Hobbies and Crafts

I have just re-read that... sewer? No I wasn't flushed with success, lololol!!! Seamstress sounds too grand, as does needlewoman.......

*grins at Ann* you are definitely feeling better, lol.... you and Jethro make a right pair!! Cheeky blighters, both of you, lolol

Love

Daff xxxx Who is off to bed in a moment!!

Doesn't surprise me Daff, you probably mislaid it in the meantime!!!!

I made a baby's cardigan once... knitted it beautifully... the baby put it on her own baby, 21 years later... that is how long it took me to finish it, lolol

I loved crochet, but not knitting..... my sister can pick up stitches she (rarely) drops even from the most intricate of patterns... not me!! it all has to be pulled out and restarted.

I was the sewer in the family, though... I think I was fairly good making for others, but could never quite get things to hang right on myself... well, they didn't fit me any better, really, than shop bought stuff.... but looked well enough.

Love

Daff xxxx

Jean, yes it does have seams both at the sides and centre back. If you google Sirdar Yarns, and look for Yo-Yo yarns, there is a picture of it, though it is not evident that it is knitted sideways on. It is the one that has random colours from dark pink to dark green. I forgot to say that you start with the left side, and take the yarn from the outside of the ball, but when you start the right side, you knit the yarn from the inside. It is all to do with the random stripping.
Julia in Derbyshire

I think I have seen that way of knitting before but for baby's cardigan or sweater.

Yes, that is what I mean Jean, grass etc.

Ann, what a good idea, if we knitted with the eyelash wool it could look like grass and stick bits on tree shapes to look like leaves, or just knit a square
you could vary the texture, getting quite excited at the challenge of doing it...
I once got a fine twig from the garden and I had a large stamp of grapes ,so stuck the twig on card a nd stamped a bunch of grapes on stiff card, then coloured it so they looked round, stuck that on the twig it looked very good, in fact I had orders for a few, I also glazed a lovely autumn leaf again a large one and attached that to a card...

Julia, that way of knitting sounds very complicated, but I would like to see it perhaps you could take a photo when its done and send to me please, it wont have any seams done that way will it?

Jean xx

I knit too but my enthusiasm outweighs my skill LOL Scarves I am a master at but I tend to look at patterns and think maybe not. I did manage to knit goldilocks and the three bears for a project when I was at school but I did have lots of advice and help from my mum

Hello Jean, I used to knit those dolls when my grandchildren were young. Such detail, but they were beautiful when finished.
I usually knit cardigans, jackets, etc. At the moment I am working on one that you start by casting on for the left hand sleeve, and when it is long enough, you cast on for the back and front, and work to the centre. Then you do the same for the right hand side, and join both pieces of work together down the side seams, and centre back seam To say it is challenging, is an understatement. My next project, is an Aran cardigan.
I have just finished crocheting four short sleeved cardigans for the spring, whenever it comes. When I start going out to do the gardening, and bending down to pick things up, I do not feel that I need a jacket on, but then your clothes start riding up and you get a bare back. Not a good thing at my age. So, a short sleeved cardigan is the answer. I can't crochet lace, as it is too fine for my eyesight.
I too, used to do alot of sewing, but just for myself.
Julia in Derbyshire

Yes, tell us about your knitting Julia, it will make a change from cards and scrapbooks Lol!! I used to knit a lot but with all the other craft work don't have time. I did make a scarf last year in the mohair type wool (don't know how else to describe it) In the past have knitted all sorts, even Aran sweaters when the boys were little. I think I stopped knitting when they got older. Just trying to think how knitted bits could be incorporated on a scrap book page, I bet they could you know, for texture Hmmm.

Hi, Julia, I like to knit, but only dolls, usually Jean Greenhowe, I have made most of them at some time or other, I am just going to use odd bits of wool making the smaller dolls, but I cant make jumpers or anything else other than scarves... Never mastered crocheting, or tatting, bit thick really... sewing was always my favourite hobby, but that was years ago. now its srcapping and cards...what stuff do you knit?

Jean x

My crafts are knitting and crochet. Does anyone else do these.
Forever Hopefull
Julia in Derbyshire

Couple more things LOL

I still struggle with big patterns that cover the page. I can really like them but using them is another matter. There are a couple of things you can do, firstly take a deep breath and cut the paper up. You might be able to use a strip or piece of the pattern on its own. Or even be able to cut out part of the design and use it as much for it's embellishment factor as anything else. If it's double sided then consider using the usually plainer other side.
Or if you really can not bear the thought of destroying it stick it in a frame and put it on your wall.

