Crafts To Do During Covid Restrictions

[Quiet Time]

That's so clever! ^^^^^^

 

[PayrollNerd]

My youngest needed my sewing room to work on school stuff for most of the past week. I used the time to cut out some kits for cancer patients. I had the wine themed medicine bag done already but I cut out a coordinating chemo cap and mask. I have 5 more sets ready to go. I tried to choose fabrics that aren’t overly girly. Not all women want to wear pink.

I soaked the cabinet hinges in white vinegar and wiped a lot of residue off. I need to soak the next batch of pieces. Then I’ll do the steel wool.

My fingertips are cracked and sore from cleaning, food prep, fabric handling, etc. I use Eczema cream type lotion at least twice daily. But, it’s winter. Sigh. I think I’m going to put bandaids on them while I sleep tonight.

How is everyone else’s craft projects going?

 

[ButForFortune]

Yes, I think it counts! I love doing chalk paint and distressing furniture, particularly if it looks like nothing special before. I got a China cabinet on a swap a few years ago that looked like a cheap faux antique. Once I was done painting and distressing it, it looked like a true antique and probably would fetch 3 X what I paid for it if I were to sell it.

This kind of work is an art, too!

JaneEyre - I own your EXACT(!!) china cabinet in its original finish. It is maple with the interior cabinet and the drawers cedar lined. It still smells wonderful when you open the cabinets or drawers. It belonged to my husband's grandparents so I am guessing 1930's. It even has the EXACT same drawer pulls. I'm very excited to see your cabinet - LOL!

 

[PayrollNerd]

I took a wire brush to the cabinet hardware today after soaking them in vinegar. This looks like brass coated metal. Now I think steel wool may help a bit more. Then they can be spray painted.

(I had to wear gloves. My finger tips are too sore to put them in liquid)

 

[JaneEyre]

JaneEyre - I own your EXACT(!!) china cabinet in its original finish. It is maple with the interior cabinet and the drawers cedar lined. It still smells wonderful when you open the cabinets or drawers. It belonged to my husband's grandparents so I am guessing 1930's. It even has the EXACT same drawer pulls. I'm very excited to see your cabinet - LOL!

Mine was not that old or that nice. Very similar, though.

ETA I probably would not have painted it if it was as nice as the one you showed.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Well, I lost my sewing room temporarily to my kiddo the first week of March. Her apartment had toxic mold. So here we are 2 months later still waiting on the remodel to be done. Sigh.

In the meantime, I’ve altered drapes and hemmed 3 pair of slacks for a friend. I also was able to get a small adult trike and my cousin modified it to be my mobility device. I have been out riding 2-3 times a week when the heat isn’t too bad. I’ve really enjoyed it.

I am back to sewing and decided to design a basket liner. I am using donated fabric, batting remnants and leftover thread. It is really making my brain work and that is a good thing. It also means I’m saving $$$ by not buying an overpriced basket liner. Stay tuned.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Well I finally finished my basket liner!!! It’s not perfect but I am happy with it. I added handles so I can use it as a bag if I want to. I notched it so I can carry the basket. I put batting in between the layers for durability. It didn’t cost a penny!!

 

[anneg]

Well I finally finished my basket liner!!! It’s not perfect but I am happy with it. I added handles so I can use it as a bag if I want to. I notched it so I can carry the basket. I put batting in between the layers for durability. It didn’t cost a penny!!

Well done! The fabric is pretty and the liner looks very nice. I love how you document your projects by taking photos and then share the photos with us.

 

[anneg]

The NY Times has a nice story about quarantine crafts and 47 photos of crafts made by readers. Very interesting and I enjoyed looking at the photos.
What We Learned From a Year of Crafting

May 13, 2021
Necessity is the mother of invention, and at the start of the pandemic, the thing everyone needed was masks. To help keep people safe, an army of home sewers banded together last spring to make face coverings and other personal protective equipment for health care workers, family members and strangers.

