Hi! My name is Linda and I am a craft addict.

Since I posted my first blog about cards here, I have fallen deeper in love with paper crafting. I was never really serious about it until 7 months ago when I started making my own Christmas cards. And I have to say, paper crafting is very addictive! So for you readers out there, be prepared to spend a LOT of time and money if you decide to start this hobby. Trust me, there's no way back once you started! :)

Over the past year and a half I have learnt some new techniques and have been introduced to several awesome machines. To be honest, what I know now is only the tip of the paper crafting iceberg. There are TONS of media and applications you can use, mix and match. The possibilities are SERIOUSLY endless. Here is a sample You Tube video posted by Scrap Time Videos featuring one of my favorite designers and crafters, Tim Holtz. Isn't he amazing? And look at what he created! Isn't it beautiful? I can't wait to be as professional as he is!

So, in order to push myself to be more creative and productive, I will try to post at least 2 cards tutorials every month. Let's see what I come up with.

Till then.

Cards

I have to admit, one of the good things about not having a job is having the liberty to explore new hobbies. And in the spirit of that liberty, I tapped in to my inner artist and channeled it through colorful papers and fancy shapes, also known as scrapbooking. I don't know how I caught the scrapbook bug. I used to hate dealing with scissors. I hate cutting lines and could never cut straight lines straight - My mom and sister can attest to that. 

So, I started with making a birthday card. My first goal is to be able to cut straight lines. And here is the result:

When straight lines bore me, I play with my curvy scissors. And I came up with this:

The flowers and butterflies are from American Girl Craft Paper Posies pad.


Seriously, who knew cutting papers, folding and mixing and matching colors could be so much fun. 

Casting your first knot

Yay! I've finished making my first scarf yesterday. It is fairly shorter compare to scarfs found in stores but the yarn I used is very stretchable so that made up for the length. Needless to say it was a "proud beginner knitter" moment. :)

I started to find knitting more enjoyable. Even though what I know now is still very basic, allow me to share the steps as I continue learning my new hobby, starting from making the first knot or casting the first knot.

A. Get the yarn and needles ready.

B. Pull around 12" or about 30cm yarn from the ball.

C. Making a loop

 

(1) Put 2 fingers under the yarn, (2) Wrap it around towards yourself.

(3) Grab the piece underneath, pull it through and (4) You'll find a circle or a loop after this step.

D. Casting the 1st knit

(1) Insert the needle into the circle.

(2) Pull the loop gently and fasten the yarn to the needles. You want it to be able to slide on the needle as you knit, so remember not to secure it to tight.

* Take note of the position of the hands. One of the hand is holding the yarn and the other is holding the needle.  The easiest way to do this is to hold the needle high and put your left hand in between the  yarn with the loose end next to your thumb and the other on the index finger. Hold the "tail" with the rest of the fingers and pull your needle down. You'll form a sling.

E. Casting the 2nd knit

(1) Insert the needle through the yarn on your thumb and (2) Pull it towards your left index finger. (3) Insert the needle through the yarn on your index finger and (4) Bring it back to the thumb and insert it through the loop. (5) Pull it up with (6) Your left hand pulling it the other way.

F. The 1st row

Keep practicing step E until you get comfortable with it. Once you are comfortable with it, repeat the step 19 times to make the first raw of 20 - that is 1xStep D and 19xStep E.

My first handmade scarf

A lot of my friends and some family members are surprised to know that I am able to create something with my two hands. I was known more as a social butterfly rather than a crafty girl. Let's just say, art and crafts are not my thing. Making knitting a hobby had never crossed my mind either, not until recently. To be honest, it was actually something I had given up hope on a long time ago.

I was first introduced to knitting when I was in Shanghai, at least 4 to 5 years ago. One of my house mates started doing it and I thought to myself 'Hey, that's a good way to kill time!'. So one day I walked around the wet market near my apartment in Cao Yang District, Shanghai and found that they sell knitting supplies. Don't ask me why they sell yarn and knitting stuff in a wet market. I think that is just how things work there. I quickly approached the seller and bought some yarn and needles. I told her that I was a beginner, I knew nothing about knitting and to my surprise she patiently explained the steps. I spent some good hours there trying to make the best of the free lesson offered, making sure I knew what to do for when I am doing it on my own. Being a social butterfly that I am, I find it hard to find time to knit and the desire slowly faded away. I quit!

The topic was brought up in one of the morning chats I had almost 6 weeks ago with Dottie, a 73 year old lady who comes to the gym 4 days a week and always sits next to me on the bikes. She said "I am retired, a widow, live with 2 dogs, I have to keep myself sane. I need to do something." One of her ways to keep her sanity is to give free knitting lessons every Wednesday in a public library.

Free lessons? Who wouldn't want a free lesson? Again I thought it was a good way to kill time since I am now jobless and I was still waiting for my USA working permit at the time. I gave it some thought. After thinking it through, I finally went to Michael's to buy some yarn and needles.

Now it is just a matter of how to get myself to the library. I don't drive, I have no car and it is about a 30 minute walk under Orlando's heat from home to the bus stop. I do have a bike, but again, it is at least a 45 minute bike ride under the sun. Arghhhh... it is too late to quit now that I have bought the needles and the yarn and I quit once, I don't want to be a quitter.

Who do I turn to for help? You Tube! I learned how to cast on the stitches on my own and I have been knitting for at least 1 month now.

Knitting is now a different story. It is the new hobby I enjoy and love. My first handmade scarf is half way done and I can't wait to put it on this coming winter.