Sewing and Crafting - Page 3

tupi · January 21st, 2002, 11:20 AM

I used to embroider a lot! Once I hit 40 my eyes made it difficult to see and I gave it up. I've done probably 25 crewel pictures, and they all came out beautifully. Today they seem dated though, and I've put most of them away.

I've rediscovered decoupage and have done some nice work with it. I love the look of it. I also love craft furniture, and would like to paint one of my old dressers in a craft design. I'll do that in my spare time one day. In the meantime, we're in the long long process of remodeling our outdated house. I'm beginning to think that it will never ever be finished because every time I do one thing, I see ten more that need to be done. Next life I want to live in a cave and just draw pictures on the walls.

LiamFan! · January 21st, 2002, 02:53 PM

Our state fair doesn't allow projects completed from kits in its competition, but I have seen some that are clearly from kits...I know, because they were identical to projects I had completed.

YMMV

anniejoan · January 21st, 2002, 06:25 PM

Wooooohooooo Terri! WTG!!! Crewel work is beautiful! I really hope you get back at it...and I encourage you to set aside a bit of time to rediscover that joy! Keep us posted, k?

lol @ live in a cave (((((( tupi ))))))
I've tried decoupage and love the look but I'm not always able to get the bubbles out. Do you have any helpful hints on preventing bubbles from forming under the paper?

((((((( Liam ))))))) It's too bad the judges didn't recognize the kits. It makes it unfair for those who have submitted original work.

Tala · January 21st, 2002, 06:32 PM

{{{{{{{Anniejoan}}}}}}}}}} Yes it was great connecting last night in WS. I did pick up embroidery needles today. As for the material its' not the usual material used for cross stitch I know what you are referring to on this. The material is more like cotton, so I am going to get something similar and work on it while learning the stitches as well. Ugh! LOL IN the meantime, I have a meeting tonight, so it will be later on when I can stop in WS and chat with you.

Thanks so much for your help and explanining things to me where I can understand them.

I will send out an email later to you to give you the explaintion you deserve regarding this project. Thanks a million.
/me hugs anniejoan and leaves her with a hugemonous amount of her favorite goodies!

anniejoan · January 21st, 2002, 06:53 PM

lol (((((( Tala )))))) Thanks for the treats and you're welcome! Any time! See you later tonight in WomensSpace.

anniejoan

Terri · January 22nd, 2002, 12:51 AM

There is a category in our state fair and also at the Strawberry Festival for kits as opposed to original designs. Clearly mine was entered into the kit category. But the talent and creativity are still used. I altered stitches and it was simply a stamped picture that I had to work. There were some difficult parts in the cross stitiching border and in blending the threads to make the geese look puffy and 3D. I did more original work before the age of 12!! As I got older kits were easier for me. I may look at getting one to do this summer. My eyes ain't so great anymore either, I hope I can still embroider.

tupi · January 22nd, 2002, 08:28 AM

You know why I can't embroider? My hands sweat. It's sounds so horrible, and it is. Everything I touch ends up wet and dirty. It's a shame I wanted to embroider quilts for my grandbabies that I don't have yet but hope to some day. Oh well...guess I'll give them a decoupaged dresser instead!

annie, the trick to keeping bubbles out is using small pieces and smoothing them with a straight edge as you go. Gently but firmly smooth each bit of paper and don't be afraid to use extra decoupage paste. I use tissue paper or the thinest paper I can get to decoupage with, I've also found lace and fine fabric like organza makes an interesting affect.

anniejoan · January 22nd, 2002, 08:32 AM

Hi Terri:
That's great that the fair has a kits category too! There are still tons of kits around, in all types of needlework categories and in all skill levels.

My eyesight isn't as good as it used to be either so I got a manifier and it really helps!

I hope all of us can lose our inhibitions about creativity. As kids, we're naturally creative and then lose it as we get older. Sometimes when I'm feeling creative but uneasy about a project, I'll pull out some colored pencils or crayons and just doodle. It helps to relax me and doodling is for fun! There are no such things as mistakes when doodling!

