Crafts Hobbies

There are a few ways you can stain your fabrics to give an aged primitive look, here is one method - the tea or coffee method.

You will need:

· Instant Coffee or tea granules

· Hot Water

· Large plastic bowl or bucket

· Rubber gloves

Instructions:

Fill a clean bowl or bucket with hot water and 2-3 tablespoons of instant coffee or tea granules. Allow to brew!

After a minute or two put some rubber gloves on and put your fabric into the solution. Please use gloves as the mixture will be very hot.

Making sure to cover both sides of the fabric. You can leave it in there to give a dark look or take it ...

The argument that we have a predestined fate, and that we make our destiny is an age old one, being the object of discussion in many a philosophical conversation. It is also an argument that can never have a proven conclusion, only believers in either, by choice as a result of experience. Birthstone gemstones are closely related to the astral powers that be, according to the believers.

Every sun sign has a birthstone gemstone associated with it, which is supposed to be lucky for the person born during that period. This is the simplest of explanations of birthstones. People use various stones hoping for various affects that the stone will have on their lives. At the same time, people avoid contact with certain stones that will bring them bad luck and misery. Although this may seem like something out of a fairy tale to westernized society, these things are practiced extravagantly ...

In this era when film cameras are going the way of the dinosaur, and digital cameras are taking over, the hot new collectible is the Russian camera. With brand names like Sputnik and Kiev, an increasing number of collectors are finding rare Russian Cameras to have both a nostalgic quality with a sprinkling of mystery thrown in.

Here are some of the most collectible of the Russian cameras:

Sputnik: The Sputnik Russian camera was produced by LOMO in Leningrad from 1955 to 1973. It is a stereo camera that produces six pairs of 6 x 6 cm pictures on 120 film. Weighing slightly less than two pounds, the Sputnik stereo camera has aperture sizes of 4.5, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, and 22. It has a synchronizer and self-timer, with shutter speeds of 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, and B.

LOMO LC-A: The LOMO LC-A is a 35mm Russian camera that was the foundation of the Lomography...

Wood crafting is a hobby for some, while for others it is a full-time profession. Carefully laid out plans let both professionals and hobbyists pursue their passion towards wood crafting. Well laid out, illustrated step-by-step guide to woodcraft plans is a relatively new phenomenon. Wood crafting is an ancient hobby and evidence can be seen in the remains of legendry Thujate' Indians and from the excavations from ancient sites. These woodcrafts also followed some sort of woodcraft plans but they were only in the minds of the craftsmen before they took the final shape. They were devoid of modern day sophisticated tools or machinery. Now days, there are many tools that aid the craftsman in wood working.

Sophistication has slowly crept into woodcraft, and now woodcraft has grown beyond the realm of pastime activity, and has blossomed into a major industry. Woodcraft professionals ...

Man has always been attracted towards wooden carvings and handicrafts; no wonder wood carved articles form a good share of the collection of professional collectors. Today, woodcrafts - both low cost and expensive, have become standard pieces in most households, and the number of such households is continuously on the rise. Woodworking is a mega industry in the United States and the numerous woodcraft stores that you find near your home bear testimony to the burgeoning demand for wood crafts.

If you are fond of wood worked collectibles, gift items such as candle holders, silhouettes, wood signs, matchbook mints, or on the lookout for wooden home décor, then a woodcraft shop is the place you want to visit. A standard woodcraft shop is a one-stop destination for most types of wood crafted articles. The scope of a woodcraft shop is much more than that of a wooden collectible storeh...

"Why is the rabbit unafraid? Because he's smarter than the panther." - The Edge (film)

Woodcraft is the art of carving or fashioning objects from wood. It is also defined as the dexterity and experience in matters relating to the woods, such as hunting, fishing, camping or simply surviving in the wild by staying one step ahead of the panther. For thousands of years, human beings have survived only because they were able to adapt and obtain their basic necessities from their surrounding habitat, usually employing little more technology than their own hands.

"It would help bring together young people from various so-called stations, break down the barriers that society has foolishly placed upon them, and establish in their minds when they are young, a finer kind of humanity, a real understanding that the important thing is the association of a human spirit." - Ernest Thomson...

Selecting the right type of threads for any embroidery work is important because the color and texture of the design, and eventually the look of the final product depend on the material and type of thread used. There’s a wide variety of embroidery thread to choose from, so take your time to decide what type or combination should be best for the design you have in mind. More importantly, thread selections should be based on Sewability, Seam Performance and Appearance, Availability and Cost.

