what are you all working on these days in the craft/handmade department?
By coffeebreak
@coffeebreak (17797)
United States
January 26, 2013 7:45pm CST
Been away from MyLot for about 2 weeks now... at first it was cause I am trying to make 2 large quilts to take to a consignment shop and hopefully sell, and this last week...I had this revelation to make a table tent for my grand daughter that will be coming up for the weekend next weekend. I have been thinking about it for a few weeks, you know...the sheet over the chairs or if you are lucky, a card table. I got the idea last month when we had the tile in our kitchen put in and the table was in the living room and my other grand daughter asked me to do the blanket thing and she just loved it.
Anyway..I started looking at the thrift store for sheets to make the sides. Then last week, just jumped into creating it! Not saying I am enjoying it but it is pretty good so far. I get carried away and now am making the outside AND the inside have things on it.. velcro and felt are my best friends on this endeavor. I used a twin size bed dust ruffle for the top and the ruffle hangs down all sides at the top to look like the roof overhang and then doors, windows that really open and close and other things. Will post pic when I am done.
I have missed MyLot, but am just excited as I can be to see my GD's faces when they see this. I know they are going to go wild when they see it and I won't see them the rest of t he time here as I know they will just want to "move right on in"!
So...what are you all working on these days in the craft/handmade department?
1 person likes this
13 responses
@Adoniah (7512)
• United States
27 Jan 13
I just finished crocheting shawls and cowls for just about everyone I know...Now I am working on some filet crochet pictures. I also did 4 crochet inserts for my lingerie.
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
27 Jan 13
You have been busy! I used to crochet years ago until I made afghans for everyone in the family and then stopped as... didn't need anymore afghans! I never thought about doing a shawl... wish I had now! I did sweater sets for my baby girl, but that was the only other thing besides afghans.
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
15 Feb 13
That's cool Adoniah. I make smaller quilts and donate the to my church for kids in need. My grand mother used to "tat" crochet. It was amazing, and I wish I had learned it. She'd do that and sew on to the open sides of the pillowcase for a beautiful lacy effect with roses!
@Adoniah (7512)
• United States
12 Feb 13
I do a lot of thread crochet too...lace edgings, lace collars, and lace insets for just about anything. I also crochet really cool chemo hats for kids and adults...They are not the caps you see online, I made my own patterns...Some of them all all lace and I make camouflage hats for boys.
@khithi17 (762)
• Philippines
12 Feb 13
Nice to hear that your really putting so much effort on making your grand kids happy. Well as for me, I am working on recycling boxes and empty plastic lotion bottles. I need a lot of storage in my new house and I love recycling things and I have a lot of boxes and plastic bottles waiting for me on my table. I am also planning on making this crocheted things for my bathroom. I just realized that I have a lot of craft projects that I should be working on and I have a small amount of time.
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
15 Feb 13
Time is almost always an issue, isn't it! I know the feeling! I have started recycling plastic water bottles...my daughter and her daughter stopped so I picked it up...now that they live with us. I know it isn't much, but after a couple months..$10 is $10!
@cutepenguin (6430)
• Canada
1 Feb 13
I have been making fleece hats and pants for my son and his friends. It's fun and very satisfying because the kids like to wear them.
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
4 Feb 13
That is fantastic that you can make them for BOYS and the LIKE them! I have a 10 yo step grand son and dont' know him well at all and I have only been sewing for girls so it is always a struggle on what to "make" him! The girls are easy!
@cher913 (25781)
• Canada
29 Jan 13
i am working on a shell picture fram that i am making and doing a little crocheting. i hope to do a little bit of cross stitching and maybe some weaving on my small loom that i have. i also bought the round looms that they sell at Michaels but haven't tried them yet.
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
30 Jan 13
Sounds fun! I have never done weaving but sure love the finished product! I used to crochet but only afghans and stopped years ago when I had plenty of afghans! Now I am quilting...and coming up on the "enough" quilts! But that won't stop me!
@ElicBxn (64176)
• United States
28 Jan 13
I've been making necklaces. I got this idea for a pattern and made one for my sister, then one for both roommates and now I've made one for Valentines that is for sale at the Bakery. I finished another and am now working on yet another.
I generally get bored doing the same thing, but each of these are a little different...
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
28 Jan 13
I have to have a few different items going at the same time too...I get tired of the same procedure, color etc. I hope your necklace at the bakery sells..that would be wonderful and a great start to more sales!