Happy creating!

anniejoan

anniejoan · January 22nd, 2002, 08:43 AM

I've found a great way to store the 2oz
bottles of crafting paints...they fit nicely into those rectangular photo storage boxes! Those boxes would also be great to store other crafting and
needlework items!

frozen5 · January 22nd, 2002, 02:29 PM

anniejoan I love those photo storage boxes! I use them for everyting! One is a recipe box, photos (of course), sewing notions, fabric scraps, cross stitching projects.....and the list goes on.

Though I have not cross stitched in some time I love it. Right now I am working on a quilt and crochetting another throw.

I am no painter....I can't draw stick figures. But as for decopauge (sp) is that something you need to do outdoors or have good ventalation? I mean is the glue really smelly? Living up here in the frozen north my outside or open window season is limited. lol

Terri · January 22nd, 2002, 04:21 PM

Frozen, the type of glue you use is not smelly. You can use regular decoupage glue or do what I do which is buy Aileen's craft glue and water it down, much cheaper that way with the same results.

Did you ever have to mix a special color of paint (acrylic)? Then just wash it down the drain. I have a solution. The film canisters that 35 mm film come in are perfect storage containers for small amounts of paint that you wish to keep and reuse.

anniejoan · January 23rd, 2002, 08:28 AM

(((((( Tupi )))))) I missed your post up there ^. lol I'll try using a straight edge and smaller pieces.I want to try that organza idea too! I bet it looks fantastic!

(((((( frozen ))))))) Now that I've discovered those photo boxes, I'm thinking of all the different ways I can use them to organize supplies. Have fun working on your quilt and throw.

((((( Terri ))))))) What a great idea about keeping special paint mixes in film canisters. In the past, I've covered the mixing plate with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge. It works but the problem with it is that when I go to reuse it, most of the paint has stuck to the plastic!

Happy creating everyone!
anniejoan

Tala · January 23rd, 2002, 08:38 AM

When I have mastered embroidering then i will move on to quilting. In the meantime, I do hope to see all of you in the chat room. Anniejoan I need you to email me will explain later. /me leaves some coffee and croussiants and fruit spread

frozen5 · January 23rd, 2002, 02:24 PM

Those little film canisters are handy too! If you punch a small hole in the lid it's great for keeping needles! A bigger hole and they are great for paper clips! I use the film canisters for sorting buttons, tacks, needles, pins, to carry aspirin in my purse....and again the list can go on. The paint idea was good to! To bad I don't paint. And thanks for the heads up on the glue! I might have to try my hand at a new craft now! lol

tupi · January 23rd, 2002, 04:09 PM

Good lord, I've thrown away so many of those film cases!!!!!!!

Well, this is one of those days when nothing went right.

tried to install a 24 inch sliding shelf in one of my new cabinets....well, silly me, I forgot about the cabinet door! The shelf won't slide because the door is in the way. There's no way of adjusting anything so, now I'm going to have to build a small box to install the drawer in and put it under the sink. I need it under the sink, but it's going to twice the work.

Then there's the halfbath. We're remodeling it, and the bright yellow towel and toilet tissue holders just won't do, so I painted them. To protect the paint, I put acrylic over it, and it crackled the paint. It looks horrible. So,I came in here to chill a bit before I go remove the paint and start over again. Naturally, I poured the mixed paint down the sink because NOBODY told me to put it in a film canister!!!!!!!! WAAAAAAAA!!!

What kind of photo boxes are you talking about? You mean the ones that are similar to shoe boxes (which I use now) but are sturdier?

