Crafting chat

[JackBauer]

Hi,

I know that a lot of you are busy crafting for christmas as should I be but I need to offload and thought it would be nice to have a thread we can offload about crafty stuff/other stuff/whatever amongst like minded fidgety fingers!

I spent today at teh soft play with DD's. DD1 has a friend in her class she has been begging to have over for lunch, but I don't really know her or her mum (they are 3) so we decided to take them both to soft play for lunch. It was fun, and she is lovely, but it meant I felt really awkward getting my crochet out in front of a relative stranger.
My mates are used to me doing crochet while talking to them but I thought she might think I was being rude, so I got nothing done. It was so weird sitting there doing nothing!

I have also been offered a job interview tomorrow for a low paying job I neither want, nor can afford to take with nursery fees etc so I have said I will go but now I don't want to.

On the plus side I have finally found a coat for ridiculously tall DD1 here considering she has just grown out of her 4-5 yr one I have to get a 6 yr olds size for her

And breathe.

Hey Jack, am coming to join you DD is in bed, thank God. I gave her a cuddle after I shouted but she'd forgotten tbh. She is 2 and in a nice habit of ignoring me when I speak which I overreact to, trying to stop getting into the standoff. Trying to work out what to sew now, I want to do something but not sure what.

I've managed to get downstairs tidy and sorted some of the bedroom today. I'm conscious that I'm going to be inviting midwives into my house in Feb so am trying to gradually declutter.

Have uploaded pics of the things I've finished this week (all from one of my Dad's old shirts). Am not normally so productive but I'm trying to cut down my stash.

I get what you mean about crocheting in front of people. I keep thinking about taking my sewing to group but worry people will think I'm being antisocial.

Can you ring up about the interview in the morning, or are you going to go anyway? Good for you for getting it, anyway! Glad you got the coat too.

HIya Char.
I'm really unsure about the interview. I know that I am not going to take it, have spoken to DH and I don't really want to go back to work, and he likes me being at home with DD's so we both decided me being home an dus being poor was better than me being out and us being very slightly better off. If childcare wasn't so horrifc it would be an easy choice (£70 a day!!!)
It would be nice practise, but I have nothing smart to wear, and I won't take it anyway. They called me after seeing my cv, I didn't apply as it is telesales which BORES me to tears!

Love the stuff, those birds are cute!

I was in the charity shop and i found an old sew easy pattern from the 70's for a sleeveless tunic/dress made of 2 panels and some facing, so I am going to try and use a pattern for once. It is so cool as it could be a short dress for summer or a tunic in heavy fabric or anything. And it was 25p! uncut!

Dh is off work tomorrow so not much sewing will be done. I do need to make some wristlets though, had some goodies arrive today, a load of magnet clasps and some buckles for my patented stupid buggy bag!

Childcare's what has stopped me from going back to work tbh, cost is ridiculous! I do like being at home with DD but a bit of distraction would be nice sometimes!

Thanks, I saw the birds online and couldn't resist. They were supposed to be kissing but they shifted while I was sewing. Was going to bondaweb them but the sewing shop was out of stock. The cat purse took ages as I decided to completely handstitch it (fark knows why!) but I do like him.

That pattern sounds great, you'll have to post a pic! I've been keeping my eye out for patterns at charity shops near me but no luck so far. What a bargain though.

Think I'm going to have to get a move on with the girls' presents now or I'll never be finished in time. Am hoping that they'll like what I have planned. I am supposed to be at group tomorrow though, will see whether I'm in the mood in the morning.

I love getting goodies in the post, I got some lovely fat quarters online in clearance, can't wait to sew something with them.

Where did you get them? I am trying not to trawl for fabric at the moment but have the idea of making gift bags instead of wrapping paper. but I want christmas fabric to do it with, and that means I have to buy it.
Which kind of defeats the object of the excercise of frugality!
I just thought then I could put sweets I make in plastic freezer bags and put them ina fabric bag and they would be a lot cuter.

I do have a metre of some gorgeous fabric sitting next to me while I try and decide what to do with it. It is like a picture of a street across the fabric with shops and cafes, and then another 'strip' with a park and tables, and it repeats once.
A bag? A dress for dd's? dont know. I've had it a year

Hello - just popping on to say hello - I had intentions of crafting tonight. I am making christmas stocking advent calendar, but got caught up in MN instead.

Jackbaur - have you tried making fused plastic bags? linky link

Fabric was from here, not a cheap site but I couldn't resist. I'm planning to print Christmas trees on brown paper and make that into gift bags, have seen a few tutorials knocking about.Do love the thought of fabric bags though.

That fabric sounds amazing, am jealous. I've got fabric that I just can't think of the right thing to make into. A dress sounds good as you would see the detail on the skirt. My newest purchase is navy blue with blue spots, it's quite cool and a maybe for DD's Christmas dress.

You Don't Need Christmas Fabric - you need plain canvas and a potato without any DCs around. You know it makes sense

I have a ton of stuff to do... And some bugger volunteered me for the christmas swap...

Wow, those bags are really cool steaknife!

There is so much good stuff on that instructibles site, I have to stay away as I have more than enough unifnished projects and even more just sitting in my head waiting to come to life.

As a friend said today - a great starter but poor finisher.

No. Don;t link me to fabric rehab!!

