Latest Forum Posts by: Bastelfan

Yes, I’m doing well too, thanks for asking, Josefa. My husband and I had the weekend off; the weather was very autumnal—rainy and windy. It was perfect weather for us both to do some crafts.
I kept crocheting a doll and working on little projects, while my husband tinkered with his model ship.
All in all, it was relaxing, just as Ina mentioned.

@Ina, do you have a fireplace too? We do, but we’ve never used it yet. Who knows? It gets cold here faster than you’d think.

Wishing everyone a pleasant week

Best regards, Andrea

Thanks, ruthk. That’s right—you’re absolutely correct. :-)
The next doll is almost finished.

Wow, I almost don’t dare mention that I have 455 patterns on my wishlist. It includes everything that caught my eye right away, including some free ones. Mostly crochet figures and dolls, but also jackets and shawls.

I’ve already crocheted some of them, but I’d need a second life to make them all :-)
There are also some really cute patterns in there—you just have to have them.

Those are some impressive pictures. I also enjoy looking at photos from other regions.

I could really go for that treat with whipped cream right now.
The heather bloom looks great.

Definitely, Ina. Thanks. Hope you have a great weekend. I have to work.
I just had two days off.

I’m glad you like the pictures. I enjoy sharing my impressions and letting you in on the experience.
Now we’re back to our daily routine. But we’re always looking forward to the next vacation, which will come eventually.

We’ve been back from vacation for a while now. It was really beautiful in Eidfjord. There’s the famous Sjøfossen (waterfall), which is absolutely massive. It has a viewing platform—everything’s been completely renovated.

Here are a few impressive photos from there. Even the “AIDA” stopped there.




Even crocheted trees and figures
We walked across this new Hardanger Bridge (1,380 m long). It’s definitely worth seeing, with its own pedestrian tunnel

My order has finally arrived. I ordered the set of four. I unpacked it with great excitement—everything was there—but... these diamonds are so tiny, and those numbers on the design. I’ll probably have to use a magnifying glass. Oh well.
We’ll see when I find the time for this. I’ll keep you posted on the final result.
Until then, please be patient. Love, Andrea

My order has arrived, I’ve tried it out, and… my conclusion is: I still have room for improvement.
It works, but it looks too loose—like nothing at all.

Here’s my first attempt

I used to have a scissors sharpener in the family. I used to have all my knives and scissors sharpened by him. My ex-father-in-law—unfortunately, he passed away two years ago.
Right now, all my scissors are still very sharp. Good question—where do you go for that? I haven’t found anything like that here in Norway yet.

I tried that out right away. You never stop learning. Thanks for the info.

Congratulations and all the best to you, lots of luck. I hope you have a lovely time today with your guests

Gratulerer med Dagen - Happy Birthday

Best wishes
Andrea

First of all, thanks for the information.
Like giselinde, I don’t plan on making money from this either. Most of the time, I give the items away because it brings me joy to make others happy.
As I said, you can also just ask to be reimbursed for the cost of materials.
I’ve also had someone give me the materials/yarn, and I crocheted the project they wanted from it—that’s allowed, right?

I’m not the type to try to profit from this anyway. It should all just be for the fun of it, and I’m happy to pay for well-thought-out patterns and hold them in high regard.

I just read this too and followed it with interest.
I’ve already bought quite a few patterns here and crocheted them myself. I often show pictures of my finished projects to my coworkers. They’re always amazed at how cute they look and would like me to crochet one or two of these little dolls for them.

If I were to sell these dolls to a coworker—which would be a private transaction for me—would that be okay, or could it even be a criminal offense?

Well, I’ve tried quite a few things in my crafting life.

