Just for fun – and because list-making is one of my true and lasting loves – I’ve gone back and scoured the furthest recesses of my brain to come up with a (hopefully comprehensive) compilation of the leisure-time, hobby-type, creative activities I’ve learned (or, in far too many cases, attempted and abandoned) in the past.
It actually turned out to be QUITE a list!
(Please note, though, that these items represent a wide, wide variety of skill levels! In other words, just because something shows up on the list doesn’t mean that I did it well, or even stuck with it for long… but I did try, which is to me one of the most important things in life.)
So without further ado, I present…
My Lifetime Inventory of Attempted
Leisure-time, Hobby-type, Creative Activities
- Playing musical instruments – piano, flute, clarinet, guitar
- Jewellery making using wire, beads, leather, polymer clay, metal, etc.
- Sewing
- Crocheting
- Knitting
- Needle felting
- Cross-stitch
- Macramé
- Rug hooking
- Weaving friendship bracelets
- Scrapbooking
- Rubber stamping
- Paper making
- Book making
- Origami
- Sketching using pencil, charcoal, pastels, etc.
- Sketching using a drawing app
- Zentangle® and ZIA (Zentangle®-Inspired Art)
- Oil painting
- Découpage
- Papier-mâché
- Wax sculptures
- 30 Days of Creativity Challenge
- Photography
- iPhoneography with editing apps and filters
- Photo A Day Challenge
- Aromatherapy
- Making bath goodies – salts, bombs, oils, etc.
- Sushi making
- Vegetarian cooking
- Baking
- Writing poetry
- Writing newspaper articles
- Journalling
- Blogging
- Mindful Writing Challenge (Small Stones)
- Rock tumbling
- Basket making
- Copper tooling
- Indoor hydroponic gardening
- Herb gardening
- Acting
- Web design
- Flash design
- Icon making
- Learning French
- Learning Italian
- The Artist’s Way
Well, that’s all I can dream up at the moment – but I reserve the right to edit as more things come to mind (or as I try something new). And I’m always up for something new… feel free to inspire me!
How many of these have you tried? What can you add?
Please share!
{ 58 comments… add one }
Twitter: peppylady
February 18, 2014
I have quite the list also. I been using http://bucketlist.org/ to keep my goal list. The latest one I just finish was to make cream puffs.
Coffee is on
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 19, 2014
Mmmm… they sound delicious!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Stop spinning your wheels and get out of your rut!
Twitter: storeylinesblog
February 18, 2014
Seventeen! You’re way more adventurous than I am!
Barbara Storey recently posted… “I’m the One” – Falling in Love With Yourself
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 19, 2014
Seventeen sounds pretty good to me!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Stop spinning your wheels and get out of your rut!
Wow, that’s amazing! You are so creative. I don’t think I’ve tried even half, but hopefully I’ll keep adding to my list. Thanks for sharing
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 19, 2014
Thank you – it’s been fun exploring all these creative avenues!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Stop spinning your wheels and get out of your rut!
Twitter: scribler
February 18, 2014
I’ve done scrapbooking, cross stitch, macrame, blogging and writing poetry.
Cindy recently posted… Challenge Time Again
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 19, 2014
Sounds good!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Stop spinning your wheels and get out of your rut!
Twitter: CarrieAnnTripp
February 18, 2014
Oh my goodness! Some of yours I don’t know what they are, but I’m too afraid to even start a list. If I were to start analyzing how much money I’ve spent to start something and then quit for something else…well, let’s just say my favorite hobby is sticking my head in the sand!
Carrie Ann Tripp ( recently posted… Book Review: Tessa–From Fear to Faith
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 19, 2014
LOL, I totally hear you on that! I try not to think about it.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Stop spinning your wheels and get out of your rut!
Twitter: light_love_hope
February 18, 2014
Wow, you have quite the list! I am impressed!
I absolutely LOVE photography, writing poetry, and well, writing in general. I have tried to play the piano and took lessons, but I was not able to stick with it due to limited time after work. Hmmm, you linked to several things that I’ve opened in another tab to explore. Thank you for that! I love gardening – not really vegetables, but flowers … I love any and all flowers and cannot have enough in my yard. I am so looking forward to Spring!!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 19, 2014
You’re very welcome! And I am looking forward to Spring as well – more than ever this year, I think!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Stop spinning your wheels and get out of your rut!
I’ve done a lot too! Macrame… years and years ago, basket making, doll making, counted cross stitch, Scherenschnitte, crochet, knitting, photography, smash booking, gardening, jewelry, saxophone, piano, dance, yada yada yada. wait, oh and ZENTANGLE
Karen recently posted… Smashing Karen’s Life
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 19, 2014
Lots of stuff! It’s amazing when you think back to all the things you’d forgotten you’d tried!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Stop spinning your wheels and get out of your rut!
Lets see, in your list, I have dabbled a little in Knitting, Scrapbooking, Writing poetry, Photography, Journalling, Blogging, and Web Design. Two I have done because they were required in school: French and Sewing.
I can’t think of any I can add. Most of my hobby/leisure stuff I wouldn’t categorize as creative. Things like day hiking, rock climbing, playing soccer, playing softball, playing tennis, white water kayaking, canoeing, cross country skiing, a bit of spelunking, doing jigsaw puzzles, and lots of reading.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 19, 2014
I am impressed with your outdoor adventures – sounds like fun!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Stop spinning your wheels and get out of your rut!
This is really an impressive list; good for you for trying so many new things. I agree that trying is the important thing, not how well or how long you do it. Sometimes we try something that becomes a lifelong interest, other times we realize it’s not for us. I also love learning new things, though I’m not as creative as you are. My musical instrument training consisted of (don’t laugh) the accordion (when I was about eight) and the clarinet in junior high; I was too lazy to practice, though now I wish I had kept up with the clarinet!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 19, 2014
My sister plays the accordion – it’s wonderful! Such a fun instrument.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Stop spinning your wheels and get out of your rut!
Twitter: vidyasury
February 22, 2014
That’s quite a lovely list, Laurel! I am quietly borrowing it and adding my own. I must try the zentangles – saw them on Kathy Combs’ blog too.
Happy weekend and look forward to your growing list!
Vidya Sury recently posted… Ubuntu – I am Because We Are
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 22, 2014
Thank you, Vidya… borrow away!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Where I like to write
Wow! That is one fantastic list. I think I can tick off a few in this one. Must try making a list of my own soon. This is truly inspiring.
Jyothi Nair recently posted… When a heart breaks…
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 22, 2014
It was fun putting it together and realizing how many things I’ve tried!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Where I like to write
I have done learning French, the Artist’s way ( thanks to Corinne), poetry writing, blogging, glass painting, learning dance, yoga, acting, creative writing, cooking, hiking, marathon running, book publishing.
Check out my blog at http://www.sulekharawat.com
Loved your list, might try a few from there as well
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 22, 2014
Love your list! Glass painting sounds intriguing… oh no, another thing for me to try?!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Where I like to write
Twitter: nabanita21
February 22, 2014
Oh my God you have really tried a lot of things…What can I add? Well I did learn Kathak ( a classical dance form from India) when I was a kid….Ofcourse, reading and writing which involve the least bit of effort from my end are my all time favorites
nabanita recently posted… Frowny Fs
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 22, 2014
I haven’t tried any kind of dance, really – I need to expand my horizons!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Where I like to write
Twitter: suzyq1810
February 22, 2014
Zentangles, photography … my passions and I enjoy origami too. Nice list.
Suzy recently posted… Explaining the name of my blog
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 22, 2014
Oh, nice to find another tangler! I have been slacking off in that department lately, but need to pick up my pens again.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Where I like to write
Twitter: CorinneBlogs
February 22, 2014
What an awesome list, Laurel. I remember your wax statues – you did them for a whole month! Do you really need The Artist’s Way?
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted… Understanding Ubuntu
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 22, 2014
LOL! If only I could get through The Artist’s Way – I seem to be totally blocked on it – who knows WHAT I could achieve?!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Where I like to write
Twitter: nibhz14
February 22, 2014
Wow!! Its inspiring to see such a long list of creative endeavours! It can be fun learning new things, learnt a few myself!
Nibha recently posted… Liebster Award!!!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 22, 2014
Thank you! Now I need to go back and perfect a few of them!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Where I like to write
Twitter: s
February 22, 2014
Wow!! That’s an awesome list and you are sooooooo very creative!! I have tried a few things from your list!! I see a lot of people doing quilling now-a-days. I want to learn this art, on my bucket list!
Shilpa Garg recently posted… Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2014
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 22, 2014
Oh, quilling is beautiful – I’d love to try that myself!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Where I like to write
Twitter: Guilie73
February 22, 2014
Your disclaimer about skill levels made me laugh. Fellow leisure-activity abandoner–ahem, try-outer
–and among the many I’ve dabbled in (and continue, haphazardly and mostly to no fruition, to dabble in) are herb gardening, crochet, baking, yoga, piano, and violin (these last two I’ve abandoned, to my boyfriend’s–and neighbors’–relief). I’m currently teaching myself video and animation with Adobe After Effects, and I’m about to embark on a vegetarian cuisine adventure. We’ll see how that goes 
Lovely to find your blog, and I’ll be back for more.
Guilie @ A Hop Within A Hop: The A-Z Theme Reveal!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 22, 2014
It’s so much fun trying new things, isn’t it? Even if the noise hurts people’s ears, LOL! Glad you stopped by.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Where I like to write
Twitter: rukhaiyaar
February 22, 2014
Whoa.. that’s a larger-than-life list… I am so interested in reading a blog post for each of these activities, just to know how were you inspired to do a certain thing. need some inspiration
Great list.
Amritt Rukhaiyaar recently posted… Superman [1978]: “You’ll believe a man can fly!”
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 22, 2014
Lovely… you just sparked an idea for another blog post! Thank you!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Where I like to write
Twitter: rukhaiyaar
February 23, 2014
I’d love to read those… perhaps you can use describing each one of these in the a2z april challenge.. alright, that’s too much to ask… you must have planned something else…
you have a lovely blog Laurel, love spending time here
Amritt Rukhaiyaar recently posted… Superman [1978]: “You’ll believe a man can fly!”
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 25, 2014
Thank you so much – that is very kind!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Meatless Monday No. 12 – Portobello Mushroom Burgers & Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
Twitter: JLenniDorner
February 22, 2014
That is a great list! Congrats on it.
J Lenni Dorner recently posted… In 5 books and out of 5 others
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 25, 2014
Thank you! It’s been fun.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Meatless Monday No. 12 – Portobello Mushroom Burgers & Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
Twitter: LoniTownsend
February 22, 2014
I’ve done 11! Other hobbies include graphic design through Paint.NET, fantasy writing, and whitewater rafting. Great to see other people out there with similar interests. Nice to meet you, Laurel.
Loni Townsend recently posted… Featured Photo Friday
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 25, 2014
Very nice to meet you as well, Loni – thanks for stopping by!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Meatless Monday No. 12 – Portobello Mushroom Burgers & Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
Twitter: archonline
February 23, 2014
huge list indeed..
i have played with knitting, flower loom weaving, playing instrument, singing classes, long-stitch, photoshopping, blogging, attempting poems, short stories, quilling, photography, and again blogging in that order..
Archana recently posted… Book Review – Done with Men
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 25, 2014
Wow, lovely list indeed! I keep seeing mentions of quilling, and would love to give that a try some day.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Meatless Monday No. 12 – Portobello Mushroom Burgers & Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
Twitter: Sri_Indrasenan
February 24, 2014
I loved this post totally and you are my inspiration from now on since I wanted to start doing some creative craft for a long time! by the way did I mention your disclaimer about skill levels made me LOL that my boss gave me an ugly stare
S(t)ri recently posted… LIEBSTER AWARD
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 25, 2014
LOL, oops! Sorry about that.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Meatless Monday No. 12 – Portobello Mushroom Burgers & Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
Twitter: Bhav_zz
February 24, 2014
Oh my my. This is a huge list and you make me feel like I have done nothing in my life yet. I wish to learn some of the things you have listed here!
Bhavya recently posted… Thought Of The Day
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 25, 2014
Well, many of them were just tried once or twice and then abandoned, so you really don’t need to feel bad!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Meatless Monday No. 12 – Portobello Mushroom Burgers & Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
WOW, that is amazing! You have tried so many things!! ♥
Kathy recently posted… Heart Zentangle
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 25, 2014
It’s been fun! Now I need to revisit some of them.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Meatless Monday No. 12 – Portobello Mushroom Burgers & Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
Twitter: MaryHill16
February 24, 2014
I have only tried a few of these so my hat is off to you. Impressive list. I am not good with my hands so I stick to writing.
Mary Hill recently posted… Wonderful Week of Accomplishments, Love, and Laughter
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 25, 2014
Thank you!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Meatless Monday No. 12 – Portobello Mushroom Burgers & Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
Twitter: psychbabbler
February 24, 2014
That’s an inspiring list all right! I have tried to learn to play the guitar but didn’t get too far, learnt French for 3 years in high school but didn’t get far, learnt Italian for a while as an adult but didn’t persist and well, killed a lot of my herbs every time I tried.
I have stuck to blogging, writing poetry, journalling, baking, cooking and photography from your list though…
Psych Babbler recently posted… 9 years later
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 25, 2014
I didn’t get very far with any instrument except piano. And I really want to revisit that one! Your list sounds great.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Meatless Monday No. 12 – Portobello Mushroom Burgers & Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
Super! All this dwarfs me a bit.I could count only seven out of these
Richa Singh recently posted… What is all this #blogchatter ?
Twitter: alphabetsalad
February 25, 2014
That sounds pretty good to me!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Meatless Monday No. 12 – Portobello Mushroom Burgers & Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
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