Hobbies & Home   

How do leaves turn color? Why are some red & others are orange or yellow? What are the changes in the needs of roots and other plant tops for fertilizer? When is fall pruning a good idea? How does declining light affect plants?
All of these questions will be discussed & answered at this workshop.

Have you been wanting to switch to more natural options at home, but aren't sure where to start? Perhaps you're worried about being overwhelmed, wasting a bunch of money on expensive products, or worry you won't have time to keep up with it? This workshop series is designed to walk you through your home room-by-room, giving you simple ideas for swapping out products you already use with a more natural option. We'll cover the simplest of changes you can try right away, some middle-of-the-road ideas you can try over time, and we'll cover some things to keep in mind as you make bigger purchases in the future (such as new flooring, pans, etc.).

Make and Take: Want to see how easy it can be to whip something up at home? We'll have materials available for one make and take DIY item in each class so you can see just how easy it can be to whip up a few basic personal care or cleaning products at home. We provide the containers, recipes, ingredients, and beautiful labels (designed by a local artist). If you love it, you can continue to make it at home. All you have to do is refill the bottle! Each recipe can be mixed in 30 seconds or less.

Have you been wanting to switch to more natural options at home, but aren't sure where to start? Perhaps you're worried about being overwhelmed, wasting a bunch of money on expensive products, or worry you won't have time to keep up with it? This workshop series is designed to walk you through your home room-by-room, giving you simple ideas for swapping out products you already use with a more natural option. We'll cover the simplest of changes you can try right away, some middle-of-the-road ideas you can try over time, and we'll cover some things to keep in mind as you make bigger purchases in the future (such as new flooring, pans, etc.).

Make and Take: Want to see how easy it can be to whip something up at home? We'll have materials available for one make and take DIY item in each class so you can see just how easy it can be to whip up a few basic personal care or cleaning products at home. We provide the containers, recipes, ingredients, and beautiful labels (designed by a local artist). If you love it, you can continue to make it at home. All you have to do is refill the bottle! Each recipe can be mixed in 30 seconds or less.

Have you been wanting to switch to more natural options at home, but aren't sure where to start? Perhaps you're worried about being overwhelmed, wasting a bunch of money on expensive products, or worry you won't have time to keep up with it? This workshop series is designed to walk you through your home room-by-room, giving you simple ideas for swapping out products you already use with a more natural option. We'll cover the simplest of changes you can try right away, some middle-of-the-road ideas you can try over time, and we'll cover some things to keep in mind as you make bigger purchases in the future (such as new flooring, pans, etc.).

Make and Take: Want to see how easy it can be to whip something up at home? We'll have materials available for one make and take DIY item in each class so you can see just how easy it can be to whip up a few basic personal care or cleaning products at home. We provide the containers, recipes, ingredients, and beautiful labels (designed by a local artist). If you love it, you can continue to make it at home. All you have to do is refill the bottle! Each recipe can be mixed in 30 seconds or less.

Create a rustic garden container for your patio, deck, or garden. Hypertufa is a cast "rock-like" material that can be formed into almost any shape. It is a lighter weight alternative to a concrete container and is strong enough to withstand the freeze/thaw cycle of our winters. Samples will be shown for inspiration. You can also incorporate found treasures such as marbles, broken china, cut glass, or rocks into the surface of the pots during construction. Please bring a plastic dishwashing tub, rubber gloves, and anything you wish to embed in your cast. Wear old clothes and shoes. Depending on the type of construction, some containers will need to dry at ICC's Horticulture Lab and be picked up at a later date. Your cast trough can make an excellent fairy garden container.

Enjoy the beautiful fall foliage while learning to recognize Central Illinois’ native trees. This workshop will begin at the ICC Horticulture Land Laboratory Classroom where we will learn tree botany, how to identify them using a key, and other interesting characteristics. We will discuss native and non native species as well as those that make excellent landscape specimens. After classroom discussion, participants will take a short walk through ICC’s arboretum to test skills in identification. Wear comfortable shoes, and consider bringing a bottle of water. The outdoor walk is optional and weather permitting.

Propagation of Houseplants and other easy to grow plants. In this course, you will learn about the hormones that make this happen, the process necessary and take home some cuttings from the greenhouse!

Chef Amy takes you on a journey to discover delicious dumplings and the different forms they take around the globe. You will make three types of dumplings. Basic knife skills will be used as well as different cooking techniques. This class will be held in ICC’s Culinary Arts Institute.

So often beautiful characteristics of plants are hidden by foliage or overlooked in the focus on flowers. With this class, you will learn to appreciate the beauty of botany the whole year around.

We might take a walk outside, so wear proper outdoor shoes and coats.

In a fast paced work dominated world, research is demonstrating that those who are able to balance their stress levels and engage with pleasurable activities have better coping skills! These bundles focus on gaining new skills which may help individuals turn a hobby into a business! If you have a passion for food and wine, people and creative hobbies, would like to learn all things cats and dogs, through to performing arts and appreciation for music, flowers and creative arts , you are sure to find a fit for your interests.

The Home and Hobby Bundle 1 Course Bundle includes the following courses: Crystal Healing - Wine Appreciation - Cooking and Baking - Floral Design - Candle Making

This is an online, any time bundle. Click here to register.

In a fast paced work dominated world, research is demonstrating that those who are able to balance their stress levels and engage with pleasurable activities have better coping skills! These bundles focus on gaining new skills which may help individuals turn a hobby into a business! If you have a passion for food and wine, people and creative hobbies, would like to learn all things cats and dogs, through to performing arts and appreciation for music, flowers and creative arts , you are sure to find a fit for your interests.

The Home and Hobby Bundle 2 Course Bundle includes the following courses: Painting - Acting and Theatre - Cat Care - Dog Care, Nutrition and Grooming - Practical Guitar

This is an online, any time bundle. Click here to register.

Leaf sculptures can add beauty to any garden or indoor environment. Many completed samples will be shown for inspiration. There will be opportunity to cast several leaves. You may bring your own leaves, but all materials will be provided. Wear old clothes and bring rubber gloves. Depending on the type of construction, some leaves may need to dry at ICC's Horticulture Lab and be picked up at a later date. Your leaf castings can be used as ornaments, birdbaths, feeders, etc.

Knitting is a versatile skill and a rewarding activity, and there is very little that is more satisfying than creating something with your own hands. But getting started without instruction can be discouraging. This course covers the basics of knitting, teaching you how to choose your materials, read knitting patterns, and create several different simple projects. Through a series of videos, an expert knitter will walk you through the basic stitches that are the building blocks for even the most complicated patterns, and you will soon be on your way to knitting with confidence.

This is an online, any time course. Click here to register.