Saturday 3 August 2019

Arts and crafts on the cheap

That was soon finished, an experimental small weave on a home made loom. Arts and crafts don't have to cost an arm and a leg, most of the materials can be found free or for a few pennies. 
So what have I learnt. Not a good idea to use string for the warp, unless you are going to do some of the weaving with string. It would look better with wool wrapped around that pencil. 
I made two rows of nails at each end of the loom, as per the instructions on the video. That's fine if you want a tighter weave but the loops at the top are two different lengths, so a bit loose on the pencil. The next loom I make will be bigger, and a single row of nails at each end. 
I like the idea of stitching into the weave to add that little bit extra detail.


The weave itself is 4 and a quarter inches wide, and 5 and a half long. It was a bit messy at the bottom when I removed it from the loom and tied off the string loops, so I added a fringe with a crochet hook to disguise it and fluffed it up with a needle.

I like it, it's cute. I'll make a bigger one next time. The possibilities are endless with the different materials that could be used.

Here's another little experiment I have been playing with. What can you do with the foil lid on a tub of Coffee Mate. I have saved some of these in the hope I will come up with an idea. 
I like the shiny texture.

Why not embroider a simple design on it. 

I think it looks pretty nifty, now all I have to do is think what to do with it. 

I've done my walk today, 9 till 10, my friend came with me. I have a load of washing out on the line, it's warm and sunny outside and I have opened up the summer house so I think I will be spending some time out there today. Toodle pip.  ilona. 


10 comments:

  1. For the coffee mate foil I first thought of gift tags but see from the photo with your hand in it that it's too big. Second thought would be Christmas tree ornament.

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    1. A Christmas tree ornament would be nice. Or you could embroider it and stick it to the front of a Christmas card.

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  2. I really like your weaving. I wish I could make my chain stitch as neat as yours. I have admired all your boards too. Could you let us know how you set up your next weaving loom.

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    1. I don't know what you mean by setting up the next weaving loom. I have made another one, bigger, used a picture frame, and knocked a single row of small nails along the top and bottom, one centimetre apart.

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    2. Ok look forward to seeing the end result.

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  3. good abstract thought on the coffeemate top , i would have gone further and stuck two back to back to make mobiles, but then we rarely get those lids ,,lol

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  4. I had just written a comment and its got lost in blogland somewhere!!!...Anyway,start again,lol..It always amazes me just how creative you are and I love it when a plan comes together like this.And when its done for free even better!.I have come across lots of bits and bobs around the house that at one time,years ago I would have just thrown away.Now,I look at things in a different way and wonder if that could be used for something else.Ive started putting all these things in just one box,so they are all together,instead of laying at the back of drawers for the last 40 years.Then when I feel creative,I have got everything to hand...Off thread I know,lol,but I saved a little ladybird,that was peddling for its life,in my old water fountain.It sat on my hand for amount 20 mins getting its breath back and then I gently put it on my rose bush.It stayed for another 20 mins and then flew away.My good deed for the day!.Hope every one is having a lovely Sunday and the sun is shining for you,like it is here in Leicester.xx

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    1. You could try writing your comments on a Word document first, then copy and paste it from there into the comment box on the blog.

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  5. I have liked most all of your artworks / crafts. There is something which especially appeals to me about your embroidered foil, though. Wonder about if you put two together back to back, and embroidered/stitched around the edge. Then hang a few together on a sort of mobile where they might catch the breeze?

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  6. still thinking about your foil circles. They may be suitable to do a sort of "pierced foil artwork" on. Have seen some artworks done on pierced metal etc...

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