Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Craft Resources on the Internet

There was a time when you needed to hand draw your own charts for cross-stitch, filet, or other types of needlework. There was a time when you would have faced a mountain of work if you wanted to transform a photo or drawing of your child or pet into a handcrafted project. To learn a craft on your own, you needed to buy books or go to the library. Finding conversion charts was difficult and the charts were usually way out-of-date. Converting knit patterns to crochet patterns was a long, hard process.
If you are reading this, you have a computer and the times, they have changed. You can find software, even some freeware, to do all of these things. You can find videos online that will give you detailed instructions on a new craft technique. The conversion charts, whether for tools or supplies or measurements, are always the latest.
Are we spoiled? I know I am. I love the old days. At 68, I have a lot of them to remember. But I admit freely that I love the refinements, improvements and modern information and products that are available today on the Internet. Most of them are free.
On top of that, we have company. It’s so easy to ask a question and get an almost-instant answer. At a product’s website, we can ask the manufacturer a question or post one on a forum. We can join a web group of crafters with similar tastes and ask them our questions.
This is a wonderful world, today, Dear Lord, in spite of what it might look like on the news. Help us to appreciate all that we have, all of our resources, and help us to make the most of them.

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