Recycling for advanced craftspeople

[wiseheart]

Now, this was an insane project: making a box - or, in this case an Easter basket - out of postcards. I wanted to try it for Christmas already, but I had too many other projects running then, with the charity fair and all. So I decided to take a break from the baby journal and other stuff and gave it a try.










I'm very pleased with the way it turned out, but it was really hard work. First, you have to cut out all 6 panels and the bottom - twice. Then you have to glue two pieces together, so that it would have pictures on both sides. Then you have to punch the stitching holes individually because the double postcard panels are simply too hard to drive a needle through them. (That is the worst part. My fingertips still haven't recovered. If I were into crime, I should go and rob a bank, now; I'm sure my fingerprints are totally unrecognizable.) Then you have to sew around each piece with blanket stitch. And finally, you have to link the sides and pull them tight.

It took me the whole Sunday to make it, and that only because I'm practiced with both stitching and paper work. It is pretty, but I doubt I'd ever make another one. It's too exhausting.

Comments

[meathiel]

Oh wow - it looks amazing, though.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I was surprised myself when it was finally finished. It reminded me of those old-fashioned jewelled boxes a bit - perhaps because of the bright colours.

[bk_forever]

That really is pretty, but I totally understand about punching the holes through. I've wrecked my fingers trying to get needles through stuff that's too thick - I solved the problem by using the pointy part of a compas from a geometry set to poke the holes with. There's more to get hold of and it saves the fingers.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I used a small tool specifically made for this purpose, but even so, the holes were a bit too tight, so yeah, I've suffered for this pretty little thing like rarely before. I think sewing up the numbers to an advent calendar made from very hard felt was something like this.

[bk_forever]

We crafters do have to suffer for our art. When I sew the eyes onto my macrame owls I always end up with sore fingers and a bent needle =/

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Macrame is an art I never learned. I'd like to see your owls.

[bk_forever]

It's basically just tying knots. I adapted my owls from big owl-shaped plant pot hangers so I could use up bits of wool. I posted pictures of a few of them here: https://badly-knitted.livejournal.com/12815.html

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

They are very cute! :)

[bk_forever]

Thank you! They take about 4 hours to make from start to finish.

[spikesgirl58.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's just incredible. My hat is off to you. I would never have the patience for this.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I doubt I 'll make another one any time, soon, but I wanted to try it out.

[spikesgirl58.livejournal.com]

Well, it came out beautifully. My hands ache at the thought of punching all those holes...

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

It's very pretty.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I 'm glad you like it.

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

Cool.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

It is, isn't it? All those jewelled colours - who would think they are merely old postcards! Very old ones at that!

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

Old ones are definitely neat.

[elmey.livejournal.com]

What a beautiful thing that is! But all that precision stitching has to be a killer.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, it definitely is!

[mirasaui.livejournal.com]

I have seen baskets like that before, but never imagined how difficult it would be to make them. They are beautiful!

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

They look easy to make, yes, but they are killers on the hands. Although if one chooses lighter cardboard it ought to be less torturous.

[akane42me.livejournal.com]

Delighted to see this basket made from cards! In my childhood, the ladies would make these for our church's annual Fall Festival, and they were very popular.
My grandmother made them from greeting cards in exactly the same way - doubled together for pictures on both sides, holes punched holes, stitched together!
I loved looking at them. I especially liked the ones made from Christmas cards.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

The original pattern was for Christmas cards, but I didn't manage making one at that time. But the Easter version is pretty, too - although surprisingly hard to make. Not hard in the sense of complicated - it's easy enough - but it's killer on the fingertips.