Buttons

Buttons, originally uploaded by HollingdaleDesigns.

I know it's been ages since the last post but we are still in the process of moving so I've been a bit distracted. I haven't just been packing boxes getting ready to move though, I have made a few sets of buttons too!

Nesting Barn Owls!!!

Nineteen year ago when we decided to buy an old farmhouse in France as our full time home one of the first things I wanted to do was put up an owl nesting box. So, making use of an old tea-chest I found, I made a few alterations in the hopes that some owl might find it a desirable residence. It was placed up in the eaves of the large barn at the back of the house. After it was in place I bought a book about Barn Owls and was dismayed to find that the best design for their nest boxes was nothing like mine. So I was really pleased and surprised when one evening a few months after it was installed I saw a Barn owl fly out of it!! There were 5 owlets reared in the box that year!! This is what the box looks like today...


19 years on and it's still in place. Admittedly it is looking a little worn but guess what.... the owls are still using it!!! There is a pair of Barn Owls nesting there again this year! This means I get to sit in the comfort of my bedroom in the evenings and watch them coming and going and if my stay at the farmhouse goes on long enough (not sure yet how long it will be) I may even get to see the latest generation take their first flight!!!

Been a while!!

I know it's been ages since my last blog post! I've been travelling about but have finally come to rest for a few weeks in one place which will hopefully allow me to get back to the computer for a while! I've even had some time to make some things in polymer clay! Shame I couldn't bring a kiln and some glass with me as this is a great place for inspiration (more about that later)!!

Anyway, I've mostly been making buttons, of course, but have also managed a few things which I'm hoping will become components in some jewellery. The problem I have now is that I keep making and baking but not getting around to sanding and polishing!! This means the 'to-be-sanded' pile is mounting up fast! Took this photo earlier and then made 2 more batches of baked items which need to be added to the pile!!

OMG I came third - Delphi Art Glass Festival 2009!!!

I can't believe it!! I entered this dish a while back and had almost forgotten about entering. Then tonight I was just checking my e-mails and almost didn't check the one from Delphi. As it turned out it was announcing that the winners had been chosen and when I went to look there was my dish!!! Gobsmacked or what!!

Sunny Sunday!!

It was such a gorgeous morning this morning I took the camera out into the garden to see what was going on. Here's a few of the things I found...

There are more like these on my flickr photostream!

Baby Booties!!

I was just having a little wander around the internet and Folksy when I came across some of my buttons! Now, most times, I don't get to see how my buttons are used, they go off to the post office and are never seen again. They may end up on someone's knitted cardi or grace the front of a handmade card or even just get to hang out with lots of other lovely buttons in somebody's button jar. So, it was really great to see how Baby Blonde Design had sewn them on the front of the new baby booties she has made. Take a look...aren't these just the cutest!!
This last pair don't have buttons on but I think they are just so fancy!! Perfect booties for a special occasion!!

Sock knitting!

So I have started my journey into the wonderful world of knitting socks! First up was a visit to the local craft shop for some double pointed needles. It's an interesting little shop which unfortunately is soon to be no more. Anyway, the very nice lady sold me some needles. Now I'm not sure but I think the packet was quite old, if anyone can tell me the approximate age of these I would be very interested to know...

Having got some needles I started with a ball of scrap wool, just to get the feel of working with 3 needles instead of 2. Hmm, well it seemed to be going ok until I realised I was working inside out! Ooops! Thank goodness for Google - soon sorted myself out! Little bit later and things were going well enough to try the real thing with my hand-dyed yarn from Blottedcopybook. Wasn't long though before I could see that needles and yarn were not well matched and the size just wasn't going to be big enough.

So attempt number 2 was abandoned and the hand dyed yarn put aside until I know I've got the right pattern and needles for it. In the meantime I'm going to try and actually get to finish at least one sock (though 2 would be preferable) so that I have some idea of what I'm doing! Third time lucky maybe?