There was this “artichoke” technique (folding ribbons and pinning them onto Styrofoam balls), and I’ve also worked with Keramofix—pouring the casting compound into molds, letting it dry, and then painting it. I still have a few of those figures lying around somewhere. We even made picture frames out of it. The plastic molds are still around.
Window-Color pictures for the window panes.
Back then, there was this Suralin (a modeling clay that hardens in the oven)—we used it to make rose pendants or towel hooks.
My Fimo is still there too, still in its original packaging, and all the molds are there, but I haven’t found the time yet. I tried out this shrink plastic—it’s really great.
Paint-by-numbers with oil paint.

For now, yarn remains my favorite. Back in the day, we used to make these little yarn dolls, or we’d weave coasters on wooden frames using nails.
As a kid, I had a wooden loom and a leather braiding kit (it came with pieces of faux leather—with round holes—so you could thread everything together with leather cords to make pencil holders or something like that; I don’t remember exactly what it was called).

There are just soooooo many possibilities. Paper and cardstock for greeting cards, which I’d then embroider with bead motifs, or that thread technique—I’ve done it all. I’ve also done paper pricking and embellished cards with die-cut motifs. I still have the machine and all the materials for it; I could pick it up again anytime.

Cotton ball of yarn
Crochet hook
Tunisian crochet hook
Circular knitting needles
Row counter
Stitch marker
Notepad
Tatting shuttle
Scissors
Patterns from CP!
Cable needle
Sewing needle
Stuffing 
Safety eyes for crocheted figures
Tape measure
Camera 
A T-shirt in a matching color for the yarn, so I can take my new shawl out right away 
Pins
Large safety pins for putting knitted pieces on hold
Loom Like  
Highlighters for marking the pattern
Pencil
Notebook for writing down the individual steps 
Smartphone, if there is no camera available 
Eraser 
Doll hair
Project bag to pack everything into
The CraSy Trio 
Finger protection or band-aids: I almost always manage to make my finger bleed from too much crocheting 
a second ball of the yarn in a different color
Set of double-pointed needles - sometimes you need short knitting needles
Knitting dolly
Stitch stoppers 
Pincushion
Wooden stick as a stuffing aid
Needle gauge template 
other colors of the yarn
Lint roller to prepare the piece for photographing 
Reading glasses (very important)
Magnetic box for the pins
Thick darning needle with a large eye for weaving in ends
Small flat-nose pliers to pull the darning needle through the crocheted animal if there’s no other way
Doll or teddy bear for trying things on (model)
Toothpick as a stuffing aid for very small parts and possibly also 
to stretch a stitch from the previous round that has become too tight a little, so that 
inserting the hook becomes possible.
Merino wool 
Embroidery thread (for embroidering the eyes if no safety eyes are available) for crocheted animals
List with addresses of local yarn shops :-D 
Tablet or phone so I don’t have to print out the patterns.
Buttons
Felt scraps for eyes or other embellishments  
A second bag, because I can’t fit all the many things into one ;-)
An empty bag for all the purchases
Definitely a credit card to pay for the yarn I buy
a sharpener for the pencil

We’re on vacation right now. View from the cabin


Cute

Send WhatsApp messages or write a good old-fashioned letter?

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend with plenty of sunshine, too.
The weather forecast here is calling for rain, but that’s what rain jackets are for.
We’re planning to head to Eidfjord on Sunday for a few days. We’ve rented a cabin there, and we’ll see what we end up doing. In any case, it’ll be all about unwinding, relaxing, and taking it easy. Of course, I’m bringing my crochet supplies along, too.
I’ll post pictures later. So have a great time, everyone.

Best wishes from Andrea

Well, like Monika, I’d also embroider the name on top. I like Ina’s idea with the tires (you could attach them to the right side of the ring).
For the forklift itself, you could crochet two small boxes (by crocheting around foam rubber rectangles). Or build a small box out of popsicle sticks and glue it on.
A little crocheted lady in overalls would look great next to the forklift.

There are countless possibilities—it’s hard to choose. Good luck!

