Does Anyone Here Do Crafts As A Hobby?

big kat · May 19, 2004

I LOVE crafts!!! I do all sorts of crafts but no needlecraft or fancy quilting or sewing, but I love my sewing machine and have taught myself lots of fun projects using it. I also do a lot of paper crafts, glass mosaic, candle and soap making, crafts using garden pots, gourd crafts, and a lot of other things too. I am happiest when I am making something, and have always turned to arts and crafts as a way to relax and an escape from whatever else I'm doing in my life. Nice to see so many other crafters here!

bitw_1963 · May 19, 2004

You've got a cat called vegemite??!!?? You've got to be an Aussie, perhaps?

:-)

dogs have owners ... cats have staff

cilla · May 20, 2004

Forgot to mention that I also enjoy doing embroidery. I haven't had much time lately, but there are some fantastic types of embroidery. I want to try the gold/black Egyptian embroidery. I love the sphinx. Does anyone else embroider?

eneelk · May 20, 2004

I am doing cross stitch everyday, when my Scuffy is asleep

cause he is playing with my stuff, specially my thread!

I already made like 10 big cross stitch, I am going to frame it maybe next year cause I am planning on moving to another country.

twofatcats · May 20, 2004

Patchwork is my all-consuming passion. Last night I finished my sixth quilt top within two week, made to be donated to a local church who will back it, turn and tie it to send to world relief projects. Some of them I refer to as "ugly quilts," as they don't have the coordinated color or design that I usually do. But others were nice. I figure that people everywhere, no matter how poor they are, like to have something pretty. It is a whole lot more motivating to make pretty ones, too.

I haven't taken photos of any of these recent ones yet, but here is a photo of some of those I have donated in the past.

I also have been designing and selling patchwork "hippie clothes" on eBay for the past couple of years. I don't make anything at it, maybe a buck or two an hour after you consider all my time and expenses, but I have fun and it is an outlet for my creativity.

vinceneilsgirl · May 20, 2004

Originally Posted by twofatcats

Patchwork is my all-consuming passion. Last night I finished my sixth quilt top within two week, made to be donated to a local church who will back it, turn and tie it to send to world relief projects. Some of them I refer to as "ugly quilts," as they don't have the coordinated color or design that I usually do. But others were nice. I figure that people everywhere, no matter how poor they are, like to have something pretty. It is a whole lot more motivating to make pretty ones, too.

I haven't taken photos of any of these recent ones yet, but here is a photo of some of those I have donated in the past.

I also have been designing and selling patchwork "hippie clothes" on eBay for the past couple of years. I don't make anything at it, maybe a buck or two an hour after you consider all my time and expenses, but I have fun and it is an outlet for my creativity.

Man! I wish I was better with needle and thread! That's another craft I'd love to learn...quilting!

tulip2454 · May 20, 2004

Originally Posted by twofatcats

Patchwork is my all-consuming passion. Last night I finished my sixth quilt top within two week, made to be donated to a local church who will back it, turn and tie it to send to world relief projects. Some of them I refer to as "ugly quilts," as they don't have the coordinated color or design that I usually do. But others were nice. I figure that people everywhere, no matter how poor they are, like to have something pretty. It is a whole lot more motivating to make pretty ones, too.

I also have been designing and selling patchwork "hippie clothes" on eBay for the past couple of years. I don't make anything at it, maybe a buck or two an hour after you consider all my time and expenses, but I have fun and it is an outlet for my creativity.

Your work is really really lovely. I have heard odd coloured quilts referred to as 'ugly quilts' as well which I think is sad. Everything has a beauty to it. You instill that beauty with every stitch. I truly believe that the art of patchwork and quilting should not be lost (someone else here does quilting or their mother does, cant remember but there were some great pictures). It belongs up there with heirloom embroidery.
Keep it up
Alexis

kiwideus · May 20, 2004

I have heard odd coloured quilts referred to as 'ugly quilts' as well which I think is sad.

What!!!! I think any handiwork like that is beautiful - it is made with love and that is what makes it extra special! I especially love the first quilt - it reminds me of ocean waves for some reason. I wish I had the talent and patience to sew such beautiful creations!

twofatcats · May 20, 2004

Oh, you haven't seen an ugly quilt yet! I wasn't referring to those I posted as ugly, though I'll admit they might be prettier if I wasn't trying to use just donated fabrics and those I'd purchased for $2 a yard or less. But lately I have been trying to use up the end of several boxes of donated fabrics, and I just slapped things together in a random manner for several of the tops. I often don't even bother to take photos of my "ugly quilts."

Most of the ladies at the church don't do the more complex designs I do; just simple large squares and rectangles with whatever fabrics are donated, and the combinations really do get pretty ugly at times. Nothing wrong with that; I'm sure the victims of earthquake, famine or war and the children in orphanages who might get them are grateful regardless of what they look like. But I often buy fabrics to do this and after I get rid of the end of those boxes of donated scraps, I think I'll stick to using my own fabrics. It is a lot more pleasant to be able to do strip piecing with large pieces and since I have never donated more than 15 quilt tops a year, the cost isn't that great for a donation to a cause I believe in. And they can be prettier, to boot.

momofmany · May 20, 2004

Originally Posted by tulip2454

On 18 count Abby - wow I can only just about manage to see the 14! 12's best for me.
I am a textile artist (posh words eh!) using silks (dont like how its manufactured but nothing synthetic beats it I'm afraid). I make collage and framed pictures together with what ever takes my fancy (and what will sell) Heavily influenced by quilt art and Navajo weaving. I did my disitation(sp) on the Navajo weavers and jewellery makers-it is SO stunning. Trouble is the word 'craft' - it conjures up felt mice and such. Over here it has such negative conotations. I know that you are all more than that.
Dont you all wish there were more hours in the day to relax and enjoy the peace of your work?

