UK Amazon Kindle Forum discussion

They have arrived.... not one pair but two! Thank you SO much Pat, they are lovely and so warm. I'll try to put a picture up in a day or two.
I love them so much, thank you lovely lady!xxx

Yay!! I am so glad they are ok. If you need anything more well you know where I am. Just shout.

A group of us has just started some stitched tapestries for a church anniversary - I think the patterns are lovely - http://www.ehrmantapestry.com/Departm.... It's going to take a while, though! (particularly as Number Two Cat thinks it's a good idea to hide on my lap under the tapestry frame and jump out at the needle ...)

Janet Thank you so much for the Gift Voucher. You really did not need too but it was kind of you Thank you.

Lexie wrote: "A group of us has just started some stitched tapestries for a church anniversary - I think the patterns are lovely - http://www.ehrmantapestry.com/Departm.... It's going to ta..."

This sounds very daunting to me, but a very worthwhile task. Good luck with it. I hope you will take photos for us to see.
My cats like to 'help' me work too.

Those tapestries are stunning, Lexie.
Good luck with the project

Beautiful tapestries Lexie and such a lovely way to commemorate the anniversary.

One of my stitchers has just backed out in fright! But some younger members have agreed to give it a go (lots of older members have now given up that kind of thing with arthritis or bad eyesight). We're aiming for November 2014, which gives me hope!

If you need a volunteer I would be happy to help Lexie.
I really enjoy tapestry.

I might well come back to you on that! Our kind church treasurer, who is doing one, has worked out that each tapestry needs to be completed at the rate of 709 stitches per month (she's an accountant, it's not her fault!).

Thanks!

Is the craft thread slip, slideing away? 5 days without a peep.
I am busy knitting away on two jumpers at the same time (3 sleeves done and two thirds of the last one to go. Not sure why I got to do two at a time but it seemed like a good idea at the time.
Just bought two spirl bound crochet books and now I want to do some squares. Why do I do this two myself?..

Because as with all crafters your eyes are bigger than your hands. I'm leaving off crafting till after exams at the beginning of December. Also I wanted to ask, anyone who does paper craft like card making or scrapbooking do you think its worth getting a die cut machine? It seems expensive at £60+ for the machine and at least a tenner for each defend die but I want one soooo much. And I don't want to wait for Christmas because I want to use it on my Christmas cards. I need some kind of intervention (or someone to tell me it's a wonderful idea) but this would be the only non-food, non-present purchase I'd be able to get until at least after Christmas and most likely until February (I don't pay for food when I'm at home over the Christmas holidays so that helps) and it seems like such a frivolous purchase when I could put the money into fabric (except I don't really need any new clothes either I just want some and I'm struggling with impulse control as exams mess up my equalibrium) Help!

Emma you are same as me I have thought of buying one of those machines but don't think I would use often enough , have decided there are so many other things I need and a bit dear to ask one of my family to buy for me ,perhaps somewhere sells ones cheaper that they dont use any more ,might try e bay ,but then you have to buy all the extras ,let me know if you get one and whether you are pleased with it .

I like the hand crafting aspect of papercrafting and fear I would lose this with a machine. I also try to make each of my cards unique and individual for the recipient so don't think I would ever use any die often enough to justify the expense as I only make cards for family and friends. I think they are great if you want to make cards to sell though.

Wise words Sarah, and I know you make beautiful individual cards ,I actually thought you had one of these machines not that I noticed one when I visited you ,hope we can meet up again when weather gets better ,am going to Lanzarote with son and family in February and hoping it's at least sunny and lot warmer than here x

I suppose I am a lazy crafter then as I do have a die cutting machine. Mum found it handy to have die cuts when making all niece's wedding stationery & gift boxes etc.

Having said that I was in a few card swaps so I did make a lot of cards in previous years. I have to get myself organised this year - haven't started at all. I have been doing some knotting and braiding though - making bracelets, keyrings and wine-glass charms for the Christmas Fair on Saturday.

I'm thinking if I can get one cheaply I will but otherwise it's not worth it.

I do have an old red Sizzix die-cutter, but quickly learnt that it is really expensive to keep buying the dies and you rarely need to use any shape more than a couple of times (unless you're doing wedding stationery), and of course you're stuck with the size the die cut is. Which is why I got into electronic cutters, and design all my own stuff for cards & scrapbooking - and as templates for applique shapes. But that is quite an investment financially - and you need to get to grips with the software.

Karen what are electronic cutters like ,have not heard of these before

I started with the Craft Robo, then got a KNK (klik n kut) which I coudn't get on with, but now have a lovely Silhouette Cameo - http://www.graphtecgb.co.uk/shop/show...

and these are some of the things I cut with the Robo, just to give you an idea.
http://www.beanpolebooks.co.uk/galler...

I've been doing research. I'd love an automated one but I think they'd just be too expensive. I feel like I'll probably start out with the sizzix big shot as it looks reliable. I'm trying to get one on ebay but I keep being out it and I can't go much higher. I'm waiting and hoping to lull them into a false sense of security then bid at the last minute. I've also decided to reward every hour of revision I do with one card or scrapbook page. So I'm off to try and get 3 hours in now which will bring my total since deciding this to 4.

Wow Karen I love your cards, so original!

I'm still crafting away making Christmas cards. I was pleased with my progress then son rang to ask would I make a dozen for him!
I'm loving the Scandanavian designs this year.