January 21st, 2002, 02:53 PM	#32
LiamFan! Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 2,048	Our state fair doesn't allow projects completed from kits in its competition, but I have seen some that are clearly from kits...I know, because they were identical to projects I had completed. YMMV __________________ Love is never defeated, and I could add, the history of Ireland proves it. -- Pope John Paul II

January 21st, 2002, 06:25 PM	#33
anniejoan Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 340	Wooooohooooo Terri! WTG!!! Crewel work is beautiful! I really hope you get back at it...and I encourage you to set aside a bit of time to rediscover that joy! Keep us posted, k? lol @ live in a cave (((((( tupi )))))) I've tried decoupage and love the look but I'm not always able to get the bubbles out. Do you have any helpful hints on preventing bubbles from forming under the paper? ((((((( Liam ))))))) It's too bad the judges didn't recognize the kits. It makes it unfair for those who have submitted original work. __________________ Am I a super spammer yet?

January 21st, 2002, 06:32 PM	#34
Tala Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 34	Hi {{{{{{{Anniejoan}}}}}}}}}} Yes it was great connecting last night in WS. I did pick up embroidery needles today. As for the material its' not the usual material used for cross stitch I know what you are referring to on this. The material is more like cotton, so I am going to get something similar and work on it while learning the stitches as well. Ugh! LOL IN the meantime, I have a meeting tonight, so it will be later on when I can stop in WS and chat with you. Thanks so much for your help and explanining things to me where I can understand them. I will send out an email later to you to give you the explaintion you deserve regarding this project. Thanks a million. /me hugs anniejoan and leaves her with a hugemonous amount of her favorite goodies! __________________ May the Great Spirit guide your Heart to lead your path

January 21st, 2002, 06:53 PM	#35
anniejoan Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 340	lol (((((( Tala )))))) Thanks for the treats and you're welcome! Any time! See you later tonight in WomensSpace. anniejoan __________________ Am I a super spammer yet?

January 22nd, 2002, 12:51 AM	#36
Terri Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 382	There is a category in our state fair and also at the Strawberry Festival for kits as opposed to original designs. Clearly mine was entered into the kit category. But the talent and creativity are still used. I altered stitches and it was simply a stamped picture that I had to work. There were some difficult parts in the cross stitiching border and in blending the threads to make the geese look puffy and 3D. I did more original work before the age of 12!! As I got older kits were easier for me. I may look at getting one to do this summer. My eyes ain't so great anymore either, I hope I can still embroider. __________________ Let words touch wisdom teeth on way through mouth (Confucious)

January 21st, 2002, 11:20 AM	#31
tupi Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 144	I used to embroider a lot! Once I hit 40 my eyes made it difficult to see and I gave it up. I've done probably 25 crewel pictures, and they all came out beautifully. Today they seem dated though, and I've put most of them away. I've rediscovered decoupage and have done some nice work with it. I love the look of it. I also love craft furniture, and would like to paint one of my old dressers in a craft design. I'll do that in my spare time one day. In the meantime, we're in the long long process of remodeling our outdated house. I'm beginning to think that it will never ever be finished because every time I do one thing, I see ten more that need to be done. Next life I want to live in a cave and just draw pictures on the walls.

January 22nd, 2002, 08:28 AM	#37
tupi Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 144	You know why I can't embroider? My hands sweat. It's sounds so horrible, and it is. Everything I touch ends up wet and dirty. It's a shame I wanted to embroider quilts for my grandbabies that I don't have yet but hope to some day. Oh well...guess I'll give them a decoupaged dresser instead! annie, the trick to keeping bubbles out is using small pieces and smoothing them with a straight edge as you go. Gently but firmly smooth each bit of paper and don't be afraid to use extra decoupage paste. I use tissue paper or the thinest paper I can get to decoupage with, I've also found lace and fine fabric like organza makes an interesting affect.

January 22nd, 2002, 08:32 AM	#38
anniejoan Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 340	Hi Terri: That's great that the fair has a kits category too! There are still tons of kits around, in all types of needlework categories and in all skill levels. My eyesight isn't as good as it used to be either so I got a manifier and it really helps! I hope all of us can lose our inhibitions about creativity. As kids, we're naturally creative and then lose it as we get older. Sometimes when I'm feeling creative but uneasy about a project, I'll pull out some colored pencils or crayons and just doodle. It helps to relax me and doodling is for fun! There are no such things as mistakes when doodling! Happy creating! anniejoan __________________ Am I a super spammer yet?

