Share Our Lives: How I Spend My Free Time

This month for Share Our lives we're sharing how we enjoy spending our free time and what creative outlets we use to have a bit of fun. With all older teens and young adults in the house I have lots and lots of free time. 


I have so many creative outlets that I'm not sure I could even remember them all. 
 
My top 5 include:

card making
 


scrapbooking
 


painting:
 
 
I also love to put together puzzles:
 
 

 
I spend a lot of my free time reading (I even listen to audiobooks while making cards, scrapbooking or putting together puzzles). 
 



I hope you'll join us next month when we all share how we celebrate/spend our birthdays!

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Comments

  1. Maria RineerApril 14, 2025 at 6:21 AM

    You have really neat creative outlets!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Amy ScottApril 14, 2025 at 6:51 AM

    You are very creative! I think I would enjoy making jewelry but I wouldn't say I am very crafty at all!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne April 14, 2025 at 3:22 PM

      Oh jewelry making is fun but I do get annoyed when I can't get the wires to move/bend quite like I picture them in my head.

      Delete
  3. nicole orriensApril 14, 2025 at 7:38 AM

    I love that you're both reading paper books and ebooks. I used to dislike ebooks, but I've come around even though I still love paper books too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne April 14, 2025 at 3:23 PM

      Thank you! I'll pretty much "read" a book in any form; audio, ebook, paper back, hard cover, etc.

      Delete
    2. nicole orriensApril 15, 2025 at 2:44 AM

      I do too, except for audio books. I have a hard time listening. Sometimes I feel like I'm all 'listened out' as a mom of five ; )

      Delete
    3. Joanne April 15, 2025 at 5:43 AM

      Oh I get that! I started listening to audiobook in the car with my boys when they were little as a way to keep everyone quiet and entertained (and when I had to tune out the book to navigate I could just pause it real quick and ask the boys to catch me up on what had happened). I got used to having a story in the background and now listen to things I want when driving around by myself.

      Delete
  4. JoyceApril 14, 2025 at 8:08 AM

    You're so creative! I need to organize a better space here for scrapbooking, and that's something I need to figure out. Have a nice week!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Julie's Creative LifestyleApril 14, 2025 at 8:23 AM

    Joanne, you make such pretty cards and I love reading books too in my spare time.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Carol @Comfort Spring StationApril 14, 2025 at 9:02 AM

    I like all of your free-time activities. With arthritis in my hands, I no longer do art. Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousApril 14, 2025 at 9:55 AM

    It takes a lot of patience to do those puzzles. I've been spending time watching the stock market, oil and metals markets rollercoaster side show recently. What a shitshow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne April 14, 2025 at 3:24 PM

      I don't like the super hard ones but a good puzzle that interlocks well can be a whole lot of fun.

      Delete
  8. Kim CarberryApril 14, 2025 at 11:09 AM

    Your cards are always so beautiful and I love seeing your scrapbook pages.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Handmade in IsraelApril 14, 2025 at 11:36 AM

    I already knew about your cards and scrapbooking. I didn't know you painted as well. How lovely! Having plenty of time to read can only be a good thing. #MMBC

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousApril 14, 2025 at 11:43 AM

    We have a lot of similar free time activities. I love scrapbooking and playing with my cricut as well

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne April 14, 2025 at 3:25 PM

      It's a lot of fun; I used to play around with my Cricut so much more but mostly just use it for scrapbooking now.

      Delete
  11. SusanApril 14, 2025 at 2:26 PM

    The cards you make are always so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  12. HollyApril 14, 2025 at 2:34 PM

    I love your activities/outlets- you are so creative. You have to add hiking to this list too- you "slay" those workouts as the kids would say ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne April 14, 2025 at 3:27 PM

      I was surprised that I never thought of adding hiking to the list but that is definitely a way I like to pass my free time.

      Delete
  13. Laura @ Our Grand LivesApril 14, 2025 at 3:09 PM

    You are very creative and I love the way you make each an ongoing priority, too!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Chris @ Elevated NestingApril 14, 2025 at 3:13 PM

    Hi Joanne! You're so creative!! Having creative hobbies has been found to be an important part of healthy aging. I'm a reader, hiker, and biker, but missing the creative/artistic aspect. You're giving me inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Jodie's Touch of StyleApril 14, 2025 at 3:39 PM

    You are my type of girl! I can't have a jigsaw puzzle in my house because I get addicted and won't get anything done.
    Xoxo
    Jodie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne April 15, 2025 at 5:44 AM

      I can definitely be the same way! I try to stick to smaller puzzles-- around 500 pieces that I can complete in just a day or two and then I won't put out another for at least a few weeks.

      Delete
  16. Tanya April 14, 2025 at 5:24 PM

    I love listening to audio books while I work on needlework or my paint-by-number.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne April 15, 2025 at 5:44 AM

      I find it helps me feel more creative plus I like the noise while my hands are busy and my mind is free.

      Delete
  17. JeanieApril 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM

    I'm loving seeing all the creative things you do. The post I shared has three of my loves -- painting, decorating and cooking!

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousApril 14, 2025 at 9:34 PM

    So many fantastic creative outlets! One of the upsides of having older kids is finally having the time to do more of the things you enjoy. Haha–having said that I often wish mine were still little. Ruth@playworkeatrepeat

    ReplyDelete
  19. MarshaApril 14, 2025 at 10:25 PM

    I love to create things, but my problem is what do I do with them. Making cards is an easy one...you send them to people! I'm just not creative in that way. I could never come up with anything as beautiful as your cards.

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne April 15, 2025 at 5:46 AM

      Aw, thank you! It has taken years and years of making cards to perfect my style. I really wish I had some photos of my first creations when I was in high school...

      Delete
  20. Jen WhiteApril 15, 2025 at 6:52 AM

    Your card making always amazes me! I love doing puzzles and Hadley will join me too sometimes

    ReplyDelete
  21. Kathrine EldridgeApril 15, 2025 at 6:55 AM

    You are so talented with your card marking and painting!

    https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Tamar SBApril 15, 2025 at 7:03 AM

    You do such amazing crafting!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Heather{Our Life In a Click}April 15, 2025 at 8:10 AM

    You have so many creative endeavors!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Dara @ Not In JerseyApril 15, 2025 at 8:13 AM

    You are very creative!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Kari April 15, 2025 at 9:47 AM

    Those are such good creative outlets! I love reading what others do that make them feel joy.

    ReplyDelete

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