WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays
When I started quilting I had no idea that my new hobby would take me into such a new direction. After all, I am supposed to be retired. But I work more now than I ever have. It's a curious turn in life events and one I am grateful for. I only wish I'd started 30 years earlier!
With so much of my day taken up by my creative pursuits, my reading has mostly fallen away. I feel completely out of the loop when it comes to modern literature. I found that I couldn't keep up with my book group about 10 years ago and simply stopped going. Recently, I've been missing my reading time. My DD suggested that I listen to Audio Books whilst I prep applique pieces and do those boring bits. At first it didn't appeal. I sometimes already watch the Quilt Show on my laptop for company when I'm in the mood for it. But as I'm sewing and doing things, I often lose track of what's happening on screen. I was reluctant to spend money on audio books for the same reason. I just couldn't see myself getting enough value from them.
Boy, was I wrong! Call me the new Queen of Audio Titles! I have 30 in my library at the moment and it's growing at a rate of 2-3 a week. I know 'netflix' bingeing is a thing with younger people, well I am doing the same thing with audio books. Except, instead of sitting in front of a screen, I am working away and enjoying every minute. In fact sometimes, I keep working beyond what I planned just to finish the chapter! I use an app on my phone and simply listen whenever I feel like it. I really don't know how the Audible revolution passed me by before this. I can't recommend it enough for an afternoon of creativity. I love it.
Boy, was I wrong! Call me the new Queen of Audio Titles! I have 30 in my library at the moment and it's growing at a rate of 2-3 a week. I know 'netflix' bingeing is a thing with younger people, well I am doing the same thing with audio books. Except, instead of sitting in front of a screen, I am working away and enjoying every minute. In fact sometimes, I keep working beyond what I planned just to finish the chapter! I use an app on my phone and simply listen whenever I feel like it. I really don't know how the Audible revolution passed me by before this. I can't recommend it enough for an afternoon of creativity. I love it.
What's Your WOW?
Me too! I love audio books when I am doing the routine prepping and stitching. It makes for a very enjoyable time.
ReplyDeleteI know! All those pesky 'prepping' hours just melt away..
DeleteI too enjoy audio books, I rent them from the library. And, I sometimes have to work longer just to hear the end of the chapter. :)
ReplyDeleteI love it when that happens!
DeleteOh Esther i was so glad to hear of your new working habits. Right now is gardening time for me in BC Canada... i love having fresh flowers in my rooms... soooo romantic and indulgant👏😊 i am a widow 10 yr and live alone and that is when i started quilting. It wasn’t long before i discovered Applique was my favorite creative outlet💝 and im so grareful to have discovered your exquisit patterns. Im pretty healthy but my eyes really suffer from winter heating and summer AC and i had to give up reading especially in the evenings. My daughter told me about audio books and i cart my Kindle all around the house with me now... to my machine, to the kitchen, and by my side when i stitch in the evenings. I use the Library app Overdrive and borrow books from my local library...free! I really live the life of a Lady😏 thanks again for your generocity in sharing your gifts.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you've found a creative outlet in applique, it really is so rewarding. About 10 years ago I tried to 'rent' audio books from the library but I found the system for downloading the files very frustrating. Today, I'd probably breeze through it, but it really put me off at the time. I like the idea of getting titles for free but convenience wins out in my case because my files get sent directly to my phone which I can take anywhere.
Deleteglad everyone is mentioning audio books from their library !! just wanted you to know that the libraries now have apps for phones and tablets so you can listen to audio books from the library anywhere :) its waaaaaay better now that it was a few years ago !
DeleteI too love my audio books, and am fortunate enough to be able to listen to them free of charge through my local library in New Zealand.
ReplyDeleteYour lovely flowers are a beautiful site. My friend gets audio books from her local library. She loves to listen to them.
ReplyDeleteI love listening to books also. I have for years and have quite the library now. Enjoy
ReplyDeleteVous avez bien raison Esther profitez a votre goût et humeur,ce que j 'aime pendant mes heures de patchwork,et bien j'adore écouter Cathy Miller Singing Quilter qui depuis des années me charme et me tient compagnie ,des heures merveilleuses a écouter les chants sur le quilt.
ReplyDeleteJe souhaite un bel été avec patchwork et lecture audio
Amicalement de France
As many of you apparently do, I get my audio books from our local library. But I'm lucky enough to be able to download them online from our library directly onto my iPod, and I listen while I'm quilting, while I'm gardening, when I'm trying to get to sleep, or whatever. I usually listen to about 3 books each week.
ReplyDeleteYou're making me rethink my opposition to audio books. I have trouble listening to long speeches, sermons, conversations, so I've always thought I'd be bored listening to them. I already get my Kindle books from the New York City library; they've got audios as well. I'll give one a try.
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way, but I haven't met an audio book I didn't like. Honestly, it's nothing like listening to a boring reader. The narrators are skilled and it does engage you very quickly.
DeleteGreat two habits! These lilies are beautiful, and reading or listening audio books is great too ;)
ReplyDeleteI like your idea to reward yourself every time you finish a quilt. I've checked out audio books from the library when we're going on long trips. I think it makes you listen more closely, which is something I need. Don't be so sure it's only the young folks that binge watch on Netflix. I do too and I'm 62. You just have to know what happened!! I like to watch while I'm in my craft/sewing room and if you miss something, you just go back a bit. Thank goodness you retired and are sharing your designs with the world.
ReplyDeleteHi Esther!
ReplyDeleteI also love audio books ... I get a lot of "reading" done while I quilt! However, I get my books from the library, so I don't have to pay for them!!!
I really like your idea of buying yourself flowers! Might just have to do the same! :-)
I've also recently discovered Audible audio-books to use while stitching, workimg from home,gardening, housework, driving etc. It's surprisingly enjoyable and easy to use. Yes, it costs more than free library audio books. But they disappear from your phone after 3 weeks. I prefer to keep my favourites forever, on numerous devices.I even researched and found two of the older iPod Nano 7th gen, 16GB (available from 2007, but sadly discontinued in July 2017) - talk about arriving late to the party! The advantages are small size (3 × 1.5 inch) fits into pockets, longer battery life + more storage + less interruptions than using my phone. It's so relaxing listening to classics like "Persuasion" by Jane Austen, read with style by terrific actresses like Greta Scacchi. Best idea for those living alone, or working from home, or who are convalescing & want the company of another human voice. Thanks, Esther, for reminding me of this great resource.
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