Hobbies and Crafts

Hi Von, we got home at 1pm today and the video was waiting for me, thank you, when I have studied it I will send it back to you. Hopefully it will teach me to do more than scrabble the stitches together Lol!!!

I was watching youtube crafts, and noticed that the cheery Lynn guy was using metal plates instead of the usual plastic ones, I know they can be bought on e-bay just wondered if they could be used on all machines or if they would still bend like the usual ones,....I am suffering with back ache at the moment never bothered me before so not doing as much crafting, wondering if I need a new mattress, or another seating arrangement in my craft room,
managed to put a craft table at the side of the drawers in the c/room so now my cutting machines are all at hand much easier now I can cut when i want something quick, it was hard work having to move lots of stuff so I could drag a machine out to use.... much happier now.....I treated myself to a set of Grand /C dies wont be doing that to often the prices are a bit too high for me....Early Mothers day this year caught me out, so managed to do a few , and also some Easter cards, why does time go so quickly when we get older
:-S.....how is eberyone getting on with their various crafts, not heard from many lately, so come on spill the bean,s any new tips also? have good week crafters :-D :-D

Love Jean xx

Crafters have been quiet haven't they?

I have been finishing off a bunch of cards for Grandson's fiancee's Mum to sell in aid of her marathon charity. And also a few more for the home if they have managed to sell the first lot. Trouble is my link for that one is in hospital I think having his knee done. (these old men are always having bits replaced, must be the golf).

I was surprised when away as the Cancer research UK shop we went into had charity cards for sale yet I have been unable to see them in the Gloucester shop. Shall have to have another look.

Interesting thought, the metal plates Jean, I hate the way the usual ones bend. I do also get more back ache after doing a prolonged craft session. Didn't have it when away either. :-( :-(

Just been to a garden centre and bought some pansies which need to go in so no card making this afternoon.

Hi Ann, my kids have started doing some scrap booking of their favourite photos etc to preserve their favourite memories.
They are also compiling a Family History treasure trove to be passed on to the next generation when it arrives. So far they have put in favourite photos and paintings and craft work they find particularly precious as well as their baby clothes and blankets, scan photos dated and labelled, a few toys of the time all labelled and wrapped in soft tissue paper. They also have their great grandmothers bible in which they intend to paste in their favourite photo of her and add all the children born from her forwards as well as all marriages and deaths and to go with this photos to correspond. The girls are working on decorating the trove and include poems they will write (and get me to write). They plan then to open it on the birth of each new life and add things and information to keep it going so far the trove is the size of 3 stacked shoe boxes - I think they may need a bigger box but I like the idea x

Sounds wonderful and what a find for future generations. Sounds as if they will need somewhere big to store all the boxes doesn't it. They will need to think about how to keep it all protected if it is in a loft or similar, away from mice and damp.

I was thinking the same and maybe looking for acid free covers etc to try and keep it preserved I think they were thinking it would be ok in their Dads loft as there's not much in there but it will all need a careful think x

They should use acid free covers for photos and any certificates etc of course. And acid free glue as well if they are using glue to stick things in. Anita's tacky glue is PVA and acid free, it is a white glue that dries clear. available from hobbycraft and probably the range and other craft shops.

Thanks Ann will look into it x

Anybody doing any craft work? I have just completed three scrap book pages of Grandson's wedding. And I have been knitting, something not done for several years but I felt I wanted to make something for the expected baby. Making a little sweater to fit a 3 month old in stripy wool, white, peach pale yellow and turquoise. Sounds strange but is quite attractive and suitable for boy or girl. New mum doesn't like white baby clothes!!! :-)

Sounds lovely Ann
Look forward to seeing pictures on the blog.

I'm struggling with art work at present. Lots of printing and dyeing going on but at the early stages at the moment.

Take care
Von

I am hoping that Julia will look in sometime as our champion knitter.

It is a long time since I knitted anything but I have just made a baby's little sweater/top. Not unpleased with the knitting it is something you don't forget. However I always had trouble with the sewing up. Can somebody tell me how they dew the seams etc? Do you use a flat stitch (back stitch) or do you somehom sew the seam flat with an overstitch? This is a question really particularly for baby clothes. :-S

Ann
Personally I used to do a back stitch as then the stitches didn't show on the right side.
I think the secret is to block the pieces before you sew then up.
Follow the instructions on the band on the yarn.

If you can use an iron then all well and good. If it says do not iron then lay the garment pieces out, put a damp cloth over the top and allow to dry thoroughly.
This is especially useful if the yarn is acrylic.
Hope this helps
Von

Morning Ann, I would go along with exactly what Von has said. It doesn't matter if it is a babies cardigan or an adults, I would sew it just the same.
Remember to keep it neat. There is nothing worse than having spent hours on a lovely little garment, than to spoil it with bad finishing off. But I am sure I don't really have to tell you that.
How is your crocheting coming along.????

Good Luck

Julia in Derbyshire

Thanks Von and Julia for that. I think the problem is that I followed the pattern (which was for the correct wool I used) instructions and it said to block/press it after sewn. I haven't pressed it yet but it is ok just not as good as it could be.

Julia, been a bit naughty with the crochet, Von sent me a CD which I really haven't had time to sit down and watch and I haven't done any more because I was knitting, the problem is I have to watch the CD upstairs on my pc and I don't come up here after dinner while I knit while watching TV downstairs. But I will get around to it I promise. :-)

Just to say Von I have started to watch the CD and it is very good very clear. So I am a bit further along. Having trouble with the wool I am using though, it was a free ball on a crochet mag and I wonder if it is too thick for the hook. Or maybe I haven't quite got the tension right. Anyway I have managed a couple of rows of double. May pull it out and start again though another day. But the cd helped with how to hold the hook and wool so many thanks. :-D

Ann - I'm pleased it helped.
I thought it was rather a good CD. I learnt a lot from it even though I knew how to crochet.
Take care
Von

How do you determine what hook to use with which wool/yarn? Is it like knitting, are there hooks to suit wool thickness? Sounds a daft question but I can't see a number on my hook.

Yes Ann I think so.
Obviously a pattern will give you a hook size but I think for practising it's not so crucial.
Perhaps if the yarn you are using is too thick for the hook then try a thinner yarn.

Julia can probably advise you when she comes on tomorrow.

Good night
Von

Thanks Von, common sense really I suppose. Nite then. :-)

Thinking about I think I need to sort out the tension of my foundation chain.