Day 355 : Christmas Trees

 

Day 355 : Christmas Trees

Hmmm. The idea was quite good - but this did not go well. The texture of the foil didn't work, the knots for lights too big, the tree stems hard to see - but I like the idea. Might have to try a version in finer threads to see if I can make it work better.

I could have started again and been a bit late posting tonight. But I thought that it might be a good opportunity to talk about the not-so-good creations. It doesn't always work, that's the way it goes. Sometimes you learn that it will never work (so it is probably best to cut off the threads and reuse the mould 😉 ) and sometimes you can treat it as a 'sketch'. Something to inspire you to create again, better, and learning from what didn't work. 

Onwards to Monday! 

Day 354 : Chained

 

Day 354 : Chained

So, is cahined a word? Because that's what my fingers kept typing. I very nearly went with it as a title, haha.

Thanks for a lovely show everyone. Thought for sure it would be rotten, we had an issue with the hot water last night - sorted, no problem. Except the timer is set for later than we had to get up today. And after half an hour waiting, it was still really cold as the tank was empty - so yours truly got a quick cold shower in order to be tidy and have clean hair!

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend.

Day 353 : Square Dance

 

Day 253 : Square Dance

A doodle button with only a little bit of doodle. I did actually take out doodles before I came up with something I am happy with :) (reading that back it sounds as though i am trying to write a tongue twister!)

Still working away - this evening it will be about making sure that the show samples are all neat and tidy - nothing crushed - and nothing missing! I do usually forget something though. I have boxes to keep related show samples, but some shows have more samples then others, and I try to mix things up by taking different items along. Anne and Chris (and Gillian when she was on the team) make such lovely items using the kits, they do really need to be seen.

And after that - well I will do my nails and find some tinsel to cover the grey that I haven't been able to get sorted!

I hope that you all have a lovely weekend - and do please tune in to the show tomorrow morning on Hochanda!

Day 352 : Cheery

 

Day 352 : Cheery

A very colourful button today! And a time-consuming doodle button this time. Still I enjoyed working it. Not so cheerful now though, having internet browser issues. Damn Chrome. Fix yourself will you? How many reports can a person send? :)

Right, back to work!

Day 351 : Scribble

 

Day 351 : Scribble

A quick and simple button today - I am behind with my Christmas cards and so much else! All the overseas ones should have been out today... oh dear. I doubt they'll get posted until next week haha. A bit of an issue having a show this late in December - we are behind with everyday stuff.

I hope that you are all having a good week though!

xxx

Day 347 : Doodle Wheel

 

Day 347 : Doodle Wheel

Just playing with thread and a Dorset wheel for today's button. Been a busy day again - the usual, and I decided to watch a film before posting today. Eating blueberries and watching a film - that's ok for an old lady on a Saturday night in tier 3, don't you think?

I hope that you are all having a great weekend.

Day 346 : Fairy Lights

 

Day 346 : Fairy Lights

Just thought I would use some bright and cheery colours today. A few colonial knots for an extra detail, and I decided this reminded me of the lights on our tree - of which there are many! 

Still in rush around mode. Isn't it odd to be planning online shopping for everything for the holidays? We are trying to find smaller businesses where we can - those who might have troubles because they haven't been able to open. But I do miss having a day or two wandering about in shops with Christmas music and picking up stupid little stocking stuffers and stopping for a cup if tea and cake in every other cafe! 

I hope you are all faring well and keeping safe x

Day 345 : Shifting

 

Day 345 : Shifting

This one really has started with a very ordinary base, but a bit of doodling later and I actually really like this. Perhaps one of my favourites. I was going to add more, but thought I might ruin it.

I hope you have all had a decent day. Seems the post is now really slowing down - lots isn't arriving as quickly as it probably should. Still, to be expected this time of year.

Stay safe and well everyone.

Day 344 : Watcher

 

Day 344 : Watcher 

My doodling today took an unusual turn. But I actually like like it, so decided to quite while ahead. And the working also made me think of something else entirely that I will probably try this evening. It is quite nice not knowing where an idea will go!

So, still madly busy. I don't quite know why I feel that I still need to sort the house out as though I'll have tons of visitors, when we won't actually have one, but I do. Must be in the genes or something. Of course, having a Hochanda show on the 19th does mean a lot of kit packing to do again, and that's what making me feel rushed (note to self: must remember to order envelopes!)

I hope you are all doing ok. 

Day 343 : Snowflake Mandala

 

Day 343 : Snowflake Mandala

I must still be very cold, as I keep thinking of cold subjects! Today's button started with one of the snowflake pattern from my little booklet, and then I just kept going with the doodle. Needed to chill a little, it has been a very odd day. 

Lots to do, and not enough time to do it - and spent such a long time standing in a queue at the post office with a box of 20 books... Begone virus! Post office queues are not fun!

I hope your Tuesday had been better!

