New Year, New Skills?

[Rustic Pumpkin]

So, 2009 is just around the corner. Everyone (well, 'most everyone!) makes NY resolutions, but is anyone planning to take up a new craft, or learn a new skill, or even go a step further with one they could improve on?

Inquiring mind and all that. :rolleyes:

Or just plain nosey! :)

[Crocus]

First thing I want to tackle in the new year is my wall hanging. I don't want to put my mind on anything else at the moment, it will distract my mind to much! xxx

[Cheryl]

This year I want to learn how to crochet. I have picked up two great instruction books with lots of pictures to help tackle this new learning process. I can knit just about anything, but somehow when I try to crochet, my hands just can't seem to get with it...
...practice...practice...practice....(I can hear my mother now!!!)

c.

[Crocus]

Hi Cheryl, my mum could crochet, and I tried my hand at it as well when quite young - didn't do too bad. I didn't carry on with it though, but still have all my mum's crochet hooks. All the best with your new craft! xx

[Gentian]

I can crochet Cheryl, a lovely skill to have. I am constantly being introduced to new skills under the heading Creative Textiles, as I belong to a group connected to the U3A and we have an excellent leader. I have done things in the last 2 years I didn't think I was capable of.
I would love to learn to paint, but have no time

[dragonfly]

I am not planning to learn any new skills but am hoping to finish some projects already on the go. Years ago I started a patchwork quilt, embroidery table cloth and a tapestry that I would like to finish as well as some knitting and cross stitch that I recently started.

I am in a painting class Gentian and I love it. I am doing botanical art.
Here are a couple of my paintings.

2922 2923

[eleanor2]

love the paintings d.f.it takes patience and perseverance to get that good.no my two best assets.

[jazzactivist]

Your paintings look lovely, dragonfly. As a keen gardener, I love botantical drawings and paintings and have a book about it, but have never tried myself. I have already learnt a lot of new craft skills at the start of my year off: feltmaking, silversmithing, knitting, crochet, enamelling, cooking in an Aga... This year I am going to concentrate on developing my skills in feltmaking and silversmithing, and develop my idea for a mobile crafting van.

[Crocus]

My goodness DF, your paintings are lovely! I'm not going take on anything else before my wall hanging is not ready and hanging on the wall! After that, I'll think about doing something different. I would love to take up piano again, but my piano needs quite expensive repairs! xxx

[Rustic Pumpkin]

Oh, Dragonfly, these are beautiful! You are so talented. I wish I could draw properly. You should see my attempts, well, maybe it's better you don't! Do you sell them, or have them printed onto note cards?

[Gentian]

Your paintings are lovely DF and I envy you, but I do produce a form of Art from fabric. This one of trees is on a piece of felt I made, the trees are felted on and embellished with beads

[dragonfly]

No Rustic I don't sell them as I only have a few and still need help from the teacher so they take a long time to do but I am hoping that by the time I retire from work, in a few years, I will be good enough to be able to sell some. I shall do some for presents first.

Your art is lovely Gentian and looks very interesting. I didn't know felt could look so good. How large is it?

[Ivy]

Is it needle felting you do or how do you do it?

[JG]

My new skill for 2009 will be weaving. As a knitter, I have lots of oddments of wool, whose colours and textures go together beautifully, but can't always be knitted together, so, with the proceeds from my Falklands wages, I've treated myself to a tabletop heddle loom ( I had asked for money towards it for my 50th birthday last month, but my family clubbed together to buy me a wingwalking experience - that's another story!!!!)
Actually, it wasn't too expensive - under £100 for the 36" wide one. I didn't buy the fold up fancy one at three times the price.
I've made a cushion cover to start with, but my mom asked me to knit her a cardi for Christmas, so I've had to devote myself to that. I'm itching to get going though - the housework will have to wait!
Can anyone give me any tips?

[dragonfly]

I have never done weaving JG, please let us know how you get on. It might be something I could try in the future.

This holiday I have been knitting miniature clothes for dolls house dolls. I am knitting with cotton and one ply wool and knitting needles that are thinner than darning needles. It is not a new skill, I have been doing it for years, but I don't know anyone else that does it although you can buy patterns so others must do it too. It is very telling on the eyes.

[Gentian]

It is felt made with water Ivy, and the trees are attatched with a felting needle. The area is about 9 x 10 inches, DF
I once had some experience of weaving, JG. When I was teaching I found about a dozen small looms in the school cellar and introduced 12 year olds. They too made cushion covers and scarves. Like felting and beading I find weaving very theraputic. Enjoy your loom JG.

[Crocus]

Goodness me DF, I will have 10 thumbs if to knit with 1 ply wool and such thin needles!

[Gentian]

Nothing less than double knit for me DF

[sunflower]

I love the felt picture. Well, although I do alot of knitting, I have never made a knitted toy....until last week. I knitted a lemon colour rabbit with a fluffy wool blue dress, complete with knickers and shoes. I call her Elspeth and really enjoyed the project.
Also, in December I bought a dollshouse for my Grandchildren to play with when they visit. The girls have started making all sorts of items, and I also have made a couple of beds and a cradle. Such fun!
Dragonfly, that sounds really interesting. I've never tried 1 ply. I might have a go, but perhaps will need to buy strong lens off the rack glasses.

[baab95]

This year I am going to start making my own jams and chutneys - a totally new endeavour. I've made beetroot relish, apricot and amaretto jam, and I have a pot of nectarine and brandy jam on the stove bubbling away. The plan is to try and make as much of my own as I can. Wish me luck!
I envy those of you who can paint - I struggle drawing a stick figure. I would like to give felting a go at some point.

[dragonfly]

Dragonfly, that sounds really interesting. I've never tried 1 ply. I might have a go, but perhaps will need to buy strong lens off the rack glasses.

If you pm me your address sunflower I will send you some patterns. 1 ply wool is hard to get but I have separated the 6 strands of embroidery silk skeins and used them. I used them for a patchwork quilt as I needed lots of colours and that was the cheapest way of doing it. I went to a miniature fair on Sunday and the stuff there was amaizing.

[Crocus]

Hi DF, isn't quite fiddling and difficult to knit with 1 ply wool? xx

[Crocus]

Have you girls started your new skills yet? Come and tell please?! ;) xx