Stuck at home without the diversions of socializing, travel or dining out, the crafting continued. Americans knitted, crocheted and wove through the lockdown. They made hand-tufted rugs, paper orchids, wooden chess sets, tiny shrines and botanical mandalas. ....

 

[JaneEyre]

The NY Times has a nice story about quarantine crafts and 47 photos of crafts made by readers. Very interesting and I enjoyed looking at the photos.
What We Learned From a Year of Crafting

May 13, 2021
Necessity is the mother of invention, and at the start of the pandemic, the thing everyone needed was masks. To help keep people safe, an army of home sewers banded together last spring to make face coverings and other personal protective equipment for health care workers, family members and strangers.

Stuck at home without the diversions of socializing, travel or dining out, the crafting continued. Americans knitted, crocheted and wove through the lockdown. They made hand-tufted rugs, paper orchids, wooden chess sets, tiny shrines and botanical mandalas. ....

This is inspiring. Thank you for sharing!

By the way, I finally have a good idea for all the fabric scraps left over from masks. Slow stitching! I'll post a pic of an example (not mine - just something I would like to do in the future). They sell kits.

 

[anneg]

This is inspiring. Thank you for sharing!

By the way, I finally have a good idea for all the fabric scraps left over from masks. Slow stitching! I'll post a pic of an example (not mine - just something I would like to do in the future). They sell kits.

I hadn't heard of slow stitching. Interesting!

 

[PayrollNerd]

I needed to stay busy to stay sane the past few days. So yesterday I pressure washed the front of my house. Now that the screened is gone, the wasps decided to take up residence. Then one tried to get in the house. So, I zapped them with water. It at least looks a tad better. While I was out there I did 2 rugs and an old wooden bar stool. When the barstool was dry, I sanded it, put a coat of Kilz primer on it. This morning I sanded it again and added primer in the thin spots. It looks better already.

It will match the little cabinet I redid for my youngest. She was using this to sit on while she did her makeup. She is still trying to find a place. Her last place had toxic mold. So she’s been back with me for 3-4 months.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Kiddo finally found a place and moved out. I just about have my little room set back up. I decided to put my desk in there next to my sewing table. This will give me more space when I’m working on a quilt. Plus my dining room was my office and it was always covered in papers. Now to decide on what to do - inexpensively - in the dining area.

I am looking forward to finishing my chemo kits (hat, bag, mask) and the 2 quilts I have in progress. I am also going to make cloth dinner napkins for my girls. They had birthdays this past week. Due to their schedules, we are getting together Labor Day weekend to celebrate.

 

[Skully]

Kiddo finally found a place and moved out. I just about have my little room set back up. I decided to put my desk in there next to my sewing table. This will give me more space when I’m working on a quilt. Plus my dining room was my office and it was always covered in papers. Now to decide on what to do - inexpensively - in the dining area.

I am looking forward to finishing my chemo kits (hat, bag, mask) and the 2 quilts I have in progress. I am also going to make cloth dinner napkins for my girls. They had birthdays this past week. Due to their schedules, we are getting together Labor Day weekend to celebrate.

Your space is beautiful! and I love the quilt. I used to quilt until I moved to FL, I don't sew anymore. I may have to rethink that. LOL T.Y. for sharing.

 

[weepingangel]

what a nice space you have for all your activities. And i love your vaulted ceiling!
I always enjoy seeing the pics you share of your projects (and food related stuff!)

Kiddo finally found a place and moved out. I just about have my little room set back up. I decided to put my desk in there next to my sewing table. This will give me more space when I’m working on a quilt. Plus my dining room was my office and it was always covered in papers. Now to decide on what to do - inexpensively - in the dining area.

I am looking forward to finishing my chemo kits (hat, bag, mask) and the 2 quilts I have in progress. I am also going to make cloth dinner napkins for my girls. They had birthdays this past week. Due to their schedules, we are getting together Labor Day weekend to celebrate.

