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Hi, I'm Pam and thank you for visiting my blog. I have been making cards for over 10 years and am an independent demonstrator for Creative Expressions. I am lucky enough to teach on cruise ships and also get the chance to demo at The Big Stamping and Scrapbooking Show at Alexander Palace. I run workshops for a local craft shop and if anyone would like details of the them please e-mail me at stephen.smith870@ntlworld.com I love to scrapbook but my all time favourite thing is to get messy with ink!

Wednesday 28 August 2013

WOYWW

Good Morning Everyone and Happy WOYWW!

Got back from the last folk festival of the season yesterday and am now officially "festivaled" out....until next year!  There's nothing like live music to gladden the heart (except craft of course!).

As I haven't had much time to play (been playing the ukulele instead) I thought I'd have a go at making Dorset Cartwheel Buttons and that's what's on my desk (well, the kitchen table) today.

I was taught how to make them at another festival I was at earlier this year and it's so relaxing to do.  I just have to find something to do with them now! I also made the little tartan purse at the same festival.  I'm really glad I did as it's so (sew!) handy for keeping all the bits and pieces together when I'm travelling.  Dorset buttons were made from the 1600's and the tradition of making them nearly died out in the 1850's when the 1st button making machine was invented.  Luckily, the skill has survived and you can get a book from a place called "Henry's Buttons" (which is also online) showing how to make them.  There's a lot of different designs and all you need is a tapestry needle, crochet cotton (or similar) and a brass ring.

I will put the tutorial up on here tomorrow for the ribbon weaving (see the last posting).  Sorry I haven't done it before but I ran out of time before we went away.

Here's todays card.  It's one I designed for the Creative Studios Design Team Blog and the step by step will be on their website later today.

 
Well, that's all for today.  Many thanks for visiting and leaving comments, they are much appreciated.  There's still the blog candy up for grabs as soon as I reach 300 followers.  I'll try to get around as may desks as I can but if I don't get to yours, I apologise in advance!!
Until next time, happy crafting!

34 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow how clever of you to make such beautiful buttons! Have a great week and happy WOYWW.
Janene #20

Robyn Oliver said...

Hi Pam, your Dorset Buttons are fabulous....love that you're keeping an old craft alive...did have a go at tatting some years ago myself and I suppose it's a bit the same. Cheers and have a good week RobynO#32

sandra de said...

Wonderful to see the craft of button making not disappear. I never knew that there was so much history behind buttons. Have a lovely week. Sandra @34

Julie Lee said...

What a fascinating post! Although I'm a child of the sixties/seventies, I've never been to a festival, so I didn't know that you could learn craft and history of craft at them as well as listening to music! Those buttons are beautiful and how interesting that they date back to the seventeenth century! I also love your little bag. Your blog is such fun! Julie Ann xx #42

Claire said...

there's something about buttons... esp. handmade ones!! just gorgeous!
love the card too!
happy WOYWW and have a great week :)
no. 38

BJ said...

Loving those buttons. Thanks for popping by BJ#6

glitterandglue said...

Those Dorset buttons are great - I love making them - learned some years back, and they are great fun. The Christmas card is beautiful - such an effective use of the glitter. Well done.
Have a great week now you are festivalled out 'til next year.
Margaret #37

Neet said...

Glad you had a ball at the last festival of the year. Love your buttons and can't wait for the tutorial. Your little tartan purse is lovely too.
Happy crafting - when you get your puff back.
Hugs, Neet 25 xx

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

Those buttons look amazing and so intricate. I really fancy having a go at that craft. Thank you for your visit and kind comments. Keep a close eye on the Clarity website to see when the workshops for next year are decided, and book quickly. I am definitely doing the Wollaton one next year, and I am also hoping to do one of the two day retreats in May. maybe I will meet you there. Till then Create and Craft will have to satisfy us both (Remember Barbara is on this coming Saturday and Sunday). Have fun. xx Maggie #12

Christine B. said...

Lovely Buttons Pam, Gorgeous card too. Hugs x ChrisB

john-w said...

