The craft thread Showing 1,151-1,200 of 2,368

[Lynne (Tigger's Mum)]

That's a bummer Pat, it gives me the willies when wool squeaks, its not pleasant. You might get more used to it though, hope so.

[Pat ()]

I don't think so Lynne. I guess it is more a gimmick than anything else. Pity that.

[[deleted user]]

Shelagh wrote: "I'm so excited, I had to share this! My artwork has been on Fine Art America for more than two years now and today I sold three prints!





Recently Sold - 3 Hours Ago

..."

Congratulations, Shelagh!

[[deleted user]]

Pat (Scorpio) wrote: "Sorry can't help with the embroidery. All I can remember is with hoops to be careful not to leave marks where the hoop has been. Or use a padded one.

The crochet Lite hook has arrived (came from S..."

That's a shame, Pat. :0(

[Philip (sarah)]

Beautiful rubbings Shelagh, congratulations on the sale.
They remind me of blackwork embroideries I did years ago: The wives of Henry.
Emma you could tack the hem then embroider a stem or chain stitch to secure it. I think you could manage these stitches without using a hoop as tension is not such an issue(hold the material over your fingers as you work) You could then embellish the line with embroidered flowers and leaves perhaps including some beadwork if you want additional bling.
I would suggest using metallic thread but it is difficult to work with and tends to knot easily. There are some super glossy threads available that would look lovely on a navy background.

[Shelagh]

Karen (Kew) wrote: "Congratulations, Shelagh!"

Thanks, Karen! I did the rubbings a long time ago (one in Canterbury, one in St. Martin in the Field, London, and one in Eastbourne). I also did pen & ink drawings of the rubbings (negative images of the brass rubbings).

It was such a nice surprise to have sold not one but three, all on the same day!

[Karen]

Gorgeous pictures Shelagh.
Sarah, the blackwork sounds a fab idea. Have u still got yr pics?
Re the embroidery round the hem, think I'd be terrified! There are some gorgeous braids/trims about, it might be easier to use an embellished trim.

[Lynne (Tigger's Mum)]

Hi all, I saw some sculpture in driftwood of horses by Heather Jansch and was fascinated, I found this picture which is amazing. OH says he could do that, but I fear his efforts would look more like a clothes horse!
www.dogsinart.com/diomedes-a-lifesize...

[Philip (sarah)]

I gave the blackwork embroideries away Karen as I do with most of my work, although I may have some of the patterns if you are interested.
I only have 2 works on permanent display the others still in my possession are either framed and stored in the back of a cupboard or tucked away unframed in a drawer.

[Emma]

Thanks philip and Karen. I think I'll see how the smaller oval hoops works. There's quite a large area on the train too so I can use the larger hoop. I absolutely hate bead work as I'm forever stabbing myself and those needles are ultra sharp! I think I might put some beads on when the thread embroidery is done, I've got some some blues and greys to use as well as a couple of brighter colours for accents but I'll definitely look into metallic threads maybe to augment the rest. I'm hoping the dress with be wearable at the end of it too as I'd like to wear it to the half way ball for my uni course next year.

All of these things look amazing,mi just can't believe how talented you all are!

[Kay (Golden Girl)]

Shelagh these prints are fantastic ,congrats on selling all three,very talented

[Shelagh]

Kay (Golden Girl) wrote: "Shelagh these prints are fantastic ,congrats on selling all three,very talented"

Thanks, Kay! There seems to be a lot of talented people on this thread!

[Karen]

Lynne, I fell in love with one of those driftwood horses at the RHS flower show at Tatton a few years back. Wd love one for the garden. But I think daughter's dogs would be forever 'retrieving' vital bits of it!

Sarah, no I certainly didn't want to tackle blackwork embroidery... just wanted to admire your handiwork!

[Philip (sarah)]

LOL! It is surprisingly relaxing Karen, because you are only working in one colour progress is so much quicker than cross stitch.

