Craft goals for January!

[DawnM]

Starting our monthly craft goals.

I admit I have fallen HARD off the craft wagon.  December about did me in.

Mine are house decorating this month

1. Put up a wall hanging and some picture frames with pictures of the kids.

2. Hang up two curtain rods (play room and master) and put up black out curtains

[mumto2]

Thanks for starting the thread Dawn!  I really enjoy seeing what everyone is doing.
 

I have way too many plans and know I will never complete many of them.  
 

The main one is doable as I have already started,  a stack of blocks were made somewhat randomly in a Quilt Along are being put together into at least a quilt top for a potential gift for the future ......either to someone we know or a charity.  It was supposed to be a much larger quilt but I quit because the purpose was our bed as our current 30 yo quilt is showing wear. I have faced the fact that they are not right color wise in my eyes ever.  It’s hard to put them next to each other for me because I don’t like the palette.....vintage 1930’s repro fabrics were used.  After I get the top done I can decide if I want to finish it now or later.  This is my layout with sashing between blocks put together in rows.  This is what I have.......

 

Edited January 1, 2020 by mumto2

[itsheresomewhere]

This month I want to get back into my sewing more. I haven’t been doing as much as I usually do these past few months and I miss it.  So to start of the month,  I am going to make transport cage covers for a rescue the kids volunteer at.   And while I am it, I need to make some for DD show animals transport cages. 

[mlktwins]

I am going to keep doing my cross-stitch.  I have found it is therapeutic for me :-).  I am going to start doing Stitch People https://stitchpeople.com/pages/lanham-landing-page .  I have the 1st and 2nd Edition books.  I have purchased pattern software for my iPad.  I'm going to start on gifts for next Christmas -- LOL.  I like this because I can take it with me when I'm waiting for the boys at class or swim practice.

I am also going to organize my thousands of digital photos and then start doing something with them.  I've decided to let any other craft plans/ideas go for the year and just focus on these 2.

 

[Jaybee]

I haven't been in these posts before, but would like to start back into doing some handicrafts. I've been thinking of crocheting some blankets for my grandbabies out of the thicker, really soft yarn. I haven't crocheted much before, but the thick yarn should make up fast in case I get tired of it quickly. I just checked to make sure our nearby Hobby Lobby is open today, and it is! Anybody know if the sale cycle this week includes yarns?

 

[mlktwins]

11 minutes ago, Fifiruth said:

I appreciate seeing this thread each month because it makes me realize that I’m not taking time to do the creative things that I love to do. I get way too chore oriented, and waste too much time online. 

I’m going to really try to finish the blouse I started to sew last summer.

I get it!  I've got so much on my to do list, but I started back with my craft in December and realize I need something fun for me.  We matter and the chores and to do lists aren't going anywhere :-) !!!

[happi duck]

I use most of my creative energy teaching Sunday school.  I love it and it is a good creative outlet for me but I'm hoping to do some of my personal projects this year too.

Edited January 1, 2020 by happi duck

[PrincessMommy]

I like this idea of goals for crafts.

December was hard for me too.

My goal is to finish two scarves on my loom now and start a table runner my daughter has asked me to make.  If I have a goal for the year it is to use up as much of the yarn I have on hand.  I'll be making a lot of scarves and runners towards that purpose.

 

[greenvneck]

My main goal for this month is to not buy any craft supplies!! Second goal is to work through the stack of pen-pal letters I need to respond to.

[Annie G]

 

Last weekend Dh and I took a two day woodworking class and I made this.  Like, I didn’t start w dimensional lumber, but rough wood! Learned to use a jointer, planer, band saw, table saw, router, and so much more. It’s all glued except for brad nails for the back and cap/foot pieces. There were six in the class and I was the least experienced, by far, but I held my own.   So my January goal is to get it sanded and stained/finished. It’s not perfect but I made it. 
 

I’m on month four of an 8 month BOM (I’m very behind) and hope to get it finished before my next BOM begins in February.  Finished to me is the top pieced only- I’ll quilt it on my sister’s long arm but I have four other tops to quilt first. 
 