@bretay61 (722)
• United States
27 Jan 13
i just finished 2 infinitude scarves.part of a knitalong.one was a short one that i kept for me and the other was a longer one that i gave to my sister for her birthday.also gave her a birthstone bracelet that i made for her.consists of her and my brother in law,her 3 kids and spouses and all their kids.last night i crochet a holder for for dpn's fixing to work on something my interchangeable needle.
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
28 Jan 13
What is "infinitude" scarves? And what is "interchangeable needle"? I haven't heard of these things. Sounds interesting. what was the bracelet made out of to have pictures in it?
@peavey (16936)
• United States
27 Jan 13
Nothing nearly as much fun. I am out of house slippers so I've made one pair and am working on another one. All of mine wore out. I darn them twice and after that, I toss them. I wear them in the house quite a bit because they're more comfortable than shoes and they save wear and tear on shoes.
When I finish this pair, I'm going to make a set of pillow cases from an old sheet and then I will embroider them. At least that's what I have planned right now.
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
27 Jan 13
What kind of slippers made? Crochet, felt? I am not a slipper person at all. I have to wear shoes in the house (I NEVER wear sandles or go barefoot anyway!) And so many times I am so thankful I do as I stub my toe or kick something and I knowi f it wasn't for the shoe, I'd probably broken a toe or something! But my daughter wears them all the time!
I make pillow cases out of sheets too - a twin makes four "queen" size pillow cases. I just did that not long ago... and did the decorative borders I learned about in quilting. Actually they have nothing to do with quilting, just something we all "do"...you make the case, then add 2 contrasting borders. Really nice and I just used plain colors... add some lace or fancy fabric and they'd be beautiful. What do you plan to embroider? Embroidery is where my love of sewing started...when I was 8 years old. I embroidered pillow cases...and gave a set for christmas to each aunt that I had. Then I did the days of the week dish towels for my mom. But after I saw that no one used what I kind of stopped and went into sewing, crewel and needlepoint. All in the same family! But I used to embroider on the bodice of my clothes and my daughters baby clothes that I made her.
Look forward to hearing your progress and seeing apicture of the finished cases!
@jillhill (37353)
• United States
27 Jan 13
Just finished my Valentines and now will be working on Easter things for the march craft sale. I am however trying to find something new also to add to my table. I like to make sure there is always something new so my old customers have something special to see or purchase! Good luck with selling your quilts. I know that one of the gals I sit next to sold one of her quilts for over $250.
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
28 Jan 13
What kind of craft sale do you do, jillhill? Back in the day when I made tons of different things, I would have loved to have done a show, but there were just none around me. $250! Wow.... Yeah, I know they go for alot...well at least they are marked for alot, whether they sell for that or not is another story! People will pay big bucks for the same at a store, but not a handmade one! I am thinking around $185 (not quite twin size) for the Mickey Mouse one and about the same for the heart/love one I am working on. I can always come down...but out of the $185 has to come 20% to the store. I want to clear at least $100 as it cost me about $50 to make, and that was with EVERyTHING on sale at 50% off!
Good luck on your projects...keep us posted and how about some pictures? I love looking at hand made stuff!
@bluerubymoon53 (3286)
• United States
27 Jan 13
Over the last few months I have been knitting bath mitts and fingerless gloves. I have also been crocheting a hooded scarf but it's not turning out the way I would like for it to be. I'm pretty sure I'll be ripping that out and starting over. 
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
27 Jan 13
That is the best thing about knitting (and crocheting that I used to do)..so easy to fix errors and mistakes! Just pull it all out, roll it back up and start over! I never got into wearables with my crocheting... just afghans and a few sweater sets for my infant baby girl 35 years ago.. but then stopped and picked up on crewel and needlepoint. Keep up the good work!
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
27 Jan 13
I'm sure your granddaughter will love your table tent.
I've got several crochet projects started; a baby layette, adult socks (I haven't bought a pair of socks in years), a winter cap and scarf set and a short-sleeved T-shirt.
In the winter time, I get busy with the crochet stuff. I've got many, many items completed and stored in a closet. I need to find a consignment shop and try to sell some of them. I did sell a few of the baby items through a lady that runs a baby clothes shop last year.
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
27 Jan 13
Wow! Sounds like you are busy and productive! I crochetd years ago but only afghans and some baby sweaters sets but I ended up stopping after awhile.. never went into anything else. But my sewing hasn't deminshed...started when I was 8 and embroidering and made all my own clothes all through high school. Back then fabric was 77 cents a yard and mom said she would buy me all I wanted, as long as I used up what I bought first. Threaten me, why don't you, LOL!!!!! I sewed everything up so fast, and had the nicest clothes and all. OH for the days of 77 cent yardage.