[[deleted user]]

I'm logging on late again, but I hope some of you may be around to catch the free craft books. (there haven't been many interesting ones the last couple of days so I didn't bother to post them.)

Knitting
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Crochet
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Cross stitch
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Selling crafts
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

[Emma]

I've nearly finished the dress for my friend's birthday. It's all fitted but I want to reinforce the neckline and sleeve holes with some cotton as the jersey feels too heavy for the straps (they are a good 2 or so inches wide) when I hold it. Friend says it feels fine on but I'm worried it will stretch out if shape and I want it to stay perfect.
Then I'm starting on a big sort of my supplies and a costume for rogue from the x men films. Debating whether to do it properly and look great or just throw something recognisable together like others are likely to do. Time seems to be a huge issue (even without the cost).
Does anyone have any idea of what to make with scraps? I seem to have a bit of everything, from duchess satin to coutil to poly cotton to netting! But I don't have much too anything, usually not more than just over half a metre.

[[deleted user]]

How about patchwork cushion cover or something, Emma?

I finished the blankets that I was making for my neice and nephew, but they are not ready to photograph yet because I haven't finished weaving in all the loose threads. As I'm not seeing them until October I've put that job to do at the last minute as I get cracking on the blanket that I am making for my sister's wedding present (and her new hubby of course). We had a couple of friends round for tea on Monday and the wife of the couple is a sewer - (eurgh - I mean, she sews!!!!). I was doing a bit of crochet while we chatted and she actually offered, and enjoyed, sewing in some of the loose threads on my neices blanket! That one is the worst as it is made up of hundreds of different motives, all in the different colours and joined together - I've already spent a couple of days on those threads! My friend made good inroads, which I was so grateful for, but there are still lots more to do!!

[[deleted user]]

Today's free craft books

Soap making
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Making bath bombs
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Nail polish techniques
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Selling crafts
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

[✿Claire✿]

I've finally figured out how to get pictures off my harddrive onto here! Here's the teddy I made :)

[Lexie]

He's sweet!

[Gingerlily - The Full Wild]

I don't see a teddy, I see a message saying 'Sorry. This person moved or deleted this image.'

[Elle]

I see it. It's very sweet!

[Jay-me (Janet)]

I see the same as GL.

[✿Claire✿]

Gingerlily - Goodbye, and thanks for all the fish. wrote: "I don't see a teddy, I see a message saying 'Sorry. This person moved or deleted this image.'"

That's odd Gingerlily, it's definitely still there :S

[✿Claire✿]

Thank you Lexie and Elle, it's the first time I've actually finished a crochet project so I was really pleased, and I hope my friend likes it when she gets it.

It's hopefully got a pink ribbon on it now, I had to leave that to my Mum as we didn't have any long enough!

[Philip (sarah)]

Same message as GL and Janet, shame!

[Gingerlily - The Full Wild]

I see it now! How adorable :)

[✿Claire✿]

I got the message too, I hope I've fixed it, I might have clicked something when I was messing around with my account, I've only just set it up :)!

[✿Claire✿]

Gingerlily - Goodbye, and thanks for all the fish. wrote: "I see it now! How adorable :)"

Thanks Gingerlily :)

[[deleted user]]

I can see the Teddy now! When I first looked, I got the message about the photo being moved or deleted. He is lovely.

:0)

[Karen]

Cute Teddy!

As for all those scraps, Emma - patchwork definitely. Crazy patchwork is the easiest/quickest. No seams to worry about as you just sew a new scrap over the one before, and you can use up bits of braid and ribbon to 'pretty' the joins if you want. Or embroider over them of course. Google gives some lovely images of cushions and quilts. I've made a scrapbook cover, didn't take very long to do.

[Emma]

I was thinking I might take all your advice and make something patchwork and since I seem to have an ever growing material collection I think I'll make a storage bag for it all. Hopefully that will work without too much trouble and then it won't be haphazardly stuffed not boxes too small for it all. I finally finished the dress for my friend but she's not hope just now to try it on (we're housemates at uni). Hopefully it will fit her and my wing it method of reinforcing the jersey neckline with cotton will have worked (the dress felt like it was pulling out of shape when held from the shoulder seems and I'm paranoid).