January 22nd, 2002, 08:43 AM	#39
anniejoan Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 340	Helpful Hint: Paint Storage I've found a great way to store the 2oz bottles of crafting paints...they fit nicely into those rectangular photo storage boxes! Those boxes would also be great to store other crafting and needlework items! __________________ Am I a super spammer yet?

January 22nd, 2002, 02:29 PM	#40
frozen5 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 44	anniejoan I love those photo storage boxes! I use them for everyting! One is a recipe box, photos (of course), sewing notions, fabric scraps, cross stitching projects.....and the list goes on. Though I have not cross stitched in some time I love it. Right now I am working on a quilt and crochetting another throw. I am no painter....I can't draw stick figures. But as for decopauge (sp) is that something you need to do outdoors or have good ventalation? I mean is the glue really smelly? Living up here in the frozen north my outside or open window season is limited. lol

January 22nd, 2002, 04:21 PM	#41
Terri Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 382	Frozen, the type of glue you use is not smelly. You can use regular decoupage glue or do what I do which is buy Aileen's craft glue and water it down, much cheaper that way with the same results. Did you ever have to mix a special color of paint (acrylic)? Then just wash it down the drain. I have a solution. The film canisters that 35 mm film come in are perfect storage containers for small amounts of paint that you wish to keep and reuse. __________________ Let words touch wisdom teeth on way through mouth (Confucious)

January 23rd, 2002, 08:28 AM	#42
anniejoan Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 340	(((((( Tupi )))))) I missed your post up there ^. lol I'll try using a straight edge and smaller pieces.I want to try that organza idea too! I bet it looks fantastic! (((((( frozen ))))))) Now that I've discovered those photo boxes, I'm thinking of all the different ways I can use them to organize supplies. Have fun working on your quilt and throw. ((((( Terri ))))))) What a great idea about keeping special paint mixes in film canisters. In the past, I've covered the mixing plate with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge. It works but the problem with it is that when I go to reuse it, most of the paint has stuck to the plastic! Happy creating everyone! anniejoan __________________ Am I a super spammer yet?

January 23rd, 2002, 08:38 AM	#43
Tala Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 34	Hi When I have mastered embroidering then i will move on to quilting. In the meantime, I do hope to see all of you in the chat room. Anniejoan I need you to email me will explain later. /me leaves some coffee and croussiants and fruit spread __________________ May the Great Spirit guide your Heart to lead your path

January 23rd, 2002, 02:24 PM	#44
frozen5 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 44	Those little film canisters are handy too! If you punch a small hole in the lid it's great for keeping needles! A bigger hole and they are great for paper clips! I use the film canisters for sorting buttons, tacks, needles, pins, to carry aspirin in my purse....and again the list can go on. The paint idea was good to! To bad I don't paint. And thanks for the heads up on the glue! I might have to try my hand at a new craft now! lol

January 23rd, 2002, 04:09 PM	#45
tupi Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 144	Good lord, I've thrown away so many of those film cases!!!!!!! Well, this is one of those days when nothing went right. tried to install a 24 inch sliding shelf in one of my new cabinets....well, silly me, I forgot about the cabinet door! The shelf won't slide because the door is in the way. There's no way of adjusting anything so, now I'm going to have to build a small box to install the drawer in and put it under the sink. I need it under the sink, but it's going to twice the work. Then there's the halfbath. We're remodeling it, and the bright yellow towel and toilet tissue holders just won't do, so I painted them. To protect the paint, I put acrylic over it, and it crackled the paint. It looks horrible. So,I came in here to chill a bit before I go remove the paint and start over again. Naturally, I poured the mixed paint down the sink because NOBODY told me to put it in a film canister!!!!!!!! WAAAAAAAA!!! What kind of photo boxes are you talking about? You mean the ones that are similar to shoe boxes (which I use now) but are sturdier?