hobbies, but my four favorites are Reading, Movies, Shopping, and growing African Violets.

Before I had my first son, I spent hours a week in a pottery studio and made all kinds of fun things (both hand built stuff and items thrown on the wheel. It was so much fun that I'd love to get a kiln someday.)

 

[diamondfan]

lately going to the doctor!!!

I love SLEEPING

working out

hanging with my kids when they are around

playing with my dog

going on walks

reading

shopping

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

I have so many

Drawing-I am trained as an artist but don't do it much anymore

Beading-the last thing I did was a huge bib necklace that lloks like lace in black and gold, I just never have a reason to wear it

Sewing-haven't done anything other than repairs since college when I did costuming among others and burned out

Gardening-I don't have a yard at the moment and it bothers me, I love to make things grow

Irish step dancing-I no longer compete, but it is still my favorite exercise

Reading-mostly nonfiction, but I am in love with the Firday Next series right now

Kitties-I love my babies, they make me so happy. One loves string (I am careful he doesn't eat it) and the other loves "superbug", a laser pointer

I was working on photography, digital art and Chinese caligraphy, but with they have me working overtime every week so I haven't worked on them as much as I would like to.

 

[lotsofsparkle]

Fishkeeping! I''ve kept fish now for the past 7 years. It all started with a little betta fish named BBQ that I loved so much more than I ever thought I could love a fish. He was great. He would do a little wiggle dance for me when he was hungry and jump out of the water to grab the little food pellets off my fingertips. RIP BBQ.

 

[ladypirate]

My bf likes to joke that all I have are hobbies--I guess I just have too many interests! A few are:

*Crafting: I knit, sew, quilt, do bobbin lace, and a few other things that I can't think of off the top of my head. Oh! And I'm learning how to embroider, but I'm not very good at it yet.

*Cooking/Baking: My latest endeavor here has been taking a cake decorating class--I was inspired by the cupcake thread! I love food in all forms and the best part about it is that you have fun making it and then get to eat it afterward!

*Wine: We live in wine country and enjoy wine tasting and whatnot.

*Reading: I was on quite the non-fiction kick for a while, with Guns, Germs and Steel and The Elegant Universe (GREAT book on string theory--I highly recommend it!), but now I'm in the middle of Neil Stephenson's Cryptonomicon, which I'm really enjoying.

*Theatre: Theatre was one of my majors in college and I love doing it, from the tech side to being on stage. I'm hoping that once we move, I'll be able to get involved in some regional stuff.

*Dance: I mostly do swing, ballroom, and Irish Ceili dance, with some other stuff thrown in (salsa, Argentine Tango, etc.) BF tried learning how to swing dance, but he stopped after a few lessons. I'm hoping that when we're in a place with a bigger scene, he'll get more into it.

So those are a few--I'm sure there's other stuff that I'm forgetting, but those are the main ones. What a fun thread!

ETA: I'm so jealous of everyone who has kitties! I can't wait to get a couple furbabies of my own.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

It''s really interesting to see everybody''s hobbies!

I''ve mentioned it here a couple of times, but DH and I love to rock climb. I''d say that is the hobby that takes up the most time. I also do some mountain climbing with DH, but he''s in a completely different league. We climb Mt. Washington in NH often (summer and winter), but DH is training for Denali and possibly the Matterhorn this year. We also golf--my parents are avid golfers, so I grew up around it, but never really took it up. DH and I started taking it seriously about 5 years ago and really enjoy it.

Also, anything having to do with our dog is a hobby. We go to a lot of local newfie events and have been pretty involved with training--therapy dog training, water rescue training, carting, etc.

My resolution for this year was to start focusing on my individual hobbies and not just hobbies DH and I shared, so I got back into horseback riding. I love it, I can''t get enough of it. I hope to get down to the cape this summer to ride with a group.

My interest in diamonds is definitely my "girliest" hobby, haha.

 

[chicagohills]

Date: 4/12/2008 9:56:20 PM
Author: lotsofsparkle
Fishkeeping! I''ve kept fish now for the past 7 years. It all started with a little betta fish named BBQ that I loved so much more than I ever thought I could love a fish. He was great. He would do a little wiggle dance for me when he was hungry and jump out of the water to grab the little food pellets off my fingertips. RIP BBQ.

Please be my BFF. You are too cute!

 

[chicagohills]

Oh right, my hobbies include, but are not limited to: perfumes, working out, shopping, cooking, dancing, and starting new projects that I will inevitably never finish. I also love being outside as much as possible.

 

[claireabelle]

Fun topic!

I''m Australian - so forgive my Aussie spelling!!


hmmm lets see... some are hobbies and some are just interests.

