Gransnet forums

Arts & crafts

What is your craft?

(174 Posts)
Gracesgran Mon 12-Oct-15 12:46:18

I just said, on another thread, that I didn't take to card making because all my hard work gets thrown in the bin shock and it made me wonder what everyone else enjoys.

My craft seems to be "Christmas" which seems to suit my rather butterfly mind. It may, in any one year, include sewing, crochet (do knit but it's not a favourite), and original style decoupage - flat not 3D. I am currently learning to use a rather elderly embroidery machine which I bought second hand to personalise some gifts and decorations - it only has a small hoop but that is all I need and I am going to try folk art when there is a gap!

I am sure some of you are less inclined to flitter and I would love to know what you do.

Auntieflo Sat 17-Oct-15 15:00:47

queenie53, have you still got your grandparents rug? I'm sooo glad that I kept Mum and Dad's ??

queenie53 Sat 17-Oct-15 14:25:42

Auntieflo, my grandparents made exactly the same rug when I was a child! You have really brought back memories.

Galen Sat 17-Oct-15 14:02:52

I could do those rectangle things in crochet! ( when I've finished the rainbow cardigan)

mollie Sat 17-Oct-15 13:36:28

I wouldn't have the nerve, Elegran. I've read some ludicrous stories but I blame the people who pay!

Elegran Sat 17-Oct-15 13:26:14

They have the "hand-made" look, mollie! There was a thread about soome coffee tables made of rough recycled wood from pallets, which were selling for hundreds of pounds. Just think, your knitting could be worth a fortune!

mollie Sat 17-Oct-15 13:23:14

Now you mention it I think that's exactly what I need Elegran! Why didn't I think of it? Lol! Its the same with dressmaking, I CAN sew beautifully but just not make clothes that actually fit despite following all the instructions. Nor can I cut or write in a straight line with or without a guide! It drives me batty but my 'makes' tend to be unique!smile

Elegran Sat 17-Oct-15 13:10:53

What you need, mollie Is a jumper pattern that consists of four scarves - one for the front, one for the back, and two sleeves - all rectangular. like these

mollie Sat 17-Oct-15 12:41:52

I can only knit scarves, can't follow a pattern sadly, things end up very mishappen if I try. Such a shame as handknits are wonderfu. My son used to plead for sloppy Joes knitted by his gran who happily obliged. They must have been popular because the last two were both stolen in Camden pubs! Isn'tgood knitting wool expensive these days? Hand/home mades used to be the cheap alternative but not any more. Shame.

Greyduster Sat 17-Oct-15 12:27:52

Ranworth I love your little cardigan. I'm quite sad I don't have any little ones to knit for now; GS (8) would not let me put a hand knit near him now. They aren't "cool". Having said that, my step-grandson, now at university, is now wearing some pretty cool cardigans his mum has knitted for him!

Ranworth1 Sat 17-Oct-15 11:44:36

Knitting keeps me happy smile

NannyDee Sat 17-Oct-15 11:08:48

I dabble too. Had a go at lots of things but mainly painting, card making and scrapbooking, I have made books for the our children and grandchildren for special birthdays etc and also a special family tree book. I have just started sewing again and have just finished my first little quilt so now getting hooked on pretty fabric instead of oretty paper smile

mollie Sat 17-Oct-15 10:25:05

I'm a bit of a dabbler but mostly I daydream of creating some of the wonderful things I see on Pinterest. I love paper, pen, ink, fabric and thread and use these in any combination that takes my fancy so I make cards, handmade books, and am currently fascinated by the trend for hand-decorated envelopes (just wish there were more reasons to send letters by snail mail). I'm passionate about fabric and thread so enjoy sewing and handstitching and decorating fabric and quilting and will have a go at anything new that comes around.

Greyduster Fri 16-Oct-15 15:34:14

I like that grannya! You could answer the advert "good woman wanted. Must be able to cook, clean, sew, dig worms and clean fish. Must have own boat and motor. Send picture of boat and motor." In your case, boat and paddle! smile

grannyactivist Fri 16-Oct-15 15:21:16

I must say that I am so impressed with all the evidence here of crafty ways. I have very little artistic flair, but when I saw the thread title I was all prepared to make a comment about my craft: it's a tandem fishing kayak!! grin grin

Nansypansy Fri 16-Oct-15 06:59:50

I'm "into" patchwork and quilting. I've just finished a bed runner and matching cushion for my friends 70th birthday next year. My next project is a floor quilt for my nieces expected baby, also next year. I have also several other bits and bobs I've made and would love to sell, but don't know how to go about it!!!

rosequartz Thu 15-Oct-15 22:52:29

smile Greyduster

I have a collection of things in a very large box; hand-made by children and grandchildren, their paintings and drawings, cards, mementoes etc.
I will get around to sorting it all out one day

Greyduster Thu 15-Oct-15 20:21:32

rosequartz, my neice makes the most beautiful hand made cards - better than any I have seen in shops. I get one for my birthday and for Christmas each year and I can't bear to throw them away. She was quite bemused when I told her I'd still got them all.

Buddie Thu 15-Oct-15 19:17:39

I enjoy knitting and have found a number of things I have been able to do for charity to use up oddments of yarn if I haven't another project on the go.

I recently rejoined the WI after my last group folded. This group have a separate monthly craft session doing something different each month. Sometimes a group member leads it and occasionally we have a demonstrator but really it is great cance to get together for chat and some cake! Crafts have varied from crochet, knitting and fabric painting to quilling, soap-making and making Christmas crackers. No one is an expert at anything but we all have a go and sometimes find we are good at something we would never have thought of having a go at before. Making books tonight.

Anya Thu 15-Oct-15 13:21:18

grin

WilmaKnickersfit Thu 15-Oct-15 13:14:02

Anya you sound like me - if only we could remember how to thread the flippin' machine! grin

ninnytendo Thu 15-Oct-15 13:01:05

I love crochet. A friend taught me the basics and I then tried different patterns and tutorials so I now make amigurumi, accessories, blankets, cushion covers, scarves… It is a lot of fun and very relaxing, especially in winter when you can snuggle under a blanket and crochet in front of the TV.

rosequartz Thu 15-Oct-15 12:58:57

Mine has been gathering dust aired for about six weeks on the dining room table....

Anya Thu 15-Oct-15 12:39:09

Yes, have dug out the sewing machine for its annual airing. Plan to make the dress/tunic on the left - if I can remember how to thread the machine!

rosequartz Thu 15-Oct-15 12:29:26

Gracesgran
Referring back to the OP, if someone sent me a beautiful hand-made card it would go into my huge box of treasures, I couldn't throw it out!
Someone else probably would though one day when they are sorting out 'Mum's hoarded stuff' smile

WilmaKnickersfit Thu 15-Oct-15 08:14:39

Definitely Gracesgran and it does us good to be able to focus our minds on something, so after a while other things seem a little bit less daunting. smile