Oh, I've been doing all kinds of things! But this is the latest: rosettes. (You can see more if you click on the pic and go to my photostream.) Partly because I always wanted to make some, and partly because I needed prize ribbons for a contest I'm doing on a Flickr group I admin. (We're seriously trying to raise the quality bar, and I'm hoping that awarding prizes will show people what they should be aiming for).

I kind of used some directions I found online (and included in a previous CFF post), but ended up only using them for inspiration after I had to trash one rosette and leave another unfinished. Each one improved as I continued. Pictured here is set #2. Set #3 hasn't been photographed yet and includes one I'm (gasp) keeping for myself.

I've only bought 1 spool of ribbon (the burgundy stripe) and 1 card of buttons. The rest are from my (slowly dwindling) stash. It has been a real challenge to find color/pattern combinations that didn't suck. The more I make, the harder it gets!

I had this idea in my head all day yesterday, and couldn't rest until it was realized. milady1 is having her first knitting lesson on Saturday, and I'm all about the enabling. So, here is her new knitting bag!

This is the prototype, since I love how it turned out and want one too. I put the strap over my shoulder to carry the bag to the car (if it's there now, I can't forget it on Saturday), and it hit just right. Yup, I need one too. I've taken pics and measurements, and documented all the steps. Now I need to work out some of the rough spots.

Right: Cool vintage button for the elastic loop to catch on (I hope). I'm out of my "funner" tags, but this one is good - it was "Specially Hand Made"!

Other details:
Exterior - some brocade I've had forever! I love how there are just a couple of rosebuds.
Interior - a leg of jeans from when I cut off a pair. The trapezoid shape of that piece is what inspired the shape of the bag.
Pockets: Exterior is velcroed, Interior is not. I made the applique and sewed it onto the pocket before adding it to the bag.


She already knows about it, so now she can see it!

Another page from the Crafty Fun Friday collection (Kid's Button Crafts). I made 40 or so, including the ones shown at left that I'd been hoarding for such a purpose. The rest are packaged up, ready for gift-giving.

(Slowly but surely working my way through the photo collection from the weekend!)

As I mentioned in a previous post, the directions for the bouquets are here. I figured I'd add my 2¢, just in case anyone wants to give this a try:

A. If you don't have a massive button collection and want to start making some bouquets NOW, you can go to Michael's or Joanne's (or Hobby Lobby, etc.) and buy a box or bag of buttons for about $5. Depending on the look you want, you can get all neutrals, or brights (my preference, since they seem to contain some neutrals too). I really don't recommend buying the buttons individually on cards - it can add up so fast, with using a min. of 6 buttons per stem in varying sizes. Grab an old cookie tin or some other container with a lid and dump in the buttons. Run your hands through the buttons. Lift and let them drop. (Obviously, be careful when it comes to small children, as the buttons are a choking hazard.)

B. Instead of a spool of wire, I just bought a package of pre-cut green wire "stems" (20-gauge is my preference - twenty stems for $1.99) and bent them in half. This can save money if you don't have wire cutters. They're about $6 and nice to have around, but if you don't need them, you could use that $6 to buy another bag of buttons! Now, this does limit you when it comes to making longer flowers, but it's so easy this way that I didn't mind. You can use wire cutters to make slightly shorter flowers, or just wait until you arrange them and bend some slightly to make droop them a little.

This is a great rainy day activity, or one to do when you aren't feeling great and just want to veg and watch a movie but need something to do w/ your hands. If you have kids (I'd say 6 or 7 & up), this could be fun for them. They could make a lovely bouquet for a teacher's or sitter's gift, or for grandma. The more you make, the better they look as a group.

Below are a couple of pics of some crafty activities. First, a note about Dad & the birthday lunch: He's doing well. I think the full night of pain-free sleep made a big difference, and for the time being, he'll take the pain meds before the pain is excruciating. Lunch was lovely. Dad ate the most food I've seen him eat lately; my 4-y.o. nephew, J, tried calamari*, and we had craft projects to do while we waited for food. Afterward, Dad napped in the car, while the women-folk went to JoAnn fabrics (for more buttons and wire and stuff) and the men-folk went to Game Stop and Best Buy, trying to find a game for John**. Dad gave the girls money to buy crafts. We did not turn it down.

[Click to make pictures bigger]

Button Bouquets
This is what I did last night at the hospital. Today, K and I made a few for her collection (J even tried a couple). They look really odd by themselves, but you group 5 or 6 (or more) and it starts to look like a bouquet of sorts. (This was a Crafty Fun Friday entry, but I won't make you go look for it: directions are here.) I'll have to rephotograph outside, because I lost some of the detail with the closeup. But you can tell how cute they are.

This isn't an entirely non-portable craft. You definitely need a stable work space and be willing to carry a pretty wide assortment of buttons, but the majority of the ones shown (minus 3) were made in the ER last night. Truthfully, though, it's much easier to do at home.


Washcloth Kits for Interim House

I'm late for my own contest! But since I couldn't win, I took my time. Ready to mail now (since I found my postcard), are five of these little washcloth kits.

Each kit contains: needles, cotton yarn (not shown), and a washcloth/bath scrubby pattern leaflet, stuffed into a pretty fabric gift bag. I knitted some teeny tiny washcloths with leftover cotton, and attached them to the tags*** by sewing on a bee or flower button. I also attached small labels to identify the contents. Each tag is tied on with a piece of the yarn that's inside, so Kathy doesn't have to open all the bags.

