Good morning! How is everyone this morning? The air is rather chilly here, so I’ve warmed my coffee for the second time as I peruse my email and contemplate my tasks for the day.

The word of the day is brought to us by Dee over at Thriving Not Surviving and today that word is enjoyment! I was particularly moved to speak on this one because of my new Diamond Art project I’m working on, as I am getting a lot of enjoyment out of it!! In fact, it may have become a new hobby, one I can’t wait to work on every morning!

Every morning since I got my canvas, I have worked for about one hour adding the next color. While I do this, I either listen to an audiobook, or watch/listen to an episode of one of my shows on Hulu. Right now, it’s “The Act” on Hulu, a weird story about a very sick girl who’s mom devotes her entire life to taking care of. However, things are not as they seem, and as the story unfolds, one realizes the mom may have Munchausen syndrome, and the girl just wants to be normal, which leads to a devastating end for someone. You’ll just have to watch it to find out! The mom is played by Patricia Arquette like you’ve never seen her!

Here is how Diamond Art works, you get a canvas, I started with a small picture so I could see how well I liked it and if it was going to be something I could get into (it is!), and all your supplies. It comes with the gems, an applicator, wax, and a tray for the gems. The gems are multi-faceted which gives them their sparkle, and the canvas is marked with symbols so you know which color goes where. I can’t show you a picture of my project yet, because it’s going to be a birthday present for someone in my family, but I will include an example of another.

First, you press the applicator into the wax enabling you to pick up each gem, then you place the gem on the corresponding symbol for that color. It’s like a paint-by-number, but with sparkle! I can’t wait to see how it looks finished and framed! One important note, the canvas is also sticky, so it comes with a cellophane cover which must be kept on the whole time. You simply peel it back a section at a time, and replace it when you are done, so no dust, dirt, or hair gets into your project. I do mine at the kitchen table, and I drink my coffee and listen to the story so it’s a great way to start my day.

There are so many colors, patterns, and prints to choose from with price points ranging in the teens to the fifties and above, depending on the size canvas you order. I will include a link (not getting a kickback here, just sharing info) so you can go to the site and check them out yourself. Rhinestone Diamond Painting.

Here’s one I think is pretty

Also, when you buy one, you get points so that your next one will come with a discounted price!

I limit myself to an hour or so, and I get up super early so I can make time for this before I do any writing, chores, or go to work at my part-time job. Another hobby that gives me enjoyment is coloring, so sometimes at night when I’m watching TV, I will work on my latest page out of my adult coloring book. Now that I’m a member of The Escapist Coloring Club, I will be sharing my next “masterpiece” when it’s done.

Here’s my latest project before I started it

Everyone needs a hobby to take their minds off of worries, right?! Keeps your stress down and may even keep you sane! Projects made can be for yourself, or given as gifts. What things do you do just for pure enjoyment? I’d love to hear from you!