Cotton ball of yarn
Crochet hook
Tunisian crochet hook
Circular knitting needles
Row counter
Stitch marker
Notepad
Tatting shuttle
Scissors
Patterns from CP!
Cable needle
Sewing needle
Stuffing 
Safety eyes for crocheted figures
Measuring tape
Camera 
A color-coordinated T-shirt to match the yarn so I can wear my new shawl right away 
Pins
Large safety pins for holding knitting projects
Weaving frame Like  
Highlighters for marking the pattern
Pencil
Notebook for noting the individual steps 
Smartphone, if no camera is available 
Eraser 
Doll hair
Project bag to pack everything into
The CraSy Trio 
Finger protection or bandages: I almost always manage to crochet my finger bloody 
a second ball of the yarn in a different color
Set of double-pointed needles - sometimes you need short knitting needles
Knitting Nancy
Stitch stoppers 
Pincushion
Wooden stick as a stuffing aid
Needle gauge 
other colors of the yarn
Lint roller to prepare the item for photographing 
Reading glasses (very important)
Magnetic box for the pins
Thick darning needle with a large eye for weaving in ends
Small flat-nose pliers to pull the darning needle through the crocheted animal if there’s no other way
Doll or teddy bear for fitting (model)
Toothpick as a stuffing aid for very small parts and possibly also
to stretch a stitch from the previous round that has become too tight a little, so that
inserting the hook becomes possible.
Merino wool
Embroidery thread (for embroidering the eyes if no safety eyes are available) for crocheted animals

Cotton ball of yarn
Crochet hook
Tunisian crochet hook
Circular knitting needles
Row counter
Stitch marker
Notepad
Tatting shuttle
Scissors
Patterns from CP!
Cable needle
Sewing needle
Stuffing 
Safety eyes for crocheted figures
Tape measure
Camera 
A color-matching T-shirt to go with the yarn so I can wear my new shawl right away 
Pins
Large safety pins for putting knitted pieces on hold
Weaving frame Like  
Highlighters for marking the pattern
Pencil
Notebook for noting the individual steps 
Smartphone, if no camera is available 
Eraser 
Doll hair
Project bag to pack everything into
The CraSy Trio 
Finger protection or bandages: I almost always manage to crochet my finger bloody 
a second ball of yarn in a different color
Set of double-pointed needles - sometimes you need short knitting needles
Knitting Nancy
Stitch stoppers 
Pincushion
Wooden stick as a stuffing aid
Needle gauge template 
other colors of the yarn
Lint roller to prepare the piece for photographing
Reading glasses (very important)

Balls of cotton yarn
Crochet hook
Tunisian crochet hook
Circular knitting needles
Row counter
Stitch marker
Notepad
Tatting shuttle
Scissors
Patterns from CP!
Cable needle
Sewing needle
Stuffing 
Safety eyes for crocheted figures
Tape measure
Camera 
A color-coordinated T-shirt to match the yarn so I can wear my new shawl right away 
Pins
Large safety pins for putting knitted pieces on hold
Weaving frame Like  
Highlighters for marking the pattern
Pencil
Notebook for noting the individual steps 
Smartphone, if no camera is available 
Eraser
Doll hair

Cotton yarn ball
Crochet hook
Tunisian crochet hook
Circular knitting needles
Round counter
Stitch markers
Notepad
Tatting shuttle
Scissors
Patterns from CP!
Cable needle
Sewing needle
Stuffing
Safety eyes for crocheted figures

Unicorn

Badger

Cow moose

@Nicole and @Ina—definitely. It’s already on its way to me, and I’ve been eagerly waiting for it every day. Maybe it’ll arrive before my vacation, so I can try it out there at my leisure.

I only ordered this needle set—let’s see if it’s any good. It has good reviews, anyway.

I have to work this weekend. But starting Monday, we’ll have two weeks of vacation. We’re heading out next Sunday—we’re going back to the Hardangerfjord, where we’ve rented a little cabin. Let’s see what the weather’s like; it’ll finally be time to relax and sleep in. Explore the area, and so on…
I definitely can’t leave home without my beautiful, colorful Bobbel yarn and my crochet hook. I’ll have plenty of time then.

