Check-In Post May 7th 2023

[badly_knitted]

Hello to all members, passers-by, curious onlookers, and shy lurkers, and welcome to our regular daily check-in post. Just leave a comment below to let us know how your current projects are progressing, or even if they're not.

Checking in is NOT compulsory, check in as often or as seldom as you want, this community isn't about pressure it's about encouragement, motivation, and support. Crafting is meant to be fun, and what's more fun than sharing achievements and seeing the wonderful things everyone else is creating?

There may also occasionally be questions, but again you don't have to answer them, they're just a way of getting to know each other a bit better.


Today's Question: No question today.


If anyone has any questions of their own about the community, or suggestions for tags, questions to be asked on the check-in posts, or if anyone is interested in playing check-in host for a week here on the community, which would entail putting up the daily check-in posts and responding to comments, go to the Questions & Suggestions post and leave a comment.

I now declare this Check-In OPEN!

Comments

[wiseheart]

I worked a bit on my textile book project. Two of the three page bases are done, and there are only a few finishing touches left to the third one. Then the real "fun" can begin: the binding of the book.

At least this is a folding one, so I won't have to bind each page individually. The downside is that the cover isn't made of felt but of cotton fabric, and I don't dare to put such a large piece (65cm by 18cm) through Louise the younger (my baby sewing machine). It would be a risky business, even if I didn't suck at machine sewing. Unfortunately, I do. So it will be hand-sewing all along, which probably means crooked lines and all that, but it can't be helped.

[badly_knitted]

The book is coming along well! Good luck with the binding. Sounds like a big job.

[wiseheart]

If only I weren't so useless with a sewing machine, I could do it in an hour or so. But by hand...

[althea_valara]

I hear ya. I am also useless with a sewing machine. Mine is in need of repairs, actually, because the last time I tried using it I got thread stuck in it. I'm not sure WHAT I did to do that, but I did. Sigh. Good luck with your hand sewing! Sending vibes that it comes out nice and straight.

[badly_knitted]

Some of us simply don't have the sewing machine gene. =/

[wiseheart]

Not for these modern, electrical ones in any case. I used to work on Grandma's old Singer machine moderately well, but it's gone by now.

[badly_knitted]

Yes, I could just about use the old machine mum had but the new ones go too fast.

[celli]

Sending you good hand sewing vibes!!!

[wiseheart]

Oh, thank you! I'll need them, lots of them!

[spiralicious]

Sounds like they are coming along. Good luck with the sewing!

[wiseheart]

Thanks. Luck will definitely be needed at this phase. *sigh*

[badly_knitted]

Lovely weather today, and I got out in the garden for a bit but didn't get much done. I tried again to dig weeds from the patch of ground I wanted to clear last month, but the soil is as sticky and wet as before so I only managed a parch about a foot square. Then I went back to one of my wood piles and started breaking up any dry sticks I could find. Most weren't dry enough, they bent instead of breaking, so I was mainly moving sticks from one pile to another. Not exactly successful, but being outside in warm, dry weather made a nice change. The rain is due to return again tomorrow.

[wiseheart]

Awww, sorry about the wet wood. Mum used to struggle with it when we were living in Transylvania.

[badly_knitted]

It's not a problem, I'm not short of twigs, but I have a lot of piles of wood drying and that takes time. The wet winter and spring hasn't helped. I wish I had a good place to pile the wood, but it's all in among the shrubs.

[celli]

Ah, I hope the rain cuts you a bit of a break at some point!

[badly_knitted]

Won't be today, it's very wet and dreary. =(

[spiralicious]

Congrats on your day spent outside, even if it wasn't all you wanted it to be.

[badly_knitted]

It was only about 90 minutes, but that was better than nothing.

[althea_valara]

Four rows, the edging, and the sleeves left on the cardigan. I CAN DO IT! though I am thinking of taking a break and napping a bit. It's very warm here today and it's making me sleepy.

[badly_knitted]

Yay, well done!

Nap, definitely. If you're sleepy you might start making mistakes, and you can do without that.

[spiralicious]

*\o/*

[wiseheart]

YES, YOU CAN! Although a break is always nice. *g*

sequin bag

[house_wren]

I'm trying to figure out how to post a photo, so if you can see one, hurrah!

I have checked the preview & I see a photo! But it is tiny. Any advice for how to post a larger picture is gratefully received.

The photo is of a crocheted bag I made during lockdown. I was remembering the fad in the 1960s for crocheted wool hats featuring loops & large sequins. I still want to try to make such a hat, but I must wait for my enthusiasm to match my supplies & my hand health.

Re: sequin bag

[celli]

I can see it perfectly when I click on it, though, and it's lovely!!!

Re: sequin bag

[house_wren]

Oh! Thanks for telling me! Didn't realize a click would enlarge it. Nice.
& thanks also for the encouraging 'lovely!'

Re: sequin bag

[spiralicious]

I can see it! It's wonderful :)

Re: sequin bag

[badly_knitted]

Yes, I see it! And it doesn't need to be larger, it's perfect as it is because it's a thumbnail image. Viewers click the image and get a larger version. Try it and see.

It looks splendid, very 1960s retro. I hope you do get to make a matching hat. Who knows, you might start a retro revival!

Re: sequin bag

[wiseheart]

It is lovely! And very well visible if one clicks on the photo.

[readera]

I worked on the bralette that I finally cast on yesterday. I had to focus to do the cast on as it was new & a lot of stitches.

I also set up the flowers around my grandparents picture on my desk. I'll put them into a garland later but this works for now.

[spiralicious]

*\o/*

[readera]

:)

[badly_knitted]

Ooh, good luck with the bralette. It's always so daunting when there are a lot of stitches.

That's a lovely use of the flowers =)

[readera]

Thanks! I've made socks before & those have lots of little stitches. At least I'm knitting on size 8 & 10 for this project. I'm more worried about shaping. I've never made a top before.

Thanks!

[badly_knitted]

You'll figure it out, and if you have any problems you can always ask the folks here for advice.

[readera]

Thanks! 👍

[badly_knitted]

You're welcome =)

[spiralicious]

Haven't been crafting the last few days, but today I prepped for crafting at least. As part of spending some time cleaning my crafting stash (no where near done), I gathered some possible ephemera to work on smash books/junk journals tomorrow. Let's hope that's still what Lynne wants to work on.

[badly_knitted]

Hopefully what you gathered together will prove inspiring!

[wiseheart]

Proper preparation is important: it saves you a lot of time when you get to the actual work!