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Ever taught yourself something new?

(42 Posts)
Nonnie1 Fri 24-Jun-16 12:44:05

I have learned how to do the 'Running Man' hip hop dance, and feel very proud.

I used a utube manual. I also taught myself how to cut hair, use straightening irons to make curls, and how to split an agapanthus into several small plants.

My next task will be to light a fire using two sticks smile

DanniRae Mon 27-Jun-16 17:58:59

Maywalk sorry to hear that you are in hospital - I hope you are on the mend soon.
Sending you lots of best wishes and a bunch of flowers X

rubylady Mon 27-Jun-16 01:04:57

Maywalk Get well soon love. flowers

rubylady Mon 27-Jun-16 01:04:17

Well done Jinny, that is a lovely flower arrangement. smile

Rollerblading and snowboarding Granjura?, so when is the parachute jump? smile

granjura Sun 26-Jun-16 21:51:58

When I was in hospital for 7 months, aged 19, in pre internet, pre mobile phones and pre tvs in hospitals (or at home for that matter)- in traction for 4 months + - I had to do something. so taught myself to crochet and to embroider and do macramé, using a clipboard as a frame.

As a young mum, I taught myself to sew and to decorate, paper, etc.

When I was 40 I learnt to roller blade, and aged 50 how to snowboard.

Maywalk Sun 26-Jun-16 21:26:10

Many thanks Jalima.This laptop has been a Godsend to me while in the hospital. Managed to answer all the lovely folk from worldwide for their get well wishes.

ginny Sun 26-Jun-16 16:31:10

I have more or less taught myself flower arranging. Attached photo' is my first time arrangement for a flower festival. Based on the poem 'warning'. When I am old I shall wear purple.

Jalima Sat 25-Jun-16 18:57:47

Maywalk I suppose I found my way around the internet too (not as well as most people I must admit)

Get well soon flowers

Jalima Sat 25-Jun-16 18:56:40

I suppose I taught myself to cook as I never had a lesson (apart from helping DM very occasionally)
Not that I am great at it, but have managed to feed a family for years
Having a ready meal from Waitrose tonight though

Ana grin

Maywalk Sat 25-Jun-16 18:54:41

Hi Clickgran
I am in hospital at the moment after having a bad fall last Saturday night.My son brought his lap top in for me to keep in touch with folks around the world.
I AM SO glad I learnt how to use one because its been a Godsend while being in here.I only wish more elderly would learn it because it would keep their brains and fingers going apart from keeping them in touch with others to counteract any loneliness.I also do Facetime with my long distant family.
God Bless.

Ana Sat 25-Jun-16 18:15:51

I've sometimes thought about teaching myself to suck eggs, as not one of my grandchildren has thought to do so...wink

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 25-Jun-16 18:10:14

Respect harrysgran! Chickens are terrifying! shock

DanniRae Sat 25-Jun-16 18:06:42

I love to knit and learnt from YouTube how to join in a new ball of wall with a special knot that disappears in the work. Every time I use it I am so pleased with the results.

GrandmaRuth Sat 25-Jun-16 17:48:16

I've recently learnt how to knit socks - turning a heel, and also play the ukulele. Don't know which I'm most proud of.

annemarg Sat 25-Jun-16 15:52:44

I used to do some knitting when the grandchildren were born - little matinee jackets, bootees etc but nothing complicated. Just recently I found a pattern for a parrot on line and decided to give it a go but thinking I would probably make a mess of it. However, it turned out really well and I enjoyed doing it so my daughter bought me a book for knitting animals and I've knitted a crocodile, panda, monkey, giraffe, elephant, penguin and donkey!!! (All presents for the now grown up grandchildren and friends).

Bez1989 Sat 25-Jun-16 15:37:54

I am a self taught user of MacBook Pro laptop, iPad and Smart phone.
I love them all and couldnt live without them now as Im partially housebound.

Juggernaut Sat 25-Jun-16 15:23:15

I taught myself to crochet, mainly by watching youtube.
I found the website for 'Bella Coco' really useful, I think she and I are on the same wavelength as the way she explains things makes perfect sense to me!
The first thing I made, a scarf for DH was okay, but in the eight months since, I've improved no end and am now crocheting clothes for our first grandchild, due in six weeks!
It's all a matter of practice, the more you do, the better you get!
Now, if I could just teach myself to make decent pastry.........

gillyknits Sat 25-Jun-16 15:13:35

I taught myself to paint in water colour about ten years ago with inspiration from a T.V. programme called 'Awash with Colour'. This was before You Tube. Since then I have been learning to crochet Amigurami and now have completely forgotten how to paint. Back to the drawing board/easel methinks!!

narrowboatnan Sat 25-Jun-16 14:29:09

I'm reasonably computer literate, can use desk top publishing, build web pages and have a whole host of other computer skills all on a 'learn as you go' DIY basis. Recently, having got fed up with paying out a small fortune two or three times a year for some one else to do it, I learnt from watching various YouTube videos how to trim my three dogs so I can do it myself in future.

Jaxie Sat 25-Jun-16 14:18:37

I need to teach myself how to dance ( not the ballroom type) for my son's upcoming wedding. When I say " dance" I mean that on-the-spot stuff others seem able to without looking like a psychopathic windmill. Any advice, ladies?

Thingmajig Sat 25-Jun-16 14:07:52

I suppose I taught myself to knit as I was a disaster at school but started again when DD was on the way.

I also taught myself to use a computer and even a little simple computer programming when she was wee, making some programs for her mostly for arithmetic problems.

oznan Sat 25-Jun-16 11:20:09

As a teenager,I taught myself to crochet and also to sew clothes both from library books-no you tube in those days!

Clickgran Sat 25-Jun-16 11:02:20

My word Maywalk! You are an inspiration to us all. I bet to listen to your experiences must be fascinating and well done you for writing a book. I hope you are on the mend. I taught myself how to use a computer too and now an iPad . It has been a complete joy, being able to FaceTime and I use computer for work in school.

Lilyflower Sat 25-Jun-16 10:22:02

I taught myself how to pipe a cushion from YouTube videos. It was successful but probably not worth the time and effort I put into it!

Maywalk Sat 25-Jun-16 10:20:36

Yes the computer when I was 74 and then having a WW2 website put up that has gone worldwide. This in turn led me to write a small book of the first 20 years of my life that took in being bombed out twice during WW2 in the London Blitz. This book has sold many copies with all proceeds going to my local Rainbows Childrens Hospice.I am in hospital at the moment after having a fall but doing this reply on a laptop.I am now 85 years of age and now getting requests to give talks about my experiences as an evacuee. This all started with learning the computer after recuperating from a broken right hip and broken left arm.

Rufus Sat 25-Jun-16 10:14:56

It was crochet for me too,late 60s early 70s. All those wonderful ponchos,waistcoats and dresses for my daughter! Might have to get my hooks out again!