BUTTON BLISS

Summer days 2012

Hello everyone,

The sun is hot, the pool is blue and my 7 yr old daughter NEVER STOPS TALKING!!!! She starts talking before she opens her eyes in the morning and is still chattering, singing or both when she finally goes to sleep. School holidays mean I am in the front row seat for all concerts, performances, whispered secrets, stories and wonderings. I love her. I really do. I just wish she had a mute button occasionally.!

The Christmas break for us was busy in a lazy kind of way. We had a family friend and her 3 boys here for Christmas Day ( hmm, 3 young boys full of lollies and chocolates, with a slip-n-slide and water guns, how is that going to end well???).

Then on Boxing Day My Mother-In-Law, Sister-in law + Hubby and 2 kids arrived for a week relaxing by the pool. We ate a ridiculous amount of food, the kids swam until they grew gills and we brought in the New Year with a whimper not a bang- not exactly big party people in our home.

New Years Day saw all the in-laws depart, and after a 5 hour break to mop, wash and wipe the bathroom over, my parents arrived. See... I told you we should have installed a revolving door. 

Mum and Dad have been "grey nomads" this year and plan at least another year of travelling so it's a treat to have them here for an extended visit.Sarah is very excited about a sleepover in the caravan - apparently she will sleep sooooooooo much better on the little bed in Nanna's van!

I have been busy painting and restocking many buttons, lots of the more intricately painted buttons were running low, so I have tried to refill. That means that I don't have new buttons to show you today, but in the next few weeks, I have some lovely ideas to bring to life.

Most of all, life is good here, happy, peaceful and blessed. I hope you had a great Christmas and New Year... what are your plans for 2012? Are you going to have a UFO year or do you have a few new projects planned? 

 

 

Secret Santa

Hello to all my lovely crafty friends.

Yes I know I have been very silent for the past month, but you will be pleased to know my nursing placement is complete, my last exam has been sat and I am almost ready to submit my case study. I only have 24 classes for next year and I will be finished entirely, which is a relief. I am not a huge fan of study. I am too disorganised to do it well.

Button Bliss is set to take off in the new year with lots of new buttons, paaterns and special gifty 'stuff' ready to go onto the website. With that in mind I am clearing out some button trays and making room. Would you like to help me? Yay. Well firstly all my lovely bloggy friends can help themselves to a storewide 20% discount . Fill you shopping cart and when you proceed to checkout make sure you enter the words SecretSanta into the "Do you have a coupon " space. Feel free to share the code with crafty friends,  I need space kinda desperately. The code will work until 31st December 2011, so grab a bargain while you can!

I am also retiring some designs, I might have reworked them, got sick of them or simply not have space for them in the Button Bliss range. Keep an eye on the Sale page for goodies and yes- you can have 20% off those items too.

And on to news... well it's not really news, more of a roundup

My youngest daughter loves to dance and last weekend was her dance recital. We went along to watch and cheer.I had imagined her in a little tutu doing cute little jumps or pointing her toes delicately. It was not to be. She was a mouse with big grey ears, nose and whiskers, on stage for around 30 seconds. The rest of the 4 hour concert - YES you read that right 4 (four) FOUR!!! hours of loud teenage hiphop belly button shaking grunge street dancing we endured. In the first hour I was thinking it would be great to encourage Child No 4 to do more classes. by the last half hour I was nearly in tears, and my ears felt like they'd been physically assaulted. I am hoping next year gymnastics, netball or even jetskiing might catch her eye and we will get a reprieve.

She did ask me to make a new ballerina button

The other kids are well and as happy as broody, moody teenagers can get. They are almost finished their school year, so the teen boy 17 is happy to be having extra X-Box time, teen girl 15 plans on painting a masterpiece and teen girl 13 gets teary whenever she remembers that she won't be able to see The Boyfriend every day. I get teary thinking of 2 months locked in my house with 3 x teenager hormones and a 7 yr old who wants me to play Barbies. If anyone would like to loan them for a week or too just send me an email.

As for me, well with 2 months study free time, I plan to sit by the pool and read a book. I plan to visit and catch up with long suffering, neglected friends. I plan to cook, eat, enjoy free time and get crafty. It is afterall the holiday season!

xxx

Lisa

 

 

Giveaway results.. off the page

Hi all buttony friends.

