I've seen this topic come up in other threads, so I'm curious - who here loves to "make stuff"?
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I've seen this topic come up in other threads, so I'm curious - who here loves to "make stuff"?
Great topic, PM - however, I'm about the least artsy craftsy person around so I probably won't be contributing much here. But, I'll definitely enjoy hearing about others talents. :thumbsup:
I love to make 'stuff'! You've seen the quilt, I've made and handquilted about four of those and made and 'tied' three others. All Log Cabin or Log Cabin style except for the one baby quilt that consisted of six cross-stitched bears on squares, sewn together, then 'tied'.
I make silk flower arrangements, I have a bunch for every season, I guess I ought to get out the fall ones.
I don't paint in the traditional sense because I can't even draw stick figures. Really, the average three year old draws better than I do. But I paint ceramics and especially for Christmas. I painted a Christmas village a few years back, as well as candle holders and ornaments. Most of my Christmas decorations are things I made, wall decorations and every few years family members get a cross-stitched ornament or hand-painted ceramic ornament in their stockings. I've also made all the lighted garlands I use to decorate the house with.
I also like to crochet, I never learned to knit. Being left-handed meant learning to crochet was a challenge. I've crocheted a lot of baby blankets in my lifetime. And Black and Gold scarves :grin:
Lastly, by request I've made table clothes, placemats, and napkins to match people's existing decor or paint schemes. About fifteen years ago or so, I did a lot of sewing in order to make extra money, and I've made all the bridesmaids gowns for a couple of weddings I've been in.
I do all this stuff while watching TV (except when watching my teams play, that's way too stressful). Just sitting in front of the TV drives me crazy. It all helps counteract the logical software geekiness that tries to take over. Most of what I do these days are Christmas decorations and they all get donated to the church for their annual bazaar.
I consider cooking to be an art. I love to cook and bake. Absolutely love it.
Wow VA! I'm impressed. If you are so inclined, please post some photos. (We've seen your quilts, but that doesn't mean you can't post them again.) :)
I've never got into making stuff, unless you count writing songs and poems, which I haven't done for many years.
I've always wanted to be able to speak in rhyme. I'm jealous!
awsome Va.
I too am jealous.
I really want to do the quit thing but cant sew.I can needlepoint and crochet..and good at both. About 6 years ago..I started making jewelery..saw earrings and thought I coud do it better and I did.I do all
kinds of jewelery but I love working with wire and metal and natural stones best. I especially like taking old jewelery and redoing it..ya know an old piece that was your mom in laws and you wont wear but cant throw away...well i update and it is fun and cool. Right now we are doing book markers and button pins for the kids and the missions.
i shuda been an art teacher..think I missed my calling but that would be my next life.:thud:
Talent? What's talent? :hilarious: I'm pretty much hopeless!!
Va and TT, you guys and awesome! I don't know how you find the time and work a job away from home, too!
I'm too lazy to do anything like that. I sometimes think I might want to try something, but find out it takes too much time for me! I used to sew a lot when my daughter was little and made her and me lots of clothes, but it was more out of necessity than fun. I used to patch my husbands work jeans too. (I could have done them like those patched jeans Glenn used to wear! lol) Now I dread getting out the sewing machine to even do a hem!
Thanks...it all happened when I went in to a bead store and saw all those beautiful crystals and stones blazing in the sun light....then I was hooked.
LOL:hilarious::hilarious:
I have also spent time on a sat afternoon with other woman with donated componets and made jewelery for woman suffering from cancer. Then the pieces were delivered to woman undergoing treatment at the hospitals. That was the most fun for me to create something that might bring a smile to sick or suffering persons face .
JAhh just shakes his head but I do great unique gifts cause all my stuff is one of a kind not repeated and custom done....dont get me started..I could play all day..clean house what house ..work...what job lol:hilarious:
Now if I could just sew...I really would love to do a quilt of some things I have saved..Like an old shirt that was embrodered with "COokie walks all over me and paw prints" (my late dog). and some other embrodered things I have saved over hte years...thats on lmy wish list to learn how to do ...
but I hate to sew...
I can crochet a little...I've made baby blankets mostly for my nieces and nephews and their kids....but the last one I tried I couldn't figure out the pattern...I gave up and it's been sitting in the closet for a few years now...
my favorite thing is cross stitching...but I haven't felt like doing it lately...got to be in the mood...
last year I made this pretty pom pom wreath for Christmas ...It's white pom poms and looks pretty on my door 'cause my door is green...that turned out really well and I was thinking of making them for my family for Christmas, but I got really sick of making pom poms so I don't think that's gonna happen...
I tried to needlepoint but couldn't figure it out...and that's been sitting in the closet for a few years now...but I met a neighbor who is really crafty....she paints, does origami, stamping, makes cards, quilts...and does needlepoint...so she is gonna help me...she also makes jewelry...she is going to teach me how to make a bead necklace...
The jewelry thing kind of appeals to me, but I don't want to invest in all of the stuff.
While I fall into the "non-Crafty" category - pretty much all my creating is done with words or the computer - I'd love to see photos of what you guys are doing!
All of the quilts I've done recently I've given away. I'll try to remember to take some pictures while up in PA this weekend. The Christmas decorations will have to wait until after Thanksgiving :) and I'll try to get pictures of some of the other things I still have next week.
