5 posts tagged “craft”

Karen, a Ravelry friend has tagged me for a 7 Random Facts Meme!

I'm not usually that much into memes (and there are probably enough random facts about me floating around here), but I'm in a somewhat obliging mood, and figure this is as good an excuse as any to link to a few other people!

Here, then, are 7 bizarre/random/weird facts about me:

1. I love that being crafty gives me a chance to bond with my Mum. My mother became closer in my later teens, and after I moved back home - it's really nice having crafty stuff to talk about, and that we can inspire each other.
2. I am always surprised when I have the patience and perserverance to finish something; and not at all shocked when I fail to do so! I get bored and distracted easily, but have little or no guilt about that. Know your limits, I say.
3. I hate knick-knacks around the house, but have no problem with useless knitted or sewn objects.
4. I am terrible at finishing (that is, sewing, seaming, tidying) objects and garments. Not so much because I lack the skills, but because I lose focus and want to move on to the next thing.
5. I have a tendency towrds clumsiness, and slow reactions. I've considered spinning as a craft endeavour, but I fear I am too uncoordinated to work both hands and feet together - when I walk along the street it's hard enough to swing both arms (something I share with my paternal grandmother, I'm told).
6. When I was 12/13 I would go to the Art Society in town and do oil painting with a bunch of old women! I'd like to get back into painting (though maybe acrylics this time).
7. I collect paper and paper craft supplies. This was much cheaper before scrapbooking because big business!

Note that I've given my 'facts' a crafty/arty slant; this isn't part of the meme's rules, but as most of the peopel who read this blog of mine do so for crafty updates (or are otherwise frequently disappointed and annoyed), I thought I'd throw that aspect in. Each of the people I'm linking to I know, or know of, in a crafting way.

These seven random (as random as people I know/know of can be) people, I tag:

1. JustJussi (Ravelry profile), who knows and shares so much!
2. Kristine (Ravelry profile), who I kind of work with.
3. Daisie (Ravelry profile), who was my awesome scarf exchange pal!
4. Catherynne (Ravelry profile), who does the papercrafty stuff I should start doing!
5. Sairy (Ravelry profile), who has some Koigu socks I must copy!
6. EnnaVic (Ravelry profile), who reads all the books I make no time for!
7. Majorie (Ravelry profile), with her cute little art dolls!

Because order is good, here are the rules (they must be posted on your site):

• Link to the person’s blog who tagged you.
• List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself.
• Tag seven random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs (shoot me for putting mine in the middle :-P).
• Let each person know that they have been tagged by posting a comment on their blog and also so they can look at your blog and not tag the same people all over again!
• Let the fun begin!

If you're not into meme's, don't sweat it; nobody is going to chase you down if you don't tag anyone, or reply yourself. :-) This is *not* a chain letter!

Berry & Pistachio Biscotti

There hasn't been a lot of action here on the crafting front recently, but I have been doing some things, if not all of the tasks and items intended. Lately, it's been baking goodies as thank-yous and pre-Christmas cheer. One decoration has been made! One! And not even a felt one as I so optimistically planned in August (with months to spare).

I've baked cranberry and pistachio biscotti (for that red and green thing), candied almonds and pecans, and some hazelnut and bran cookies that were very nice hot from the oven! Those have all been gifted to lovely people who have helped me out this year.

In the fridge I have hazelnut and almond chocolate truffle things, all individually wrapped as treats to take home for the family. Hopefully the collection won't get too much smaller before then! The hazelnut ones were a treat at my WW meeting a couple of weeks ago; nothing better than a low-point treat that is delicious. Mind you, given the rate I'm expanding these days, treats are not what I need! Trying not to get to caught up in that, but it's hard.

The star (which is to be adorned with a ribbon, rather than the knitted cord suggested) is from Paton's The Big Book Of Small Projects 2 (the first one has some cool patterns too, but no Xmas decorations). I worked one side in garter, as designed, and the other in stocking stitch (just to see what it looked like). I actually prefer the stocking stitch side, but am very pleased with the completed star. I was having a hard time picturing how it was knit on straight needles (and the making up/finsihing instructions are a little vague), but it was really very simple and quick.  I will make more - I think they would make a neat rattle/toy, too.

