Crafting for Christmas 2009, let's begin again.......

rinroo

maytaurus wrote: »

have you seen this?



http://own-two-hands.livejournal.com/46859.html

You could turn that chick into a robin, and a flannel robin instead of a reindeer?

C_J

My local Poundland has been selling nice heavy domed glass paperweights for the past couple of weeks - they seem to have plenty in stock. They are about 3 inches in diameter. I discovered that the felt base peels away really easily so you can remove the patterned paper disk it comes with, and replace it with something of your own (family photos would make nice gifts for the grandparents, I thought). Pictures of a teenager's fave band or a printed-out football team logo would be good, too.

The paperweights come in a little clear perspex box, too. It's a bit on the thin-side, but still makes it a nicer looking gift (and it's easier to wrap!)

Coxy11

sethsgran wrote: »

Hi there they are really easy to make there will probably be a video you can watch on youtube. I have made loads for friends etc and also made up a kit for a friends daughter when she was 13. I also helped loads of the ladies at church make them. My tip is to really secure the loops as you backstitch up the middle, nice and firm and experiment with yarn, I usually add a sparkly yarn but then I like stuff with a bit of sparkle. PM me if you need any more help:T

Hi there, thanks very much for that. Made a start last night - all fingers and thumbs to start with, but pretty simple once I got going. Will have to go back and secure the loops as I'm not convinced I've done it properly! Not too worried about the one I'm making for me, but the other kit will have to withstand my 7yr old DD :rotfl:.

Coxy
xx

mary43

maytaurus - thanks for that. Meant to do them at Easter but what with hospital and everything I never got round to it. Wonder if that chick could be turned into a snowman ? I'll give that some serious thought.

CJ - nearest Poundland is 20 miles away - I did think of trying something similar with a small square jar, the sort we get tartar sauce in.

When I wrapped a flannel round my empty gravy granule tub the other day to see if I could turn it into a snowman OH said it looked more like an owl...........lol Maybe I could turn that into a Robin ? Hmmm.......then I'd have to think of something to fill it with.
Another thought I had was to cover it with red felt, put a father christmas face/beard on, make a little felt hat and I've got a santa tub -now what could I put in that apart from reindeer poo ?

Got to get my head round some of these things............spent all morning covering another shoe box with some lovely dark green fabric.........it was a pain...........:mad: Mind you, the shoe box wasn't brilliant (says she blaming the equipment and not serious lack of skill.............:rotfl:)

Coxy11

Sian_the_Green wrote: »

I think that is a little expensive, hobbycraft generally is
Where are you in the country? Boyes is brilliant for wool if you have one near you

Thanks very much. I too think hobbycraft is expensive, but every now and again they have such bargains! Will google Boyes to see whether there's one near me - Orpington, Kent. Otherwise will check out JLewis when I'm next in Bluewater - have some vouchers so technically will be free!!!

This may have already been mentioned, but Hobbycraft had Christmas card toppers, scrapbooking embellishments and kits for beaded tree decs all at ridiculous prices. Also loads of Cella kids crafting kits in their sale (jewellery makers, puzzle makers) which would make great gifts. Unfortunately DD already has both of these so no good for me, but hope it helps someone.

Coxy
xx

crazychatter

Maytaurus, I made those at Easter, although stupidly I didn't get round to giving many away. Rinroo, that is a fab idea of turning the chick into a robin, if you used brown flannel and put something red in the hole I think it'd look cute. I'll keep a look out in poundland if they have any red empty kindaegg style capsules. Or you could wrap a small bath bomb in red tissue paper...
Yay! I think a flannel robin is the best idea so far!

maria_and_the_imps

Coxy11 wrote: »

Thanks very much. I too think hobbycraft is expensive, but every now and again they have such bargains! Will google Boyes to see whether there's one near me - Orpington, Kent. Otherwise will check out JLewis when I'm next in Bluewater - have some vouchers so technically will be free!!!

This may have already been mentioned, but Hobbycraft had Christmas card toppers, scrapbooking embellishments and kits for beaded tree decs all at ridiculous prices. Also loads of Cella kids crafting kits in their sale (jewellery makers, puzzle makers) which would make great gifts. Unfortunately DD already has both of these so no good for me, but hope it helps someone.

Coxy
xx

i'm from orpington to !!!!!!

clareyPINKfairy

Coxy11 wrote: »

Good morning all,

Please can I play? I've been reading back through this thread over the last few days - loads of really cool ideas - you are all really inspirational.

I've been x-stitching for a good few years now - caught the bug from my Mum. Would love to make and do more crafting, but life just gets in the way sometimes. I have three young children, a dog and two part-time jobs, so feel pooped most nights!

I would love to make some bits and pieces for Christmas but like others on here, some of the people we give presents to wouldn't appreciate the thought and time that goes into making them. I recently did a x-stitch for SIL wedding and do you think I even got a 'thank you'!

Oh well, rant over! I'm determined to learn how to crochet this year - Mum is really good at it and makes porthole covers and cabin lace for narrow boats. I'd like to make a bag maybe or a scarf - ooh the possibilities are endless...!

Have a good day.
Coxy

wow coxy11, we have so much in common. Ive ben fairly crafty for years now -started off with cross stitch - have done samplers for lots of weddings and births - thankfully most people have been appreciative for the time and effort - did some christmas crafts last year and when everyone heard i'd madde the cushions for the kids, they were even more happy with them!

I just started crochet about 2-3 months ago. its fairly easy to pick up (my mum is an expert knitter, but just cant crochet - i cant knit, but ive managed to pick up crochet.) i've started with amigurumi characters - little cute japanese style teddies, so nice and small and not much to crochet - so you feel like youve completed your project quite quickly, although the little teds can be a little fiddly. I bought a book with patterns to get me started, and theres loads of great pattern and tips on the net.

To all the ladies (and men if theres crafty men?) you have some excellent ideas - ive not even managed to get through all the posts yet, and already my list for chrstmas is building!!!:j

greenpixey

clareyPINKfairy wrote: »

wow coxy11, we have so much in common. Ive ben fairly crafty for years now -started off with cross stitch - have done samplers for lots of weddings and births - thankfully most people have been appreciative for the time and effort - did some christmas crafts last year and when everyone heard i'd madde the cushions for the kids, they were even more happy with them!

I just started crochet about 2-3 months ago. its fairly easy to pick up (my mum is an expert knitter, but just cant crochet - i cant knit, but ive managed to pick up crochet.) i've started with amigurumi characters - little cute japanese style teddies, so nice and small and not much to crochet - so you feel like youve completed your project quite quickly, although the little teds can be a little fiddly. I bought a book with patterns to get me started, and theres loads of great pattern and tips on the net.

To all the ladies (and men if theres crafty men?) you have some excellent ideas - ive not even managed to get through all the posts yet, and already my list for chrstmas is building!!!:j

I learned how to crochet a couple of month ago too and are making amigurumis. Check out my blog http://greenpixey.blogspot.com/ I'm working on a rocket at the moment to give to my boy for Christmas. If you got any patterns you fancy sharing send me a pm. I might have something as well you might want a swap

Coxy11

maria_and_the_imps wrote: »

i'm from orpington to !!!!!!

OMG - small world!! Can you see the good ship Tesc* from your house too?!?! :rotfl:

Well I've had a creative day. Have almost finished my 'loopy' scarf. Feeling very pleased with myself :T.

Does anyone belong to a 'knit and natter' type group or do you craft alone? Just wondering.....

Coxy
xx