Types:

1. Rayon: This type of thread has a great sheen, and so the best looking embroidery designs are stitched with it. Rayon threads can range from combinations of two or more colors twisted together thereby forming a single strand, to one solid color strand. They are widely available, mostly in standard 40 wt. and 30 wt. Even though Rayon is the most popular type, it’s not very sturdy...

I always wanted to be good at something, no not just good, I wanted to excel. Everyone does, whether they admit it or not. Through the years I’ve tried all the needle arts, painting, sewing, cooking, gardening. Once, and this is a secret…..I tried to write a book.

Knitting seems to be my niche. I get compliments on my knitting. I like getting compliments and so I knit more. My first few attempts were very sad. My sweet daughter once wore a sweater for an entire winter that, because I had run out of yarn and bought something “close enough”, had one sleeve a different pink than the rest of the sweater. My son wore mittens with the thumbs so misplaced his entire wrist was exposed to the snow and cold. I knit two ugly sweaters for friends of ours one Christmas and proudly wrapped and presented them. Understandably, I never saw them sport them.

I am better now. I produce decent...

I love to knit. Not discounting the occasional cuss word when perfect is not achieved, I have to say I find it relaxing and knitting brings me peace.

That said, there was “The Sweater”.

I had picked out a sweet cabled cardigan for my then four year old granddaughter. Ashley has soft brown hair and a pixie look about her. When I looked at that pattern, I pictured her romping through fields of wild flowers with a gentle breeze blowing through her tumbling locks….get the picture?

I picked a steel blue yarn and settled into my rocker for a decent session of knitting. Armed with a cup of tea, I cast on the back of “The Sweater”. I will not go into the detail of the trials and tribulations of completing a sweater I know originated in the depths of hell. When I was too far into the project to even consider frogging it, I had faced typos, pattern errors and instructions that...

Most autograph collectors start out by seeking out sports and entertainment figures and asking them for their autograph. In most cases these autographs are free and very personal. However, collectors soon become more serious and start collecting autographs that can be grouped into three categories, Historical, Political and Science or Inventor. Today millions of hobbyist collect autographs that connect us the with past and bring history to life. The most popular form of autograph collecting is probably a signed letter handwritten by someone of interest. After that comes signed documents or an autographed photograph.

Historical Autographs are usually obtained in the form of documents or letters. For example some collectors try to get all the signers of the Declaration of Independence or all the justices of the Supreme Court, or all the Nobel Prize winners. Sports au...

Woodworking jigs are a necessary part of any woodworking shop. They are great for repetitive tasks in many wood working projects. They make complex projects easier to manage and faster. You can purchase pre made jigs or make your own. Although they are inexpensive, making your own from scrap wood is even cheaper. Depending on the type of projects you like to do, you will need a variety of different jigs.

Types of Jigs

Dovetail jigs are great for making dovetail joints accurately. These can be purchased relatively inexpensively. Another option is to make your own dovetail jig. You can find templates for making your own jigs on the internet or in most stores that sell wood working supplies. Many of these templates allow you to make up to twelve different size jigs.

You may want to puck up a dovetail bit for your router and a dovetail saw. These are gre...

Have you ever searched and searched for that perfect crochet pattern, but none seemed to be just right, not quite what you had pictured in your mind? If so, then maybe it's time to try your hand at designing your own patterns.

If you can picture it in your mind, then you can create it.

You probably have a good idea of what you are looking for in a pattern. To bring that idea out, find a pattern that is close, but still not quite right. This will help you get your new pattern started.

Get a notebook, pencil and a good eraser (you will be using that a lot). You will also need a ruler or tape measure.

First you will need to know your gauge. Your gauge is important as it determines how many stitches and rows you get per inch and will make your item come out in the correct size.

To find your gauge, crochet a small sample piece of about 10 sts...

While many parents are daunted by the idea of tackling craft projects alone with their kids, with little effort, even the least creative parent will find crafting to be an easy, relaxing activity. With a few materials from around the home and some basic supplies, you too will be producing quick and easy crafts with your kids. By keeping these few simple tips in mind, you can literally create countless crafts with your children without having to break a sweat or make a mess.

Keep it Simple
Toy and craft stores sell fancy, expensive crafting materials and kits. While these can be fun and shouldn't be overlooked, they aren't necessary for creative, fun projects. Construction paper, glue, scissors, scrap fabric, non-toxic paints, crayons, and markers are sufficient for thousands of potential crafts, especially when combined with discarded household items or backyard trea...

