2009 Homesteading Skill-A-Month Challenge

**madhen** · 12-25-2008, 11:46 AM

For all of us who said, in 2008, ooh, I want to learn how to do that, but never got around to it, here is the challenge for us!! For 2009, I am going to try to learn a new homesteading skill each month. In December, thanks to NVMommy, I learned how to make bath salts! I also learned how to make cocoa mix, after a little snooping on the internet. Both were easier than I could have imagined, as was learning to make soap back in October, and learning how to accent my home with crackle-paint a few months before that. So now I'm ready to learn more!

It can be a litte thing, such as learning to knit or crochet, or a big thing, such as learning to make a straw bale house!

Any new skill counts. Not sure yet what I'm going to try for in January, but I have a week to come up with something!!

**homesteadmamma** · 12-25-2008, 11:50 AM

Great challenge. I need to think on this one and what I want to learn in January. I'll be joining month by month.

**Cricketlegs** · 12-25-2008, 11:51 AM

Ceramic tiling--I am in the process of putting down floors and will be after the new year so I am counting it under 2009.

So my January 2009 will be flooring DIY! Got my tiles for both bathrooms and hall for only $102 at Surplus hardware store. Spent $45 on tools and adhesive. Dh spent another $20 on a tile cutter which may go back since we plan to rent a wet saw.

Borrowed the trowels from my sister.

Not bad for 3 rooms.

We will need to buy grout.

**ri*smom** · 12-25-2008, 04:54 PM

I'm in. Lemme think what I'd like to pick for January. Maybe I can get dh involved too as an at-home player. This challenge is right up his alley.

**MommyBliss** · 12-25-2008, 05:05 PM

Oh, this sounds fun and super educational. This one may sound silly, but learning to make pancakes from scratch. With 6 of us the box mixes just don't last long enough.

**madhen** · 12-25-2008, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by MommyBliss

Oh, this sounds fun and super educational. This one may sound silly, but learning to make pancakes from scratch. With 6 of us the box mixes just don't last long enough.

Hey, making ANYTHING from scratch can be a challenge and definitely can be considered a skill!

**MommyBliss** · 12-25-2008, 05:28 PM

Thank you, Mad Hen. I'm very new to this kind of thinking, but I've been feeling the itch for our family to become more self sufficient in the last 2 years.

**khjmom** · 12-25-2008, 06:37 PM

This sounds really interesting. There are so many things that I want to learn to do for myself. I would love to join this challenge. Now to think of what I want to do in January.

**LastDragonfly** · 12-25-2008, 06:51 PM

I've actually helped "straw bale" a house before! madhen. It's hard physically, but fun.

I'm definately going to join this challenge. My dd got a sewing machine for Christmas. I am unsure how "thrilled" she is, but I'm thrilled. I'm going to actually learn to sew SOMETHING. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time. I am special ed when it comes to sewing--lol-so I want to learn to make something that I will actually use.

**madhen** · 12-25-2008, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by Penascodragonfly

I've actually helped "straw bale" a house before! madhen. It's hard physically, but fun.

I'd love to learn how, but I suspect it would be more than a one month learning curve!!

I am thinking about volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. I've helped individuals on small reconstruction projects, and learned so much just from those, I can't help but think I'd learn a ton about home construction by participating in the actual BUILDING process!!

**Thrifty Mom** · 12-25-2008, 07:23 PM

I want to try.My biggest problem is motivation. There are things I can do, but I need a kick in the butt to get moving...

**ri*smom** · 12-25-2008, 08:40 PM

Okay, I've thought of my first few!

January: bread baking
February: (still debating--I would love to find a class on cheese-making)
March: successful seed starting (anything that actually ever makes it out in the garden rarely produces)

**Yart** · 12-25-2008, 09:10 PM

I will be learning how to use a pressure canner for January.

**dwallyfam** · 12-25-2008, 09:26 PM

In on this one. There are so many things I want to learn to do. Will have to decide.

Kellie

**madhen** · 12-25-2008, 09:29 PM

I have a few things in mind. Like Misti, I am dangerous around a sewing machine, but I'd love to learn how to use one. I want to learn how to make candles. I would love to learn how to make my own special occasion cards for b-days and holidays. I would also like to learn how to make wine and beer, although I don't drink either!

Quilting would be fun, but I'd have to master sewing first! Just a few that have been rolling around inside my head. I haven't decided yet which one I'll do in January - probably card-making or sewing.