Only 18 count! You would flip to see my cross-stitch done on 28 count - it looks like a painting as you can barely see the threads at all! My preference is 22 count or smaller.

Yes, I cross stitch, and sew (clothing, drapes, pillows, etc). Used to do needlepoint, latch-hooking and flower arrangements. Dabbled at candle-making and would like to do that some more. Just bought a book on soapmaking and would like to do natural soaps. But with my dad's influence, I'm not adverse to pulling out the table saw and making a trellis, fence, gate, wood frames, garden bench, etc. I'm asking for a power-nailer for Xmas this year!

I bought a book on Navaho weaving while out in Arizona a few years back. I'm absolutely enthralled with the idea, but don't know if I'll ever have enough time to do one. I can only dream......

momofmany · May 20, 2004

Originally Posted by twofatcats

Patchwork is my all-consuming passion. Last night I finished my sixth quilt top within two week, made to be donated to a local church who will back it, turn and tie it to send to world relief projects. Some of them I refer to as "ugly quilts," as they don't have the coordinated color or design that I usually do. But others were nice. I figure that people everywhere, no matter how poor they are, like to have something pretty. It is a whole lot more motivating to make pretty ones, too.

I haven't taken photos of any of these recent ones yet, but here is a photo of some of those I have donated in the past.

My mom used to quilt and was the master of the "Log Cabin" pattern. She made one in greens and apricot colors like the one you pictured to the far left - is that called "Sunshine and Shadows"?

momofmany · May 20, 2004

Originally Posted by eneelk

I am doing cross stitch everyday, when my Scuffy is asleep

cause he is playing with my stuff, specially my thread!

I already made like 10 big cross stitch, I am going to frame it maybe next year cause I am planning on moving to another country.

An avid cross-stitcher once taught me to wet the entire thread before you cross stitch with it. Like when you would wet the end to thread the needle, you run the entire length you are about to thread through your mouth (sounds yucky but it really isn't). It really does make it lay flatter on the cloth and the end result is worth it!!

When I was x-stitching last month, Koko was trying to help me. She grabbed the thread on one end and as I pulled it away from her, she moistened the entire length. Yup, it crossed my mind for a fleeting moment to have my babies lick the thread for me then thought better of it. LOL

twofatcats · May 20, 2004

Actually the one on the far left is a type of bargello piecework, as the strips are cut in different widths to give a curved effect to the design. There are several quilt blocks known as Sunshine and Shadows, but the most common one is made up strictly of squares. You could do a Google search for "Sunshine and Shadows Amish Quilt" to see what that pattern looks like.

twofatcats · May 20, 2004

Originally Posted by Momofmany

My mom used to quilt and was the master of the "Log Cabin" pattern. She made one in greens and apricot colors like the one you pictured to the far left - is that called "Sunshine and Shadows"?

Oh, I just read your comment again and see that you are referring to a Log Cabin. There is a Sunshine and Shadows setting for the Log Cabin quilt block, as well. That's a little harder to find in a Google search, as the different designs which go by those names get mixed up in there, too, but you could find it if you specifically looked for those patterns that use both names. It, of course, uses long rectangles around a square, as do most other Log Cabin designs.

KittenKrazy · May 20, 2004

I am currently working on 11 (actually 10, one is done) lap quilts for a friend of mine, made from her fathers clothes, as a keepsake for the grandkids, kids and her mom......This is a pic of her mom's quilt, the only one I have finished! The center of each quilt has a pocket from one of his shirts, 'cause he wouldn't wear a shirt w/o a pocket, and in that pocket is a memorial pic of him, and his birth/death dates.

momofmany · May 20, 2004

Cindy - what a totally awesome idea and how wonderful for you to go thru all that work for your friend!!

lilysmom · May 20, 2004

I like to do cross-stitching, scrapbooking and I also sew. I wish I had time to do it more often!

tulip2454 · May 21, 2004

Originally Posted by Momofmany

Only 18 count! You would flip to see my cross-stitch done on 28 count - it looks like a painting as you can barely see the threads at all! My preference is 22 count or smaller.
I bought a book on Navaho weaving while out in Arizona a few years back. I'm absolutely enthralled with the idea, but don't know if I'll ever have enough time to do one. I can only dream......

OH MY WORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the smaller count stuff is really fab! It DOES look like painting (hows your eyesight

Re interpret the designs and do one in cross stitch. Or maybe re-interpret the sand painting (not copy as I think that is a no no?) - it would totally look like paint.
Good luck
Alexis

tulip2454 · May 21, 2004

twofatcats said:
Oh, you haven't seen an ugly quilt yet! I wasn't referring to those I posted as ugly, though I'll admit they might be prettier if I wasn't trying to use just donated fabrics and those I'd purchased for $2 a yard or less. But lately I have been trying to use up the end of several boxes of donated fabrics, and I just slapped things together in a random manner for several of the tops. I often don't even bother to take photos of my "ugly quilts."

Sorry if you misunderstood - I dont't think that any of the posted photos were your 'ugly quilts' by any means. They are just so nice.
I just love the shaded blues on the first one.
Alexis

abby7625 · May 21, 2004

I did a picture of a faerie on navy blue and 22 count. I thought I would go blind by the time I was done with it

It was well worth it though because it is gorgeous. I don't keep anything I do. I can pick out the mistakes too easily and then everytime I look at the picture, I see that mistake. I always give it to my mom or grandma or someone else that loves it but can't see to do it.

Does Anyone Here Do Crafts As A Hobby?

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