Day 366 : Goodbye 2020

 

Day 366 : Goodbye 2020

Here we are. The last day of a year that none of us expected this time last year. 

So many people congratulated me yesterday for finishing (thank you!) but none remembered that 2020 is a leap year. So that extra day had a button, and we need one today.

In my 2016 challenge, the last button reflected on how time flies. This year - well, I know that I am not the only one happy to see the back of what has seemed a very long year. I really do not feel that it flew by at all.

Thank you - every one of you!

Thanks to our customers - your support during these trying times has been super appreciated - and kept us motivated. And thanks to our friends - those of you who has followed along and liked, commented and shared.

Please, stay safe tonight - and let's have a terrific 2021, all of us.

Day 363 : Ganache

 

Day 363 : Ganache

Today's button is to remind you all of all of the chocolates eaten over the holidays! haha. 

So, today was an Bank Holiday, so technically back to work tomorrow. We will be going in to check on things and get some orders out, and then the rest of the week it is about paperwork. But at a more leisurely pace than usual, seeing as we technically are closed until next week! 

I hope that you are all keeping well.

Day 362 : Byzantine

 

Day 362 : Byzantine

More beads and bling again today. It is nice to spend a little more time and thread the beads. Although for some reason my threads all wanted to tangle today. Very frustrating.

I hope that last night's storm wasn't too bad for any of you. Boy did that wind howl! I thought for sure we'd have some damage. But, thank goodness, nothing bar a few light branches broken.

Otherwise, today has been a bit of a cheese and wine sort of day. I hope you are all having a good day.

Day 360 : Cheers!

Day 360 : Cheers!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Today's button is a bottle cap button. But, instead of the elaborate creations by my friend Yoko, mine uses a cap from a mini bottle!

Baileys to be precise. A heck of a lot of Brits love a Baileys at Christmas! So I think that the cap, and gold thread and lots of sparkly mini spangles - not real gold - suit a celebration such at Christmas.

I know it has been a very different Christmas this year for so very many. But I do hope that, despite everything, you have had a good one. 

xxx

 

Day 358 : Christmas Star

 

Day 358 : Christmas Star

Yes, I am much happier with this one. Quite different than the first - and second - version!

The second I worked last night. It is actually quite pretty, but quite ordinary really and looked rather like any Victorian button, so it is sitting on my table.

This one though - much better. I could have worked it the other way around, so the trees pointed outwards which would have made it more similar to the previous version, but it is much tidier this way.

So, a busy day trying to get my home decent. I know that no one is visiting, but it still looks nice enough - except for the table in my workroom. I didn't quite finish that room. My job for the morning. 

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 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 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 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 341 : Season's Greetings

 

Day 341 : Season's Greetings

Happy St Nicholas Day! I have so many friends - particularly buttonmakers - who celebrate the Christmas season beginning today, that I felt it only right to make a button for them. It is only a simple zwirnknopfe really, but in the right colours looks very festive I think. Zwirnknopfes always have the ability to make me smile, but then again, I always did like spirograph and 1970s string art!

I hope that your weekend has been good. We are currently putting together some flat pack furniture for an upstairs room... wish us luck haha!

Day 339 : Snow Day

 

Day 339 : Snow Day

Today's button is a marker - we actually got snowed in! We set out to the unit this morning with a nice long list of things to to, orders to pack and a courier pick up scheduled. And realised the road was just getting worse as we drove, so turned around at the first roundabout and came home. Good job we did - we later learnt that the main road that we take was closed due to the snow, so even had we made it in, we would have been spending the night. 

So, although I was part way through a more complex button, I figured it had to be a snowflake today, just so that I can look back and remember what had happened.

I hope that everyone is keeping well - and warm (or cool of course, if you are in hotter places!)

Day 338 : Havisham

Day 338 : Havisham

Today's button is a combination, and because of the single colour just made me think of cobwebs and dust, haha! Probably not the best way to describe a button, but there you go. I still think it would look great on the right coat though. 

It was nearly called Lost. I took the photo, got sidetracked, and could not find the button. Yup, it's been one of those weeks again. 

I hope that everyone is doing well and keeping safe. 

 

Day 331 : Meditate

 

Day 331 : Meditate

Before I start - Happy Thanksgiving to all of you in the US (and elsewhere) who are celebrating. I do hope that despite covid you manage to have a good day.

Today's button is about texture and design, not colour. I love single coloured thread buttons, from the death's head through to the super complex designs. I like the way the light reflects on the thread as it changes direction, and how the intricacies of the wrapping come to light. Sometimes I forget about this, going for more colours. But using one well is a very mindful task.

Day 330 : Jack Frost

 

Day 330 : Jack Frost

Last night it turned really cold - it is time for us to get out the other blankets! I was honestly freezing all night and am currently snuggled in 3 layers plus my dressing gown. I think that probably dictated the colours.

I really should get more expensive beads (these are not). The sizes would be consistent, so designs like would be more even when finished. I still like it though, and reckon it would look just as nice using reds and oranges to be a sparkly sun!

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 325 : Festive Circle

 

Day 325 : Festive Circle

I know, I know! Waay too early! But, the button spoke. It was going to be red, white and blue, and really quite different, but the red and white just looked so festive, I had to go with it. And when you are creating one a day, you do just have to let the button talk. 

I hope everyone's week has been ok. It does feel weird that we are needing to think about what we can order for the holidays instead of wander and shop. Mark and I are trying to go to smaller companies where ever we can, so are making some unusual lists! 

Have a lovely weekend everyone.

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 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 317 : Jollify

 

Day 317 : Jollify

Very odd today. Kinda funny-looking, but kinda neat too. Anyway, makes me smile. 

Late posting today as we've been working really hard - still sorting out kits for Monday's shows. Lots of thread lengths to sort, fabric to cut, and kits to pack. So I decided to carry on with what I was doing before I sit down at the computer to post this, as I knew I would then be sat down a little too long, haha!

Day 312 : Potential

 

Day 312 : Potential

Really, a straightforward button today. I have been really busy prepping kit items (for instance, cutting measured lengths of thread, cutting out fabric journals, that sort of thing) and so my mind wanders sometimes. Usually planning all of the things I will never get time to try! 

I wondered if I could work a zwirnknopfe style with soutache. And so tried something simple - otherwise I might have been there doodling all night of course. I do think it has potential. I like the play of light of the braid, there's a lot that could be pushed I think. 

I hope that you are all having a really terrific weekend!  :) :)