Spring has definitely hit and with it HAYFEVER. I am zonked off my head on Zyrtec, and eyes still puffy, nose watering and itchy! I love this time of year.. I hate this time of year!

So to the giveaway for the sweetest little Embroidery thread holders.

Drawn by miss Sarah and her big brother Jack - winners are Kathy, Alison, Dawn, Wendy and Kris.

I will email you for addresses etc, so they can jump in the post and come to stay.

I am into my medications exams and prac. Only three weeks of school left for the year! Woohoo! Of course whenever I am racing toward a deadline I am naughty and feel the strongest need to play with buttons, fabric and all sorts of prettiness.

I made my first attempt at an Off-the-Page scrapbooking project yesterday...

It's pretty simple, I have new respect for the project contributors in Scrap magazines.. don't know how they co-ordinate everything so perfectly!

I have also made some cute little buttons.

Ballet Slippers - washed ceramic look- without the weight!

Little Ella Ballet Bear - I don't know whether she's a ballerina or an angel, or just playing dressup- either way she's very cute.

Sweet rosy bouquet - great for filling corners of stitchery projects or on pretty shabby chic projects.

Babushka brooch for the lovers of stackable people.

What do you think? LOts of prettiness! All going on to the website today!

Hope everyone is happy and well, getting ready for the big Christmas countdown. Wish me luck with my 2 exams on Wednesday, plus prac assessment.

xxx

Lisa

Blog giveaway reminder

Remember you only have 2 days left to enter the Thread Holder Giveaway..

Describe your perfect spring day..do you sit under a huge leafy tree and stitch,do you spend the day wandering through a flea market? Are you a gardener who loves a spring day planting seedlings, or do sit at the park at watch the kids play?

You can win one of these great new Embroidery thread holders- perfectly sized for a stitching pattern packet, no wiggly edges to get threads snagged on and such cute little Pics.

Entries close on Sunday night... Yippee..enjoy this glorious weather

xxx

Lisa

 

(Blog writers - please feel free to share this with your readers)

Stitch Holder Giveaway and news from Buttonworld

Hello everyone.

Spring school holidays are finally here, and the sun is gorgeous. All the gardens are coming to life - Atchoo! I love this time of year, but I usually get to observe it through a haze of itchy eyes, runny nose and a healthy dose of hayfever medication.

School holidays also means lots of lazing around in PJ's and generally not rushing to go anywhere! Of course nursey school hasn't been gentle and we have been given a massive amount of homework to complete, but somehow it doesn't seem so bad when you can do it under your favourite tree with a cup of tea and a cat curled up next to you.

My studies are going well. We are up to Medications, such a huge amount of info to take in, but at least I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I will finish in May next year and then be let loose on the public.. so if anyone plans on getting sick, you might want to hurry up and get it done and sorted before I hit the ward :-)

A Blog Group challenge from a group of blggy friends has asked me to choose my favourite post from my archive and remind you of it. I have spent hours re-reading through my previous posts.. gosh I have come a long way since the very first one. However I have narrowed it down to

** SmooshyHead gets a door

and

** On the Run

 

School holidays for me means time to play. Designing and creating and stitching and painting. If you haven't visited for a while, pop over and have a look at the What's New page on the Button Bliss website. It is bursting at the seams with new buttons. I have been on a creative roll, which is great news for everyone.

There are also lots of little treasures in the On Sale page- bits and pieces which I have discontinued from the Button Bliss range. You'll find all sorts of little gems, and once they are gone.. that's it! I have written before about how unwieldy the Button Bliss range had become and I was finding it impossible to keep up stock on 300+ designs. Some items are just too time consuming to be able to offer them. But I usually have been able to come up with an alternative. Many of my readers will remember my Thread holders from a couple of years ago, and while they were gorgeous, they were difficult to keep up with and still maintain a good standard.

These are brand new and very cute

They are approx 76mm square making them a perfect little accesssory for a stitching bag. Smooth edges means there are no little bumps for precious threads to snag on, and with 10 holes, plenty of room for all threads required for a day or weekend away stitching.

I am delighted with how these have turned out- you can find them HERE on the Button Bliss website.

