Crafting For Beginners

I do enjoy giving out home made stuff though usual...

2010-10-19T05:05:41.391-07:00

I do enjoy giving out home made stuff though usually its cakes or some such as not good really with crafting. I dont know what they think since they all buy the pressies but I think it is made more from the heart so I carry on! Thanks for stopping by.

Hi Rae! Well - what a small world, I had found you...

2010-01-06T12:59:22.254-08:00

Hi Rae! Well - what a small world, I had found your Blog myzerowaste.com from an article in the Times, and been impressed and inspired by your ideas, and of course the little tetra pak purse, but I never thought you would come across my little blog. Glad you did, and now I can look in and see your other interestng musings on craft and baking and whatnot.
So pleased to have 'met you'!

Vicky x

I can't add much to what the other comments sa...

2009-11-17T08:42:32.865-08:00

I can't add much to what the other comments say - they're all right in my opinion too.

I really like your chicken too!

When our young neighbours had their new baby in Ja...

2009-11-15T03:42:41.520-08:00

When our young neighbours had their new baby in January I knitted them a cardigan and also a teddy bear for new baby and older sister. I was concerned whether they would like them as they are very consumeristic, house HAS to be in the latest style, redecorate every year, spend thousands on christmas, branded clothes for all etc. John passed the gifts in to them and said that the mum seemed to like the cardigan and the older sister had swiped both teddies although the mum had looked at them a little...well you know ;-)
Anyway one of the teedies was spotted in the rabbit hutch recently, but the other was in the baby's pram. And the mum asked if I could possibly knit a hat to match the cardi and she would pay for it so I'm guessing they weren't all bad.
I think if you craft with love and thought then the recipients will feel that in the gift and even if it's not to their taste it will create a happy and loving memory for everyone. Have faith in yourself, your makes so far have been lovely.
xx

I think it is really important to value the things...

2009-11-14T04:25:18.007-08:00

I think it is really important to value the things you make. I used to say, "oh, that's just something I made" but now I am much more proud of myself when I create something.
This Christmas I am making various gifts, and I hope the recipients value those gifts as much as I want them to!

The chicken is lovely btw.

I love it!! I have a real issue with books giving...

2009-11-13T03:00:35.221-08:00

I love it!! I have a real issue with books giving pattern templates which have to be enlarged 200% or more. I had a right job with getting something I needed enlarging, it was too big for the library photocopier and in the end, I had to take the book to the local printers which cost me an extra fiver!! Why don't they add the price onto the book and give the pattern paper in a separate wallet at the back of the book like some sewing books do? It would save time, money and petrol!!

I wonder sometimes about sending hand-made gifts to people who wouldn't normally be into hand-made stuff. I figure though, that you have to give people a chance to like it and often people are quite awed that you have spent time making something for them, rather than hitting the shops. Go for it!

You're right ShazRonnie; I can't let it go...

2009-11-13T00:45:52.582-08:00

You're right ShazRonnie; I can't let it go into the bin. I guess I'm going to have to unpick. Grrrr

Thanks Sawn; I must admit my inner child is having a tantrum at not being 'good enough' so I'm sulking about having to re do - interesting psychology!

Thanks Pippa; you think they airbrush and have all sorts of nips and tucks in the crafting world as well as live modelling then?! There's a thought LOL!

Thanks Spiceyapplepie; I guess I should be more confident - that's a first failure from some successes. I'm good at being critical of myself ;)

Hi Dia, the heirloom sewing box sounds wonderful; what a beautiful energy it must carry. How is the remodelling project turning out or have you finished?

Hi Edith, thanks for sharing your experiences. My ...

2009-11-13T00:42:24.065-08:00

Hi Edith, thanks for sharing your experiences. My fear is making a mistake, then ruining the whole thing, So I'll take your advice and read and read again before I go anywhere near the scissors and thread!

Thanks sweetie; they look great with the sunlight ...

2009-11-13T00:41:29.588-08:00

Thanks sweetie; they look great with the sunlight shining through them!

Oh no, that's so sad about Patsy :( What have ...

2009-11-13T00:41:13.089-08:00

Oh no, that's so sad about Patsy :(
What have you made from clothkits - any favourites? I'm still a bit scared to start the doll, but I enjoyed making the dress; I couldn't get over the quality of the material; it's fab

Thanks Pippa; I am pleased with it for my first at...

2009-11-13T00:40:29.739-08:00

Thanks Pippa; I am pleased with it for my first attempt and you're right; turning old clothes into something new is so exciting!