Have you ever done crafts with your grandkids? I have and the fun of it all is unbelievable. I do the crafts with my grandson, and you would not believe the things we have made. The small thing from a drawn picture with the popsicle frame to a t-shirt with a picture of him ironed on and his hand prints around it. Yes it is fun. I thought my daughter and son-in-law was the type, that if it wasn't bought it wasn't good enough. Man was I totally wrong. Christmas was on it's way. My grandson was old enough to know that you were suppose to give Christmas presents.

My first time doing a project so important to him. Making mommy and daddy a present that they would like. Let me tell you, they loved them. First we made his hand print in plaster of Paris. What a trip. We had a time getting the hand print just right. Then it hit me....This is a little kid.....nothing is sup...

Before taking up embroidery as an occupation or a hobby, you need to know the different types of important embroidery supplies and accessories that are available. Also keep in mind that each type can be further divided into specific subtypes based on function and utility. Choose the right tools depending on your need, and type of work.

The Hoop:

An embroidery hoop is a circular tool usually made of wooden material that is used to hold the fabric steady, providing support and stability to the fabric being embroidered. Most hoops have brass screws that can be tightened or loosened if necessary, and come in various shapes and sizes. Popular types include -

1. Tubular Embroidery Hoops: The arms of the hoops are on the outside of the garment and connect to an inner hoop ring. The larger outer ring, on the other hand, is on the inside of the garment. Normally used without ...

Scrapbooks are an ideal way to preserve memories and retrieve them for later reference or use. They allow for a trip down memory lane without struggling about what someone had said on a particular even or what you were wearing on your first prom party. These fun books keep precious memories safe and tucked away in a corner till the time you are ready to revisit or share them with someone. By including our thoughts in a scrapbook, not only can you hold memories for a long time but can also utilize your current time in doing something creative and meaningful.

Given the options that are there in the market today, getting started with the process can sweep you over. Craft stores have a bundle of varied products to offer starting from complete kits that include the works, stickers, colorful paper, a wide range of colored markers, paint and glitters. To top it all there will be choice...

In most cases when young couples expecting their first child they receive a whole pile of gifts. They can include anything from diapers, toys and clothing, usually more than the child could ever need. But like everything else in life, the best things can't be bought. They are made with love by the grandparents and other family members of the new arrival. One example of this could be a homemade blanket for the baby. With hours of love, time and skill invested in it, a baby quilt becomes an heirloom that is often passed down from one generation to the next, choosing baby quilt patterns becomes part of the process.

To choo-choos, airplanes, alphabet letters, boats and duckys are often a favorite baby quilt patterns. The patterns give the quilter a general idea of what they need and also detailed instructions on how to complete the project. If you've never attempted to make a quilt...

With Grandparents Day being the first real holiday of the school year (falling on the first Sunday after Labor Day), crafts are typically a special way for children to celebrate the holiday. Different craft ideas that are used on other holidays can also be adapted for Grandparents Day. Here are a few ideas for your children to take part in for this holiday.

One of the easiest crafts to create is a greeting card. A child can draw his or her own picture and use personal creativity to make a card that speaks from the heart. A card created by hand will please any grandparent more than a store-bought card ever could because whatever the card shows or says is guaranteed to come from the heart.

Many online resources offer black and white posters that can be printed out for coloring. These can be colored and given to grandparents as a gift for the holiday. If you start early...

If you have an artistic mind and you love you make something decorative and attractive for your home then clay pots are definitely a great idea to work with. You can make different items or can also so some painting on the clay pot in such a way that it will make the plant look better. It may also happen that you not even notice the plant just because the pot is so attractive.

To make a painted clay pot you need to have 4” clay pot, opaque apple green acrylic paint, opaque blue lagoon acrylic paint, opaque yellow acrylic paint, semi opaque pumpkin acrylic paint, semi opaque white acrylic paint, fine point permanent black marker.

Steps to make a painted clay pot:

1. First using a small ruler and pencil, you should measure the height of the clay pot starting just below the rim. Then mark off the halfway point between the top and the bottom of the clay po...

Woodcraft is the skill of making, carving or fashioning objects from wood. Along with mud, stone, and metal, wood was certainly one of the first materials used by primitive human beings in the construction of furniture. The most commonly employed woods include oak, pine, birch, walnut, willow, and cherry. Of the woods that appeared to have been highly valued were maple and citron. Among the rarer woods, essentially used for ornamental purposes, were ebony and satinwood. Without a doubt, the advancement of civilization was closely linked to the development of skills in crafting these materials. The design and style of exclusive woodcraft furniture lionizes the cultural richness of any civilization. After ornaments, some of the most exquisite items left behind from ancient Egypt are the furniture its people carved and used.

Furniture shaped from wood is made not only for functiona...