- Styling for fashion, interiors and events (I am almost finished a Bachelor of Design specialising in Styling and Creative Direction)
- Horseriding - I used to compete for 12 years but now I just ride for fun
- Dogs (I''m obsessed with Millie, our Beaglier)
- Interior Design / furniture / homewares / textiles
- Antiques
- Food and Wine
- Travel (spent 2.5 years travelling abroad and LOVED it)
- Graphic design
- Reading design books
- Cycle class!

 

[Clio]

Let''s see...

Reading - I''ll read just about anything. Lots of history, any fiction except science fiction. Right now, I''m working my way through the Aubrey/Maturin series as well as some books on early American history and German history. I''ve also managed to get myself addicted to Michael Connelly and John Sandford books.

Writing - mostly, I write history for publication. My field is Old South, and I''ve just started a new project that I hope will end up as a book. I also write a little fiction that never sees the light of day.

Cross stitch - I don''t do much these days, but I enjoy it.

Volunteer work - I volunteer for the Junior League, my college''s local alumnae group, and the PTA at my kids'' school.

Gardening - I''m slowly but surely redoing our yard. This year, I discovered winter sowing, which is very cool.

Puzzles - I love puzzles of any kind - Sudoku, crosswords, jigsaw, whatever

Hiking - We have a lot of good trails very close to us, so the kids and I like to hike when the weather''s nice. We''re not hardcore hikers by any stretch of the imagination, but we love being out in the woods and observing the nature around us.

 

[neatfreak]

Hehe, thanks for the shout out Thing! In addition to my love of refinishing and reupholstering old furniture, I like to take long walks with my DH and our dogs, baking, reading (I read everything I can get my hands on), and my guilty pleasure is bravo reality tv shows...

 

[Skippy123]

Well, I enjoy doing the following:

Hiking, biking, walking - I just got a new bike so I am loving riding it around the trails

Sewing - I am currently taking a garment making class which is fun and hopefully I can tailor my own suits and clothes to fit me best so I have that nice polished look.

Gardening - I have a great little flower garden out front I like taking care of; I have wisteria, some native plants to the SW, fresh herbs, spring bulbs and some annuals.

Shopping & Reading

I love mystery's

Volunteering - in the past I volunteered reading to children, Junior Achievement, doing tax assistance for the elderly and low income for 2 seasons through (VITA), organizing Xmas tree giving to a low income family at work and charity walks for breast cancer and diabetes.

Traveling - Trips are hubby's and my mental break and we love new exciting experiences.

 

[Clio]

Oh, and I forgot one -

After a long, long, long hiatus, I''m starting to get back into printmaking. I''m not at all artistic, but I feel the need for a creative outlet, so I''m giving it a shot. I also do a little jewelry making (very simple things) for the same reason.

 

[angeline]

Date: 4/12/2008 9:56:20 PM
Author: lotsofsparkle
Fishkeeping! I''ve kept fish now for the past 7 years. It all started with a little betta fish named BBQ that I loved so much more than I ever thought I could love a fish. He was great. He would do a little wiggle dance for me when he was hungry and jump out of the water to grab the little food pellets off my fingertips. RIP BBQ.

Me too! I started with a 20G, now I have that tank, a 50G, an 18G, and a teeny-tiny 2G.

Lately been getting into aquascaping, a trend started by a Japanese man Takashi Amano. It''s more about the plants and his tanks are like works of art, or like having a piece of forest in your living room. I''ll attach a pic so you see what I mean. I only dream of producing anything remotely like these..

 

[Lynn B]

FUN thread!

Well, my Ragdoll kitty, Boo, would have to be first! Ohmygosh, I adore him!!!

Then, in no particular order because I love all of them: cooking, baking, quilting, sewing, painting, reading, scrapbooking, card-making, beading (making jewelry), roller-blading, traveling, refinishing furniture, home decorating, gardening. My hobbies/interests could take over my whole house (and life!) if I let them!!!

 

[bee*]

I love hobbies! My main ones would definitely be travelling, going to the gym, mountain climbing, anything to do with my dog Amber, reading, listening to music and going to gigs, swing dancing (just getting into this one), shopping and buying designer shoes.

 

[Fly Girl]

flying, yoga, travelling, reading, puzzles, volunteering, fixing up the new (to us) lake place

None of these make me any money.

 

[chiapet]

It''s great to see everyone''s different hobbies! I am obsessed with running and boxing. My knuckles are chapped and ugly because of punching the bag so hard

I also love reading and walking around aimlessly.

 

[iheartscience]

I love reading about everyone''s hobbies! We''re an interesting bunch here on PS! Keep ''em coming!