However, because it's school holidays and Spring and I'm happy, I am giving away 5 of these gorgeous little treasures.

Tell me how you spend a perfect spring day. Do you sit in the garden with a pile of craft magazines? Or do you go for a stroll and sneak peeks into all the neighbourhood gardens bursting into bloom? Is it time for a windows wide open Spring clean?

Please pop a link to this post on your webpage, blog or facebook page so everyone has a chance to enter.

(If you blog, feel free to add a link to your most recent post at the end of your message)

Winners will be announced on October 17 so start writing !

Have an awesome day wherever you are

Lisa

Okay I have to go and get ready for nursey class - but I HAD to show you what I made yesterday ( study procrastination is good for my creativeness ) Aren't they cute - I'm just calling them L'il Girls for now... haven't come up with anything more witty.. Okay I'm off to pack my lunch and get my butt to school, Have a great day,
Lisa
xxxx

Starting from Today - Sept /October giveaway -all retail orders go in the draw for this pack -

I'm having a ball!

Hello lovely button friends, 

 

Have you been to visit the Button Bliss store lately? Oh my goodness, I have been having the most amazing fun adding lots of new little treasures for you all. My laser machine is running fast and hot, cutting madly trying to keep up with my whirling brain.

 

Funnily enough, now that I have allowed myself the freedom to pursue my spurts of creativeness, my studies are falling into place nicely and I am feeling so relaxed and peaceful about the whole thing. 

 

I must tell you some exciting news though... my gorgeous friend Carolyn has finally re-opened her shop Veronica Violet Stitcheries in new premises.

 

She is now snuggled into the winery haven of Rutherglen, the most adorable little tourist town, perfect-perfect-perfect for a weekend getaway, and just 3 hours from Melbourne- sorry Simone, it might be a bit far for you :-(

 

Veronica Violet Stitcheries opened it's doors on Wednesday and will be open Wednesday-Sunday with lots of classes, sit and stitch sessions and so much new and fabulous fabric **sigh**. Keep an eye out for her new online store, and if you happen to be out for a leisurely drive, pop n and visit Carolyn at 166 Main Street, Rutherglen, Vic 3685

(ph 02 60328050)

 

I was so overwhelmed and excited when I went for my first visit I totally forgot to take photos, but I promise next time I will be a little shutterbug.

I did snag some lovely ballerina fabric to make a ballet show bag for Sarah, in all that spare time I haven't got LOL.

 

I hope you are all happy and well... stay tuned for a special pre-christmas giveaway... Yes!! Christmas is hurtling towards us at a frightening pace!

Love to all,

Lisa

 

 

 

 

Balance

Over the past 20 months I have been running a race, with the end not very clearly marked, and with hundreds of checkpoints. I started off at a sprint, slowed to a jog, occasionally twisted an ankle, got dehydrated, and re-hydrated, bought new sneakers...kept on running.

My marathon up to this point has been Nursing ( and the study of ). I put aside other things, I left old things behind, I compromised, multi-tasked and delegated. I prioritized and I succeeded in my study. I have good grades. I am on track.

I also lost the zing in me that makes me "me".

I thought to do one thing well, I had to put the other away.

Then in the past two weeks I have discovered

To be the Mum I want to be, to be the friend I want to be, to be happy and fulfilled and balanced, I need to create, to design, to embellish and to dream.

I remember the first day I got my laser machine and the little thrill I felt when I saw my designs finally cutting out. The first cut was Santas, with me and my Dad watching through the top window as mustaches and beards and coats appeared.

From that moment on I was hooked and I wish I could describe to you the peculiar thrill I feel, every time I have a new design coming to life.

In the past two weeks, I have realised ( read: been smacked in the head with a piece of wood) that I need to still embrace and seek out those little moments that make me...  well...............me!

I have missed my buttons, my crafty friends, the beauty of fabric and the thrill of a completed project. I have missed the comradeship between designers, the ideas, the inspiration...

And so, even though my studies are important, I realise everything else that was me before is still here,maybe some parts are wrapped in tissue paper and hiding in the attic, but ME, I'm still here.

Check out Button Bliss What's New Page to see what I've been doing.

Retailers, You may be happy to know my wholesale page is now available - send me an email at lisa@buttonbliss.com for access - clients who had previous access your old password will still work.