Also plan to make storage sleeves for our two flags- one is a US flag and the other is the college flag. I’ll just make small pillowcase style bags to protect the flags and make them easy to find in the closet.  I have enough patriotic fabric for the US flag- plenty of leftovers from quilt of valor projects. But I will need to buy some UGA fabric for the school flag. Hopefully that will be the only craft purchase this month.  (and maybe a decorative knob for my cabinet- the instructor provided a plain wooden one but I decided not to use it until I look at other options)

[LifeLovePassion]

I am doing a bit of stamp carving lately, I like it because it is quick and I can feel like I got something done. I want to use the stamps in a mixed media fashion. I also have done some dabbling in zentangle as well. I have some other projects I need to get to as well. 

*Clean up/figure out what needs repair on a roll top desk we took from my parent's house. It will be turned into a quilting/crafting desk.

*Cut up flannel shirts of my dad's as well as ties to sew into memory quilts. 

[Annie G]

Rachel, I’d love to see some pics of your stamp carving art!

[KungFuPanda]

I have to make a dance costume this month.  I haven't started.  I also have to alter two costume pieces before my students arrive for dress rehearsal tomorrow.  I'm in trouble.

[KungFuPanda]

1 hour ago, Annie G said:

 

Last weekend Dh and I took a two day woodworking class and I made this.  Like, I didn’t start w dimensional lumber, but rough wood! Learned to use a jointer, planer, band saw, table saw, router, and so much more. It’s all glued except for brad nails for the back and cap/foot pieces. There were six in the class and I was the least experienced, by far, but I held my own.   So my January goal is to get it sanded and stained/finished. It’s not perfect but I made it. 
 

I’m on month four of an 8 month BOM (I’m very behind) and hope to get it finished before my next BOM begins in February.  Finished to me is the top pieced only- I’ll quilt it on my sister’s long arm but I have four other tops to quilt first. 
 

Also plan to make storage sleeves for our two flags- one is a US flag and the other is the college flag. I’ll just make small pillowcase style bags to protect the flags and make them easy to find in the closet.  I have enough patriotic fabric for the US flag- plenty of leftovers from quilt of valor projects. But I will need to buy some UGA fabric for the school flag. Hopefully that will be the only craft purchase this month.  (and maybe a decorative knob for my cabinet- the instructor provided a plain wooden one but I decided not to use it until I look at other options)

That cabinet is wonderful!  Have you seen the Ana White videos?  She's the reason I own a kreg jig. Look for the older videos, not the new ones where she's building a friggin house.

[KungFuPanda]

32 minutes ago, LifeLovePassion said:

I am doing a bit of stamp carving lately, I like it because it is quick and I can feel like I got something done. I want to use the stamps in a mixed media fashion. I also have done some dabbling in zentangle as well. I have some other projects I need to get to as well. 

*Clean up/figure out what needs repair on a roll top desk we took from my parent's house. It will be turned into a quilting/crafting desk.

*Cut up flannel shirts of my dad's as well as ties to sew into memory quilts. 

Have you ever done letterboxing?  Part of the fun to me is seeing all of the hand-carved stamps that people use.

[PrincessMommy]

@Annie G  add me to the impressed list.  Very nice!
 

@LifeLovePassion I would also like to see some samples of your work.  

[greenvneck]

1 hour ago, Annie G said:

Rachel, I’d love to see some pics of your stamp carving art!

 I would as well! I'm very into mixed-media collage, stamping, and mail art!

[Annie G]

1 hour ago, KungFuPanda said:

That cabinet is wonderful!  Have you seen the Ana White videos?  She's the reason I own a kreg jig. Look for the older videos, not the new ones where she's building a friggin house.

I’ll look into those- thanks for the suggestion!

[LifeLovePassion]

Here are a few from the past couple of days. As I stamp down the page, I modify the stamp, removing those extra bits. The tile looking stamp is carved on a small square and I just rotated as I stamped it. The bubble is just a tiny carve off of a leftover bit. My youngest dd (11) is also doing some carving too, she is having fun with it. 

I have a set of speedball lino cutters and have mostly been carving on dollar store erasers before I move onto my speedycarve rubber. For some fun insipiration, check out the hashtag CarveDecember on Instagram. It is a stamp carving challenge started by Julie of www.Balzerdesigns.typepad.com

 

[LifeLovePassion]

22 hours ago, KungFuPanda said:

Have you ever done letterboxing?  Part of the fun to me is seeing all of the hand-carved stamps that people use.

No, I haven't, I'll have to look into that!

