Craft Corner

Dried bananas are tricky too @Shaz51, I've used a dehydrator to dry excess produce and various things, Herbs in the oven, but not for the longest time. I hang dry herbs now if I need to, as the climate here is dry enough and the air clean enough to.

@outlander @Bunniekins

You're very kind.

Last night I felt awful, so to mitigate how I was feeling I sewed up a toilet roll holder for my bathroom. It turned out awesomely so felt a bit decent about that.

I pickled the remaining 2kg of Ginger today after a very late start. The waste of throwing the skin scrapings got to me too and so I figured out a way to combine them with a sliced lemon to make a syrup for adding to tea or soda water, and made that as well. I'm taking a break now. I do it in stages, but still, it's hours of 'doing'.

I have a terrific stash of pickled ginger now!

How's everyone's crafting going?

@CheerBear @outlander @Shaz51 @Bunniekins @Faith-and-Hope @OhanaSystem @Teej @Catcakes @Phoenix_Rising @Former-Member @Bella1978 and anyone else who drops by.

It's been a bit quiety in the corner lately - how are your crafting projects going?

Lots of craft sales on at so many places this week! Nothing has tempted me so far. Have you been tempted by any of the sales?

For those who were interested in acquiring a sewing maching, now is a good time to keep a check on the Mother's Day sales. They are in full swing and will last for a while longer, but a good time to make comparisons even if you can't get one now.

I'm being disciplined about not gathering any more yarns or fabrics, beads or threads, or even tools, until I have made more of a dent in the stashes I already have! So far it hasn't been at all difficult as my mood has meant I'm more able to deny myself the expenditure.

Each day/night period I am trying to keep myself interested in maintaing a forward momentum by creating something, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. I've learned I feel better about myself when I can use my skills to further my quality of life in some way.

I have finished turning the ginger into pickle and am well pleased with that outcome. Already 2 jars have been taken from the pile, one finished and one almost consumed. The syrup made from the scrapings (see ^ ) has been a wonderful addition to my hot tea. So much so that I will continue to make it from the stores of frozen ginger I keep for cooking with.

Also completed and handed onto the person who commissioned it is a specially designed T-shirt.

The next hankie in the Comfort Collection has been started, I'll take a photo of them all when finished I think. This one is the variegated lavender/ purples.

There are plans for more sewing projects and I still have multiple crochet projects needing attention. Still deciding on which one to use for the CAL with @CheerBear when those special yarns arrive. Soon, CheerBear, it must be soon!

Crafty good wishes for those who drop by.

@Former-Member Hi SunShower yes it has been quiet all around the board. I have been rather busy with my kids stuff which has kept me away from the boards and doing anything crafty but am always interested in what you have been up to as you are always such a busy be and write such interesting posts :). Hope you are keeping well regardless and taking good care of yourself.

Can't see your pictures yet @CheerBear but looking forward to them.

OOOOOHHHHHH @CheerBear so amazing! All the pretty things! so lovely to see you back here.

Goodness me, that dragon is quite astounding, phenomenal work doing that over armature wire. I think you might have either more, or a different kind of patience from me!

Gosh that's truly something. The toes, the short rows you mentioned for the belly bulge, the nostrils, that tail curve! The colours are also very interesting, and very very nice too. I am now wondering what you're going to do for the back scales ....

So many other bits to do to go on him too! All in good time I expect. Will you make the back scales separate and then sew them on? I would not be able to work down that back, that's something I do know. Awesome work!

OOHHHH, Pressies at the door would indeed have put a stop to any more dragon work, I can so understand that. Doing a happy dance at the thought of your pretties arriving, even though it was long enough ago for you to have almost finished your Sophie! Goodness gracious that is beautiful too.

I do love your colour choices! how are you finding the cotton to work with? Scheepjes is a good brand, so I expect it's lovely and soft and not at all scratchy - I've not used Scheepjes yet myself so will depend on you to tell me what it's like and if you think it's worth the outlay. (Just a reminder for the general reader that not all yarns of any type are created equally nice or equally awful).

Thank you for the progress images, they are so so pretty. You're fairly powering along with that pattern. I'm so glad you have something enjoyable to do, as you know, I understand the need to craft and how much doing something like your big blankets mean on so many different levels.

I've been thinking of using one of the projects I had already started, the mandala shawl thing that I had to undo so many rows of to get rid of the unwanted frillyness, as my crochet along with you, but thought, nah, shouldn't as it's already so far along.

Now I won't be concerned as you're way, way ahead of me in terms of having crocheted something big over the past few weeks. I've only been able to focus on small things, either sewing or crochet, and have mostly done the comfort hankies, but only for a short bursts of time.

I will pull out the 'red thing' and take some images to show where I'm at and see if I can be motivated to work on it more. Might need to put a light at my chair so I can see things better. My eyesight has deteriorated a bit over the last few months and I think I need new close work glasses, maybe just more light to work by will help 'til I get up the courage to go to the optomitrist.

So glad to see you here again and with such glorious works!

Crafty good wishes for all who pass by ... may your craft items give you pleasure, whether working with them or just looking at them.

@CheerBearthat is beautiful, you are so clever. I hope doing this gives you some calming moments.

they are beautiful @CheerBear very clever!

Truly beautiful work, @CheerBear, thank you for sharing it with us! I love the texture in your crochet, it's quite intriguing and adds more simple beauty to the piece. ❤️

Thanks for the lovely comments all

@Former-Member so much to reply! Will come back to this soon. Want to hear more about craft alonging and red things!

@OhanaSystem I saw your awesome turtle in a different thread. It would have taken an incredible amount of patience! So beautiful