Thanks, @Arni. I agree.

Donkey

Christmas is still a long way off—the holidays will be here before we know it.
For now, it’s all about crocheting for summer in all those gorgeous, bright colors.

Before that, there’s still Halloween—but that can wait, too. We’ve got plenty of ideas, but we’ll tackle them all when the time comes.

Nice that you like it too. Well, it wasn’t quite that late. But now things are heading in the other direction again (it’s getting dark earlier).
You can really only stand it in the evenings and early in the morning (when you have time off). Make the most of it—the winters are cold enough as it is.
Today it was around 30 degrees again.

Oh, Ina, I can just imagine how cozy it must be when everyone comes over—with your delicious plum cake, whipped cream, and cappuccino—and everyone brings their knitting or crocheting projects, and off you go. If need be, there’s even room on the lawn; I’m sure the landlord wouldn’t mind.

Anyway, here’s hoping everyone has a bearable week in this heat.

Greetings from Norway
Andrea :-)

@Nadeleule and @mowi19  Respect for your perseverance.

After these 3 yarn cakes, I’ll start my yarn diet. I already held back quite a bit when buying them.

We have another 2 weeks of vacation in August, so I can crochet some of it "away."

Thanks, Ina. I just ordered a needle set. For less than 10 euros, I can’t go wrong. I’ll let you know how it goes. I’m curious to see how it turns out.

It’s hot during the day, so it’s very pleasant in the evening on our patio, where we can always watch the sunset—it stays light longer here than in Germany.

I think I managed to capture a pretty good photo.



This is a great way to wind down the evening

I actually wanted to go on a little “yarn diet,” but as is always the case, sticking to it is another story.
Since there’s a limited selection of beautiful yarns here, I ended up finding a gorgeous yarn cake (at the Hobbii Shop). I ordered one first to test how it feels and check the yarn thickness. I’m thrilled.
I ordered two more skeins (they’re on sale right now). That’ll be enough for now. Since I want to crochet a shawl, I’m not sure yet how much I’ll need or how big I want it to be. A woman likes to be prepared, after all.

Still, I really need to work through my stash.

Here it is. The colors don’t come across quite as vibrant in the photo.

This is what my day off on Friday looked like. Totally relaxed

Thank you so much, Michaela, for your quick reply—especially at this time of night. #laughs#

On A..., I always read the customer reviews first, too; they’re often helpful when deciding what to buy.

ZachariasDreamWorld

Dragonfly

Dear craft enthusiasts,
Has anyone had any experience with this punch needle? I watched a video to see how it works (it’s kind of like embroidery). Until yesterday, I had no idea you could buy something like this here.
I’m curious to know if the embroidery holds up on the back, too. It’s made up of loops, after all.
The principle is similar to that of a sewing machine, except that with a sewing machine I have a bobbin thread, whereas this needle doesn’t (it looks like a cannula with a handle).

I hope everyone here still has a lovely evening, and a relaxing Sunday for you all.

Unfortunately, I have to work in these temperatures. Here in Norway, it’s going to be 32 degrees tomorrow, too.
But I did have Friday off, and I was already sitting on the patio early in the morning while it was still cool and shady, continuing to crochet my vest—totally relaxed with a cup of cappuccino.

Moose

Deer

Iguana

hi @Arni, I googled it, and if you enter "Diamond Painting 5D" on the Amazon page, there are pictures that are partially covered with stones. Take a look.

Thanks @melodymia19

Thanks, @ruthk, for your tip

OK, my mistake, sorry about that.

Has anyone had any experience with these little stones? I saw it online the other day and watched a beginner’s video. I could see this as my next hobby.

It’s like paint-by-numbers with colorful stones (square or round) that you stick on.

There are some great designs, but unfortunately they’re too big to try out for now. I’m definitely tempted to give it a try.
I’d love to hear about your experiences.