Their Site
More Info.
KnittingLadies - Knitting Crochet Program at Interim House - blog started by Kathy to document her clients' crafting successes


*J will, apparently, try anything, especially if no one tells him what it is, or tries to coax him into trying it. If you plop it down near him (not necessarily in front of him), he will try it. He ate almost all the calamaris at lunch. K and I did try some of the lightly battered veggies that were mixed in (red peppers for me (YUM) and brocolli for her). SIL C even tried a calamari. The last time we did this, the kid kept stealing shrimp and fried clams off my plate, even though he'd never had either. He was 3 at the time, and his sister is the pickiest eater in the world, so it's still kind of amazing.

**Deadrising (which he did not find at either store, Meijer's either. I waited in the car while he checked at Target. He supports me in my boycot, generally, but he had tried everywhere else by that point.)

***I glued Shabby Princess paper (printed on color laser) to purchased (boring) tags.

Much better tute here.

Updated 8/22/06
I wanted to bundle up the tea bags for my tea swap via (Swap-bot) in a cute way.

At first, I was just going to tie ribbon around them, and was trying to think of a way to incorporate a button into the bundle (since I have TONS of them now). I remembered a simple napkin ring suggestion in - I think - a Martha Stewart Living magazine, with sheer ribbon and pony beads (or some such combo) and started messing around. This is the result.

How-to: Grosgrain or woven ribbon that is 1/4" to 3/8" seems to work the best. The rust ribbon pictured is 3/8". Wider ribbon can work, depending on the button, but so far has been more of a pain than a satisfied result. Plan on the ribbon shredding a little, regardless. Pick buttons with large holes. You need to get the ribbon through, but not too loose.

I cut the ribbon ends at an angle to give it a point, pulled them through partway, and then stuck the tea in the loop. After I pulled the ribbon tight, I tied a knot (not necessary if the ribbon fits tight enough or the bundle isn't being mailed, it depends on the look you want (I like the knot)) and trimmed off the frayed edges as the last step (it will probably get frayed).

If you are preparing some ties in advance, you don't have to cut the ribbon. Just put the cut end down through the front of the button, and then back up from the back. You can adjust the length, then cut when ready.

Tip: Don't use pricey or too-cool vintage buttons, as they might get tossed like any other wrapping! These buttons are "vintage" but plain and simple. ETA: I guess that would depend on the recipient. If the person would "get" that the button was part of the present, then use whatever you want. (Use whatever you want anyway. I'm bossy, but not THAT bossy.)

Close-ups (should be able to click on photo for larger view):


About the swap: We're to send 2 bundles of 5 tea bags to each partner. One of the teas is supposed to be different from the ordinary, something you don't think your partner(s) would have tried. I decided to take this opportunity to try completely new teas (since I'd have 10-15 bags left from each box). The peppermint tea isn't herbal, so I don't know if it would help w/ an upset tummy or not. It just sounded good, as did the Black Cherry. If someone else wants to trade with me, I'd be happy to package up another set. Just let me know!


Contact & Copyright
Copyright 2006-2008 Melissa Shaw
http://crazycatladymel.livejournal.com
email: crazycatladymel at gmail period com
Tutorials & patterns shared on crazycatladymel’s blog are provided free for personal use. Individuals may share unlimited print copies, as long as the copyright information is included. Images, tutorials and patterns may not be duplicated in any format - e.g. electronic or print - without permission (feel free to link to the pages, but don't copy/paste). Have fun, but don't steal!

Stores may not distribute these instructions in any way without express written permission from the designer.

Continuing to add to my very eclectic music mix! John tracked down a few choice 80's tunes for me last night (Go West, Level 42, song the title lyric is taken from*, etc.). I'm really having a lot of fun.

I just joined the "All About Me" CD swap on Swap-bot. What a challenge to come up with songs to answer these questions!

*Bonus points if you know what song the title lyrics are from, double points if you know what album/soundtrack (this helps explain the lyrics too). ETA: Cate knew it was from "Chess." She & naiad_kitty knew it was "One Night in Bangkok." It really does help to know that the song is from a musical about chess, if you care about lyrics making sense anyway.

At lunch, I'm going to run out to the paper party place (whatever they're called now - Party USA?) to buy a tin to house my niece's new button collection. I sorted through my big box and put together a starter collection for her. Next step is to print out some of the button crafts I've found. She's quite crafty, she is.

I don't really want to go outside at all, though. Ack! With the humidity, it's going to feel like 105 (F), worse if you're in direct sunlight. And I think they have the air here set on 80, to save energy, but everyone is running fans to compensate!

Cass says, "You've read enough, now pay some attention to me."

Two wonderful books from Rachele in Japan (you can see what I sent her if you click on the link). #1 is "Homemade Zakka", and #2 seems to be called On! Point (embroidery though, not needlepoint). So many great ideas, I don't know where to start!

( more cat & button pictures )

Starting out with the WEIRDEST find today. This thing is downright unsettling, to quote a favorite TV show. I found this in the basement of an antique store today. I was half-hoping it was a joke, but when I opened it, one of the creepy little clowns jumped out and into my purse. I dug him out, but felt like I was meant to buy this.

( Lots more behind cut! )