Are you crafty?

[elrohwen]

No I always want to be crafty, but I never follow through with anything. Or if I do follow through, it looks like a 5 year old made it because I am just not artistic.

I'm going to try knitting again. Some girls I'm friends with at my new job have a knitting club (or a sit-around-and-gossip-while-knitting club) and I think I would be more likely to do it with friends. Plus, they can help me out. I have so little patience for scarves, but I can't move on without some practice and one-on-one help. I also hate cheap yarn, but I don't want to spend $50 on yarn if I'm not going to follow through, but then I don't follow through because I'm using cheap yarn that I hate. lol. So maybe I'll invest in some nicer yarn if I'm going to knit with other people.

 

[cellentani]

Haven, I've always thought quilling looked so cool - I hope we get to see your piece! I'm sure your mom will love it!

elrohwen, I've just taken up some knitting projects too, and in the last couple of weeks, have taught myself how to crochet. I'm sooo with you on not wanting to shell out for expensive yarn, but hating the cheap stuff! I just made a scarf for my daughter, and I used a Caron merino/acrylic blend, and it's fairly soft (Caron Country). And to make it even easier, I made a much narrower scarf, so it worked up pretty fast. My oldest daughter saw the finished scarf and has requested one for herself in a different color, lol. Keep at it - I wish I had a knitting club, that sounds like loads of fun!

 

[lilyfoot]

Re:

- We have a huge canvas hanging up in our dining room that my niece and nephew created using craypas. It''s actually pretty cool!!

I would love to see a pic of this, if possible!

 

[4ever]

If I can figgure out how to do somthing crafty I do it. I make and repair costume jewlery, alot of the paintings and photo collages in our house I made, I have done some crafty baking things like making some cute lil sugar roses for cuppies, I've made cusion covers, some pretty good costumes, I can cross stich but havn't for years, same goes for making tedy bears, clay sculptures, tie dye etc.

I would like to teach myself to scrap book so I can do neat cards and invites and the such, I'd like to teach myself to crotchet and make a cool blanket or a beenie or somthing, I'd like to be able to remember how to knit and I'd like to teach myself how to make my own clothes from patterns.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Was so inspired I ordered 10 canvases. Yikes!

 

[lilyfoot]

Was so inspired I ordered 10 canvases. Yikes!

Wow! Can't wait to see what you do with them!

 

[Haven]

I think the image attached this time! It's the Hebrew word "Shalom" surrounded by a lot of doodads.

Tacori--What are your plans for all those canvases? What fun!

ETA: Blah. It attached, but my photos always look so bad once they upload onto PS. Sorry.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I always get suckered into buying bulk (for the deal). I promised my friend I would paint her something for her nursery. I will probably use 2 or 3 on that since I like paintings in a series. It's been two years since I have painted so I guess it is time. Then I figured I would paint something for me. Not sure what but I am planning on redoing my bedroom. I'll have to look around for some inspiration.

Haven, you are very talented.

 

[princesss]

I'd like to be, but I'm not. I do little projects when I'm bored, and I like building things (but I think that's more DIY than crafty). But I either don't put enough detail on or I put too many. I can't find that balance.

 

[Haven]

I always get suckered into buying bulk (for the deal). I promised my friend I would paint her something for her nursery. I will probably use 2 or 3 on that since I like paintings in a series. It's been two years since I have painted so I guess it is time. Then I figured I would paint something for me. Not sure what but I am planning on redoing my bedroom. I'll have to look around for some inspiration.

Haven, you are very talented.

That's so sweet that you're going to pain something for your friend's nursery. I bet she'll cherish it forever.

Thank you for your kind words, but I must say that quilling is one of the easiest things to do! I was surprised that it came out looking decent, and now I just think it's because it's a super easy craft. Next, I plan to make one for my friend who just had a baby. I'm going to write out "Ellie" in block letters and fill them with a ton of pretty little curly papers.

Seriously, quilling is too easy for me to take any credit. Try it!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Haven, it is my pleasure to paint something for her. She has been a very good friend to me. Motivation is something I lack but since her due date is in Sept. I don't have much time! How did you learn to quill? I really like the look. I would love to do one with T's name.

 

[Haven]

That's so sweet, Tacori. What kind of paint do you use?

