Weather or not...

Hot one day, cool and grey the next. The summer doona had a blanket on it last night, wheat bags and the fan are in the same room, and I don't know whether to make soup or salad. With November temperatures 10 degrees C above the monthly average, I had thought that my knitting would be put aside for a while. NO. Another tea cosy in this weather! This time it's the green and pink one in the top left corner, but I am making it cherry red and cream. The big satin bow for it may be black unless I can find just the right shade of red. Instant gratification knitting!

Strawberry Fields Forever...

A home-grown snack was collected and brought in for eating a few minutes ago. Miss 3 loves having her own strawberry plants, but there just aren't enough of them to keep her satisfied for long. They are so sweet and juicy though - yum!

Beautiful Buttons

I have been collecting Donna Hay magazine since its inception. The images, the styling, and the bright colours (especially that 'Donna Hay Blue') are devoured by Mr BB and I regularly. It is because of her recipes that he loves making ice creams and gelato so much.

It was thus with great delight that I received this parcel from Mum recently. They're edible cake decorations! Too cute to use? Fabulosity that I love seeing every day in my kitchen, and remineders of the beauty of the button.

J

Tea cosy unveiled

It's been a while. Some time back I finished a tea cosy for a friend whose tastes are hard to fulfil when it comes to standard knitting patterns. After wondering if I had to design a teacosy myself, good old Ravelry came to the rescue and I spent a weekend guessing Hollie's teapot dimensions.



She likes it, and Master 7 has ordered one for Hallow'een next year! A bit of fun. Pattern is from here for the skull and crossbones and here for the shaping, blended together. I added a cuff just for something extra, although it hardly needs embellishment!

J

I see red, I see red,I see red...

I love this, so decided to keep it for myself. Full of vintage only buttons, many of which are glass. The photo hardly does it justice, but given the screen on the camera appears to have died (half the screen is dead anyway), it may be time for a new camera. Must write to santa...

Button necklace for a dear friend

It's been a while since I made any button necklaces. This is mainly due to the fact that I am low on truly vintage buttons. I don't tend to like the modern plastic button necklaces - I am picky. When I first got into making vintage button and buckle brooches, 5 or 6 years ago, I didn't have such trouble locating buttons.

I save my vintage ones now for special individual pieces, and commissioned items. The cost of the buttons and the time taken to locate enough of the right colour can be great.

A dear friend of Mr BB and I has just recently turned 40. She is an amazing woman who lives in the Barossa Valley in South Australia. Conjure up romantic images of vineyards, old buildings, produce markets, and that's pretty accurate! After asking what colours she wears most often, I settled on a subtle pink creation for her. 1930s, 40s and 50s buttons star in this as I know she loves this period. In particular the kitsch button of the grapes... Also a hit with this one, a magnetic clasp. Much easier to use and easier on the wire.


Happy Birthday dear Em - so glad to hear you have been able to wear it out in public!