 

[PayrollNerd]

what a nice space you have for all your activities. And i love your vaulted ceiling!
I always enjoy seeing the pics you share of your projects (and food related stuff!)

Yeah that ceiling was my dream and at first, the carpenter just couldn't seem to understand what I wanted. I had to show him photos online but he finally got it. I ran the numbers and it was cheaper to add foam board insulation, real wood bead board, and 1/4 trim board. I'll see if I can find a few in progress photos to post.

It was more expensive to have the popcorn ceiling scraped off and another texture put on, then primed and painted. Yeah, I was like screw that. I'm going to cover that crap up!

Everyone loves it. My sister in law wants my brother to put it in their house but instead of white, they'll stain it to match their trim. It would be pretty stained too I think.

ETA: Added photo where you can see the popcorn, then the foam board, 1/4 firring strips were attached up into the trusses, then the bead board. After that was done, we rolled the final coat of paint. Then added the 1/4 finish trim board.

 

[anneg]

Yeah that ceiling was my dream and at first, the carpenter just couldn't seem to understand what I wanted. I had to show him photos online but he finally got it. I ran the numbers and it was cheaper to add foam board insulation, real wood bead board, and 1/4 trim board. I'll see if I can find a few in progress photos to post.

It was more expensive to have the popcorn ceiling scraped off and another texture put on, then primed and painted. Yeah, I was like screw that. I'm going to cover that crap up!

Everyone loves it. My sister in law wants my brother to put it in their house but instead of white, they'll stain it to match their trim. It would be pretty stained too I think.

ETA: Added photo where you can see the popcorn, then the foam board, 1/4 firring strips were attached up into the trusses, then the bead board. After that was done, we rolled the final coat of paint. Then added the 1/4 finish trim board.

Thanks for this--we have popcorn ceilings in ALL rooms of this good-sized 3BR house (mostly vaulted ceilings), and I hate them. Having them scraped and repainted would be $$ and a big hassle, I think. I wonder if covering them up would work for our house and be less expensive. Guess I'd need to get bids.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Thanks for this--we have popcorn ceilings in ALL rooms of this good-sized 3BR house (mostly vaulted ceilings), and I hate them. Having them scraped and repainted would be $$ and a big hassle, I think. I wonder if covering them up would work for our house and be less expensive. Guess I'd need to get bids.

I didn't do the bedrooms or bathroom. I just did the main room which, after I reduced the wall between the living room and kitchen, is all open. I figured when I'm in the bedroom, I'm sleeping so no need to waste money there. I painted my popcorn ceilings in the bedrooms and called it done.

Before the kitchen ceiling was removed.


After the kitchen ceiling was removed.

 

[Tbone144]

“I made a thing!” (Nod to Clarkson’s Farm)

actually I’ve made one and working on another. Just finished trimming 336 blocks I now need to figure out how I’m going to arrange them into two quilts. My first attempt was vetoed. Tomorrow I’ll try again. First attempt was made with only blocks I had ready last night. Tonight I’ve finished, tomorrow the games begin of laying them out.
ETA the baseball quilt is for my nephew. The other two I’ll probably sell.

 

[PayrollNerd]

“I made a thing!” (Nod to Clarkson’s Farm)

actually I’ve made one and working on another. Just finished trimming 336 blocks I now need to figure out how I’m going to arrange them into two quilts. My first attempt was vetoed. Tomorrow I’ll try again. First attempt was made with only blocks I had ready last night. Tonight I’ve finished, tomorrow the games begin of laying them out.
ETA the baseball quilt is for my nephew. The other two I’ll probably sell.

Oh I love them!!!! Your nephew is going to cherish that baseball quilt for the rest of his life.

That's alotta squares! I lay mine out, take a photo, study it on my iPad (bigger screen) and then solicit opinions. I like to lay a big sheet on the floor, lay my pieces on it and once I get it the way I want it, I roll it up.

Good for you for selling your wares. Do you have an online shop like Etsy or do you sell locally?