To everyone who has waited patiently for ME to return, thankyou.

The best is yet to be

XXX

Lisa

Never enough time

I know I know, this is my constant moan.. but seriously.. should we have a referendum or something on adding a few extra hours to the day?

It's Father's Day here in Australia. I am blessed to still have my Dad on earth and he is such a lovely man. He is an awesome Grandfather and is a man I can always rely on. He will always catch me if I'm falling. He is one half of my personal cheer squad ( the other half is my lovely and equally awesome Mum).

I am also blessed to have 'the man' in my life. He's quiet and doesn't give over to public displays of emotion ( unless he's cuddling a newborn baby or a kitten.. then he is goo), but he is also a great Dad, and the solid foundation of our home. He is steady, and safe, and our protection.

So to the two men in our world, who make our world, we love you. Happy Father's Day !

It is also Lazy Sunday.. a little grey and cloudy, and very conducive to a day of designing and playing.

I have spent the day creating some very sweet new packs for you.. already on the What's New Section of the Button Bliss website.

 

Bloom Pack one

Bloom Pack 2

Heart Blossoms

Cat Pawprints

Dog Pawprints

Bless the Birds and Bees

 

I have been busy haven't I!!

For store owners, I am excited to tell you I am almost ready to accept wholesale orders. I appreciate your patience and can't wait to share new treasures with you all.

Much love to all,

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads, Daddys, Pa's, Grandads and Pops

Lisa

PS Just in case you haven't noticed, I also have another blog.. it is not about craft, it is just a little chat, my thoughts etc.. if you are interested come and visit Simple Loving Thoughts

 

 

Website update and sales

Hello blogland.

I have been very busy today adding new bits and pieces to my website, adding a Sale page and re-listing some old favourites.

The Little Book of Angels has been once again re-listed...

I have been sorting through all my stock - remember I back it all away safely for a few months?

Little sets of cupcakes, mini cars, trains and tractors, as well as some kits and button packs are all in the What's New section along with some patterns which could only be sold with the buttons to complete the project. Of course there are more still waiting to come out of the cupboard... all in good time.

Little by little I am putting things back on-line in amounts that I can cope with, without impacting too hugely on my studies. I have so many lovely buttons waiting for new homes, but a limited amount of time to devote to the button world so I am taking baby steps in the web-world.

This week also marks the end of my nursing placements until November. I have spent some time doing District Nursing ( At Home Nursing) which was a totally different experience to Acute Nursing. It is far more personal, runs at a slower pace but has it's own challenges and rewards. I was fortunate to work with a group of EXTREMELY patient women who tolerated and answered my thousands of questions.

In another week I head back to the classroom to learn about medications - I can't believe they are going to let me loose with a syringe!

Hope you are all well and happy,

xxxx

Lisa

New prettiness, I found my Mojo !

After my post the other day, I did what I usually do with anger - channel it into something creative and lose myself in my craft. I am so happy to show you this project finally completed. I did show you a little sneak peek but here is the Rag Ball Blessings.

Designed by Paula Hair for Button Bliss a couple of years ago, this little treasure was waiting til I had the time to make it special. I have stitched it using Cottage Garden Threads in Raisin, plus some bits and pieces of mine. The twill ribbon is hand dyed to match and the whole thing just stretched over a cheap canvas. SOOOOO pretty!!

I have just painted up a country version, with the tags stitched instead of being buttons and it looks awesome. Not sure when I'll have time to stitch but.... here's hoping! This design will be on my website this weekend, have to write up instructions and transfer design onto computer. Then of course there is my other life to contend with.....

Yes I did go on my two week nursing placement and I LOVED LOVED LOVED it. I found it scary and confronting and hilarious and hugely rewarding. I am told I am definitely made of the "right stuff" ( which means I have a warped sense of humour) as I could come home and laugh about holding a strangers penis in a urinal bottle and having a conversation about the weather as if I do this sort of thing all the time! Of course there were some sad moments but overwhelmingly there was the sense that we were making someones day a little better, a bit easier and lightening the load.  I can't disclose any other details but rest assured I am confident that my studies are not in vain!