VA, I hope you don't mind...I knew you had posted photos on here somewhere. I'm just moving them here. This quilt is gorgeous!
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/...t/DSC00553.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/...t/DSC00551.jpg
VA that quilt is beautiful! I want to make a quilt some day. I guess I need a sewing machine first. I used to do crafts a lot when I was younger Before I worked full time. I did crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, and painted t-shirts. I've always made a lot of Christmas ornaments which I still do. I lost so many things when my house burned down in 2000. I'll be starting ornaments soon and I'll try to get some pictures on here. I can't wait to see everyone's crafts on here. Things are so special when they're homemade.
I've seen VA's quilt in person and I can vouch that it really is beautiful! :nod:
VA, why is it called a Log Cabin? And Barn Raising?
va they are beautiful.
You have such talent .
Its my dream to do quilting..maybe someday ...soon
I got plenty to do if we lose power...the kids are selling the bookmarkers for 2.oo so I can make more of them .'
Over the years I've done cross stitch & hardanger, which I love, and scrapbooking which I also love but takes up a lot of space, stuff and time. Embroidery is easier to pick up and put down, and I can take a project with me if I go away. I don't spend a lot of time on it now, though.
I can do very basic knitting - I've made a couple of scarves - but I can't crochet.
Hmm, maybe I'll dig a project out tomorrow...
I have done knitting and candlemaking, but not a lot of it since the kids arrived. I am NOT good at art per se, although I DO remember creating a rather OK banner shortly before heading to Niagara Falls :wink:
I'm not sure why they are called Log Cabin, but the design dates back to pioneer days and beyond. Log Cabin quilts are always made with strips of fabric sewn together into blocks. There are many different designs, probably hundreds. I always use a variation of the same blocks. Typically, women would gather and make a quilt while the men would get together and build, or raise a barn, which is why one design is names that. Another is Fields and Furrows. Using the same block pattern, you can make quilts that look nothing alike by using different ways of putting them together and different colors of fabrics. In my quilt above, I used a dramatic difference in colors and contrast (light/dark) to get the look I wanted.Quote:
Originally Posted by Prettymaid
I wish I'd remembered to take pictures of the quilt I made my dad, it was Fields and Furrows and looks completely different. Mom's is a Diamond pattern, I think. I really can't remember!
If the power goes out, trying to finish that quilt might be a good way to stay warm!
Isn't there a pattern called wedding or wedding ring?
Yes there is, Pm. My grandmother used to piece lots of quilts and I have several of hers. I don't have a 'wedding ring' one, but I've seen them many times. There are circles that interlock in the pattern. You put pieces together in squares and then when you put the squares together they form a larger pattern.
My grandmother's favorite one to do was called 'drunkards path' and she was a religious woman! I always thought it was funny that she liked it! Another name for it is 'road to california'.
I'm guessing this was because the road to California was considered to be the drunkard's path...? :hilarious:Quote:
Originally Posted by Brooke
I would love to quilt, but I don't have a sewing machine and don't have the patience to do it all by hand!!
QUILTING IS ON MY BUCKET LIST.
I have saved some things that represent thinings i would like in a square.
hoping I can learn to do it.
thats why its on the bucket list before the eyesite goes for good.'
I'd like to learn to quilt, but I got out my sewing machine last year to sew something...and I couldn't even remember how to thread the darn thing...so I don't know how much hope I have for quilting!...but now that I have a neighbor who does it...I should take advantage of her talent and generosity and learn...
yep, I 'd jump on that oppertunity if I had a chance.
still on my bucket list.
I have an overlock that's difficult to thread...it has a diagram right on it to eliminate confusion (or excuses)!Quote:
Originally Posted by zeldabjr
I know what it's like. I think the threading is the universal complaint about sergers. :brickwall:Quote:
Originally Posted by VAisForEagleLovers
Yeah, threading it and threading the bobbin are the hard things for me. I had my old machine (singer) for 30 years and it was a breeze. This new cheap thing is awful and complicated. That's what I get for getting a cheap one, I guess.
I'm going with my neighbor to her quilting group on Thursday...just going to watch...sort of dipping my toes in the water!
I always loved the idea of a "quilting bee" - since reading the Anne of Green Gables Books!
I had my first try at beading from my neighbor...wow those beads are tiny!...had to go buy reading glasses to magnify them...but I think I like it...I'm trying to make a necklace...
she didn't go to her quilting class last week so I'll have to tag along another day!
watch out brenda...the beading bug will get you
I started crocheting a scarf today...got a new coat and none of my scarves match...so I'm makin' one that does match!....need to hurry 'cause it's cold out!...if only I knew how to make gloves...hmmm?
I finished the scarf and I actually finished my first bead necklace!...I was just at my neighbor's apartment...and she taught me how to put the clasp on it...i'm pretty proud of it!....now I'm gonna start a matching bracelet!
Where's the pic?Quote:
Originally Posted by zeldabjr
yeah bj great accomplisment
wheres the pic???
ok here it is...doesn't show up very well...it's black iridescent beads with silver accent beads!
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1355035350
very nice...is this seed beading?:yay: