To be crafty.

[whatsallthehullaballoo]

I like to craft.

There - I said it

I like to knit, make cards, decoupage, paint, bake cakes, sew, cross stitch etc

However, when some of frinds saw how much I did it drew sniggers and the odd joke about me being old and sitting in front of the tv knitting. So about a year ago I threw all my crafting things away and sold what I could.

Now I really feel like starting up again and want to knit a blanket/ make a quilt but I have found myself wanting to hide the stuff visitors come round.

So AIU and 'old' before my time....(I am 29).

I am going to do it!!! I am on the look out for a second hand sewing machine! After payday I will invest in one and have a go - would love to quilt!

Sod em!! I wish I was crafty. I love cooking and baking. I'm 24, married with a 2 yo dd and another on the way. I also have a full time job. The only comments I get are 'how the bloody hell do you find the time' but when you enjoy something you find time. I would love to be able to knit. Unfortunately the only family member that could do it passed away just before dd was born. I wish I'd taken the time to learn it from her when she was well.

Thanks for the link Abgirl - looks so relaxing, making all that things.

Lilbb - Thanks Lilbb - maybe you can find a local class or someone to show you the basic stitches.

Come and join us...on THE CRAFT SIDE!

I have a real job that pays for electricity and kiwi fruit and duvet covers and boring stuff like that....and then a brilliant job that makes things and teaches other people how to make things and sends tiaras about the country and make huge felt wallhangings and pays nearly nothing per hour and allows me to buy beads from ebay at 3 am and pays thruppence ha'penny.

Guess which makes me happier?

Norks - put some pics on!

YANBU and are very clever.

This is my favourite thread from the craft section.

I would love to be as crafty as you...I work in a home for elderly residents and I'm the activities leader I would love someone to volunteer their crafty ideas to my 'gang'

- not sure that is the type of crafting I wanted to get back into...but hey I might be good at it!

I admire all you crafty types your patience - I have none and end up dancing with temper if I make an error. .............not known for my patience!

I have however knitted fishing socks for my DH (about 30 years ago!!) and I even turned the heel with the help of my dear Mum. She knits to professional standards!!

I crochet ALOT and also crossstitch plus any other craft i can get my hands on.
I am 27 :). I dont care what anyone else thinks I think that other hobbies are odd so each to their own!

Oh!.... and meant to say - never apologise for your interests or hobbies or hide them away! Why should you?? I always think crafty folk exude a sort of calm, inner peace. Something to do with the satisfaction of producing a hand-made individual item maybe?

Thanks

Feeling a bit smug now that I can make things. Sort of - I am very out of practice now!

Aww how sad that you felt embarrassed, they were teasing you and that's horrible :( you need better friends! Real friends don't make fun of your interests.

And it's not old, it's actually quite fashionable now (not that it should matter really) - when I had my DD my best friend knitted a gorgeous blanket and hat, she was only 18 at the time! She's getting married next year and her older sister is knitting the shawls for her and us bridesmaids.

I'm quite good at drawing but I'm not particularly good at crafty stuff... I wish I was. I suspect I could be if I had the time/patience/money to get started. My mum is fantastic at such things - she used to make costume dolls that sold for about £500 each. She also bought my wedding dress (a turquoise ballgown, I've never been one to play by the rules...) and embroidered a gorgeous beaded flower design on the front, it was perfect.

How anyone can say it's lame is beyond me, how rude and immature and, I don't know... Conformist? Like they think if you don't conform to the same pastimes as everyone else you are somehow a lesser person

Twats.

Enjoy your crafting! :)

Admittedly I'm older than you and can't do crafty stuff for toffee but I do collect antiques, I'm a family history fanatic and a jigsaw/cryptic crossword fan. And if my "friends" take the mick they can sod right off!

So can yours!

Thank you fuzzpig - now drawing is something that I am NOT good at!
I suppose I was silly to fell embarrassed by it but it none the less they did 'titter' about it on many an occasion. However, sod them now. I shall knit my blanket with pride. And then start selling them hah!

Too shy Norks

Ask GreenTeapot

dogsbestfriend - wouldn't know where to start with the antiquing but I certainly would love to take an interest when my kids are older and I have time. Looks like fun.

I went to a 'friends' house for the first time to babysit the other night and her home was beautiful. Very country manor style, lovely heavy knit cushions, very good quality curtains in tartan fabric, beautiful wall hangings, plaques, shabby-chic type throws etc.

I want a house like that

Go on go on go on go on
In you divehullabaloo, what have you got to lose?
We can support you, help you, guide you and link to all sorts of threads.

When I am telling schools why they should pay me money, I spout about the crafts encouraging problem solving. But it's true! Every craft you do is a series of tiny problems to be solved, and the joy you get is from the finished result that has addressed all those problems and found a way around them.
And you end up with something you are proud of.

How could that be bad?

Remember Mr Bingley's words of praise for accomplished ladies:

"They all paint tables, cover screens, and net purses. I scarcely know any one who cannot do all this, and I am sure I never heard a young lady spoken of for the first time, without being informed that she was very accomplished."

It would have been expected of us all, 200 years ago, to be engaged in crafts of all sorts. However, I'm not sure I'd have enjoyed being judged, on my suitablity as a future wife, by the standard of my sewing and knitting.

I unwittingly invented the boot-cut jumper for men. With 3/4 length sleeves. Not a good look.

YANBU!!

I've just bought a bureau which I'm going to use for craft/sewing stuff, DH is being a star and fixing up and old chair that we found. (I'm upholstering it)

My first projects will be a dog walking bag, and a waterproof coat (yes, the two are related)

I have previously made a 1940's dress from a vintage pattern, and my wedding dress. I have a tendency to throw myself in at the deep end.

DH has also just told me that we have enough in savings that I can treat myself to a dressmaking & tailoring course.

talc pffffft at 'boot cut jumper'
My niece unwittingly knitted her headmistress a farewell g-string. It was supposed to be a scarf

Ooh Norks - a woolly g-string! Now there's a thought. Especially in a nice, scratchy shetland yarn.

@ Talc - I love your posts!!

Empusa - my Mum made my wedding dress. I asked her to do it and she only told me how stressed she was by it all a few years later!!
I don't think she has used the sewing machine since (30 years) and she was a regular sewer!!