la, la, la...

I am having too much fun with this blog... even if only 2 of us are reading it! I figured out how to add music! Ok, I will totally admit that it is a WEIRD mix of songs, but some I just like and others make me laugh. As I type this, I'm listening to "Popular" from the Wicked soundtrack. It just cracks me up. I will add songs or delete songs... just let me know what you want. Meanwhile, you'll just have to listen to my weird mix... of course, I suppose you could just turn it off if it really makes you crazy! :)


I think this looks like a cool idea... and I'm gonna TRY it tomorrow. Click the photo to check it out. Go ahead. You wanna.

What's in a Name?

Gramma and Grampa had wicked sweet tooths (teeth?). When they came to visit, they brought Blackout cake and crumb buns, pies and tea biscuits - all boxed and stacked and tied up with string from Ebinger's. Was always cause for afternoon tea. Always a special occasion.

When we went to visit them, they didn't always have those sweets in the house; I guess for the same reason I can't have those sweets in the house - overindulgence. But at Gramma and Grampa's house, there was always the makings of their secret recipe in the cupboards. Bread (white bread - whole grains didn't matter then) and butter (not margarine) and sugar. Put them all together - a thick layer of butter on that squishy, doughy bread combined with a heavy handed tilt of the sugar bowl in sweeping, side to side motions. Heaven!!!

And that, dear reader, is where we got our name.

Just thought you'd want to know.

Ladies Who Launch

Yesterday, I borrowed "Ladies Who Launch" from the library. I haven't had a chance to read much more then the cover, but it looks interesting... maybe just the pep talk that I need. I need almost constant pep talks. I even give them to myself, if I'm really desperate. Although, I must admit that mine are never as good as an outside source! It's amazing to look at yourself at (yikes!) 4o and think what am I going to be... when will I grow up? Don't get me wrong, I do LOADS of grown-up things in a day, but when will it "click"? Am I a "late bloomer"? That seems kind of like a bad thing to be, but I guess better late than never. So I'm going to spend some time reading that this weekend. The first page has a warning that it'll will change you life... well, let's hope so!

whew... that was

a long gap between posts.. a holiday, kids home from school, a visit to the emergency room all add up to a long break, but now I'm getting it back together.

Monday night, we had a great workout with Lorrie. We worked out some of the "button making kinks and figured out some ways to improve the process. SO much fun. Also, we have lots of buttons to start posting on Etsy. So I gotta get a jump start on that, too. I can't wait to see it!!



I really feel like a post isn't complete without a photo... so here is a totally random, but sweet photo of my grandmother & her sister.

why is this post so difficult?

WELL, my turn to post here is overdue, but I just have not been able to think of anything clever enough to write about. So here begins what will probably be a rambling post about nothing... but I need to do something!!

On Saturday, Liz & I made a visit to a local bead show which was cool. I didn't spend even a dime which for me is an accomplishment, but I felt like I learned a lot. It was great to see other people doing similar things... how they present their product, how much product they have on hand, etc. I feel like there is so much to learn.

I feel the need to make a felted bowl, so I searched the internet looking for a pattern and I found this one: http://www.deborahgray.org/2006/11/25/knitted-felted-bowl-pattern/. I'm not sure if it will hold lots of buttons, or just one sewn into the bottom. I'll definitely post photos when I get it going.

The button above is one of my favorites... I really love the glaze.

frame about: Kate Hadfield @ The Lilypad

Baa, Baa, Black Sheep, Have You Any Wool?

No, but we have buttons....

It looks like we will be going to the New York Sheep and Wool Festival on October 18 and 19 in Rhinebeck, New York!!!!! How exciting! We've got so much to do; so many buttons to make.... It will be our very first show and, lucky for us, we'll have our mentors to help us along! Only problem is, we will be in a barn separate from the fibers - quite possibly alongside the sheep. Oh well, at least we'll get a foot in the door. (Unfortunately, that foot may have a bit of sheep stuff on the bottom.....) (Note to self: wear boots.)

Now we really have to get a move on - time to make the buttons!

Here we GO!

Here are the first scans of some of our buttons! I really am so excited... we are doing it! This number is one of my favorites so far. Love the whole thing... the pattern, the color. This sounds pathetic and very self promoting, but I'm just so excited that this is finally happening! I am so proud of us!



Here's another for your viewing pleasure (ok, potentially just my viewing pleasure, but I'm really enjoying this!). I really want to felt a purse just looking at these babies. Knitty has an adorable shrug called Nob hill which I would LOVE to knit & put one of our buttons on... I've never done short rows, so I am a little afraid to try! The new issue of Knitty is out today and there are really great patterns inside(as always!).

Ok, enough previews for today. I didn't want to publish this and push down my sisters post, but I know she probably didn't want the spotlight for too long anyway! :)

doodle frames by Kate Hadfield @ The Lilypad