I honestly don't know how the weekend passed so quickly! I did get caught up in working on a few projects.
I've been wanting to try knitting a seamless top down sweater for a long, long time. Over the weekend, I decided that now is as good a time as ever. Knitting a sweater takes forever for me. The swatching alone took up a good amount of time. I'm a very loose knitter, and I know that I have to go down two needle sizes to get gauge. So why do I always start with the suggested needle size?
I'm following a class on Craftsy, and I'm using the suggested yarn, Rowan Pure Wool Superwash Worsted. It's very nice to work with, and I love the color!
I also managed to make some Dorset buttons and turn two into ornaments.
I guess I've been a color snob for too many years. I'm finding that these little splashes of colors that I never would have chosen in the past really brighten up my day!
Several years ago, I was really into making Springerle cookies. Let's be honest, collecting decorative rolling pins and cookie molds is far more interesting than baking cookies... at least for me! Anyway, about a week ago I started thinking about the salt dough ornaments that daughter Joanne and her kids made for Christmas ornaments a few years ago. Daughter Alison made gingerbread ornaments the same year. Why couldn't I make ornaments with my decorative rolling pins?
I started doing some research on the Internet, with one thing leading to another. I've read about salt dough ornaments, cinnamon ornaments, and then air dry clay ornaments. I talked with the art teacher, and she brought up making kiln dried ornaments. That's too many choices for me!
After further discussion, I decided that I would try air dry clay. I've never worked with clay before, so this was a totally new venture for me. Here's my first batch of air dry clay ornaments. They've been drying since Saturday morning. I will be taking them to school for the kids to decorate. It will be interesting to see what they decide to do!
Working with the air dry clay was pretty easy. I did watch some videos about working with clay after I made these. I probably should have watched the videos first! I did pick up a few tips that will come in handy if/when I decide to make some more.
I wonder what will distract me today?
That’s the colour I’m using to knit one of my projects with too, Diane. Blue!!!
ReplyDeleteBlue is best!
DeleteI knitted a top down seamless for my daughter some years ago and it turned out really well. I’m interested in your clay ornaments. We bought some air dry clay to do ‘something’ with the retirement group. But then we were told it dries very quickly and they won’t manage it. I’m sure you’re quicker than they are, but do you think that’s correct? I like the idea of using patterned rolling pin on clay.
ReplyDeleteThe art teacher told me that air dry clay is very forgiving and that it doesn't start drying for about two hours. I did watch some YouTube videos, and when I do my next experiment I'm going to keep a dish of water at hand so that I can wet my fingers to smooth out rough edges. My ornaments have been drying for three days now. I think they would have dried more quickly if I had put them on drying racks so that the air hit both sides. I've had to turn mine over several times. Also, it doesn't help that we've had heavy rains and high humidity! Also, the art teacher recommended 1/4" to 3/8" thickness. I went with 3/8". I wanted them to be sturdy since I will be taking them to school for kids to decorate. I didn't want them snapping in two just from handling!
DeleteThanks. Well it certainly sounds as though there’s time to work with it before it starts drying!
DeleteYou are so very amazing with all you create and accomplish. Love everything you do.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm just having fun!
DeleteSo busy again!! Things look great!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue!
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