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Arts & crafts

What do you do with all the lovely things that you make?

(124 Posts)
PamelaJ1 Sun 15-Nov-20 15:16:47

Well I am presuming they are lovely!
The time spent making them can’t equate to the price that they could be sold for and not all of you want to have a stall at a craft fair. There must be a limit to how many cushions, tapestries ect. that you and your families want.
I’m asking as I’m expecting another * from my sister for Christmas. I want to shout “it’s just fabulous but I don’t want another one”!
The things she makes are really lovely, thank goodness, and I feel very ungrateful but I can’t help it.

MellowYellow Mon 16-Nov-20 09:10:42

What's a Kindle beanbag fevertree? Lovely jewellery Blossoming. I'll take a look at doing that. Always assumed I'd need specialist machinery etc.

PamelaJ1 Mon 16-Nov-20 09:21:37

This pine cone thing is more involved than I thought. I’ve got to bake them before I use them to kill mould and bugs. I’d better get started.

Hetty58 Mon 16-Nov-20 09:22:09

I keep all the knitted stuff that I won't use in a drawer. In 'normal' times, the family have a look through and 'claim' things. The headbands, scarves and slippers (in various sizes) are popular with daughters and granddaughters.

I also have requests (for baby and dolls clothes, cushion cases, leg warmers and plant pot covers) to 'make to measure' (tricky).

Bird and bat boxes sit in the garage until 'claimed' too.

fevertree Mon 16-Nov-20 09:25:57

Mellow A Kindle bean bag is for resting a tablet (or phone) on when reading. I don't know how I ever managed without it! It has made reading in bed so much easier, not to mention propping my tablet in the kitchen when following a recipe. I used to have a rigid stand, but this is so much better. Very easy to make too, fill with rice or lentils. Search on YouTube for making instructions.

fevertree Mon 16-Nov-20 09:27:16

Ooh Hetty you've just inspired me to knit leg warmers - for myself!

Beechnut Mon 16-Nov-20 09:29:08

Is yours something like mine fevertree?

Whitewavemark2 Mon 16-Nov-20 09:33:48

I’m not sure what I make is all that lovely?. But just finished off some knitted wreaths for my two children’s advent gift, and have begun next years!

It’s for the winter lockdown to pass the time. Next year they are receiving each a Scandinavian patchwork knitted throw.

I began the wreaths in the spring lockdown, stopped for the summer and picked them up again this lockdown to finish by December 1st. Need to paint some gift cards to go with them. DH has carved two wooden Father Christmases for them as well. It will all go in their boxes with advent calendars, chocolate and some baked biscuits. They are both rattling on to 50? but always my children.

MellowYellow Mon 16-Nov-20 09:35:10

Thanks fevertree just what I need for reading in bed. I've just finished knitting a bat for a friend for Christmas, so I'll make that my next project.

fevertree Mon 16-Nov-20 09:36:24

Beechnut yes, but I think mine is filled more. Here's a pic. smile

tavimama Mon 16-Nov-20 10:15:18

I knit tiny clothes for a preemie and Angel baby group. I am just packing a box to send them, replete with small blankets, hats, little cardigan and jumper sets, canula sleeves and twiddle lapghans.

sandelf Mon 16-Nov-20 10:16:12

... That's why I don't do 'making' - have enough things and have been given enough lovingly made things. Now I try to work on skills - at the moment playing the flute. Have done - jams, sweet making, sewing clothes, making soft toys etc - enjoyed them at the time.

Nannan2 Mon 16-Nov-20 10:16:48

Thats beautiful Blossoming.

Davida1968 Mon 16-Nov-20 10:20:31

I crochet dishcloths (for three households). And at present I'm knitting scarves for charities.
I also make cards for birthdays and other occasions - or just to say "hello". (Older people really appreciate receiving a card by "snail mail".)

jenni123 Mon 16-Nov-20 10:25:03

since the 1st lockdown and not allowed visitors I needed something to do (I'm disabled/housebound) I started to do Bead art or diamond Art and really enjoy doing it although having problems right now as my cataracts are getting bad. I have done about 30 I think. I have 3 that I have framed and they hang on my wall, the others are in an art file. I still have another 6 to do, Just hoping my cataracts can be done soon.

