hi lorraine,

i've been called 'arty' since as long back as i can remember.

i recently got back into my art and craft mood and currently do a lot of knitting for friends, family and a small amount for a local shop. having been away from it for some years, it has taken me a little while to really get into the swing but most nights i can be found either knitting (mainly baby hats, small toys and trying to not get bored with shawls and blankets), sewing (by hand, felt and fabric decorations) or making basic cards to send to friends and family.

I have experimented with salt dough as well and am thinking about attempting wall plaques for my niece and nephew this year as part of their christmas presents.

some of my work is in my albums on my profile, if you wouldlike a look at them, you are more than welcome.

sharon

Replying to:

Hello, Lorraine,

I have enjoyed needlework since I was a teen, though I am not the best at it. I developed my skill at cross stitch when I had to commute by bus for an hour twice a day to and from work. The bus jolted in the traffic from Berkeley to San Francisco, and was always absolutely packed, though I was lucky in that my stop was one of the first, so I always had a seat. There was a beautiful patch along the Emeryville marshes where the birds were well worth watching, but the rest of the ride was ugly - cars, cars, cars. I get carsick if I read so I could not  do that to alleviate the boredom.

 I started work on a long bell-pull in a pattern  similar to the "Blue Willow" on china. It took me months, huddled against the bus window, stitching carefully according to the pattern. I had not realized that my work was being observed until the morning it was done. Ladies called to one another across the bus "She finished it!" and one of them asked me to hold it up for all to see. Very embarrassed, I did so, and was awarded with a little round of applause.  I gave the bell-pull to my mother for Christmas and she hung it on her wall. Whenever I passed it, I recalled my busload of admirers.

I've been cross stitching for 15 years now, most of my projects were gifts, I've done several birth and wedding samplers - I have an online photo gallery of some of my recent projects at :-

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/562753352BAKFkZ

Hello Lorraine

I was taught knitting/sewing etc when I went to school but did absolutley nothing with it until I became ill at 19 and HAD to stay off work for a week (I don't do sick!!).. I was bored and so picked up a pair of knitting needles and have never looked back.

I have now just hit my 50s and can turn my hand to most things, knitting, embroidery, cross stitch, crochet (self taught) and dress making (again self taught).  I did a fair bit of hand knitted arans for a local shop when my son was very small (don't know where I found the time?!)

I was quite lucky a few years ago to get the opportunity to have a weekend part time position with our local commnity college, teaching children the basics of knitting sewing etc but it did not last as parents were just using the facility as a 'babysitting' service while they went shopping - and the numbers began to dwindle.(I find it really sad that a great majority of parents do not encourage their children to learn basic crafts! - but that's another story!)

In the last five years I have since expanded my skills to rubber stamping, card making, scrapbooking, decoupage, ATCs.  I now want to try my hand at water colours, and acrylics but not got round to it yet!!!

I just love my crafting and will help and encourage anyone to learn or improve their crafting skills.  If nothing else it is a great form of escapism and sheer pleasure when you complete your projects.

I hope your feature works well for you and I look forward to seeing it as I love to read about all the fantastic crafters out there!

Maybelle.