A consignment shop is a great start.. that is where I am starting with my quilts. I figure the percentage they charge me is about the same as if I was to pay for all the "extras" of selling anyway.
Keep us posted on your progress.
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
27 Jan 13
I will be taking a sewing class this Thursday and will be making a clutch purse. Hopefully I will get the hang of sewing so I can make another one for my mother. I will be taking quilting next month and hope to learn to make a couple of quilts. I am also learning how to make earrings and bracelets so I can launch an online business as well so I can make extra money. I am almost done with my class so I can put more time into my studies. I will finish at the end of next month and am keeping ahead in my class so if I do get started on something I will not feel guilty if I get too involved in my crafts.
I am so glad that you are back online and have doing a lot of crafting.
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
27 Jan 13
Wow randylovesdar... you are busy! Those little clutch purses are really popular in my quilting arena. I haven't made any but the ladies in the group...they love to make them and they are so wonderful. I'll give you links if you like. I keep thinking I will make some, but I never get around to it. I did make wallets for my grand daughters last year...neither of them use the wallet! And I found some clutches for makeup etc on sale for $5 so I didn't make any of those! I guess I am just not into that right now. But they aren't that hard even for a beginner.. the zipper part is the hardest and that is rather easy once you see how it works.
Great on the quilts too! Let me know if you want any links to some great places/blogs etc. I have a few favs that I follow...okay, I have ALOT of them that I follow. IT is great for inspiration and information.
Keep us posted on your endeavors and how about a picture of the clutch? Might just inspire me to make some! I did make tote bags for my grand daughters..they have used them ALOT.
@NailTech (6874)
• United States
27 Jan 13
Funny you should ask that, I just saw a very interesting type of craft done with potholders on FB the other day that I'm itching to try. The only problem is it requires a sewing machine and I don't have that. So that might be an obstacle, lol. I just wish I could make one of them though and possibly that will start a business of some sort. I can't say what they are cause I don't want anyone to steal my idea. But they are quite colorful and useful. I can also find them pretty cheap at garage sales.
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
27 Jan 13
Sounds cool! I'd go for it. I mean, like you said, the possibility of a business of sorts. Check out garage sales or thrift stores of a sewing machine. I don't need one, but I see the at those places all the time for reasonable price. Or go to Joann's and get a basic machine - straight stitch and possibly a zigzag..they are about $100 - $125, cheaper if on sale. I'd say it'd be a great, low cost investment for your intention. If just making things like pot holders etc... realy all you need is a straight stitch, and a zig zag, you don't need all the extras and decorative stitches etc. I started sewing on a Necchi - straight stitch only!! No reverse even! It was my mom;s she got when she first got married in 1952. I sewed for years on that until about sophomore in high school when she got a Brother portable with a zigzag and built in button-holer! Thought I was in heaven!
And if things go well, you can sell it and upgrade! Gotta start somewhere! Let us know what you decide!
@Nursefrai06 (2498)
• Penrith, Australia
27 Jan 13
I've been working on handicrafts too, I've been making bracelets for a while now. The beads I use are handmade too, s
So far, I've been able to make 15 different bracelets. I wanted to sell them however I don't think I'd get worth my effort if I so,d them in our country. So I'm planning on selling them once I move to Australia so that I can monetize them more. 
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
27 Jan 13
Beading etc is something I have never gotten into. Not sure why other than the tiny beads and all and my vision was never 20/20! But my grand daughter age 12 is kind of into it... at least I keep pointing her there. She likes beads and making the bracelets, but then looses interest kind of quickly. And then she doesn't wear anything she makes!
But your idea of creating a stock so you have to sell once in Australia.. that is a good idea! And half the time... we dont' "earn" from our sales....at least with me. I have never been sucessful at selling my things. I have been told how great they are, but no one buys! I am hopeful these quits will sell. But hey, it is fun and a good therapy time and enjoyable. I have given many to my church to people who need things and the ladies at the prayer meeting.. I made a lap quilt for each of them as that church is brick and SO COLD in the winter...they have prayer meeting every morning and dont' turn the central heat on... so they are a bit cold! So I made each of them a lap quilt to wrap their legs up with! THey so loved the quilts. I was so happy to have made them for them... and give them to them.
Good luck with your sales and I hope you succed and I look for pictures of the bracelets!