I am another who is not keen on torn edges around the edge of a page, it just looks messy to me and I can't help but thing how it would look in an album. I use torn edges on my pages but like the outside edges to be nice a stragith

Hello, I'm glad to see that things have been sorted out on here without us loosing the thread.
I've mostly been making cards the past few days because I want to get my stock up for when our show season starts, I started selling a few last year out of the back of the land rover and they went down quite well. Cards have also been about as much as I can manage because I did something to my back yesterday and was in a lot of pain, it's better today but staying in one position for too long is still a no no.
I almost bought the tim holtz kit off qvc yesterday but managed to stop myself at the last moment. i love his stuff but don't really use it apart from on my ATCs so decided to wait.

You wouldn't be a caring granny if you weren't.

Hiya Ann... I know... I do all those things.,... she knows that she mustn't touch granny's stuff without asking... and she always asks for things like my fancy scissors... she can manage those quite well with supervision... she treats my printer paper as open hunting season, lol... but asks for any other, so she is very good... and she does know that she could cut herself etc etc... it is just me being paranoid... my sharp stuff is kept in a box that is difficult to open... the German car medical kit used to be in it, and it has things you have to push in at the same time as you flip the latch up... difficult to describe, lol... but she knows that it is Granny's box, very dangerous and she mustn't have them at all... but forbidden fruit and all that, lol... rather be safe than sorry... I am the same with all my tablets as well!

I just know how easily I can be distracted..... It is that sort of thing that wears me out when she is here, not the running around after her etc... she is very good with me... even taken it upon herself to be my boot zipper upperer in chief cos she sees I can struggle some days.... and so funny when I am getting dressed if she is with me... fussing around *helping* me with my bra, and socks..... hands on hips when I am all dressed and tidy looking, nod of the head, and *booful Mranny* lol

I know.... I'm a worry wart!!

Love

Daff xxxx

Daff, for the craft knife, have you got a tin that the lid fits closely or a box with a close fitting lid. If you get into the habit now before she comes of putting the craft knife away after EVERY time you use it, even if it is for a small job and you know you will need it again in a few minutes the chances are you will keep it safe while she is there. Or, would it fix to a magnet (I haven't tried) You could attach a magnet above her reach and always put it back there. My guess is that you are extra alert while she is around and wont leave it where she can get it. And the last thing, at three and a half she can understand sharp and hurt. Show her the knife, show her how sharp it is and tell her if she ever, ever has to pick it up which she shouldn't because it is dangerous, she must never touch the blade and show her the sharp bit. She is bright she will understand. But also tell her that Granny would be very cross if she touched it to play with it. If you don't show it to her she wont know what it is and might be curious and pick it up.

That is long winded but I think you can see what I am trying to say.

Thank's Carol

Julie Ann...Like Von's grandchildren, my granddaughter loves craftwork.. at nursery, that is her *free-time* choice every time... here, she has a big box of craft stuff, plus a drawer full, paints, play doh, felt, tissue, glue, colouring pens, felt tips, wax crayons, etc... I also have a couple of containers of rice, pasta shapes etc... oh, and she has her own glitter!! She is 3 1/2. What I am afraid of is me leaving the craft knife lying down. or the sharp scissors, etc... she could really hurt herself on those, and I am easily distracted, I'm afraid, these days.

Do you fancy the cardcraft sessions at the Range? One in Cardiff on 6th March, one in Newport on 20th March? I know it is for cards, but some of the basics are similar, I have found.... the skills cross over nicely.

Love

Daff xxxxx

Message from Dizzi, Tesco has scrap booking materials on offer, half price & art equipment

Julie Ann
I let my grandchildren aged 2,3 and 4 use my Pritt sticks and they love sticking. We cut out coloured circles and other shapes such as flowers and hearts all out of scrap paper. That way they don't waste your good stuff. Give them the glue and let them stick - under supervision of course.
Many happy hours of fun to be had.
Von

im still at the confused stage,
i got the book to do for little lady

now i just gota plan it,
how im gona put the pics, and bits,
and what to write,

oh and i gotta keep my pritt stick outa her way too,
cos she wanted it sunday to do some sticking, lol
how can you say no,