My Buttons

I can now reveal the buttons I made for my swop partner Jacqui as part of Phatsheeps handmade button swop!

These are the ones I made Jacqui so she can incorporate them into something she makes - all made from fimo with the blue ones having seed beads stuck into them. All lightly stitched onto an off-cut of denim.

And I also made a card with three other buttons (I was on a roll making these!) with some left over backing papers - again Mily Designs.

Jacqui said that she liked blues, the sea, glass and tactile things and I hope I've managed to achieve this!

I am quite pleased with my little self after making these, and I think, time prevailing, that I will be attempting this again as I do like the wobbliness of them and that each one is slightly different. These were actually my second attempt - the first lot were rubbish and looked odd. So you'll only see those if I sneak them onto a card at some point!

Thanks to Phatsheep for organising this - I really enjoyed it!

A Bit Of Stitching On A Card

Now for this weeks Dottie Challenge, set by Adele:

I want to see stitches on your work, either hand sewn or machine- the choice is yours

I've bought the new download from Dotties World this week to treat myself (well, why not?!) The collection is called 'Holly and Madison' and its a corker! Not only do you get the images for you to colour, but they all come pre coloured too! But for my downloads first outing, I have done my own colouring so I could use these papers.

Now, I've always wanted to do a bit of stitching on a card but don't quite trust myself on my ancient Singer not to get my fingers in the way (I'm a pro when it comes to fabric but don't think that paper and card would be as easy!) so I got out a darning needle and some old I think embroidery thread (its on a wooden bobbin and is a 'Bright eye' brand - if that's any use!) and away I went!

I was careful not to do too much plus the needle made larger holes than I was expecting, but I think I got the balance right. But the best bit is, I think the centre of the flower (flowers from Jozza by the way - ta!) which was part of my button swop and the colours are just perfect (thanks Jacqui!)

I've coloured the image with watercolour pencils and added a little red glitter glue on the hair bobbles, belt and flowers.

The backing papers are again part of the Mily Designs download that I don't know where it came from and I just love the colours together. All corners have been rounded and edges inked in blue.

So - go and have a look at the new downloads and at the examples on the blog as you won't be disappointed! And hope you can join in the challenge this week!

• Backing papers: Mily Designs
• Image: Holly and Madison download from Charmed Cards and Crafts, coloured with watercolour pencils
• Flowers: From Jozza
• Heart stitched linen button: From Jacqui
  
  

Button Swop

I took part in Phatsheeps button swop. Well, to be honest I've just got to post the buttons that I have made and to take photos of them in daylight as I hate using flash or the halogen lights in the kitchen as they give strange shadows (as you can see below). Anyway, my swop partner, Jacqui is very understanding about my tardiness.

So then, this lovely package was waiting for me when I eventually got home from work yesterday. And I was very good and waited until the boys were in bed before I opened it (so I could take photos along the way!)

I'll be using the ribbon again - thanks Jacqui! Two bubble wrapped packages inside...

Hiding these beauties - not six buttons but eight!! And two themes!

The fabric buttons are made with linen and a hand stitched heart and the big chunky red hearts are made from fimo.

And I've already used one of the fabric heart buttons on my Dottie challenge for this week, so check back on Sunday for the reveal. Great timing Jacqui and wonderful buttons - I shall use them all!

Thank you so much!

I'll blog my make when I've taken the photos and when Jacqui has received them.

And thank you to Phatsheep for organising the swop!