Archive for the ‘Crafts’ Category
Bored
? Check out a few craft ideas and add some variety to your life.
Have you ever felt as if you’ve watched just too much TV or played too many computer games? I like TV as much as anyone else, but sometimes it just seems that there is nothing on that interests me. And I can only take so much of playing games on the computer. Don’t we all get to that point occasionally? Sometimes we just need to find a new interest. Taking up a new craft or hobby may fill the void we sometimes feel.
There are probably as many craft and hobby ideas as there are bored people. Perhaps you would feel fulfilled by getting involved in scrapbooking. Learning to paint is very rewarding, and you may be surprised at how many people are impressed with your efforts. Sitting down and playing the piano is relaxing for me. I can change my mood by doing so. So many others enjoy playing the guitar. Candle making and soap making are fun crafts to do, and the items you create make ideal gifts. With all the other craft and hobby ideas that abound, there is really no reason to be bored for long!
As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve long been fascinated by Grandfather Clocks. (Maybe it doesn’t take much to excite me! LOL) These clocks just are an unusual, yet useful and beautiful, accessory to any home. When it comes to woodworking, making a clock, especially a Grandfather Clock, seems to me to be a great project.
A few years ago, at Christmas time, my husband and I decided to give our sons a special treat and purchase a Grandfather Clock for each of them. (We found a great deal on them.) When their clocks arrived by truck, these two boys and their families were very happily surprised.
Now suppose we had gone even further and made these clocks. How much more do you suppose they would have been appreciated? Perhaps this is a project you might want to consider.
By the way, these clocks are beautiful and really make a statement!
If you are into woodworking, making a Grandfather Clock may very well be your next project. If not, why not? How satisfying that would be.
For years I have been fascinated by them. Quite some time ago my parents and I visited a very, very large antique shop. This particular shop had so many Grandfather Clocks that I would hesitate to even try to guess how many there were. They had all been imported from Europe, and there were numerous designs and styles. Perhaps this is where I first became fascinated and intrigued with them.
Sometime after that my parents had a Grandfather Clock made for them by an Amish man. When my parents died, I inherited this clock. What a beautiful addition it has made to my home.
If you think these clocks are neat to have in your living room, why not consider making your own? Plans are readily available.
As with any craft project we get involved with, when working with wood it is absolutely necessary to have the proper woodworking tools for the particular job. Having the correct tools will make your crafting efforts go much easier, and the results produced will be more professional.
Good quality tools for woodworking are readily available in stores and on the internet. Many of them come with a lifetime warranty, which is a big advantage to us, the buyers. Before investing much money in tools, it might be wise to do some reasonable research, comparing prices between brands and suppliers. Be sure to check the warranties that come with each item.
Cordless, rechargeable tools are very handy in certain instances, and you may want to consider that option. Be sure to check the battery life of the batteries included with each tool. New batteries with extended life are constantly being introduced on the market. Something else that my husband and I have noticed recently is that at least one manufacturer offers lifetime replacement of batteries with their tools. This is certainly an added benefit worth considering.
Woodworking has always been a fascinating hobby to me. To be able to take a simple piece of wood and turn it into something beautiful is a great talent. Woodworking is perhaps one of the oldest hobbies that men have been involved in. It seems that it was always (and still is) instinctive to create shelter and so many other items from such an abundant and renewable source as wood.
There is such a vast assortment of wood types to choose from. There are light woods and dark woods, hard woods and soft woods. Wood grains are so varied and beautiful that it is often hard to select the desired one.
Getting started in woodworking is rather simple and relatively inexpensive. With a good plan or two, the proper wood and a few tools, you can soon be on the way to creating some great woodworking projects.
For most of the summer, kids can play outside in the sunshine and keep themselves entertained. But there are those occasional rainy days when kids are stuck inside and need a little help staying occupied. If your kids are sick of all their toys, simple gather some craft supplies and search the web for new craft ideas. Some craft essentials that will always get the job done are construction paper, crayons, markers, washable paint, glue, scissors, pipe cleaners, glitter and various fabric scraps.
Here is just one of many kids craft ideas that you can use to keep kids occupied, using inexpensive craft supplies and items you have around the house. You’ll need: one egg carton, brightly colored paint, pipe cleaners, glue, white felt scraps, a black marker and scissors. Cut the cover off the egg carton, the cut the bottom of the carton in half lengthwise. Flip the carton halves upside down so that the bottoms of egg slots face upward. Paint both halves with bright colors. Cut two pipe cleaners in half and insert the two pieces into one end of the carton halves to make antenna. Cut eyes out of the felt and use the marker to make black pupils, then glue a pair of eyes onto each carton half. Now you have a pair of caterpillars! Use the marker to draw more details, like a mouth, or use glitter to embellish.
Some people really seem to have a talent for coming up with new and unusual craft ideas. Just look around you, especially at a craft fair or flea market and see all the new handcrafted items. In fact, you may be just such a person – someone who has a certain knack for creativity. If you are, I envy you.
Take the airplane pictured here for example. How did someone ever decide he or she could make an airplane from soda cans? And this is only one of the several designs or styles available!
As for me, I never seem to have much of an original idea for something new. My mother was more inclined that way. Unfortunately, most of what I do comes from someone else’s idea.
If you have an idea or an original creation and want to share it, I’d love to hear about it.
Are you looking for kids’ crafts that are simple and fun for everyone? Perhaps a few suggestions will make your crafting time more enjoyable. Check out these hints:
* Let your children choose their crafting project.
* Make a list of all supplies you will need for this craft if you do not have them on hand.
* Needless to say, be sure to take the list with you when you shop.
* Prepare the area (table top, counter top or floor) where the kids will be crafting by covering with newspapers or plastic. (A plastic table cloth works fine.)
* Have all supplies laid out before starting, along with old rags or paper towels in case of spills. Wet wipes are handy to have nearby too.
* Be sure that all paints and other supplies are non-toxic.
* Old clothes are a must for kids who are crafting. (adults, too, sometimes!)
* Show the kids how to do the project. Then let them do it in their own way. (You may be surprised with how inventive they can be.)
* Last but not least - be sure to take pictures to add to your scrapbook.
A birdhouse or a nest box, as we all know, is an artificial house for birds to nest in. Many times they are built from wood. Other times they are made from various other materials. However, we are fully aware that these birdhouses are not just a place for birds. We use them to decorate and accentuate our walls, yards, gardens, and other parts of our homes. What great painting project it is to paint our own birdhouse.
So - if you want a great accent to your garden or other area, might I suggest a birdhouse? There are unfinished ones available at a very reasonable prices. They come in an assortment of styles and sizes and can be finished rather quickly and inexpensively.
So if you are a crafter who is interested in painting, make your next project a birdhouse.
Many quilters may be drawn to quilt making because of the wide variety of beautiful fabrics available. The choices of colors and patterns seem to be unlimited. What beautiful quilts can be created!
One of the most important elements for choosing quilting fabrics is color. Beginning quilters may often become confused by this topic. Do not be intimated and discouraged from learning about color. Most people are far more adept at combining colors than they imagine.
Learn to trust your intuition (unless you know that you are color blind.) If you think the colors look great together, others more than likely will too. Besides, this is your quilting project. Choose fabrics that you love and that you will enjoy working on. After all, isn’t that really all that matters?