Roll With It!

If you follow me on any sort of social media then you know about the many things that inspire me & my designs: colors, ribbons (ooh rick rack) & all sorts of embellishments…like…buttons!

When I learned that my friends from Just Another Button Company were starting a subscription Button Lover’s Club…I was determined to become the 1st person to sign up! (sadly, someone else was quicker on the keyboard).

My 1st box arrived in May: think mini pizza box loaded with the extra pizza toppings but minus the pizza calories!

 

This past July, I traveled to the JABC offices for a week of work – we are, after all the design team behind [square.ology]. While there, the August buttons were being prepared and I was privy to a peek of…Ocean. The design wheels started to turn and let’s just say I know the right people…cause my August buttons came home with me!

I already had the ‘Roll With It’ saying in mind (I’m big on metaphors-for-life – just ask my kids – & roll with it was a good theme for this summer)…anyway – I started to sketch:

 

I couldn’t get the right wave definition first time around – I have to admit, I was a little nervous playing with my buttons…was this right – or was that right?

You have to remember, when it’s your design…it’s right because you say it’s right! Once I was OK with that, I decided to take my own advice &…Roll With It!

 

This was more of what I had in mind!

  Stitching done – now to attach the wool!

The fishy buttons provided a pop of color and a little more texture!

As you can see here, I attached my fish & then started placing my buttons to strategically yet effortlessly fill the space. I attached as I went (ask me how many times I picked a button up off the floor!) I’m someone who is big on symmetry & balance…so this was a little out of my wheelhouse…at first. I kept up the Roll With It theme and soaked up the creative fun.

When I finish a pillow with wool, I sew all around the 4 sides & surgically open up the back to turn & stuff. I’m pretty good at closing up carefully, but I thought this was another fun ‘Button Embellishment Opportunity” – that’s a B.E.O. to those in the know!!

Remember I said the Button Lover’s Club boxes were full of all sorts of goodies? I’m thrilled to say that my ‘Roll With It’ chart was part of the August/Ocean shipment – they even included the fish buttons. Rachel rendered the design in stitchery (available here to download: http://justanotherbuttoncompany.com/blog/)

Roll With It & the fabulous Ocean buttons are only available through the month of August – September brings with it a whole new shade! Sign up today for your Button Lover’s Club subscription – button goodness & a little more, delivered to you each month!  http://justanotherbuttoncompany.com/product/button-club/

On a side note – I’m excited to say this is my 1st blogpost on my new website! It’s a whole new platform, a whole new look & for right now – a whole new language!

It’s been kind of a crazy summer & now heading into what is a typical busy Fall season. My little family was somewhat scattered this summer, but we were able to gather a few times even if for a few moments. A rare photo of the 4 of us: Chris interned this summer in DesMoines, IA and was able to join us in Ankeny to watch Billy’s team take silver at the Special Olympics State Softball Tournament. I’m thinking Christmas card…aren’t you?

I usually sign off with Enjoy the Stitch, but today…

Roll With It

Cathy