At least you'd made a start, Sarah. Had high hopes for my Christmas cards, using a reindeer pastels drawing I was going to do in the art class last week, but I didn't like it... now got to start again with the drawing. Hmm. But in the meantime, I did buy some gorgeous Christmas fabrics, so some of the cards will have a v cute Xmas gnome (with a bit of quilting). will post a pic when I've got the first one done. Sooo many gorgeous Christmas fabrics about this year.

Sorry that I haven't posted the free craft books for a while. We're really busy with work at the mo so I don't spend so much time online now. We're actually away at the mo, travelling around a bit, we've been in Hereford, Gloucester, Shropshire, and the West Midlands - we're near Birmingham at the mo, then from Monday we will be in Kent. Good job we both enjoy travelling!! We're staying in various different hotels so my access to the internet also varies a great deal! In a premier inn at the mo which has great internet coverage. I'll post the freebies in my next post.

Today's free craft books

Knitting
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Crochet
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Bead patterns
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Today's free craft books (all about crochet!)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0... (don't all rush to make one!)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Just had to get that crochet Santa hat/beard, Karen! Thanks
hope you enjoyed your journey thro Shropshire!

Ok, I gave in and I've ordered the Xcut Xpress from hobbycraft. On a related not it's £45 cheaper online than in store for some reason. It should come tomorrow and I'm really excited. I've also offered to do my friend's wedding invitations so hopefully it will help with that.

Helpful hint of the day: Rowan Creative Focus Worsted comes in a nice variety of colours and felts beautifully in the washing machine at 40 degrees.

Shame I hadn't intended to felt it (or indeed shrink it to about half its original size ...)

Xcut arrived today. I definitely need to get some less detailed plates for cutting but the embossing folder is amazing and I can't wait to use it on a real project. Now back to revision...

Lexie wrote: "Helpful hint of the day: Rowan Creative Focus Worsted comes in a nice variety of colours and felts beautifully in the washing machine at 40 degrees.

Shame I hadn't intended to felt it (or indeed ..."

Oh no.... :(

Karen wrote: "Just had to get that crochet Santa hat/beard, Karen! Thanks
hope you enjoyed your journey thro Shropshire!"

Was lovely thanks, we stayed in a hotel right near the Wrekin!

Today's free craft books

Crochet (both been featured several times before)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Cross stitch
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Beaded bracelet
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Seasonal
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Brought to you from Sandwich in Kent! (It's lovely here!)

:0)

I remember visiting Sandwich a few years ago, when the Open golf was on at St Georges. Lovely little place. With a very big Viagra factory. Tho I think Pfizers has closed there now

I shan't look at my lunchtime sandwich in quite the same light now!

Right, I've updated my post in the Christmas Banner thread, the template is now in the gallery here
https://www.goodreads.com/photo/user/...

so if you're feeling a bit creative for Christmas, do have a go. If you can post a pic of your bunting by 15 Dec, it'll give me chance to get it printed, assembled, and photographed in good time.

Today's free craft books (brought to you from Derby)

Crochet
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Knitting
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Tapestry
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

The tapestry one looks interesting - tho tricky. Don't think I need another craft hobby just at the mo!
So, Derby today. Which end of the country tomorrow then?

Back to Kent yesterday (we need to deliver stuff to Derby, hence the back and forth!) Home now, shattered!

Today's free craft books

Knitting
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Crochet
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Card making
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Loomed bead pattern
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Drawing
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Just one free craft book today.

crochet
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Today's free craft books

Cross stitch
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Seasonal
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Does anyone know what size needles and pattern to use when knitting using wool with tiny pompoms through it?
I'm hoping to knit a wee cover for great niece's Christmas gift of a toy pram.

Not off hand but I am going to the local wool shop today so I will ask if noone has the answer by then. I take it it is not on the wool band?

Sirdar Baby Snowball says to knit on 6.5mm needles Sarah

Here's a pattern from Ravelry for 6mm needles, not sure what the yarn is though
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libra...

The trick seems to be not to try and pull the pompoms through the stitches :)

Oh! I made one of those blankets for my nephew, it was just in yellow though cause we didn't know if it would be a boy or girl :o)

I think I did pull the pompoms through but only cause whatever way I was knitting the stitch was over the top of the pompoms each time.

Today's free craft books - mostly crochet!

Crochet
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Seasonal
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Thank you so much everyone for the help! I can't check the wool band as I left it in Glasgow, son is fetching it across on Friday so hope to start at weekend!
I bought gt niece a super wee doll yesterday, I do love shopping for a wee girl as we have so many boys in our family!

Today's free craft books

Crochet
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Hair bows for babies
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Seasonal
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Bird accessories
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Scrap booking
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Origami
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Quilting
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

Wood working
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

I just had to look at Bird accessories. We have a birdbath in our garden, it was there when we bought the house 30+ years ago, last year sitting in the garden my OH remarked that the top bit with the water in it reminded him of something but couldn't think what. On viewing it from another angle he recognised it. They'd poured concrete into a fluted dustbin lid, now I know that I don't like it so much ;o)

Now that I'm done with exams I'm going straight back to crafting. I'm going to do some wedding stationary for my friend as a wedding present for her. Does anyone have any tips? I've never even received a wedding invitation before so I don't know where to start!

I was planning to play around with my papers and die cutting machine (it's amazing) and then showing my friend what I can do so she can chose which elements she (and her other half who is also my friend, they are both so adorable together) want in the invites and such.