1. < Just Want to Talk

What have you created lately?

Posted by alive @alive, 5 days ago

I love working on creative projects! Over the years I have done gourd art, calligraphy, cross stitching, made purses and bags from recycled jeans and have created locker hooking tapestries.

This week I have been attending virtual arts and crafts workshops and have learned so much! Since I am working on a lot of projects made from recycled clothes, I especially enjoyed a workshop on making a landscape picture out of fabric. Here’s the piece I have just finished. It’s only 5x7, but it was a lot of fun making it.

I hope others will share their latest projects!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Just Want to Talk Support Group.

Scott R L | @scottrl | 3 days ago
In reply to @triciaot "I went to one of those paint & social classes last month. I had signed up..." + (show)
@triciaot

I went to one of those paint & social classes last month. I had signed up to do a painting of 3 birds on wood. The class is about stenciling, using precut designs on raw wood.
As an old art major that moved on with life in a totally different career, I never created any real art. Retired, I thought, well, maybe they won’t mind if I just do my own thing. Three birds, not stenciled.
The photo is the result. I think painting sandpipers is my new creative outlet!

I’ve always loved watching sandpipers. They seem pretty happy running around finding bits to eat. They always seem to outrun the next wave.
Perseverance at its best!!

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Lovely!
I guess you're a plover lover.

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | 3 days ago

I love it!! I do (or did) a lot of textile art. I just don’t seem to have the itch right now, but i sure better get it back!
I’ll post a picture as soon as I can find my photo file. Found it! The stitching is ‘’free motion” and is done without a pattern, just the material moving with your hands. Took me awhile to learn but now it’s fun!
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1 reply
SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | 3 days ago
In reply to @alive "The black background makes the painting look magic! I love how the tree is almost transparent...." + (show)
@alive

The black background makes the painting look magic! I love how the tree is almost transparent. You will need to show your picture again when you are finished!

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@alive I thank you. Well, I painted over it, but will try again.

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scottbeammeup | @scottbeammeup | 2 days ago
In reply to @scottbeammeup "I thought Elden Ring would be terrific, but, TBH, I'm an older guy and don't have..." + (show)
@scottbeammeup

I thought Elden Ring would be terrific, but, TBH, I'm an older guy and don't have 18 year old reflexes anymore so some of the boss fights are just tedious. With other studios, if I can't take out a boss in 4-5 tries, I turn down the difficulty level, finish the boss, then turn it back up. For example, I just finished Clair Obscure and I don't think I would have stuck with it to the end if I couldn't dial back the difficulty on a couple of the bosses.

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Posted this on the wrong message board. Sorry, it makes no sense in the context here!

What I've been working on:

I've been taking a songwriting class and have written three songs so far. I can't sing at all so I use an AI Voice and/or a voice changer for the vocals. Once I'm convinced the songs are halfway decent I may put an ad on craigslist to find a real singer.

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alive | @alive | 2 days ago
In reply to @becsbuddy "I love it!! I do (or did) a lot of textile art. I just don’t seem..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

I love it!! I do (or did) a lot of textile art. I just don’t seem to have the itch right now, but i sure better get it back!
I’ll post a picture as soon as I can find my photo file. Found it! The stitching is ‘’free motion” and is done without a pattern, just the material moving with your hands. Took me awhile to learn but now it’s fun!

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I really like your free motion stitching, especially the colors and your design! I like fiber arts, but have to do them in small doses since the pain in my hands increases when I do anything like that. Sometimes I take ibuprofen in the morning, if I know that I won’t be able to stay away from my latest project. Lol

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | 2 days ago
In reply to @alive "I really like your free motion stitching, especially the colors and your design! I like fiber..." + (show)
@alive

I really like your free motion stitching, especially the colors and your design! I like fiber arts, but have to do them in small doses since the pain in my hands increases when I do anything like that. Sometimes I take ibuprofen in the morning, if I know that I won’t be able to stay away from my latest project. Lol

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I wear compression gloves without fingertips to help with my hand pain while doing. And I have soft braces and custom hard splints to wear depending on how heavy the work will be. I even wear the soft splints for my shoulder PT that involves weights and resistance bands.

Where there's a will, there's a way - especially with our craft projects!

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1 reply
alive | @alive | 2 days ago
In reply to @sueinmn "I wear compression gloves without fingertips to help with my hand pain while doing. And I..." + (show)
@sueinmn

I wear compression gloves without fingertips to help with my hand pain while doing. And I have soft braces and custom hard splints to wear depending on how heavy the work will be. I even wear the soft splints for my shoulder PT that involves weights and resistance bands.

Where there's a will, there's a way - especially with our craft projects!

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Great advice! I have both fingerless compression gloves and splints for my hands. I use the splints when I workout on my rowing machine. I need to use them more!

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dalexis00 | @dalexis00 | 1 day ago

You all are inspiring me to get to the gym before my body creates more pain. Don't want anything to keep me from painting.
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Rubyslippers | @triciaot | 1 day ago

Keeping your hands and fingers flexible, you might try a warm paraffin “bath”. The melted wax coats the hand, provides a nice moist warmth. When it hardens, you peel it off. That is a good fine motor task while your hands are warm. The wax can be put back in the paraffin bath to reuse.

You can usually find the warming tub and wax at beauty supply stores or Amazon. I’ve attached a couple of photos. This is a Conair brand, but there are lots of options. Just be aware of how hot these things can get. 125 degrees might be okay, but I’d probably try a little cooler first.
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