Aren't hobbies the most enjoyable costly waste of time in the long run. The key word is to "enjoy". I mean how many objects can be absorbed once one has the hang of all the intricate directions on "how to"
As a mum, it was a necessity to knit and sew and wanting a knitting machine soon became a reality and I was hard at it. Even got a job demonstrating them. But the hand knitting in comfort by the fire won the day . I have been through the Crosstitch era and have at least 150 part used cottons buried in a box in the garage.

Quilting, I never quite felt at ease with my efforts as the imperfections seemed to stand out to accuse me of slovenly work. Mind you, what I see on tele these days I think Quilting has lost its art and become commercialised. We have not reached that stage yet but everything is available at a high cost in order to make a quilt. What I have seen takes my breath away with the beauty and care in the items.

Where are your surplus cross stitch pictures? I have at least seven in different rooms and the rest are under the chest of drawers in the spare bedroom.

Would love to have a share in our hobby enthusiasts work with pictures if possible. There are a good number of male knitters and stitchers amongst us, I am sure. Lets display our efforts through photobucket.

Joybel how true your article is. I had a knitting machine which got so rusted that when I retired and thought I would give it a whirl again that it was unusable. When my eyesight was better I enjoyed doing embroidery even doing tablecloths and aprons. I also have cottons there for somebody's use. I still have a cross stitch tray cloth not finished. My latest knitting projects are knitting blankets and beanies. I feel it is a waste of time if I sit for too long in the winter with nothing to do. With the wet and cold winter we have had, I feel my knitting has been my life safer but even then I feel guilty sitting for too long. I have never been much of a sewer but did so when the children were growing up and it was cheaper to sew than to buy clothes. Plain baking I do from time to time just to fill in the day. I still haven't mastered how to put photos on G/Ups even though I have had instructions from various members.

Good post, Just me. has anyone made a few bob from their efforts or like me did you find that the mean buyers at any fair or garage sale only wanted the items for a pittance or nothing. The effort and cost in making a lovely article does not register in their mean spirited offers and even if for a worthy cause they are still mean as mean.

I used to make crafts for the shop under the Licfield street carpark along from Ballantynes and the work was just perfect. The smocked dresses were a must to put on a dear little girl. I see three mth old infants in jeans. When is a baby not a baby.

My sentiments to comments on this thread.
Someone came into my Op shop and wanted wool. So I had a dig out, and found numerous projects I have half finished, a couple of golliwog dolls need sewing up, babies bootees, a jersey needs a sleeve, a pair of socks half knitted, knitted squares to make into a rug, a bathmat made of strips of material still on large needles.
I did finish off three 'sulky dolls.' Though they are probably out of fashion now.
I thought I should finish these off and put them in the shop, but if they are not cheap they won't sell. A Grandma came in looking for baby clothes (stretch and grow,) but I had nothing for a boy. I thought to myself Grandmas used to knit for the new babies, but it seems no one wants to hand wash knitted, has to be machine washable.

I used to make things for market days, but not worth the effort anymore. I tried to sell childrens shoes at a market for 50c once, asked a friend if she would like them for her Grandies free, but no they only want 'labelled brands.'

Thats something else this topic has come up. Before I moved over here, I use to sew, knit, crotchet do macrame, rattan furniture etc, and the supplies were quiet affordable. I come here, and the price of notions were off the wall. It was cheaper to just go & buy whatever. My sewing machine is now destined for doing repairs. Most of the shops that supplied have gone "under" and you have to drive miles away to find one. I will say I still remember how to do things, but when I watch on TV shows them doing these things, its seems much easier now, with their new state of the art machines and short cuts. Oh well!

It is nice to have something in your hand like a piece of knitting or crochet or even mending whilst watching TV or listening to a DVD. I can even have a book to read between the breaks which seem to be longer than the movie these days. If I sit goggle eyed too long I am likely to nod off.

http://www.favecrafts.com/ml/1

A free website that you can subscribe to online and they' keep sending emails with all kinds of crafts including patterns to collect. Enjoy!!
Lots of patterns and crafts to search on their website too......

Thanks for that link, Dutchy

I was knitting beanies and sweaters for a trading table but they have to be sold for less than the price of the materials these days. Baking also. Now everything has to be sold for $1 or $2 or they just don't sell.

My mother was the most industrious sewer I have known. I wrote a story about her years at the converted Singer machine. She began crocheting in her sixties when emphysema gradually slowed her down. She crocheted a tablecloth for my sister and me and our sisterinlaw before she passed away. All in motifs. An amazing feat to do one, but three showed what a determined lady she was. Her motto was, "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well." Mine is in USA and my sisters in England. Sisterinlaws is in Aus. All passed on to our daughters.

I know Joybel, my mother had the old treadle machine and we all five of us had a new dress for the Sunday School Anniversary. I remember when she finally got an electric machine - what joy! She knitted, even knitted us woollen togs, you can imagine what they did when they got wet. My next ones were made from my father's flesh coloured long johns. Nuff said. Sitting idle was unheard of. If she wasn't knitting, she was darning or mending. Nothing as frivolous as embroidery. Now that she is in her apartment and her health is failing, she finds it hard to fill in her days.

I have several cross stitch pictures framed and two that I have been working on for some time. However, with a great granddaughter on the way I am knitting. If her mother puts them in the washing machine who cares? I am enjoying getting the needles clacking again.

Good on you Desi; I have always cross stitching, knitting and quilting on the go. I can never say that I don't have anything to do can I.

Plus nothing like making love in the garden with the weeds, and thorns from my roses.

Now we have our eldest Grandson with us all the time now, there is helping with homework, games etc. I need more than 24 hours in the day!! He is a delightful boy, keeps Jazz & I young!