If you have the clothkits doll it is straightforwa...

2009-11-04T02:54:22.233-08:00

If you have the clothkits doll it is straightforward and works well for a slightly older child (6 ish). I don't think it is THAT durable-wouldn't take punishment doled out by my younger kids (puddles, extreme tea parties, etc).

Only thing is, DO read the instructions first. then read them again. The material is pretty much impossible to unpick, sadly, and I ended up having to just use the original as a pattern for another cloth doll.

(& she's about your age!!)

2009-11-02T23:29:22.675-08:00

(& she's about your age!!)

Ditto on the above! & yes, it can be disappoi...

2009-11-02T23:27:54.634-08:00

Ditto on the above!
& yes, it can be disappointing when it doesn't turn out as 'nice' as you expected - but do play with it a bit!

The other day my daughter told me she'd like her sewing box re-done - I got it when I was 9 or 10, & gave it to her (with fresh fabric on the lid, & some re-doing on the inside) when she was about 12!! It's like an oval hat-box, with little 'trays' in a top section - & quite battered!! seriously?? So I have to figure out how to 're-do' it one more time!!

you could always try to re-enforce the lid part wi...

2009-10-31T11:11:45.614-07:00

you could always try to re-enforce the lid part with some iron on interfacing, as Pippa suggested their version looks stiffened considerably!

I think it looks great, luckily the internet wasn't around for me to have posted my first sewing itmes they were absolutely awful! Much worse than this I would have seen this item as a success!

Oh don't be so hard on yourself, I think you c...

2009-10-26T03:01:57.079-07:00

Oh don't be so hard on yourself, I think you could tweak the lid to make it fit somehow, or make another, it's definitely worth keeping anyway (I think it's cute as it is personally!) Don't forget that they could have used hairspray and all sorts of gadgetry to make the picture sit perfect like that. They might have even used much stiffer felt for a start. Not a failure by any means!!

It's a shame when things don't work out ho...

2009-10-26T01:58:41.697-07:00

It's a shame when things don't work out how we would like them too, but don't be too despondent - I think it could be fixed too.
I would take the lid off and unstitch the edging and put it on a new piece of felt and cut around a little bigger as the previous comment mentions. Re- attatch the top and do the edging again and you'll probably have the trinket box you want.
Crafting is all about trial and error sometimes, hope you have another go of this one - it looks lovely, just needs a slightly bigger lid.

It's not that bad - only the lid is a problem....

2009-10-26T01:01:33.146-07:00

It's not that bad - only the lid is a problem. If you got a piece of felt and cut a circle large enough couldn't you make one which does fit? I think it's salvageable! (You don't want to have to put it in the bin after all!!!)

Pretty darn good!! Lovely fabric too, it's ve...

2009-10-24T12:26:32.285-07:00

Pretty darn good!! Lovely fabric too, it's very satisfying turning old clothes into something new!

I love Clothkits, they have given me confidence to...

2009-10-20T03:41:46.507-07:00

I love Clothkits, they have given me confidence to tackle bigger things and the fabric quality is excellent as you say. Oh, I had a Tiny Tears doll called Patsy and I sooo loved her. I don't know what happened to her, everything got sold to pay big debts when my parents split up in 1995 and a lot of my toys went too which I do feel pretty sad/cross about. Ah well, it's lovely to see your doll looking so pretty!

They are lovely x

2009-10-19T13:53:35.740-07:00

They are lovely x

That's a great idea - thanks Rachel!

2009-10-14T01:04:23.503-07:00

That's a great idea - thanks Rachel!

Not terribly green....but you can write on pebbles...

2009-10-13T13:12:45.467-07:00

Not terribly green....but you can write on pebbles with those silver or gold pens that you get at Christmas time. I went to e wedding once that had pebbles with names on to show you where to sit. Pretty, but as I said not exactly eco!

Ahhh, pencil case would be good; although I hope t...

2009-10-13T01:45:18.748-07:00

Ahhh, pencil case would be good; although I hope that doesn't mean poppers or zips LOL! DD is always drawing and always losing her crayons. Thanks!
I hope Rosie enjoys her doll :)

I love the lavender bags, they're so pretty! ...

2009-10-12T08:36:32.606-07:00

I love the lavender bags, they're so pretty! Your list sounds good too! What about pencil cases? They make nice presents and you could put some pens or pencils inside as part of the present. I have sent for a Clothkits Kitty doll for Rosie to make, to give her some practise on the sewing machine.