Crafting for Christmas 2010, lets begin again......

whoopidoo

Hi everyone *waves madly* Found you! I've already told everyone that it's to be a homemade Christmas this year and everyones up for it Told the kids they would get one 'main' bought present but majority would be made, they were very excited and told me off for not doing much made stuff this year! So glad they are crafty kids like their Mum

karren wrote: »

and does anyone know where i can get kath kitson tea towels cheap? or the fabric???

Go to the website - you can order free swatches - they are quite often out of stock as very popular but keep checking back as when you do get them they are a nice decent size - I've managed to get hold of a few Just need to get me a sewing machine or get my Mums old one checked over so I can put them to good use

amyandoli wrote: »

I'd like to join this thread too. I knitted a few scarves, hats, mug cosies this year... made a few bookmarks... bits of jewellery... hm card sets... hm xmas decs from das model clay... hm pot pourii... got a bit busy in the kitchen with xmas cakes etc for people.

All hm items went down very well. In fact my favourite gift was off my sil, a beautiful quilt she'd made. I loved all my hampers and hm gifts I received, and I think the economic climate has made this xmas lovely- people have had to think hard about what people would like to receive and either make it or buy cheaper but much more thoughtfull.

I've been saying the exact same thing to my OH, everyone seems to really have thought about gifts this year - have definitely been feeling the love! There has been less... but more if that makes sense? Quality not quantity. Nothing will be going to the back of the cupboard, I truly loved everything I received this year and have had some lovely comments back about my gifts to others.

Ok so my first linky that I wish I had found last year is these really cute magnets. Am definitely going to be making some of these


Can't wait for the Ally Pally show in April so I can stock up on my ribbon supplies... think there is a sewing/fabric/knitting one there at other times of the year... not sure when though as up till now have been mainly a paper crafter. (Expanding this year though hopefully!)

mollymunchkin

skintbint wrote: »

list update
10things to do with a tea towel
1. for making cakes with for the kitchen- include brush, handcream,rubber gloves and there's a lovely parcel,
2. peg bags,
3.carrier bag holders,
4.nice thick material for door stops,
5.retro teddies, - possibly microwave bed warmers?
6.teacosy,
7. tote bag
8. Baby bibs http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/...-baby-bib.html (thanks to stardrops)

ok need another two for the ten things to do with a tea towel

How about draught excluder, pot holder, apron? You can also fill doorstops with sand to weight them down, stuff some stuffing in the top to pad it out and put some sand into a plastic bag first so it is less likely to come out.

I have just spent the last 3 hours sorting out the spare room and my fabric stash so I'm hoping to get my sewing mojo back as I haven't done any for ages.

HTH

donquine

Contemplating investing in a sewing machine... I can hand sew well, but it takes blimming ages to finish anything that way!

To all you lovely crafty folk who machine sew, is sewing with a machine something you can pick up quickly yourself or is it something you need lessons for? We didn't do home economics at school and I have no crafty relatives!

Not looking to do anything massively complicated - if I could at least get a machine to do long straight lines of running stitches, that would speed up my crafting projects considerably!

alyssa_liss

whoopidoo wrote: »

Hi everyone *waves madly* Found you! I've already told everyone that it's to be a homemade Christmas this year and everyones up for it Told the kids they would get one 'main' bought present but majority would be made, they were very excited and told me off for not doing much made stuff this year! So glad they are crafty kids like their Mum


Go to the website - you can order free swatches - they are quite often out of stock as very popular but keep checking back as when you do get them they are a nice decent size - I've managed to get hold of a few Just need to get me a sewing machine or get my Mums old one checked over so I can put them to good use


I've been saying the exact same thing to my OH, everyone seems to really have thought about gifts this year - have definitely been feeling the love! There has been less... but more if that makes sense? Quality not quantity. Nothing will be going to the back of the cupboard, I truly loved everything I received this year and have had some lovely comments back about my gifts to others.

Ok so my first linky that I wish I had found last year is these really cute magnets. Am definitely going to be making some of these


Can't wait for the Ally Pally show in April so I can stock up on my ribbon supplies... think there is a sewing/fabric/knitting one there at other times of the year... not sure when though as up till now have been mainly a paper crafter. (Expanding this year though hopefully!)

i love them magnets

nuttybabe

sethsgran wrote: »

I will try to get them back from the owners!! to get photos for you. My favourite was Captain Jack I made dreadlocks using black wool and making a twisted cord with it, I also added a wooden bead or 2 to the wool before twisting it. For the waistcoat I used burgundy leather and at the sides I punched holes with a strong hole punch. I then laced the side seams together using another twisted cord. For his goatee I made yet another twisted cord and then I sewed it onto the chin. He was great fun to make as I could go over the top with him. I meant to make a sword but simply forgot, I will make one using shrink plastic and attach it.

I agree we really do need to see a photo of these!!

princesspoppypop

Try here for caustic soda/sodium hydroxide.

stardrops42

donquine wrote: »

Contemplating investing in a sewing machine... I can hand sew well, but it takes blimming ages to finish anything that way!

To all you lovely crafty folk who machine sew, is sewing with a machine something you can pick up quickly yourself or is it something you need lessons for? We didn't do home economics at school and I have no crafty relatives!

Not looking to do anything massively complicated - if I could at least get a machine to do long straight lines of running stitches, that would speed up my crafting projects considerably!

Hi

I had no experience of machine sewing until I bought a machine a couple of years ago. I only bought one because I wanted to have a go at making some roman blinds for my kitchen as they were going to cost £150 to be made by someone else:eek: So I bought a basic brother machine for £80 and made my own with a roman blind kit and instructions off the net:D I was over the moon with them:T I have since made sock monkeys(so many!), bags, pin cushions, blankets, soft toys, table cloths, cushion covers etc. All of these things I have made by following tutorials on the web or in a book;) So if I can do it anyone can:D

princesspoppypop

karren wrote: »

and does anyone know where i can get kath kitson tea towels cheap? or the fabric???

http://www.cathkidston.co.uk/p-13475-cath-kidston-spot-apple-tea-towels-set-of-2.aspx down to £8 in sale.
http://www.cathkidston.co.uk/p-11700-strawberry-pink-cotton.aspx down to £12 per metre in sale.

donquine

stardrops42 wrote: »

Hi

I had no experience of machine sewing until I bought a machine a couple of years ago. I only bought one because I wanted to have a go at making some roman blinds for my kitchen as they were going to cost £150 to be made by someone else:eek: So I bought a basic brother machine for £80 and made my own with a roman blind kit and instructions off the net:D I was over the moon with them:T I have since made sock monkeys(so many!), bags, pin cushions, blankets, soft toys, table cloths, cushion covers etc. All of these things I have made by following tutorials on the web or in a book;) So if I can do it anyone can:D

Thanks, that's really encouraging. I really want to get back into crafting next year and make (at least some) Christmas presents. I'm always far too busy in November/December - so if I start now, I'll be able to do it. I just need to be more organised! :T

Currently reading through here and here to steal ideas for 2010.

princesspoppypop

Don`t forget to check out places like Primark and Dunelm Mill for lookalike CK print.
Duvet sets can be cut up to make heart pomander... cushions... draft excluders... tote bags etc. Just make sure the material is nice and thick for the bags!
Also check out Laura Ashley in store for end of roll pieces... I picked up a lovely piece of pink toil de jouy just under a metre for £5 and a metre of pink/cream gingham for £8 which has made loads of pomanders and heart decorations.