button love . . .

"Be the person who can smile 

on the worst day."

~ Cate

just breath . . .

I don't even remember when I started this doll . . . it has been that long ago.

I don't know about you - but when I have a project that stays unfinished for awhile 

it seems to get harder and harder for me to just pick it up and finish it.  

Then I got where I didn't really like how this doll was turning out.  That made me put off working on her even more.  She isn't my favorite, but I like her. 

 I especially like her button flowers and her message to "just breath".

Just Breath!

zombie button rings . . .

I am loving these zombie button rings.

So much so - that I just ordered some more zombie buttons . . . 

 . . . and skeletons . . . and black cats.

just for fun . . .

. . . because button rings are fun!

I may wear that purple monster one myself.

A new little monster . . .

She started out with wearing a beanie . . . but ended up with a headband.  

She has feathers in her hair . . . a button on her butt . . . and lots of monster magic.

keeping the winter blahs away . . .

Winter days call for some color - don't you think? 

 I am not a big fan of winter . . .  and January seems to want to get the better of me sometimes. 

 I tend to put up a fight when things want to get the better of me.  So I am fighting back with paint, and origami paper, and monkey button rings.  

"They say a person needs just three things

to be truly happy in this world:

someone to love, something to do, 

and something to hope for."

~ Todd Bodett

buttons and bows . . .

I purchased this head wrap for my new granddaughter.  It will be awhile yet before I get to take a picture of her wearing it . . . but I did get a glimpse of her during Kasey's ultra sound this week.

Check out Che Bella Bows on ETSY.  (although I believe her shop is closed for a few days)

. . . and a few more button rings.  I think Charlotte is going to love these.

button rings . . .

I thought these buttons would make cute rings for the girls . . . (the skeleton one is for me.)

  So fun and easy to make!

button magnets

I found some pins made out of buttons that my Aunt Sue made.  I decided to make magnets out of them.  Beer tabs and buttons . . . I will think of my aunt every time I look at them.  

paper crane love . . .

Please excuse the expletive . . . sort of a private joke and perfect for what I want to write on this journal page.  I found the "love" vase at the grocery store for $3 . . . and thought it would be fun to fill it up with paper cranes.  I would like it better if the cranes were all white - so I will probably fold a few more and change that.  It has been a wonderful three day weekend . . . with today being cold an rainy.  

A perfect day to be home!

cake & buttons

To go along with my photo challenge for today . . . 

pineapple upside down cake was a must tonight.  Simple recipe - here.

DELICIOUS!  

I was also in the mood to play with buttons.  

I sorted out pink ones, red ones, white ones . . . thinking Valentine's day of course.

Buttons are always fun and I like how the little heart turned out. 

I used 28 gauge wire.  After just stringing the buttons on the wire the heart was a little flimsy, so I cut another piece of wire and wrapped it around the wire holding the button . . . on the back side of the heart . . . wrapping the wire 2-3 time around the wire in between each button.  (if that even makes sense).  If I make another one I will take some pictures.  

Let the FUN begin!

Life has been busy and maybe even a little complicated lately . . . only in the sense that other things have taken me away from doing the things that I like to do and at times I get pulled in directions that I really don't like going.  That seems to get me a little out of balance . . . but I guess life can do that.  So this week . . . I have made the effort to get back to "being Clare".  That is always a good thing.  Even better . . . Thanksgiving Break . . . a whole week off from work!  

Let the fun begin!

B is for . . . .

B is for . . . Beads for Abbie. 

My run happened to take me by the bead store today, so I stopped in and picked out some beads for Abbie's necklaces.

Be is for . . . Button ring. 

I spotted this last night and had to wear it today . . . something just too cute about a plastic button ring.  I think I need to make some of these.  :) 

Shabby Charlotte Doll - Susan . . .

I wrapped up a shabby little gift today . . . Shabby Charlotte Doll - Susan.  A gift for a very special woman that I know.  She really is a remarkable person!

Shabby Susan has a little sewing bag that she carries . . .

 . . . and her own little pin cushion.

Susan is a little doll as sweet as they come.  She is very thoughtful and believes in being kind.  She also has a strong side to her – that gets things done.  She really enjoys a cup a black tea and on occasion will treat herself to a margarita.  She loves to sew  . . . and carries a spool of thread and a button in her bag just in case she needs them.  Susan has been known to work too hard . . . so she comes with a little purple flower pin to remind her to stop and smell the flowers and to take time for herself.

When I first started dressing this doll - I didn't like here.  (I do that quite often.)  But after I keep trying different ribbons . . . laces . . . charms . . . and whatnot - they usually come together and by the time I write their little story - I end up liking the doll.  I think I had a hard time with this one - because it was for someone special and I wanted it to be a certain way. 

This weekend I have to make another voodoo doll (a boy doll having something to do with hot sauce . . . I'm still thinking about that one).  I have to make a cowgirl doll and a grey haired knitter/seamstress doll.  I am going to be busy.  I have a couple more orders on top of that and I have some ideas for an Easter doll.  I think I better lock myself in my room . . .

I have one more week until Spring Break!!!!!!

* * * * * * * *

On a completely different subject - I had an appointment with my oncologist today.  When I saw him back in December - he found a swollen lymph node under my arm.  This time it was bigger and there is also one in my other armpit.  It has been about a year and a half since I had surgery to remove melanoma . . . because of that - he ordered a CT scan.  I will have that done on Tuesday, and then go back and see him next Friday.  So this is one of those things I have to turn over to God . . . Maybe being busy making dolls is exactly what I need to keep my mind off of it this week. 

If God Brings You To It. He Will Bring You Through It.

I picked up some buttons, a rusty old key, and this cute wool heart pin at an antique store last week.  I also found a couple of old suitcases that I will get a picture taken of this weekend and post about.  I found a place to set them - but the light never seems to be good when I am home to get a good picture taken.  I thought this key would be great on a Shabby Charlotte doll.