[Lexie]

I'm only here this morning because I'm trying to avoid baking a cake. In Crathes Castle in Aberdeenshire there's a nursery with little chairs, where the cushions were done in crazy patchwork in dark velvets and satins with seams in featherstitch in creamy thread, very old. I love them and go and stare at them every time I go.
Suppose I'd better go and light the oven ...

[Emma]

Ooh, cake. That reminds me that I bought eggs so I could bake!

[Shelagh]

Lexie wrote: "I'm only here this morning because I'm trying to avoid baking a cake..."

I posted an easy recipe for making cakes on the recipe thread, Lexie. It's very flexible and the cakes can be tailored to your personal taste, and the heat of your oven! You just throw all the ingredients together, mix with an electric mixer, and pop in the oven until baked. The only important thing is that the butter/margarine must be soft. It should mix together as quickly as a packet of cake mix and look smooth and creamy after a few seconds.

[[deleted user]]

Just one free craft book today, but it's about knitting - which we don't seem to get many freebies of..

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

[Lexie]

Thanks - the cake is baked! I don't mind baking buns and I'm fine with pastry, but cakes see me coming - and this one has to look and taste good. Now the next task to procrastinate over is the icing! I'll check out your recipe, Shelagh - I was using one of Nigella's that has custard powder in it.

[Emma]

Butter and icing sugar mixed together with a tiny splash of milk or water to start it off is really good. You can add whatever flavourings or colour to it you like.

[✿Claire✿]

Butter icing is amazing, I could happily eat the butter icing without the cake!! Especially if it's chocolate flavour :)

[Jud]

Lexie wrote: "I'm only here this morning because I'm trying to avoid baking a cake. In Crathes Castle in Aberdeenshire there's a nursery with little chairs, where the cushions were done in crazy patchwork in dar..."

You're so close (to me) Lexie!!! We should meet for a coffee some time

[Lexie]

We should! Are you city or shire? I know you've mentioned before that you are sometimes round the university (Aberdeen, that is, not RGU). I promise not to bake you a cake!

[Lexie]

Oh, and this cake has butter icing in the miiddle but again made with some custard powder - it's lovely. But the top has to have an ice theme, so I'm going for blue roll-out fondant icing and dripping white over it, with some edible silver glitter (that's the plan - never turns out quite as expected!)

[Emma]

If you put buttercream under the fondant as a crum layer it helps the fondant to lie flat and even on the cake.

[Lexie]

Oh! Glad I looked back at this before hitting the kitchen. That's a very useful tip - I usually use jam to stick it on but the lying-smooth bit is important, too.

Thanks!

[Emma]

I learnt it from YouTube. Watching cake icing is very relaxing. Had to look up how to make a topsey turvy cake for my sister's birthday and I'd never used fondant before. Best of luck.

[Shelagh]

Years ago, I did a few embroidery/appliqué pictures. I uploaded one of them to Fine Art America. Here's how it looks in a frame:

[[deleted user]]

It looks lovely, Sheelagh!

[[deleted user]]

Today's free craft books

Crochet
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Knitting (NO LONGER FREE)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Edit - after I posted about the knitting book I noticed that it's not free any longer, I've left here it rather than delete it in case anyone is interested in buying it.

[Shelagh]

Karen (Kew) wrote: "It looks lovely, Sheelagh!"

Thanks, Karen!

[Lynne (Tigger's Mum)]

I finished a knitted jacket and everything is fine except I don't like the shoulder seams. I couldn't graft them and I've redone them several times and still think they look untidy. The fronts are biased so the back is attached on a straightish cast off but the front is like a side seam which goes across, not a usual shoulder seam. I have half a ball of wool so think I'll try to make a braid of some sort to finish the shoulder either knitted or crochet to hide the seam. As its a jacket it would stand a bit of something extra. Any suggestions girls?