Image courtesy of soapqueen.com

It might not be cold right now, but we know that it’s coming. This week, in fact. A few weeks ago, we had our first taste of winter, and let’s be honest, IT WAS COLD! It seems to me that now is a good time to make like a squirrel and start prepping for the cold that is on its way.

After a long day spent cycling, fishing, hiking, being outside, or just generally living, there is very little better than a long hot soak in the tub to relax your tired muscles and mind. And could there be anything more fun and more indulgent than a Bath Bomb? You know the ones. They fizz in the bath, the bubbles tickling and making the bathroom smell wonderful…I’m starting to feel relaxed just thinking about them!

I found the most fantastic article on DIY Bath Bombs that will make all your pampering dreams come true. So give them a try, and remember that they also make great gifts for winter babies

Hobby-X – 20 years of happy!

Image courtesy of blog.freepeople.com

The freezing cold spell of 2 weeks ago is slowly becoming a distant memory as the temperature starts to rise. I don’t know about you, but I went out without a jersey on the weekend, and it was delightful! But along with these temperature fluctuations come a mild irritation. The sniffles.

It’s around this time of year that people start experiencing cold symptoms – a slightly sore throat, a little bit of a blocked nose, head pressure. We all know the feeling. It’s the kind of feeling that makes you want to stay in bed with a warm blanket and a good book. But life gets busy, and it isn’t always possible to stay snuggled up when responsibility calls. But you can soothe your tender throat while you’re on the go with these homemade Earl Grey Cough Drops.

The fact that you can make them your creative self is, of course, a bonus, but the really great thing about these drops is that they’re all natural, and everything you need to make them can be bought at your local grocery store. I also love how the author stores the cough drops in a little canvas bag – it looks so much better that your standard medicine box, and they’re guaranteed to taste better too!

Hobby-X – 20 Years of Happy!

Images courtesy of Take Me Fishing

I know that in winter most people would rather be indoors, by a fire, where it’s snug and warm, but it’s in winter that we really need the Vitamin D that comes from being outside in the sun.

We’re very blessed with our South African Winters. While the mornings are often bitter, as the sun climbs so does the temperature. So much so that it’s actually quite pleasant during the day, and that’s when you want to be outside soaking up that vitamin D.

Fishing is a great way to spend a winter weekend out in the sun, and is an exciting sport for beginners and experts alike. I remember the delight of 9 year old me seeing the float bobbing away and letting me know that my line had a bite! There are fantastic fishing spots all over SA, with trout-fishing being a particular favourite, and many of the trout farms rent out rods so that everyone can get involved with the fun.

You can find out more information on trout fishing here, so pack your best coffee in a flask and go out and experience the wider world of hobbies!

Hobby-X – 20 Years of Happy!

Image courtesy of SugarHero.com

I’ve mentioned before that I love winter. I really do, but if I’m being honest, I will admit that sometimes the cold does get to me. Especially when I haven’t worn a thick enough jersey, my nose is running and the tears of self-pity are freezing to my face. At times like that, I do feel like winter has betrayed me. But then I have a mug of steaming, frothy hot chocolate and a cupcake, and remind myself that even the best relationships have their rough patches.

The cupcake can serve as a reminder of the good times, especially if it is a winter themed cupcake. And because I really do love winter (even if I don’t like it very much right now) sometimes I need that reminder to bring us back together. This last freezing cold, rainy weekend, when I started feeling like winter and I are no longer friends, I came across the ultimate winter theme – Snowglobe Cupcakes! These beautiful, frosted cupcakes remind me why I fell in love with winter in the first place, and can certainly get us through the tough times

Find the tutorial from SugarHero.com here for when your relationship with winter is feeling a bit strained 

Hobby-X – 20 Years of Happy!

I love every season. I honestly believe that there is something to love about every time of the year! Yes, even winter.  The nice cold nights with no mosquitoes, roaring fires, red wine, Irish Coffee, soup and crusty bread, boots, scarves… these are a few of my favourite things (about winter).

