Monday, July 13, 2015

How I Listen to Audiobooks


I know a lot of people want to get into audiobooks but just don't know where to start or how to do it. It takes a lot of time we don't have and most cannot understand how you can listen to a audiobook and not fall asleep. Well, Felicia from the Geeky Blogger made a great "Guide to Loving Audiobooks". It is a perfect read and also something I really can't add to but to bring my personal experience. 
My first foray into audiobooks was on a long trip when I was a teen. I was traveling with a cousin and we decided to try audiobooks in-between the music. Mostly because we don't agree on music but we have book genres in common. It was mostly Harry Potter but we also tried a dog book. We were both surprised that it helped make the time go faster. Now when I have more than an hour of travel, I usually do an audiobook. Easy way to eat up time and get your book in without being arrested for reading and driving.

My other way of doing audiobooks is crafting. I've been doing a lot of sewing lately. It is one way to get something creative done and is fun. I can listen to my audio while I craft and I've been really enjoying it. Here are some of the things I've gotten done while audiobooking and crafting:
I have made leashes in the past but found fun ribbon webbing and HAD to make these. I also made some scarves and my boy got a coat (he has such thin short hair) for the winter he actually asks to be put on. The back on the coat sasy "Free Kisses" in case you were wondering. All embroidery is from Urban Threads. The coat was designed by my mom and myself.

I started to get into creating purses (I'm not a clothing sewer unless you count dog coats.. LOL).


I've made some small bags in the past but these ones were more structured. The middle bag is called a Dottie and I made it to be my lunch bag. :) It's like a mini bowling bag. I also made my mom that top left bag for mom's day. The bottom right one is my bag and the one that drew me to these patterns. The other one is a tote with a kindle purse and the others are actually wallets that can double as wristlets. These are fun, look great and aren't hard at all. I would say some sewing ability is needed but not much. You also learn a lot with these bags and the instructions are clear. Goto Swoon Patterns if you are interested. There are even a couple of free patterns there if you just want to try it out.


My other favorite pattern place is Emmaline Patterns. I've made a Necessary Clutch Wallet that has numerous card slots, pockets and space for your phone. You can use it as a clutch or just as a wallet. I've made a couple of the full size ones and the people I gave it to love them. I also made a smaller version (the bubble one) which is mine. I may have to make more of these as well. The last one is called a Butterfly sling which is like a bigger and flatter version of the wallet. I showed this purse to someone and already have them begging me for one. LOL The wallets are a bit harder than the other bags (the sling is pretty easy, however) but an adventurous beginner or intermediate sewer can whip one up easily. There are tutorials on the web and youtube to make it easier.

Well, these are the things I do when I listen to audio. It helps the crafting go faster and the crafting helps the audio keep my attention. I've gotten a few new patterns I'm about to try out which is good because I have new audios I want to try out! :)

So, do you have suggestions on how to audio? 

26 comments:

  1. What cute bags! I used to do a lot of sewing, but then got bored with it one day. That's how I m with most things I do. I only recently started listening to audiobooks on a more regular basis, but I definitely have to be doing something else while I do. But it has to be something that doesn't take much concentration.

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    1. For me doing a pattern usually doesn't take much concentration. I might have to turn it off for a tricky part but mostly they are easy patterns. :)

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  2. Those are cute bags, I agree with Christy! I so need to try to get into audiobooks, especially since this summer my reading has been crap. Thanks for all the tips, hopefully I can try one of them and have success.

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  3. I agree with the girls, you make some really cute stuff. I am completely incapable of creating anything with my hands, so I kind of envy you for your talent. As for audio, I listen while cleaning, vacuuming, ironing and driving. And sometimes, if I'm too lazy to read, I listen before falling asleep. So more or less always. I can't live without audiobooks

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    1. Aw thx Maja! I sincerely doubt it. I've seen some of what your kid does and that doesn't come from nothing! I think I need some wireless earphones for the cleaning part. hm...

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  4. I'm so jealous of crafty people Melissa! I want to be crafty. Just like I want to love cooking, but alas it's just not something I'm equipped for clearly. I LOVE the dog coat and the fact that your baby asks to wear warm things in the winter. It reminds me of Griffin - he's got such short hair too and he's always cold. We have to wrap him in blankets at night even during the summer because the AC is sometimes too much:)

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    1. Jelly? Seriously? From the woman who creates such great covers? Aw... give Griffin a big treat from me. At least he sounds cute. Mine grunts at me until I put the blanket on him. LOL

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  5. I can't do anything else while I'm listening - even drive - or else I get distracted. The last time I tried was with CD's so I might give it another go because you can go back to catch what you missed easier now than in the *old days* lol

    Karen @For What It's Worth

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    1. It didn't bother me driving. I thought it would. Taking it on trips is my favorite way. :)

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  6. Wow awesome! You are very good :)

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  7. You made all of those?? Wow!
    I can never get into audio books. I get distracted easily!

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  8. I am so impressed. Those are just lovely. I would love to be able to do that. I used to do all kinds of crafts before the kids.... and now days....sigh........I am running behind on my reading and audiobooks with summer. I am desperately wanting to catch up.

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  9. What nice work you've done, and great effort indeed. I find audio books quite interesting, and your tips should come in handy to others, so nice of you to share. Have a lovely week!

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  10. I love the dog things! I really need to try some audiobooks. I used to listen to them all the time in my early teens, but haven't picked one up in years.

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  11. Awesome! I audio on walks and while driving. Sometimes when I'm really into a book, I'll listen in bed instead of reading. LOL.

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  12. wow that's great you do a lot of wonderful things. I only tried one audio but it's too long for me and I was doing sports lol but well I prefer to read.

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  13. audio hasn't really been my thing, my thoughts seems to wander no matter how interesting the book is

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  14. The closest I've come to listening to an audiobook is a Neil Gaiman/Amanda Palmer concert CD I listened to when we drove to our new home several states away. Definitely made the trip go by faster! I'm always afraid I'll stop whatever I'm doing to listen to the story, but guess I should try one to see what happens.

    Love your purses! And the doggie coat is just too cute!

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  15. Loved your crafts, Melissa! I listen to audios while cleaning, organizing, and other mindless jobs. It does make the time go faster.

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  16. I love your crafting, Melissa! Very cute. I've been lightly doing audio books. They were handy when the internet was out and I had so much free time on my hands. Pulled out a puzzle and popped open an audio on the phone :D

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  17. I was thinking of doing posts like this. I just have to find time to sit down and do them. *sigh* time seems to be running away from me these days.

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  18. I audio as I clean house, when I garden and even when I am food shopping (that way I can avoid stupid people) I also listen at night I just set a sleep timer.

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  19. You are really creative! I love your lunch bag and I am a huge fan of wristlets.

    I am not a huge fan of audio books because I always end up distracted and miss out on important bits and pieces but I do enjoy listening when I am ironing.

    A great post!

    Sharon – Obsession with Books

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