[Annie G]

Thanks for the pics! I got rid of my Lino cutters a few years ago and have kind of regretted it.  Your work makes me want to do some!

[readinmom]

On 1/1/2020 at 7:58 AM, mlktwins said:

I am going to keep doing my cross-stitch.  I have found it is therapeutic for me :-).  I am going to start doing Stitch People https://stitchpeople.com/pages/lanham-landing-page .  I have the 1st and 2nd Edition books.  I have purchased pattern software for my iPad.  I'm going to start on gifts for next Christmas -- LOL.  I like this because I can take it with me when I'm waiting for the boys at class or swim practice.

I am also going to organize my thousands of digital photos and then start doing something with them.  I've decided to let any other craft plans/ideas go for the year and just focus on these 2.

 

I love the Stitch People!  This is so clever...   I haven't cross-stitched since my oldest was a baby.  Hmm...

[mlktwins]

1 minute ago, readinmom said:

I love the Stitch People!  This is so clever...   I haven't cross-stitched since my oldest was a baby.  Hmm...

There is a great FB page for them.  I believe they verify you've purchased one of the books though.  There are people selling these and making quite a bit of $$$ per portrait.  I think that would stress me though -- LOL.  I just want to do them for fun and gifts.

[readinmom]

I took a class years ago about sketchbook journaling.  I am by no means a talented artist, but I like to be creative.  I was a little intimidated by the talent of the other people in the class.  They were light years ahead in terms of skills, knowledge.  I was going to incorporate it into our lesson plans for literature and science, but life happened.  I think I'd like to do this with the pictures that I take, incorporate some of my bible readings into it.  I definitely have the supplies sitting in the garage!

Sketchbook Journaling

[prairiewindmomma]

I realistically only have 4-6hrs/month to craft, so I am trying to make realistic goals.

this week: finish quilting my mug rugs so that I can ship them off as a birthday present—if I have enough time, make 2 matching placemats

rest of this month: start uploading 2018 photos for a digital album. Try to get Jan-Apr done. 

 

[mlktwins]

For anyone that enjoys needle crafting (and those that have never tried :-), I have joined my very first Stitch A Long (SAL) in black stitching.  I like to cross-stitch and I saw someone participating in this and I decided to join.  I had never heard of black stitching.  So much fun and so relaxing.  The designer (Peppermint Purple) was planning to do this by email, but so many people wanted in that she had a ton of problems with the servers.  So...it can only be accessed by FB.  Here is the link if you are interested https://www.facebook.com/groups/PeppermintPurpleSALGroup/?fref=nf . 

It is FREE!  It is a year long SAL and a new block will be released every Wednesday of the year.  All the instructions are under Files in the Week 1 Document.  Once you get your cloth and thread picked out (she has suggested thread colors), it is really rather easy to get started.  Maybe an hour a week tops to keep up with this.  She thought she might have like 150 sign up and it is almost 6,000 members now (it started last Wednesday).  

If you have any questions, feel free to ask :-).

ETA:  Here is the link to her Etsy shop if you want to see what black stitching is https://www.etsy.com/shop/PeppermintPurple?ref=shop_sugg

Here is is a picture of my first block.

  

Edited January 6, 2020 by mlktwins
Added a link

[BooksandBoys]

January crafting:

I’m halfway finished with one cross stitch pattern (a lacy mandala), and I’d like to finish it this month. I’ll also put some time into a new one that I started on January first.  The new one is my first “lady” pattern, and I’m very excited to learn how to bead on her dress. 

I plan to wind all of my Christmas gift floss onto bobbins. 

And I’m in a few too many stitch-alongs this year. I’ve never done one before, and I may have gotten a little over-excited. I’m doing one withCarolyn Manning, a free one with Linens and Threads, a floral one with Caterpillar Cross Stitch, and an Easter one with Tempting Tangles. 

The fact that I’ve managed to stitch for only approximately 4 hours in the last 3 weeks doesn’t bode well for my success. Or my stress level (stitching calms me). 

Edited January 6, 2020 by BooksandBoys

[mlktwins]

1 hour ago, BooksandBoys said:

January crafting:

I’m halfway finished with one cross stitch pattern (a lacy mandala), and I’d like to finish it this month. I’ll also put some time into a new one that I started on January first.  The new one is my first “lady” pattern, and I’m very excited to learn how to bead on her dress. 