Day 333 : Gothic

 

Day 333 : Gothic

Today's button is a variation of an earlier button. I first worked the main design a year or so ago, as part of a few for rose windows. I've added additional stitches here to further emphasise the design.

Started on the decorations today. Well, why not! But we've stopped as we need a new string of lights. So we have a part decorated tree at the moment.

Otherwise feeling lazy today. Struggling to do online shopping for everyone on my list. I'll get there in the end.

I do hope you are all having a lovely weekend.

Day 328 - Forest

Day 328 - Forest

A simple doodle button zwirnknopfe button today. What you can't see here is that the red thread is a fine wool - I decided to play about with textures. It really works in real life, adds a nice contrast of dull and shiny with the perle cotton. So I am quite pleased with it. 

I'm shattered today! Must be last week catching up with me. But the day has been bright (but freezing - we can't be let off that lightly, lol) so we shouldn't moan.

Goodness, Bob Mortimer is hilarious. Watching repeats of Would I lie to you as I write this and can't stop laughing. If you need cheering up, I highly recommend any episode with this man as a guest. 

 

Day 327 : Doodle Hearts

 

Day 327 : Doodle Hearts

I really love the almost sketchy feel of this button. I think it would look pretty cool with black outlines too - a bit like tattoos. The extra doodle lines did really relax the original woven hearts, which are actually even and structured (from my Woven Motif booklet). 

Finished my tassel, ready for the post tomorrow. Now to try to unwind, for an evening. And catch up on my emails. Good job my Mom is very understanding. 

Hope your Monday is good everyone!

Day 324 : Crossed

 

Day 324 : Crossed

Yes, a doodle button today! What a surprise. I quite like this, I reckon it would look great in black and greys but of course that would be a real pain to photograph. That's why I avoid it on the whole for the challenge. 

Speaking of which - day 324. It is just speeding by isn't it. Hopefully I will get the actual sit down time to do some of the really fancy ones I had planned...

Right, back to work, a bit of paperwork to get caught up on, so that people know their goods have gone out!

Day 323 : Lopsided

 

Day 323 : Lopsided

Ok, so this button is clearly lopsided in the picture. But honestly, in real life you barely notice a slightly off line. Because your eye sees the lightest colour - well, mine does. But as a photo, its that dark line I see. And of course, once seen, it can't be unseen. Quite odd. Now, I could have started over, but you know, this is a daily challenge. And it isn't terrible, just a bit crooked. I think I can live with that!

Right, off to finish a commission in less time than I thought I had to actually do it. A couple of late nights again I think!

I hope that you are all keeping safe and well 

Day 322 : Mandala VII

 

Day 322 : Mandala VII

A doodle button to unwind with this evening. Busy busy day again, now its packing the orders (and thank you all again) so this was created with a little bit of feet up time. 

So, my post will be short and sweet again; need to film a YouTube tutorial for the Knotting Tools, seeing as I promised one would be up by the end of the week :)

Day 319 : Spangled

Day 319 : Spangled

I'm noticing a little bit of sparkle showing up just lately. Perhaps because it is so dreary outside? A woven star as the base worked in stripes and a twist of threads which isn't as obvious as I thought it would be. Will need to work on that idea a little more. The corners are needle woven to cover them over. I have cheated and glued the bead in place! Of course if a button to be used it would need to be sewn on. 

Still working working all day! Getting there. I hope you are all having a good weekend so far.

 

Day 318 : Bottlecap

 

Day 318 : Bottlecap

Today's button is a variation of the stunning bottlecap buttons that are very popular with button makers at the moment. My dear friend Yoko has just completed (I think) 100 - each with a different cap and threadwork to match the logo. Absolutely the work of an artist! 

This is flipping that over, and very simple in comparison. I do not have any rings large enough to fit the cap inside of, but dropped a ring which landed perfectly inside of the cap. I think I will play with this idea a bit more. Of course, you do have to think about it, as you can't work through metal...

Have a lovely weekend everyone. We will be working hard getting ready to Monday's Button Day Show.

Day 309 : Current

 

Day 309 : Current

A very simple doodle button today. Started a beaded button that totally did not work - the beads have been reclaimed! - so I decided to go back to basics. However, I am quite pleased with this, for all its simplicity. The lines made me think of electrical currents somehow, hence the name.

Onwards and upwards!

Stay safe everyone. 

Day 307 : Chrysalis

 

Day 307 : Chrysalis

I really have no idea why this button made my think of a chrysalis, but it did, so I found a suitable bit of card for the tag ;)

This is a doodle button really - the base a turk's head knot, then doodled with thread and beads. It is quite large, and I have placed it on the card slightly sideways so that you don't just see the top. The top is the bit with 4 beads nestled together. 

I've made the knot using our new knotting tools, launching later this month. Killing two birds and all that, as I need show samples - so expect a lot of buttons this week to incorporate products in one way or another!

Size (ball ): 20mm / 3⁄4" / 30L