Winter is traditionally a time of hibernation – the shorter, colder days seem to drive even the outdoorsiest South Africans indoors. But I think that winter is the best time to indulge in your favourite hobbies and learn new ones, whether they take place inside or outside. In the next few weeks, I’m going to introduce you to some of the best things to do in winter, from cooking to crafting to outdoor activities.

Image courtesy of homesteading.com

So to start, I think it’s safe to say that everyone in SA is aware of how cold this weekend is going to get, so to make sure that you stay toasty warm wherever you are, today we are going to show you how to make these adorable hand warmers!

Just because the nights are cold, doesn’t mean your hands should be. Click here to view 11 DIY Hand warmer ideas, and don’t forget to share photos of your finished products to the Hobby-X Facebook Page! If you have any suggestions for winter projects, please post them to the Hobby-X Facebook page so that we can share them 

Stay warm this weekend!

Hobby-X – 20 Years of Happy!

This one is for the lads! Or for the girls to make for the lads, or for the girls to make for themselves. This is such a great project for anyone who enjoys boardgames and DIY. It’s especially good if you have a whole bunch of nuts and bolts  lying unused at home, but if it’s also really affordable to buy the elements if you don’t. I’ve never been able to get into Chess myself, but my Dad and sister used to spend hours across the chessboard, so the ebony and ivory pieces were never far away. I even know how the pieces move! I love this tutorial because it gives an edgy steampunk feel to the classic original game.

Click here to view the tutorial, and don’t forget to share pictures of the finished product to the Hobby-X Facebook Page! Hobby-X – 20 Years of Happy!

Snow globes are just magical. With the swirling snow and miniature towns, it is easy to imagine walking through that winter wonderland… Just because we don’t experiences white Christmases in SA doesn’t mean we can’t experience the magic of snow globes. In fact, it puts us at an advantage because we can really get creative with our snow globes. How about glitter and fairies instead of snow and snowmen? Or sand and a summertime theme instead of mountains and pine trees?

You can really have fun with DIY snow globes, and it’s an especially good activity to do with the kids Remember to share photos of your finished projects to the Hobby-X Facebook Page.

Hobby-X – 20 Years of Happy!

I have always wanted a Marquee Light. Anything with pretty lights and I’m sold! I love marquee lights because they can be really individual, and as you might have noticed by now, I love individual gifts.

I always thought that making a marquee light was completely out of my reach, imagining metals and solders and wire cutting and electricity and all the things that I can’t do. Which is why I was so delighted to find this tutorial for a DIY marquee light that puts it completely within my grasp! Click here to view the tutorial.

Remember that while the tutorial is for an Ampersand, you can really do this for any letter or symbol, so have making this creative, individual gift, and remember to post photos of your finished project to the Hobby-X Facebook Page!

Hobby-X – 20 Years of Happy!

I love Japanese rice bowls. I love their versatility. They’re not only good for holding rice (gasp!), but also for small salads, beads, chocolates,floating candles, small bunches of flowers… the list goes on. I do not, however, like their price. These little bowls make such great gifts, but tend to be quite expensive for their small size – which is why I love today’s project!

As you may know after 10 days of Creative Christmas Projects, I love handcrafted gifts. They are so special and individual, and it makes gift giving so much more than a frantic last minute dash through the holiday-packed shopping centres. There are two main things I love about these hand painted Japanese rice bowls.

The first is that they don’t have to be blue! This is a big one for me, because while my kitchen has largely been themed around my rice bowls and Delft Mugs, not many other people have. So this is a great gift that can be individualised.

The second is the rebirth of ceramic painting! I haven’t done ceramic painting since I was about twelve, and am so excited to see such a fun twist on one of my favourite childhood hobbies. I have since been doing some research on modern ceramic painting and am completely blown away by what people are doing! (But that’s a topic for next year)

Have a look at the tutorial from thelovelydrawer.com for making your own hand painted Japanese rice bowls here. There are still a few days before Christmas to get in some creative Christmas projects. Don’t forget to share your photos to the Hobby-X Facebook page!

Hobby-X – 20 Years of Happy!