I love those Dorset buttons! Like little miniature cartwheels. Would look great on a card that has the picture of a vintage car or horse and carriage. They would be just the right sort of wheels. Happy WOYWW, john-w #35

Lindsay Weirich said...

the buttons are great! Happy WOYWW! Lindsay #15

Monica said...

What a great class to find at a fair. It sounds as if the sounds of summer were very sweet along with the sewing.
monica 96

famfa said...

Those buttons look fabulous and the purse too.
Famfa 8

Unknown said...

Hi Pam thanks for popping by earlier. I had no idea you could do crafts at festivals!!! My eldest worked at Shambala last weekend - I will have to quiz him on that one though I am not sure he will appreciate me tagging along ;-) Love the buttons. Happy WOYWW from Helen 27 x

Unknown said...

I really like those buttons and your cards. Thanks for stopping by. happy crafting #3

Deb said...

loving those buttons, glad to see you are helping to keep the tradition alive! Gorgeous card too!
Debxx#108

Jackie said...

I just love buttons
How great you have made some!
Jackie 39
Scrapbangwallop

Unknown said...

wow almost 300, that's like a ton to to me. Im still just trying to get 20..lol how long did it take if you don't mind me asking. And I will hop over to see your other post. Thanks so much for the peek, and always bright blessings. Roberta #40

Eliza said...

Hello Pam, what fantastic little buttons how clever of you, also that card is to die for, I love the sparkly bits on it.

Happy WOYWW
Hugs Eliza & Yoda 30

Lynn McAuley said...

Thanks for sharing your dorset buttons! Such a history and so unique!

I also love your pinecone wreath! So very beautiful for the holidays!

Wishing you the best of Wednesdays!

Lynn #31

Art Joy of Sharing with Peg and Shel said...

Looking forward to your tutorial.

sandysewin said...

Wow, those buttons are very cool. There's an article about buttons like that in the latest Threads magazine. Yours are great!

Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier and for the kind comments.

Happy Woyww,

Sandy #12

Claire Grantham said...

Hey Pam, what a great idea to make Dorset Buttons..thanks for swinging by my blog earlier, sorry for the late visit. Cx #33

Robyn said...

Love that cone wreath!
I do enjoy my DI, and I've been an inky girl forever so it
s fun to have new supplies!
thanks for the snoop around and for visiting.
Blessings,
Robyn 19

VonnyK said...

Those button are beautiful, way too hard for me to do. I love that card, the cones are gorgeous.
Have a great week.
Von #41

Ann B said...

Love the card, and the buttons which I have always wanted to have a go at, so much on my 'want to have a go at' list.
We don't put away our campervan until the weather gets very cold. Went away in late November last year and went to bed wearing more clothing than during the day. Good job it has a heater.
Thanks for visiting.
Ann B
44

voodoo vixen said...

I love the look of those buttons you are making and i just saw your ribbon tutorial too... I just know mine would not look like that! LOL Annette #9

Neesie said...

What a brilliant post...you are so talented ;D
I've also just seen your latest post with the ribbon tutorial and it reminded me of my days in Brunei. My friend used to teach a class and she did the same amazing pattern with ribbons.
Thanks for sharing and popping over to my place earlier.
Neesie #45

Dawn said...

Fabulous card, I love pine cones, your design is brilliant, simple and classy! (your detailed instructions on Sam's blog are great-thank you for the inspiration)

roffeycreations said...

Hi Pam - such fabulous stuff and I was late so have had the pleasure of your ribbon weaving demo - will give it a try one day - hugs - Thanks for popping by Happy WOYWW Mxx #48

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

That's a gorgeous card. I also enjoyed the ribbon tutorial. It was fun to see how you made it. Thanks for stopping by earlier in the week. Happy belated WOYWW from #2.

Francesca said...

Thanks for stopping by, and sorry for being late in commenting. Lovely buttons and card. Francesca #55

April said...

I love your pinecone wreather card. Those pin cones just pop off the page. Thank you for visting my blog earlier. April #24