FlotheCrow Mon 16-Nov-20 10:26:20

I'm a calligrapher, so most of what I do, (eg poetry, scrolls, wedding invites, place cards and table plans) is on commission.

Ailidh Mon 16-Nov-20 10:26:47

I crochet and am very lucky to have a local yarn shop that sells things for me for a 10% commission. Sometimes I make things to order but I prefer to just put things in on spec. I make them season-appropriate.

I don't make a fortune but it's still fun to get a little bit of pocket money. For example, I've made a few Pocket Shawls, which sell for £15. The yarn costs £8.50, the shop owner gets £1.50 (as well as the price of the yarn, obvs), which gives me a fiver for 20 hours work.

It keeps me sane, it keeps people going into the shop, when it's not locked down, Win-Win.

Nannan2 Mon 16-Nov-20 10:27:48

I knitted a blanket on 'fat' needles for my son in first lockdown.He loves it.his sister saw it when he facetimed her so now im doing her one! Thing is if i stick at it, it takes up all my spare time but i need to clock on a bit to get it done for xmas! (But this time im not as motivated) i also did a smaller one for other son but it needs 're- knitting' to be bigger & better (his was the trial run) but now hes at back of the queuegrini also did mittens for new GD and a multi coloured scarf for same DD to go with her blanket.ive excelled myself ?im exhaustedgrin

Ailidh Mon 16-Nov-20 10:27:50

Ps, I make a hat a day for charity too.

threexnanny Mon 16-Nov-20 10:32:35

Our GC are still young enough to like nanny's knitting, but I try not to make too much. One or two jumpers each per year. However, this year I have already completed this year's quota so have started on next years!
If I'm sewing for myself, or family, it has to be something useful although I have also been making cross stitch cards for a few 'special' birthdays and anniversaries.

optimist Mon 16-Nov-20 10:33:43

I give them away or throw them away as, for me, the value is in the making of them.

bridie54 Mon 16-Nov-20 10:35:23

I crochet and do patchwork and quilting. When I'm not making things for presents I give them to the charity Linus. Am not techie enough to post a link but please do look it up. There are local co-ordinators all over the UK (and abroad but don't quote me on that one as am not sure how widespread they are) Linus will make use of any donations which are passed on to many different groups and benefit children up to 18yrs benefit. Our local group recently gave to our local Womens Aid group and to a re-homing charity, but regular donations to the large hospital SCBU have halted due to CV :-( The Linus web site has information and patterns for sewing, knitting and crochet, but the co-ordinators will happily tell you what's good for their particular area. My not so nice yarn gets crocheted up for cat/dog blankets for the local centre.

Nannina Mon 16-Nov-20 10:41:52

I only make for family and friends if they specifically ask otherwise my makes go to various charities via the online craft group I belong to

Pudding123 Mon 16-Nov-20 10:45:48

Just replying to a text from my friend offering me one of her delicious home made Xmas puddings !I said we could exchange it for my home made chilli jam.

Craftycat Mon 16-Nov-20 10:48:35

I do Craft Fayres with my illuminated jars. I have a cupboard full this year as nowhere to sell them & I would not want the trouble of posting them.
They are very pretty with fairies & unicorns in a glittery jar with flowers around the top & a tea light. They are such fun to make- no 2 the same ever!
Hopefully next year sometime I can get them out of the cupboard again!

twinnytwin Mon 16-Nov-20 10:57:06

Since March I've sewn 16 garments for me - mostly tops including two dresses, a coat, skirt and two pairs of trousers, 2 sweatshirts for DGDs, a sweatshirt for DH birthday, finished a knitted nativity set (thank goodness), taught myself to embroider and do cross-stitch, taken up a huge set of curtains, and almost finished a knitted sweater from two years ago. My watercolour painting tools haven't been touched. I love to be creative.