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.

(Oh Lawdy, better get a move on now as Dizzy will put me to shame.)

Howdee Dizzy

Morning all.

Thanks for the flikr link that is the boost I need to organise my flikr account. I think my pro account has lapsed so not sure if I still have all my sets. Ah just checked, it has deleted most of my sets, fortunately not the one of DD, that would be a mission to recreate.

humph.

Those stitch markers are so cute. Could you do something with those knitting markers you get that have a dial on so you don't need a different one for different numbers of stitches. I've not explained that very well - sorry.

Finished my dress yesterday and stayed up late sewing the wrap cardi. Just need to decide how to hem and trim it. It is a bit plain and needs something to va va voom it. I'm not sure about the dress, it has come out quite short, but should be okay with wooly tights and boots.

Better go DD has done her morning poo - nice.

Morning all, am going to upload some pics later.
I managed 28 circles last night. Ugh. It will look pretty when I have finished though.
I might need another project to do in the meantime. DD1 has asked for a hat juts like mine...

Stitch markers with numbers are a genius idea. I have a load of clips for bags I got for a couple of quid from ebay (search lobster clips) maybe then have a felt flower or something with a number bead in teh middle (overthinking)

I do want to make DD's some flower button boards for when we go to our holiday home so they have something small to play wiht. I need to think of a way to have them solid with a carry bag included so that can use them in the car...

Re: Stash, I'm afraid nearly everything I do uses acrylics as they are a pound a ball from my local cheapy shop. I can't afford 'proper' wool. I have some alpaca from my sister but that's it!
I wnat pics of the dress BTW!

Oooh, CADD, I have that too!

There are so many projects I want to do that I'll be here until the end of time trying to get them all done. Still haven't started knitting yet but have everything I need thanks to kind donations from family members who no longer do it.

I had a head start for the Christmas swap until I got an Amazon delivery today and there is something in there that I can adapt for a gift, maybe. Or just go with the original plan.

I've two silk paintings on the go at the school art club (for mummies in the afternoon, if it was evening I couldn't go because of work so yeay!) Both are at the painting stage although they look fine with just the silver gutta outlines! Also as a parent helper at school I sort of volunteered to paint the background for the class Christmas scene. The good part is that I've started sketching again and I haven't really drawn properly since the high school threw out my portfolio by "accident." Yeah, 20 years of a grudge is enough m'thinks!

I love reading what everyone else is doing but the problem is I see it and think how interesting that sounds and wouldn't it be a good project...oh wait a minute...and I have ground to a halt on the large cross-stitch which I think is still in my pictures.

Not to mention I've got candles to make for Christmas! There aren't enough hours in the day!

I know what you mean TIBS, I shouldn't have started this thread as all I have done is add to my list of things to do!
I have uploaded some pics onto the Flickr group but I do need opinions on this
This is what I am making the blanket out of, each circle will be edged along the row in Blue, then red and then yellow, so not a huge amount of the base iwl be seen, but there's a lot more pink than I was expecting. Would it be okay if my friend had a boy?

Pics of cloche here too. It's not perfect but it's ok. And I added pics of the wristlet too, which I am going to keep and will make a better one for my sister

Wow! You are all so talented!

Can i just ask those of you making christmas gifts how confident you are about giving your creations to people? I mean, if you make something, you know where all the flaws/imperfections are, reguardless of how small they are, do you worry that other people will not 'get' how much work and love you put in?

I made a little purse/make up bag for my stepmum (well, ex, but long story) I thought it looked good, and my grandma was impressed (not easily impressed) but when i gave it to my stepmum she seemed very underwhelmed by it. It was quite honestly heartbreaking. I think this is one of the reasons i am a bit nervous of making anything again. (pathetic i know )

My MIL was decidedly underwhelmed with the chutney I gave her one year but I give crafted stuff to my close family (siblings, mum and best friend) everyone else gets sweets or biscuits, they always go down ok.
If you are unsure how they wil react don't spend a lot of time on it, then you won't care, so food always works better than stuff that you have spent hours over.
My family are big crafters though so they do get it.
I think the trick is to give crafted things to people who understand the craft, so I always giev crochet stuff to my sisters who are big knitters, my mum gets crochet or sewn as she sews.
My brother gets what he is given

I have started giving homemade baby presents, hats and blankets and such and always say 'I made this for you' so they understand that I put in effort, everyone so far has loved them.

As an aside, I have 'crafted' my hair tonight

Mine went wrong when i did it, i am not very good at following instructions to the letter though

Tomorrow night i am going to get my sewing machine out and have a play. Have also got Secret Santa gift to make but i can't say anymore on the subject as it is for a Mnetter. Looking forward to having a go though

Evening everybody. I haven't made anything today as I was tired and had a bfing support group. I'm going to try my hand at a pair of baby legwarmers just now, my first knitting project so I hope it goes well. Tomorrow I'm going to get my swap drafted out, I already have most of it in my head.

I want to see the dress too steak, it sounds lovely.

I'm going to start a project book I think to sketch all my ideas in as I've got so many. I'm trying to ban myself from sewing anything but Christmas stuff but I'm failing miserably so far. Silk painting sounds great, TIBS, I'd love to give that a go.

I love the colours in the blanket so far Jack. I would think it would be great for boy or girl tbh. I think the cloche is gorgeous, and such a beautiful colour. The trouser fabric really works as a wristlet, will be hunting for some suitable trousers myself.

