2023 - No Craft Spending - I WILL bust my stash and make pretty things!!!!!

Florenceem

I haven't been active on here - very little crafting to report but have read posts so up to date.
Some great makes and photos have been posted - cards, quilts, cross stitch, knitting etc.
In 2023 - I have only made Christmas tags from cards received, repaired a friend's jacket and made two Birthday cards.
On the plus side - I haven't spent anything on craft supplies - which is most unusual for me.
The card in photo is on a blank I had in stash with an envelope and the design & greeting are recycled.

Soontobeoap

@Cupcakecraftscuddlycanine wedding plans sound magical. Good luck with it all. @Florenceem love the card. Puffins are my favourite creature so made me smile. We have been to Skoma on pembrokeshire coast several times to see them. 

emsi_b

Another card to report- I made and posted it same day to a friend who has a stressful time coming up. Now up to 22/100

old_fogey

@Wraithlady congratulations on finishing your blanket, sounds lovely and warm.

@Florenceem just love that puffin card. Brings back magical memories of a trip to the Farne islands. Such wonderful creatures.

@emsi_b well done on another card.

I have finished the tapestry parts of my tablet case. I need to line it and sew it together next. To find a lining I have to start going through my upstairs stash, quite looking forward to it really, there will be all sorts of long abandoned projects!
I also made hubby a valentine card, I am not counting that in my total, as when I set my target I excluded cards. 

kiss_me_now9

Any cross stitch/embroiderers in the thread? 

I've picked up a set of embroidery kits (https://www.amazon.co.uk/MWOOT-Embroidery-Starter-Stamped-Beginner/dp/B08F5D8WTH/ref=sr_1_35?keywords=cactus+embroidery+kit&qid=1676050028&sprefix=cactus+embroi%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-35 this one is the one I'm working on but there are two other designs in the kit) that my sister gave me a while ago for my birthday and I'm finding the stitching itself fine, but struggling with a few other things. 

Firstly, I cannot seem to get a good knot at the end of my thread, especially if I'm using 2 or 3 strands (the kit has you using different strand numbers - 2 for the baskets, 6 for the leaves, 3 for something else). So the 2/3 strand threads end up with about 20 knots at the end of them, all too small to hold the thread in place. 

Secondly, when I'm working with a longer piece of thread it sometimes just randomly knots itself? 

Thirdly and finally, if I'm using a full skein (? all 6 strands) of a thread for the leaves, for example, it's really tough to push the needle through the fabric... Any advice is welcomed!

old_fogey

@kiss_me_now9 I don't knot my thread for embroidery, I sort of hold it at the back, and the next few stitches then hold if in place.
Sometimes when sewing, the thread knots itself as it is getting extra twist in it (bit like old telephone handsets getting in a knot if you are old enough to remember that) if you periodically hold the fabric and let the needle dangle it should untwist itself.

6 strands does sound a lot. For the satin stich on the leaves I don't see why you can't use 3 strands, and do more stitches to cover the area.

The amazon listing says it is cross stitch, it isn't- they probably did that to get more views!

Looking forward to seeing photos when it is done

plumduff55

Hi, I've just been plodding along with the waistcoat. I've finished both fronts and about 6"of the back but still a long way to go as it's 29" long.

I've decided to go to the Hobbycraft Show in Glasgow next month. I had thought I would give it a miss this year as my stash is so huge but I really enjoy seeing all the crafts and getting ideas. I am going to give myself a cash budget and take no cards so I can't go daft 🤪. Tomorrow I'm going to make a list of everything I want to do in the next few months and a list of anything I really NEED to buy to complete these things. 

Lots of lovely cards being made - that's a thing I've never tried. They all look so beautiful.
@Tiggermad your glass work is absolutely stunning

Happy crafting xx

daisy_1571

Kissmenow, kit looks lovely and old_fogey has eloquently said what i would have

Daisy xx

Katiehound

Kissmenow- that kit doesn't seem to contain any cross stitch at all!
 A quick glance suggests, french knots, satin stitch, chain stitch & that's just for starters- 

I can't remember the optimum length for a thread- there is one- about 18"? because as you have found out the thread does a good job of self tangling!

If you find you can not get on with sewing over the thread to hold it in place you could make a knot, take the needle through to front of work, then a very small stitch through to back and go between the threads above the knot to anchor it, then start sewing.

I wouldn't use 6 strands at once. You can always over stitch if you think the work looks too thin if using say 4 strands.

have fun with it

daisy_1571

Got round to making an adjustable tea cosy for when I get a cuppa in a cafe etc.  The water cools so quickly and in the past I've used a scarf or a hat if I'm wearing one but have had a plan to make one for a while.  Yesterday I had some time, some ideas and then remembered a bit of material I must have got in amongst a bundle as I've looked at it a few times and wondered what on earth I'd ever do with it.  Now its mostly used up on the tea cosy and on 2 takeaway cup sleeves.  If they ever have the extra cardboard sleeves I find they don't do a great job of keeping the heat away from my hand.  I modelled them on a cardboard one but don't want to sew them up the sides till I've measured against a takeaway cup.  Not much good if they're too big or too small.


Band goes round the teapot and has ties plus a buttonhole (in the manner of a wraparound skirt) so its adjustable for circumference of different styles.  Oblong is weirdly shaped so it just balances on top and covers most of the top of most teapots.   



Takeaway cup hand protectors


Hugs to all
Daisy xx