So, I found out not long ago that I'm a great-aunt for the third time this year. It was a bit of a suprise (well, a complete surprise, really), but I quickly realised it'd be more bootie knitting on the horizon. I just as quickly flagged that idea, and decided that I'd make something impractical out of felt instead.

mobile-stars

I initially had visions of little animals, but searching through my felt supplies (yes, I have so much I need to search), I came across some stars I'd actually cut out and sewn last year as Christmas decorations, but discarded (going with ever so slightly more traditional colours). Perfect! They're blue, the baby is a boy; it was meant to be.

mobile-hang

One Saturday, and some painted iceblock sticks from the emporium, a few buttons, and some embroidery cotton (and a lot of thinking), I had a mobile!

Now, I'm not expecting any more births in the near future, but should any be announced, I'll totally consider making another mobile as an alternative (or perhaps in addition to) a quick bootie pattern. I gotta use up that felt somehow!

Santas

What did you do in your lunch break? I sculpted Santa. Four Santas, in fact. I bought some polymer clay the other day to make a couple of little goodies to go in an exchange pack, and it was so much fun (shades of play dough and plastercine at kindergarten), I decided I could make other stuff for Christmas and, well, whatever.

So, now I have four Santa heads. Maybe they'll be magnets, or maybe I'll poke a hole in the hats (they're not baked yet) and make them into tree decorations. I can tell you they will not be earrings. Why people persist with the festive ear decoration I do not understand.

Check out the photo though. Somehow I ended up with three relatively happy looking men with facial hair, and one that seems oddly startled or scared. Maybe he's concerned at the lack of ears and noses? I figure after years of heading down chimneys a little missing flesh is only to be expected!

It's almost October, and stores will be sticking up Christmas decorations and peddling their festive wares soon. I'm very glad I do not have to be involved in that! I am learning from last year though, and getting more of a head start on my crafting. The table is covered with felt and embroidery cottons, and other ideas for gifts. There hasn't been much action there, but I'm ready to go.

Maddy's Nest

There has been progress on the knitting front, a tea cosy completed, a start on Fair Isle wristwarmers, rows of my Somewhat Cowl, and assorted plotting and purchasing), but nothing that  really makes for an interesting photograph yet! Check me out on Ravelry if you're intersted in the details!

I don't think Maddy's too concerned about the lack of knitting, he has plenty of scarves upon which to make his bed. He did have to sniff the polymer clay though, to make sure it wasn't something he should be eating (I was using a dinner plate as my work surface). Now he's frolicking amongst the daisies littering the yard - best to enjoy the sun while it's here!

I am somewhat puzzled by my affection for Martha Stewart. Yes, she's a hard-assed woman, who puts up with little crap from her guests (and yet invites Andy Dick back), she can cook, and craft, and wears impractical shoes. I get that. What I don't get is why I still watch when 9 out of 10 times the ideas she presents get the following reactions from me:

Hrm, that's clever. And cute. But a why on earth would I want to make a [insert given craft project]?

Wow, that's a creative idea. I bet I could buy one of those [insert given craft project] for a fraction of the effort, and twice the satisfaction, though.

Do people actually DO this stuff? Or just beat themselves up because they're not a good homemaker?

Why I am viewing crafting and cooking ideas for Thanksgiving/Halloween, when we don't do those holidays in New Zealand? And even if we did, pumpkins are for eating, and what kind of loonie gives away perfectly good lollies?

OK, so I do fold my fitted sheets the Martha way, and I do spout the odd bit of wisdom I've overhead (but have never used myself). It's not that I'm not a crafty person, either; I'm excellent at taking up new hobbies (not so good at sticking with them). I don't have a thing for blondes. I will admit to taking some delight in watching celebrities fumble and bumble their way through a segment, but I do hope that's not the reason I watch!

I think, deep down, I'm just waiting for the day she snaps, and takes to an errant guest with her wooden spoon. I hope it's Andy Dick.