General Craft & DIY discussion

We need a logo or picture for the group. It must be free of copyright. Any ideas?

How about just taking a picture of an artfully arranged assortment of DIY things... hammer, paintroller, sewing machine, tape measure, glue, spinning wheel....whatever we might consider of use. I think the group has a pretty broad mandate so our picture or logo should reflect that diversity!

That's a good idea, Laura. My computer desk is my grandmother's sewing table. I guess I could flip it up, lay out some tools & knitting stuff. Maybe leave the keyboard there, too. I should probably dust again first, though...
;-)

I took a dozen pictures with stuff arranged on my sewing machine & they looked awful. I don't think I have the knack for this. If anyone else would like to give it a shot, I'd sure appreciate it.

Interesting problem; How to represent disciplins as diverse as arts and crafts, carpentry, plumbing, sewing and metal working in one tiny picture. Laura had the right idea, use tools from different disciplines. I tried to do so (uploaded one possible solution to "photos") using scissors, or in the case of plumbing and carpentry, tools with scissor like (very loosely interpreted) actions.

I tried with hammers, but the closest I could get to sewing was an upolstery hammer....

I've got lots of tools! How about pliers? (art uses a canvas puller but sewing ?!?) If you think this is going anywhere any feedback or ideas would be appreciated.

foxtower

I really like it, Foxtower! It's now our logo, for the time being. Thank you!

I LOVE the layout. It's simple & shows well. I would like to see a larger variety of tools/craft implements, if we could; artist paints/brushes, crochet hooks, knitting needles & other such craft stuff plus the shears & tools you posted. I can probably do that, if you don't mind.

There is also a Masthead photo that we can do. It's wide & not to tall. Here's the GR description of it:
You may add a masthead photo to your group. To control how it looks, crop a photo to 970 x 245 pixels. Larger photos will be automatically shrunk and cropped to this size.

What does everyone else think?

Well done Foxtower. I think its great.

will the masthead include the profile pic, like on facebook? I like the idea Jim of also including the craft tools and maybe somehow they could be incorporated into the masthead. Maybe, continuing with the circular design, make a circle of craft tools, one of different tapes, brushes, paint cans, adhesives...?.

It's something similar to the FB picture, but it's a bit longer & not as tall. I don't think the circular layout will work for it. More of a line is needed.

Hey Laura and Jim!

Glad you liked my solution! Even better now it sounds like you can take the basic idea and make it your own.... gee, just like book learnin'!

Hint- I laid the tools out on white poster board and hit the composition with five light sources to reduce shadows. Photo was sized to about 348 pixels by (348 x 1.2=) 418 pixels. 1.2 is the ratio of the logo space.

Have fun! At least we have a distinctive if temporary logo now!

foxtower

I'll see if I can come up with something that looks as good. You did a fine job on it, Foxtower. Maybe I'll leave yours alone & just concentrate on adding some different items to the banner. I think that's a hard enough chore.
;-)

Hey Jim!

I'm not terribly invested in my design, feel free to do another version (or six!) and then we can "poll" members to encourage participation.

If I can't sleep again tonite I might try a banner design... and now for something completely different!

Time is one thing I'm constantly short of & I'm sure those pictures will take a LOT of time. If you have some knitting/crocheting & other stuff you can add into the picture, that would be great. You obviously have a good eye for design & photography. I'd much prefer not to do it.

It Winter on the farm... gee, lotz of time for fun things. Now what fun thing can I do next!

I have lots of art/craft/carpentry/plumbing.welding/modeling/sewing/pain... stuff... may have to borrow knitting materials though. Gimme a few days and of course lets encourage others too!

(um, uh... I once worked professionally painting murals. My art degree comes in handy sometimes...)

By all means, take your time. I'll leave it in your hands. Thanks!

Great pick on the logo image! Not that I put in any input, but I totally approve of the logo. Thank you for getting that together Jim and thank Foxtower and Laura for helping out. =]

You're welcome, Jessica, but Foxtower did all the heavy lifting. I can't wait to see with what he comes up with for the banner.

I know I am very absent from this forum (thanks to school and work). Just want to express all of my thanks to everyone who is contributing and making this place productive and helpful to all DIY'ers. =]

Hey Jim and everybody! I'm "working hard" on the banner, which roughly translated means its in the back of my mind percolating while I digree into glass gluing.

I did discover I can't load animated gif files... oh well... there goes that idea...

No rush, Foxtower. That's the way it works with me on my best efforts, too. Suddenly it all comes together into a perfect inspiration.

I uploaded a possible banner to the group photo section. When displayed at "largest size" it was shrunk by the main frame down to about 650 pixels wide instead of the original size of 970 pixels wide.

Jim's problem! I got it, if you want it let me know but we may have to email it rather than use the good reads engine.

I love it! I'm sending you a PM with my email address. Thanks!!!

Well, it's up & I REALLY love it. Thank you, Foxtower!!! It's perfect! I'm sure it took you a lot of time & effort.

Happy to oblige!

It took a day to do between setting up the items and then editing the photos, but I enjoy being productive and I always try to contribute if I can.

I will look to doing another version of the small logo with more varied items.

I'm glad you like it.. it realy makes our Group Home look cool!

It sure does dress the home page up. You certainly got a bit of everything in there & nicely balanced. The picture went right in once I downloaded it to my PC. I think both pictures look fine, so don't put yourself out on the small photo. I mostly wanted to get away from the 'brownhead' look our group had in searches & such. Now it's shows up & there's no doubt as to what we're about.