The cool thing about the quilling is that there's really no learning necessary. I was googling pictures of paper art one night (because that's my mom's favorite) and a bunch of quilling by Yulia Brodskaya popped up. (Google her, she's amazing.) I had never seen any quilling like that before, but loved the look, so I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up some really cheap supplies, went home, and quilled the shalom picture.

To get started it only takes:
- A pack of quilling paper ($2.99 for 100 1/8" strips) I probably only used 15 strips for the entire shalom piece.
- Quilling needle ($2.99)
- Tweezers (already had them)
- Craft glue (already had it, probably only a couple dollars)
- Heavy paper

I just looked at Yulia Brodskaya's work to see how she composed her pieces, drew out the Hebrew letters on a piece of paper, and put that paper behind the paper I glued the quilling paper onto. I used the needle to either curl or bend the paper to the correct angles for the letters and star. I used the tip of the little quilling needle to apply the glue, I just dipped it into the glue tube and spread it onto the paper. I held the paper with the tweezers while I applied the glue, and then while I placed it on the paper. Seriously, it's really easy and the end result is super pretty. (I have no idea if this is how you're supposed to do any of this, but it worked.)

When I was finished and all the glue was dried I used the tip of the quilling needle to gently scrape off any glue that you could see on the paper. The whole project probably took eight to ten hours total. So it is time consuming, but super easy.

I'm going to make quilled gifts for each of my sister's bridesmaids. Just their first initial framed in a little square frame. We found pre-matted frames that have thick mats. I had to stack three mats in the shalom piece for my mom so they would be deep enough to accommodate the quilling.

I think I like it so much because it is SUPER cheap, and I like getting engrossed in very detailed projects. The night I started quilling I stayed up until 4 AM and didn't even realize how late it was until I checked the clock. I love being in the zone like that.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Haven, wish you lived closer to me! I would watch you at work.

In art school I used oil paints but I cannot stand the mess and the slow drying time. I just use acrylic paint now. If you (or anyone else reading this) is looking for cheap art supplies, I buy all of mine from dickblick.com. The 18"x18" canvases I bought were under $7 a piece. Can't beat that! They have even cheaper ones but I like deep edges since I paint on the sides as well. I might let T loose on one since they were so inexpensive.

 

[Haven]

WOW, that's a great price for canvases. Let T create something, she would have so much fun doing it! We have a huge canvas up in our dining room that our niece and nephew created with oil pastels and rubber stamps. Ha. I love it, and they're so proud that we have their art work hanging up in our home.

This is exactly why I want to start my haven--how cool would it be to have a place to go to learn new skills for a week, a weekend, a day, etc. I do wish we were closer, it would be fun to swap techniques and tools!

Here's a picture of the canvas our niece and nephew made. They were 8 and 5 at the time, and they had a blast doing it. Whenever we have a party here they make sure to tell everyone that they are the artists. It's so cute.


ETA: I've always wanted to learn to paint with oils, it's so difficult for me. I love acrylic, will you share your piece when you've finished it? I can't wait to see it!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Haven, what a great piece!!! They are budding artists for sure.

I have posted some of my paintings in the past but cannot remember which thread. I did a series of six paintings for T's nursery that are probably in the original nursery thread. I will post the new ones whenever I finish them. The canvases are on backorder so who knows. We only used oil in my painting class. I do find oil nice to use when painting realistic scenes or portraits b/c it blends beautifully, gives nice texture and the longer drying time can work in your advantage.

 

[lilyfoot]

Great piece, Haven!

 

[Lynn B]

Yeah, I'm probably considered pretty "crafty"... although I'm fussy (and a bit snooty ) about my "crafts". I prefer to call them "arts".

I make quilts, I paint, I make beaded jewelry, I scrapbook and rubber stamp. I have also puttered with stained and leaded glass, sculpture, knitting and crocheting. I also love to sew. When my daughter was little, I made most of her clothes, complete with little matching purses, hair scrunchies, decorated socks, headbands, hair bows, etc. SOOOOO stinkin' cute!!!

I also love to make pillows, shams, dust ruffles and curtains, etc., to supplement another passion, home decorating. I also love to scour flea markets and auctions and bring stuff home and refurbish/refinish it and turn it into something unique and beautiful.

I LOVE using my hands to *make stuff*. And I'll try anything twice!!!

 

[MonkeyPie]

Haven, that quilling is awesome! I may have to try that next.

My mom and I are going to make a crib bumper this weekend. I am super stoked - I have been feeling really crafty lately and not sure what to do with myself. When we finish I'll post it!