Flea Market Finds

My Flea Market Finds cost the princely sum of $2 at a school Trash 'n' Treasure market. There has been a great deal of familial debate as to the purpose of the items. Mr Button assumed they were an abstract table ornament of some kind and was surprised to learn they were just resting on the table en route to the sewing room. The 6yr old button thought they were a small clothesline for the dolls.
The female, 2yr old, button thought it was some kind of bubble wand.

The male, 2yr old, button recognised the potential of those clips and proceeded to snap all and sundry whilst making wild, crocodile noises.

Of course, I am sure you've worked out that with a coat or two of white paint, these will make excellent displays for hair ties and hair clips on the Cute as Buttons market table.

For more Flea Market Finds, visit Sophie over here.

Just for fun!

Today I made this for the Molly Button who has recently discovered the joys of twirly skirts. It took no time at all and I am positively delighted with the result and the twirling it provoked. Will Button, twin brother of Molly Button, donned said twirly skirt after it had been discarded and proceeded to name all the Babushkas one by one and have a bit of a twirl himself. At that point Mr Button left the house muttering under his breath and calling all Buttons outside for some rough and tumble. Last I heard, he was explaining that twirly skirts are not acceptable de rigeur for footy.

Of course, one of the side benefits of using this little piece of fabric is being able to make lots of these with the leftovers.

I have three ideas floating in my head for them.

Some more of these cause I do love making them and giving them to people.

Or something like this on a tee to go with the twirly skirt. Please note the date on this post, Kathy had completed Christmas outfits for her twins by November 17 and was finished early enough to blog about it!

I also have a hankering to try something like this. She is, of course, totally correct about the addictive nature of the self covered button. These kits really should come with a warning and a number for some sort of help line.

Heaven Sent

Handmade Heaven has now been restocked with lots of lovely Cute as Buttons goodies. Our girl singlets are stocked to size 4 and boys to size 2. If there is interest in any big, boy singlets, we'd love to know - just leave a comment at the end of the post. Lots of tees to choose from in sizes 000, 00, 0, 2 and 4.

We have a great range of sizes in the the Christmas shirts and if you see a colour combination in another size and want to order it to suit your Little Button, just let Liesa know and she will pass the information on to us.

Mr Button had to throw his shoulder to the wheel last night and spent a therapeutic couple of hours tying gingham strips to a coathanger to help make our Christmas Hair Tie Display. He wants to know if this qualifies him as a Handmadie - Micky, what is your decision? I must say, he did quite a nice job and once I banned him from using the scissors, things went swimmingly! I'm not sure he'll be rushing back to repeat the effort so it may be a one off original!

More goodies crossed off the Christmas List after my time visiting the shop. Liesa and her Mum have made a Christmas Nook to make your treasure hunting even more fun! Look how many beautiful Christmas things were hiding there today! Christmas shopping made easy at Handmade Heaven, Old Flour Mill, Brisbane Rd, Ipswich.

Rainy Days and Mondays

Hair pretties - Christmas ones available on Saturday at The Handmade Expo

No, they really don't get me down! I love rainy days although I do wish the rain had held off for an extra 15 mins or so on Sunday. It did make the end of the Boutique Markets a little damp! There were lots of lovely things to see and we tried a few new ideas in the Cute as Buttons corner of the world.

Carb free cupcakes

Today was a cruisy Monday. We attended a beautiful family wedding after I'd finished at the markets and we've been moving quite slowly today. I did manage to trek over to the other side of town, with the two small buttons in tow, to source some new display baskets at a cane wholesaler. I'll be looking forward to playing with them at The Handmade Expo at the Ipswich Turf Club on Saturday.

Christmas lovelies floating in the breeze

Tweet treats

Deb's Denim Stompers

Couldn't resist this tea cosy from Maggie of Mags Bags

The Handmade Girls must be feeling fine. They have all been hosting giveaways for various milestones. Lovely prizes to be won at Bubba Chenille, Handmadies and Handmade Heaven.

Cold Feet

Image: Anni

Believe it or not, we are experiencing what passes for a cold snap in South East Queensland. Now I realise that those of you from more southerly climes are holding your sides and snorting with laughter at the notion that nightly temps of 8C are considered cold. However, I guess it is all about 'match fitness', isn't it? We Queenslanders just aren't good at coping with the cold.

The other night I was up late making some hair ties and pins while Mr Button was tucked up in bed snoring softly. When I snuck in beside him with my iceblock toes, he automatically put his warm foot on top and started defrosting them for me. It occurred to me that was a particularly kind and loving thing to do and one which I must admit, I don't reciprocate! I cannot bear feeling cold toes on my warm ones and each morning when the little Buttons scurry into our bed, I grin and bear it as they burrow their cold fingers and toes into me. Not so Mr Button, he is happy to help out cold frogs and it is a quality I do admire in my Prince Charming.

As a reward for his generosity, I think I will make him a gift of the Hot Frog that Tania from Myrtle and Eunice is going to post on her blog. I'm not sure he will be the sole beneficiary of this gift but I am positive it will be well used by the cold frogs in the household!

Feeling Hoppy!

Thanks for all the lovely feedback on the blog changes. I did make the link colour slightly darker as some people were finding it a little hard to read. I'm still a bit surprised when I arrive at the blog and I find I keep walking past the computer to admire the prettiness.

A couple of posts ago I told you that I won a prize in Clare's giveaway and on Monday it arrived. I have to admit I've been playing hookey from the blog to enjoy the magazine that was part of my prize and I'm going to embark on some of the projects that were inside. Firstly I have started to put together some fabrics to make up Clare's pattern for Frances, as requested by one of the Buttons. Clare also sent a 'Pin the Lips on the Frog' game which has caused many a gleeful giggle about the Button abode. The game and my Big Boy Button are off to Prep tomorrow to liven up News time! I am imagining his classmates rolling around the carpet guffawing and making kissing noises and shall refer the teacher's thanks to you, Clare! Hard to pick a favourite part of this lovely parcel, but, I did make a little squeak when I saw the bag of buttons! I have already used some of them on hair ties, Clare and it was a really thoughtful gift.

I shall proudly post my Frances when completed. Does this count as a softie? Softie making is new territory for me and I shall boldly go.....you know how it finishes.