Hubby did a wonderful job with the kids - somehow I managed to be on placement for the entire school holidays. He got a taste of what it is like to be a constant kitchen hand to hungry teenagers, as well as play Barbie and Ken with Miss 7.

Next week I will be on placement again, this time district nursing and then I am back in the classroom til November. My teacher tells me there will be no time for anything other than study but I think she is underestimating the determination of a stitcher!

I hope you are all well and happy, needle in hand and stitching like crazy.

XXX

Lisa

VERY FRUSTRATED

Hello people. This is more of a house-keeping message.

I have been accused on a couple of occasions of not posting buttons to overseas clients.

Today a parcel was returned to me - I posted it at the beginning of March, and it had sat uncollected in an Italian Post Office, before being returned by sea, taking five months round trip.

Over those five months I have been called quite nasty names and accused of stealing and defrauding, and of course issued a full refund, all while wondering where on earth my little buttons have gotten to.

The fact is, I can't control the postal system or whether a customer will collect a parcel.

I am sad that I have been accused, frustrated by the limitations of post ( believe me if I could hand deliver to you all I certainly would) and wonder what more is possible.

If you place an order and do not list your full address, if you chose to not collect a parcel or do not wish to allow adequate time for a parcel to be delivered, you are bound to be disappointed.

To those customers and friends who have stood by me and believed in me, thankyou, I appreciate it.

Lisa

Stitching and studying

Tomorrow is my first day on my Acute placement for nursing - 2 weeks of hands on experience in a medical ward. I am nervous and excited (and just quietly FREAKING OUT!!!) It is scary to be actually playing with real people.

My placement coincides with our school holidays so Hubby-dear has taken two weeks holidays and is doing parent duty. He is hyper-organised in the house ( as opposed to my messy chaos ) so I am sure the kids won't know what's hit them!!!

Of course all the prep for placement has meant my attention the the world of crafting has had to take a back seat. When I first started studying I never anticipated just how much brain space the study would take up. Don't get me wrong, I love the learning and the end result of being a qualified nurse is fantastic, but **sigh** I miss my buttons, my threads and my fabric. I miss my crafty friends and going to my shows. I miss the feedback from happy stitchers and I miss the sense of accomplishment when a project or design comes together. I am holding on to the fact that this time next year, my studies will be complete and I will have a little more time to nurture the creative side of me.

I haven't been able to completely step away from the stitching though. Every now and then I allow myself an hour or two of soothing stitching. There is something very comforting in the rhythm of stitching, and for me it is prime thinking/ pondering/ musing time.

I have almost finished a small ragball project, designed a few years ago for Button Bliss by the lovely Paula Hair. I am stitching using Cottage garden threads plus left over bits and pieces out of my ridiculously large thread collection and just love the antique look combined with sepia linen.

 

Hopefully I will get it finished off and ready to show for my next post- fingers crossed!

As for the rest of our household, everyone seems to be on the road to recovery after a month or two of revolting colds and runny noses. The animals are happy and crazy. Last week I decided to wash Abby's beds as we had a rare sunny day.

She stood under the clothesline for hours crying at them as they dried.

Pussycat watched on with arrogant amusement.!

As soon as they came off the line Abby jumped in and spent a lovely couple of hours groaning and sighing in a delirium of joy.

A little bit like me when I get into my snuggly bed with a hot wheat bag and flannelette PJ's - Ah bliss!

I hope you are all happy and healthy, if not, pop into my little hospital and I'll do my best to take care of you.

XXX

Lisa

 

Computers make me crazy

I have a love hate relationship with my computer - It loves to make me hate it!

Right now my computer is very very very sick -it has a virus (I think it must be the flu) and is having a holiday with the computer repair man.

I have been silly enough to have all my access passwords saved carefully on the Button Bliss computer which means right now I have no access to my button bliss email account.

If you have emailed me and I have not replied, PLEASE don't think I'm ignoring you, I just haven't been able to access my emails.

I have changed my email address on this blog so you can find me, and as soon as I remember my log-in details on my website I will do the same with the Button Bliss website.

For those ladies who won buttons in the Teddy Bear giveaway, I have re-amailed you asking for your addresses as they are trapped in the computer. GRRRRRR.It is a seperate email address, which I can access easily.

I liked it better when we used pen and paper!

