Crafters’ corner 2020

We still have upholsterers here so foam is easy and cheap to come by. We don't have Pound / Euro shops though but we have lots of Chinese shops that sell cushions.

I like @CanadianLori 's idea of wallpaper on a screen but only kitchen / bathroom type that is washable ... but would eliminate a lot of designs. In the 60s in America we had black & white Rubens ladies on bathroom wallpaper! I saw one years ago where you decoupage photos on one or all the panels. Some ideas ...

Yahoo fait désormais partie de Verizon Media

 

No idea of the quality...but markets often have stalls selling foam sheets.

 

Yes, lots of places sell sheets - I buy slabs of foam in varying thicknesses and have a foam saw for cutting the shapes for custom jobs I do. I have only been doing soft home furnishings professionally for about 20 years (was a manager in the steel industry before that-boring ugh..) but it has been my experience so far that because the mass manufacturers buy in bulk to make their products, their costs are negligible compared to the one off. They have cheap cushions here at Walmarts for $7 or $8.

When I buy a slab of good quality foam it is about $75. I used to go to an upholsterer who would cut and sell a piece to me but they charge about $2 an inch or more depending on the thickness of the foam so a 20" cushion would cost a minimum of $40. I'd go out of business if I'd kept buy it that way!

I just think that in the long run, it is easier (and hopefully cheaper) to grab a ready made cushion that is the right size.

 

A call from a lady with a senior Staffie by the name of Nessie. She is losing her hair and feels the Winter's chill now.
Measurements suggest a size X - XL ...hope this will fit the bill


Jenny namaste

 

Aww Jenny, that is just the sweetest

 

@Jenny namaste that is really fun. I hope Nessie enjoys the comfort

 

That's great should like that @Jenny namaste

 

That's lovely Jenny. I have a feeling you might find yourself knitting another one. Wear one, wash one.

 

I've mounted and framed my cross stitch at last. I bought the frames ready made from a firm in Newcastle and really pleased with them. The modern way to mount the work is to use a specific sticky tape, but I'm not sure that will hold as time passes. It also worries me that it would mark the fabric so I opted for the traditional way of lacing which took a couple of hours on each piece. I used three strands of embroidery thread and joined the lengths as I went along, if it's too long it snaps when it's pulled tight.









I'm now waiting for a kit to arrive from Lithuania. I didn't know until I ordered it that it's coming from there and will take up to five weeks to arrive.

 

Aww they look beautiful! How long has it taken to do them?

 

@Sheal those are beautiful. The lacing looks interesting. I didn't know that was how the art was mounted.

 

Thank you Snorky. I've done four, another 'Heilan Coo' for my daughter and they've taken about 2 1/2 months each, working approximately two or three hours a day. All the designs are the same size 10 x 10 inches. The box frame glass area is 12 x 12 inches and the frame 1 inch deep to take the depth of the work/board.

Thank you too Lori. Yes, the lacing is an old fashioned way of mounting which I still prefer. Lacing usually has a more open finish with the thread more than an inch apart but I feel using more gives a better finish and puts less strain on the threads. Mine are about half an inch apart.

 

@Sheal wow... they must really take some patience!

 

Thank you Sandy. Patience to a certain degree. As with all hobbies we choose they are something that shouldn't be rushed. I find the methodical work of cross stitching relaxing and enjoyable....until I get a knot in the thread!

 

@Sheal they're beautiful.