I plan to wind all of my Christmas gift floss onto bobbins. 

And I’m in a few too many stitch-alongs this year. I’ve never done one before, and I may have gotten a little over-excited. I’m doing one withCarolyn Manning, a free one with Linens and Threads, a floral one with Caterpillar Cross Stitch, and an Easter one with Tempting Tangles. 

The fact that I’ve managed to stitch for only approximately 4 hours in the last 3 weeks doesn’t bode well for my success. Or my stress level (stitching calms me). 

I joined that free mystery SAL with Linens and Threads -- LOL.  I love the others too.  

I organized all my floss this weekend and had to buy a few more for 2 projects.  I've been winding bobbins in the car while waiting for my boys at swim practice and now class.

I didn't remember how relaxing it is.  I'm so enjoying this.

[mumto2]

I wanted to test the Koala quilt pattern I recently purchased from SewFreshQuilts so made a block and turned it into a mini.

 

[mlktwins]

On 1/6/2020 at 1:32 PM, BooksandBoys said:

January crafting:

I’m halfway finished with one cross stitch pattern (a lacy mandala), and I’d like to finish it this month. I’ll also put some time into a new one that I started on January first.  The new one is my first “lady” pattern, and I’m very excited to learn how to bead on her dress. 

I plan to wind all of my Christmas gift floss onto bobbins. 

And I’m in a few too many stitch-alongs this year. I’ve never done one before, and I may have gotten a little over-excited. I’m doing one withCarolyn Manning, a free one with Linens and Threads, a floral one with Caterpillar Cross Stitch, and an Easter one with Tempting Tangles. 

The fact that I’ve managed to stitch for only approximately 4 hours in the last 3 weeks doesn’t bode well for my success. Or my stress level (stitching calms me). 

Wanted to check in and see how you were doing with your bobbin winding and your SALS :-).  I am doing my Peppermint Purple one I posted above (it doesn't take much time so I am caught up on that one).  I'm also doing the Linens and Threads 2020 SAL.  I started, but didn't like my floss color, so will restart after the February section is posted.  I've looked at the other ones you are doing and am tempted by the Carolyn Manning one (are you doing the fairy one) and the Caterpillar Cross Stitch one.  I've also been downloading the free spring SAL patterns from Lesley Teare.  I like her current paid SAL too, but I have a lot on my plate right now to start that - especially if I have to pay for it.  I'm also thinking of doing the free Harry Potter SAL just for fun.  I'm on that FB group watching what everyone else is doing.  We shall see.

I need more hours in the day -- LOL!

[kbutton]

I'm late to the party--I hope everyone updates in February. 

January--my mom and I made pillows for my living room (new couches and paint), and I would like to use the leftover yarn woven into those pillows to make some coasters or table runners. I have some contrasting pillows left to make that are suitable fabric for my kids to put their sweaty heads on. 

I started a cross-stitch of two succulents last summer, and I am down to the backstitching on those. 

I have a fabric bin to make that involves seriously heavy duty interfacing and grommets (biting my nails--texture and making calculated holes are not my best techniques). 

We moved a couple of years ago, and we had to do more to the house than we initially planned. Now that things are settling down, I'd like to decorate, and it takes us a LONG time to figure out where to hang pictures and things. The crafty stuff that can move around (like pillows) has been helping to make things much more homey. 

[prairiewindmomma]

I finished the mug rugs. I need to find a new place to do digital albums. Costco’s interface isn’t working well for me.

I have uploaded about 200 photos to ancestry—a different project I have been wanting to work on.

[mumto2]

I finally finished the Newfoundland dog quilt I have been working on since before Christmas.  Will be putting in the mail for her birthday!

 

[happi duck]

Gosh, January flew by!  I'm still trying to organize my craft supplies...the craft thread and the purge thread have collided for me 🙂

[greenvneck]

 

On 1/1/2020 at 11:35 AM, greenvneck said:

My main goal for this month is to not buy any craft supplies!! Second goal is to work through the stack of pen-pal letters I need to respond to.

 

Last day of the month and I haven't purchased any craft supplies! Not gonna lie, though, my virtual cart on AliExpress is overflowing, but that's just window (screen?) shopping. I wrote a bunch of letters as well. February is InCoWriMo so I will be writing a letter every day, ostensibly, but my honest goal is to beat last year's tally of a dozen.