Thanks for your patience,

Lisa

Sandy is celebrating her birthday with a giveaway this month - pop on over and say Happy Birthday

Click the link below ( I can't figure out how to link via the picture :-)

http://sandyssewingcircle.blogspot.com/

bORING sUNDAY!!

Bored, Bored, Bored. Mummmmm I'm bored!

First Weekend of the Victorian school hoildays and my girls are BORED.

I googled for patterns and finally put my vast collection of craft magazines to good use and we had a creative afternoon.

Sarah and I made a Mousie and a sleeping bag

And Lani started making a bear, who had a species change and became a mouse

 

And I found a great site, which just tickled my sense of humour - Instructables.com and I created my own little monster alien friend.

 

An easy starting point to create your own little friend is available at the link above for FREE!

We had a photo session to show you all, and Abby got very jealous - she really thinks the camera only comes out for her

So only 7 ladies replied to my Unsharable question for the Button Bliss Teddy Bear button pack and so - OF COURSE - each of you will have one!! I'm a sharing caring kinda girl -

Hope you are all happy and well,

Love

Lisa

xxx

Not about Buttons

Gratuitous photo opportunity

I have some very confused animals at my house.

Miss Abby thinks she is a cat and likes to sleep draped over the top of the couch.

And Bamm the kitten thinks he's a dog and sleeps in the dogs bed

 

Very silly but very cute members of our house.

xxx

 

 

Time to share - Teddy Bear Button Pack Giveaway.

Lying in bed this morning, all snuggled down in my Blankets when I hear " You are a very naughty boy. You are not kind, and you are not taking care of God's world. Say sorry. Say SORRY!"

Harsh words and kind of weird to wake up to. Was it a small child being berated? Nope. Was it a young boy being disrespectful to his mother? Nope. I go to the front door where Sarah ( 6yrs) is standing, hands on hips a-la-mumma, lecturing our very fat Ginger Puss who had brought us a lovely present of half a mouse. He looked very pleased with himself and was no doubt expecting more gratitude. Sarah was obviously disappointed with his un-christian behaviour, and frustrating inability to speak english. 

So my first duty of the day -before coffee!!!- was to dig a tiny hole to bury the mouse in, prayers were said, Ginger put in time out and Sarah vowing vengeance. I must say, now that she is at school, I checked on Ginger to see if he was at least contrite -can't say he looked too bothered, but hopefully he will look suitably mournful at 3.30pm

  

Hello lovely people. Thank you once again for your patience between posts. Gosh life gets crazy doesn't it. I must admit, even though I knew my nursing studies would be time-consuming I didn't quite fathom how "life-consuming" they would be. My head is so full of information ( not even nice stuff, ugly things like diseased livers, fractures, renal failure and myocardial infarction - that's a heart attack) At night while I have my head stuffed in a textbook I am longing for time with a pencil and a sketchbook, for paints and stitching and creativity.

Every now and then it gets the better of me and I have a little play, before the "shoulds and shouldn'ts" creep back into my conscience.

It is getting colder, and the evenings are far more conducive to snuggling on the couch with some hand stitching, and lucky for me, there is a two week study break on the horizon so hopefully I will get some decent crafty time in then.

I haven't been entirely away from my lovely laser, with a sweet new set of teddy bear buttons hot off the printing table.

This is such a cute set, based on one of the very first Country Lane Designs stitcheries. I have 5 sets to give away to my lovely readers -tell me what you won't share ..  for me, I don't share Potato chips, or secrets.

Winners announced on 9th April, tell your friends!

I have also added new simple stitchery designs to the website, including the teddy bear stitchery from the button set above. As always, check out the "What's New" page on the Button Bliss website for details.

I plan to add some more buttons this weekend, I am getting lots of requests fro more Be Joyful pots and for the little boys and girls, so I will dig them out and get them on line for everyone.

And so that is it for me today,

I hope you are all happy and well, and taking care of God's world,

Lisa

xxx
 

 

 

okay... quick up-date, thanks to all who have been asking - has been a tricky couple of weeks with a child with awful croup, and me with hand in splint - all okay, all on the mend, but not conducive to designing, typing or ....anything. Croup child home and happier, although my heart is in my chest each time she coughs.... parenthood is for the birds!!