Crafts (needle felt, latchhook, diamond art)

[meridian_rose]

Needle felt, Latchhook, Diamond art with photos. Because I am a dabbler who never gets truly proficient in crafts but has fun trying various things out and making gifts and fun items.
Click on photos for full size.

I completed a needle felt project last month and it was gifted to my sister today for her birthday. Some of you have seen the photos as I posted them at lands_of_magic's full court for bonus points. I think the cat face is more Grumpy Cat than the box picture but it was still loved!
Needle felting is fun and quite mindful. If you buy a kit you're probably going to make exactly what's on the box, but you can buy the wool supplies and use leftover wool and your needles to craft whatever you desire, so the potential for creativity is high. The instructions stress there aren't mistakes, you keep add more wool or resize as you go along, make it your own design. It's quite time-consuming compared to some other crafts and you do have to watch your fingers as the needles are very sharp, but it's very satisfying to turn the flat coarse wool and softer yarn into a solid character.



My first needle felt project was a polystyrene based snowman, then the rabbit I made into 2 smaller rabbits for the Easter wreath which used the core wool rather than polystyrene inner.

My sister was given a latchhook kit by her father-in-law as he'd enjoyed trying it out and thought she might like to give it a go. Over a year later and a few attempts she gave it to me to try. After several attempts and watching a few Youtube videos I realised the hook was damaged and not holding the thread as it pulled. We got a new hook and I managed to complete the project (it's suggested as a cushion cover or wall hanging) and give it back to her by December 2022. It's still just flat and not made into anything but I did my part!
The creativity is low unless you're going to buy your own canvas and mark up a pattern, but it's a very easy, mindful craft and the finished product looks great.
In progress:


Complete (You can trim the ends of the wool loops to give a shorter, neater look and feel to the finished project but I left it as is)


My dad kept looking at diamond art (also known as diamond painting/crystal art and a few other names) and I got him a kit to try in 2019. He said it needed flattening after being folded in the post. It is still not done. So in January 2023 when I saw a robin diamond art card in a sale I thought I'd buy it and try it out. I waited until later in th year since this will be a Christmas card. I recently completed the project. It's not 'full drill', that is the background is printed and you don't add any diamonds/crystals to it where some pictures have the entire surface covered, but it was a nice introduction and will be an appreciated Christmas card for a great aunt who loves robins.
The creativity factor is low as it's rather paint-by-numbers but the finished products are great and it's a very mindful craft once you get the hang of it.
In progress:

Completed card (I don't think the lighting does it justice mind)

Comments

[cmcmck]

I do a bit of emboidery and cross stitch but like you, I'm not naturally talented at either although they are fun.

[meridian_rose]

If you're having fun that is enough :)

[bleodswean]

I loved kits when I was younger and still gift them to craftier family members who don't have a dedicated craft.

Right now, my big project is getting rid of the crafts I'm never going to do and honing in on what brings me most pleasure and then getting rid of the excess for those things, too. I have got to create a clear spot in my mind and in my house in order to focus on crafting!

[meridian_rose]

Kits are such a great way to try out new things :)
I have a long list of crafts I'll probably go back to at some point and a longer list of things I've never tried but would like to if things were cheaper/I had more cash, because there are so many fun ways to create things! If only we all had enough time, money, and storage space to do all the things!

[tellshannon815]

Funnily enough, I'm looking at this having just signed up for a needle felting event! (I take part in the quarterly Craft for Cats fundraiser for Cats Protection, and the winter one is needle felting). I should probably do a bit more practice first.

[meridian_rose]

That sounds amazing! The photos you shared of your previous felted cats were lovely and I'm sure you'll raise funds, but of course the more you practice the better at things you get. Best of luck and I hope to see more photos from you :D

[under_the_silk_tree]

These are awesome. I tend to wonder from craft project to craft project myself. I like trying different things.

[meridian_rose]

Thank you :D I agree it's fun to try new things. Then I enjoy the older thing more if I go back to it, rather than getting bored with my current level of skill in it :)