 

[Mara]

what a cool topic! we know so much about each other but not everything hehe. i love checking out the unique hobbies (and of course all the ones that we share with each other...).

i have been an avid reader for many years, i used to hide under my covers with a flashlight when i was young and supposed to be sleeping and read for hours. i read in the car, in the SHOWER, at the dinner table. it was a total family joke. i love to read...and i read too fast unfortunately. too impatient to savor the reading.

i also am a huge hobby gardener...i've been gardening for over 10 years. at one point i was huge into roses, i had over 60. i have always loved bulbs, that is how i got into gardening many years ago, one pot of freesias, so i have a soft spot in my heart for them. right now we just have a patio but i am so good at making patio gardens work...land is scarce here! right now i have about maybe 10 roses, some miniatures, and i love underplantings aka roses with lavender and alyssum, delphiniums, bulbs, lots of mixed cottage garden stuff.

over the last few years i have gotten more into cooking and more recently, baking. i love making stuff for other people and i love entertaining, so we often have dinner parties or cocktail parties where i can make stuff. all summer long we have BBQ's for friends and family. right now my current obsession is baking cupcakes and layer cakes. but in a few months who knows, it might be tarts or custards!!! hehee. but i make cupcakes about 2x a week at least right now.

other than those, i love shopping, like most women hehee. but i do most of it online...with fave brands i know how the fit is. the mall is just too chaotic for me most times. i also love working out and walking...my current thing is zumba, a latin dance class, so fun, it's taught me so much more rhythym...!! and we both love walking and take long walks all summer long with portia and head to parks and stuff. obviously, i'm a dog lover, but i don't know that she's a hobby hehe. more like a lifestyle!

and of course, as most everyone already knows about me, i love food and eating. we are huge foodies and we love to go out and have wonderful meals.

that's about it i guess!! there's never enough time for everything i want to do outside of work...wah!!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I love love love word games. Scrabble. Crosswords. Serious addiction.

Reading is and always has been a large part of my life. Some of my best friends are characters in books......

I like to cook and bake. Gourmet stuff. Not a chore to me.

Exercise and outdoor activities is something I''ve always enjoyed. I played baseball for many years and wish I had the shoulder joints to still do so.

I used to do needlepoint with a pal, but when I moved away that stopped. I should rekindle that skill, as I always enjoyed the spoils.

And who doesn''t like shopping?

Even if it at the open air market, I like picking out fresh produce and creating a dinner while you walk.....

I like to experiment with wine--learn about the art and science behind that wonderful heart medicine......

I volunteer a lot of my time to various organizations around town. It is always fun to get out and meet interesting people.

cheers--Sharon

 

[diamondfan]

I also love puzzles. both jigsaw and sudoku and word scrambles and word searches and crosswords...

 

[Haven]

My pets--I consider taking care of them and giving them full lives a part of my responsibility, but spending time with them is definitely a hobby, too, I suppose.

Reading, of course. Fiction, non-fiction, criticism, I love it all. I also collect antique books, so I love browsing people''s collections and the shelves in used bookstores.

Being in nature--either hiking, biking, wandering around aimlessly, finding new trails, rock-climbing, rappelling, staring at the ocean or mountains, or exploring new parks. I love being outside.

Music. I love music. I research my favorite artists, seek out new artists, go to live shows, talk about music with other people who are obsessed. Argue over who deserves certain accolades. Search for concert relics like posters, buttons, and t-shirts to add to my collection.

Movies. See "music" above.

Tattoo art--I don''t know why, but I really enjoy tattoo flash and actual tattoos. I love to hear people''s stories and look at the details in the artwork, and just plain appreciate it.

My biggest hobby is that I''m an observer of people. I love to observe people whenever I''m out, and see how they behave and interact. When I was in high school my friends and I used to sit in a crowded hallway and add dialogue to people''s interactions. It was a lot of fun.

There''s much more, but these are my favorites.

 

[lotsofsparkle]

Date: 4/13/2008 1:14:30 AM
Author: chicagohills

Date: 4/12/2008 9:56:20 PM

Author: lotsofsparkle

Fishkeeping! I''ve kept fish now for the past 7 years. It all started with a little betta fish named BBQ that I loved so much more than I ever thought I could love a fish. He was great. He would do a little wiggle dance for me when he was hungry and jump out of the water to grab the little food pellets off my fingertips. RIP BBQ.

Please be my BFF. You are too cute!

 

[Cind11]

Oh, it''s such fun reading about everyone''s hobbies. I think my favorites are my kitties, reading, shopping, decorating, and traveling.

 

[oobiecoo]

I used to be a dancer in a ballet company for about 5 years but I haven''t really danced in a while. I like all kinds of dance though and I got lucky that FI is a great dancer so we love dancing together at weddings

I love to cook and bake! Lately I''ve been working on my cake decorating skills

I love to read... it used to be just the popular books like "Bergdorf Blondes" but lately I''ve been reading some classics like Pride & Prejudice.

I love crafty stuff... I swear I''m the next Martha Stewart!

And last but not least, I''m a singer. I love to belt it out while listening to the radio but I also like Italian arias