I have made plarn (plastic bag yarn) but it is labour intensive,. and not good when DD@s are running aournd playing 'run away with mummy's cut up bags'

Those fused bags are awesome I could make christmassy ones out of the (many) plastic bags lurking in my cupboards.
How to seal though? I don't want to use zips, I was going to use ribbon on fabric to tie it up, but these won't fold up like fabric. Buttons maybe? Or a flap with ribbons going round the bag?

Hmmm...

I do likey a lot though, thanks steaknife!

I don't have plain canvas either.....hence the christmas fabric.

Evening,

anyone else got a brain and book full of ideas but not the time to do it all?

I too am christmas swapping...thought bit would help me get my butt into gear.

My Christmas make list is ridiculous. Only thing for it, must give up work. Will tell DH I want to retire. My MIL did before she was 40...

Jack, sorry you are having a job dilemma. What about crocheting through the interview?

Knottylocks.

Really can't be arsed to go now though. I know I won't want the job, seems a bit pointless to dress up and drive all that way....

I have so muhc stuff I want to make, and keep bumping things for family down the list as I have to make a new bag for myself

Wise move, Jack.

So much better things to do!

My list gets bumped by the next new project. I have CADD (craft attention deficit disorder)

For the fused bags I thought you could make envelope bags with a ribbon and button closing. See all thought out but not actually made it past that stage.

JAck - you need the bag for yourself so you can carry your crochet around. Natch.

So my ufo list.....

Christmas stockings advent calender - 4 down 20 to go.
Pinafore for DD - just got to hem, trim and do buttons and buttonholes
Crotchet bolero for DD - ten medalions down, 20 odd to go.
Something pretty for my MN secret santa - can't say more.
cup candles and more cup candles for the laides of the family.
Home made ketchup and pickles for the gentlemen - may need a back up plan for this one.
Cards and wrapping though fully expect to have to buy these in the end. But just thought I could do a cross stitch tree and scan it to make the cards.
Fleece jumper for DD - just need to set in sleeves, add button and trim. Must do this before she grows out of it.
Cape for DD
Trousers for DD
Trim cushions for sitting room.
Finish re-upholstering chair for DDs room
Make loose cover for chair for my room
Make curtain covers for new wardrobe.
Work out a way to decoupage DDs wardrobe and chest of drawers.
Prepare all the stuff for my crat club next week. [eek]

Oh blimey that list is endless and I haven't even got to the huge pile of patterns I have that I want to make up for me. [sigh]

Hah.
My list is permanently in flux.

Currently wants needs are

Christmas present wristlet bags x 4
Hats x 3
A changing bag plus accesories for a friend
Fleecey ponchos for DD1 and 2
A new bag for me
A crochet hooded cardie from Inside Crochet magazine (but I need the right yanr for that first)
Hats, scarves and gloves for DD's
A skirt for me
new tunic dresses for DD's from thsi pattern I got yesterday for christmas

I have just decided not to bother finishing the matching dresses and shorts I made for DD's as they are summer dresses and it's...um...not summer anymore. Although DD1's will fit DD2 next year.

Am not going to this interview as I checked on entitledto and with the wage I will get I we would have to find an extra £100 a week to pay for childcare
It is a sales job with uncapped commission but the stress of working full time and having to earn commission or we don't eat does not sound like my idea of a good work/life balance. Have tried calling to cancle on 3 different numbers and no-one is answering the phone, oh well.

They are telesales and can't answer a phone? Tis fate!

Have sweaty DS2 lying on me...tricksy to work a sewing machine, so a spot of MNing in order.

Oh, and yes on crochet bag needed, I currently carry a small bag inside my handbag. But can't find the perfect pattern/tute online for a good project/changing/handbag. If anyone ahs one do share!

I don;t have a huge stash of buttons but ribbons through a slit in a flap and tied round the bag would work wouldn't it? Do like the idea a lot, am going to try it out at the weekend when DH is back at work and can't wander around shaking his hea and saying 'If you want bags that badly I'll give you some money ffs'

What about some little drawstring bags? Dead easy.

Well quite.
Got to go and get DD1 from nursery now, so another morning with no crafting done, although i did 20 mins cardio thanks to telly!

I've managed to get all the bits for my current projects onto the table.

DD very unimpressed that I won't let her play with scissors/pins/small things to choke on.
So we cycled to the beach and picked up shells to make a festive door wreath.

Well I picked up shells, DD picked up stones.

Did you see what I did there?
Effortlessly added a new project to my list without making any inroads into the current list.

I am doomed to drown under a mountain of fabric and trimmings, unable to make my way out because I have glued my fingers together.

I used to be a good starter, but as a completer / finisher I'm so put off by not finishing I don't start!
Maybe I need to team up with you, Steaknife.

After one horrendous Christmas where DH suggested a funny design for xmas cards and I hand drew and coloured 70 of the blardy things, I now buy them from a charity like Amnesty International, so they get the cash instead of Hobbycraft!

Am also rubbish at finishing stuff. Very good at writing lists, though.

DS2 now asleep, so should be cutting, pinning...so what am I doing on here? Argh.

Perfect time to get on, but have realised I'm missing some key bits. Need to shop.

I finished something

I trimmed off the cushion covers I made - had to hide a seam where I had cut the pieces to short

I have finished the twelve christmas stockings that I had cut out and got some lovely remnants for the next twelve.

Bought buttons for DD's pinafore and so will do that tonight.

And found a lovely long length of moss green jersey in the remnant box so will be adding a jumper dress for me and cosy trousers and jumper for DD to the list.

So ticked one thing off and added three more.

Perhaps there is some complicated mathmetical equation showing the inverse relation between projects finished and projects to start.