Sparkly, I don't have many people to make presents for but for people I know wouldn't care I am making minimal effort. For people who understand how much effort goes into crafting, I put a lot more effort in. I did for my MIL and she really appreciated it as she is a crafter. I can understand why you were upset by your stepmum. It's hard when you've made it because you put so much care into it and it is disregarded.

Loving your hair, Jack Am working up the courage to do it myself.

Blimey everyone. Just checking in and feeling very lazy... Did however finally manage to finish off the 'Indiana Jones' style jacket and satchel for DS. Only dressing-up quality to the finishing, but I've learnt some Important Lessons re bag lining to take on to a 'proper' project

And yay! Finally got some more beeswax so I can make some more of my favourite soap. And Boo! to whoever posted the link to the site which shows you how to make a weighted pincushion with built in organiser and thread bag, because I have to make one now and I'm way behind on Christmas stuff...

Loving the idea for hook size markers frumpalicious - but will you do the decimal point?!

And nice hair Jack

I'd love to join you all, I do little bits of this and that- mainly make curtains (boring) and I make framed pics out of dd's old applique tops etc.

For world book day I made dd a hooded cape as she wanted to be litte red riding hood, it was surprisingly easy and I'd love to try making a little pinafore.

Where do you find your patterns? I've googled a bit but can't seem to find what I'm after (simple boden type pinafore). Also, are there any that are available to view online as all the ones I've found are to buy.

I've looked through some of your pics- love everything I've seen so far. That fabric website linked to earlier is fab!

Thanks, and thanks for blanket opinion, it is a bit pink but my friend isn't a mad 'no pink for boys' person so hopefully it will be okay.

ppft crafting mojo deserted me tonight. All I've managed to do is cut out three more stockings from the green jersey leftovers.
I think there is just a little to little left to get a jumper dress and trousers for DD out of the remnants. Grrr, need to spend more time on it to try and work it out.

Also trying to decide what to do with the red brocade - it has a large green flower design on it. But I can't decide between a straight skirt or an A-line, or maybe a panelled skirt.

Right will put on dress and do photees.

As it is that or tidying up [eek]

photos on profile.

Me in my dress, DD in her pinafore and the sofa cusions I made.

I love the dress, very nice. Suits you very well, I can;t see it properly on the front but the outline/length is all good.

Like the pinafore too, it's very 'classic' looking IYSWIM> and cushions are, well, cushions, but veyr nice

Good job!

Just adjusted screen, now I cna see it, cowly neck line with belt? I really like it.

Wow JB love the Bender doll! That is so cool. Don't know if I would have the patience ability to do the haircut though, might be tempted just to go out with it in the "during" style

I've been trying to figure out scents for the candles though, maybe cinnamon or frankincense and myrrh. That is the difficult bit.

Am well jealous impressed at the clothes you made Steaknife. That would be the good thing in having girls though, making cute clothes like that.

The dress looks great, steaknife. I'm tempted by it myself, but know that tunic-y style doesn't work for me. Love the colour.

Been following what everyone's up to and am very impressed - where do you all get the time? Are you all SAHMs or do any of you work? I haven't managed to make anything recently, but thanks to this thread, my wishlist is growing...

I'm a SAHM. We''l just leave it at that

Got nothing done today as had to go shopping and then to soft play with DD's.
I have thought of something to go in my mums christmas stocking, I am making a monkey with magnets in it's feet so it can stick on her fridge. She has a thing about fridge magnets, she'll never buy one but has loads that 'mean' things so would be funny.
Also got some more wool to add an inch abnd onto the bottom of 2 of the hats I made as I think they are a bit short.

Oh, and I spent 5 minutes making those paper magazine christmas trees out of the sainsbury's and tesco free gift guide/magazine things, they look very cool!

hello everyone, butting in cos jack invited me (how's your hair looking today?) and this is clearly where all the cool crafters hang out

anyone know a good basic sewn/stuffed bird pattern by any chance? could do trial and error but if i can find something to adapt i wouldn't have to reinvent the wheel and i'm short on time. (i've found the spool one btw).

cheers

Morning

I had a bit of a play with some stuff for the secret santa and although no actual progress i enjoyed it and didn't get stressed about it. (whilst watching project runway - love that show, how sad am i?)

CharChar - the dress that your DD is wearing on your profile, would you tell me how you did that? thanks (unless of course it is a closely guarded secret )

Morning all. Well all I have managed is to mess up some knitting but as it was a first attempt I'm simply glad that it worked a bit. I'm having trouble with knitting the very first row. The wool catches and won't knit properly. Once I've got past it it's much easier. Any tips?

weepootle, I tend to make patterns from DD's clothes as they fit better (and I find commercial patterns a bit intimidating ) If you want a simple pattern though, there is this. I haven't tried it but it looks ok.

steak the dress is gorgeous. Also very jealous of your lovely figure The dress for your DD is also beautiful.

Welcome heartofgold All I've got really is the spool pattern. Will keep looking though.

Here's the pattern for the dress Sparkly. It is a lovely style and quite easy to sew.

I am coveting this atm. I am definitely not good enough at knitting to attempt it, but it is going on my wishlist for when I'm better.

Ooh, CharChar, is it just like a drawstring bag with armholes? Going to give that a go, thanks

Pretty much, yes The only thing which took a bit of time was sewing the arm seams nicely. They did come out a bit wonky but not noticeably. You should try the kimono tutorial on there as well. It's the first thing I made and the instructions are brilliant.