Still June!

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Oh, lookit me go!  It’s still June and here is my second post for the month  🙂

I celebrated the winter solstice by finishing two handcraft projects and thought I’d share them before the newest projects take over my attention fully.

First here, please admire the gorgeous Persian Tiles blanket being pressed for the last time by the equally gorgeous Orlando – still convinced I’m trying to steal his soul with that damned camera…..davThe colours are pretty accurate in the above photo – aren’t they fabulous!  The yarn is wonderful it’s Corriedale Wool purchased from The Wool Company which is based in Taihape New Zealand, but has a global reach.  My friend Jan from The Snail of Happiness  arranged a wonderful surprise for me back in February and it has all gone wonderfully smoothly – all I had to do was choose the colours and follow the pattern.  davThe colours are a little washed out in the second photo, but you can see the texture and the pattern.  The edging needs to be blocked to finish the thing properly, but that won’t happen until the weather warms up a little.

And now, let me introduce you to Miss Petui ButtonbottomsdrHer name grew organically as I read your various comments and proposals and suggestions in the previous post.   Karen said she needed to be a Miss and I agreed; Val said Petunia and Norah mentioned the same name, but was more connected to the ‘P’ for Pauline and et tu (you too) which she had jumped to from ‘etui’  I liked the idea, but in the end decided to stay with ‘etui’.  So you can pronounce it Pet-you-ee or Petwee as you please.  Her last name grew from Geoff’s suggestion of ‘Leadbottom’ which made me laugh, but you will see soon why I changed it a little.  (Sometimes it’s obvious even to me that I have way too many hours to wonder around in LaLaLand!)

Miss Petui stands just on 50 cm (15″) tall and her many pockets hold all kinds of toolsdavHere I can find pen, pencil, awl, ruler, thimble, measuring tape, needles of various sizes and sharpnesses, two pairs of scissors, quick-unpick, long vision specs and cleaning cloth, a variety of stitch markers, a reel of thread, a row counter and a small magnifying glass.davHer head scarf holds pins and unseen is a large amount of blocking pins hidden in her hair.  She wears my reading specs, always ready to do a bit of stitching, hooking or sewing repairs.

Have you wondered yet how she stands up so steadily?  Miss Petui has, hidden beneath her long dress and busy apron, a container of buttons.  I found a bottle of the right height very early in her creation and worked to its specifications.  The bottle is now filled with a selection of small buttons which keeps them to hand and gives her stability and weight.  I tried to get a photo but found it almost impossible now she is finished – not to mention somewhat invasive of her privacy!  You will just have to believe me, she really is ‘Miss Buttonbottom’.

You’d think that would be it wouldn’t you – after creating my very own etui doll from scratch with no pattern and only stashed materials.  But the minute she was pronounced ‘done’ I found myself with a tiny hook and some chocolate brown yarn making another lot of rounds, growing another head – much smaller, much neater – but definitely a head……  I have no clue what this will be, but I’ll keep you posted…… Maybe…..

Here’s  a cute shot of Siddy, just so he’s not left outReady to go home March 9

Thanks for coming by today, I’m so happy that you did!

 

 

 

92 thoughts on “Still June!”

  2. My gosh! I’m am woefully behind but loving my visit this morning. It is still morning, being 11:04am and perfectly fine to remain in pj’s enjoying coffee with you. Ms (or is it Mrs) Buttonbottom is a dish 😀 She’s holding everything at your fingertips including your specs! Snicker, how creative. I’ve recently spotted some really cute little sewn characters at the farmers market. The gal had Foxes, Unicorns and other fanciful characters each made with a distinct personality, no two alike. Her booth was very busy. Your creation take’s it over the top, as she also stores your necessities. I’m thinking now about a new challenge on my new sewing machine…..always inspired when I visit you Mama P !! Love you so much xo K

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    • Hello again 😀 It’s Miss. She’s so much fun to have standing by, holding anything I might need ready for me as required. I do miss you when you aren’t blogging – I’m not social media-ing at all except for blogging so I’m feeling a bit out of the daily news loop. Making these characters can become a little addictive I think – I’ve got something else on the go now and I have no clue what it might turn out to be. (There’s always the possibility that it might be nothing more than a new ‘fetch’ for Siddy) Looking forward to seeing what you create on your new sewing machine. xoxo

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  3. How gorgeous craftworks. I especially loved Miss Petui Buttonbottom. Are You quilting also? Quilts in my country are very popular.

    Happy Friday!

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    • Hello, hello! Thank you for coming by, it is nice to see you again. Miss B is proving to be very handy as I go about doing my different crafts – everyone should have a pal like this! I have made some quilts in the past, but i’m not very good at it, so I let that one go. I do love to see a beautiful quilt though!

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  4. Miss B has turned out wonderfully… I just hope Siddy doesn’t decide to get to know her too well. I’m so happy to have connected you with the wool for the blanket – it looks lovely. Oh, and I have a commission for you, so I’ll drop you a line in a bit 😉

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  5. I think it’s cool how different these two projects are–one is warm and friendly and homey and the other is sophisticated and cool and elegant (sort of like the differences between dogs and cats, maybe!) But both are so wonderful and 100% you! You’re on quite the roll these days, with your creativity–where will you be heading next?!

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  6. Congrats on your projects completion. The Persian Tile blanket is gorgeous and Orlando is going to miss it, obviously. And Miss Petui Buttonbottom is a winner. What a handy little lady to have around a creative person. I winced a little at the pins in her head, but she doesn’t seem to mind. Happy Solstice, Pauline. 🙂 Happy Creating!

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    • Happy Solstice to you too Diana! I’m sidestepping all worldly unpleasantnesses at the moment, preferring to find where the good is being done and sticking pins in my dolls head is about as horrendous a thing as I can bear. It took me a while to actually get past the thought and into the deed…….. And now I might need to move them again 🙂

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  9. Ah now we have an answer, delicately done, to her stability and my assumptions have been, erm, put back in their box. It is a lovely name and in the ‘And today we have the naming of parts’ way you have, it is a splendid creation, nothing like as hopeless the committee commissioned to create the horse or the team Robin Williams described charged with the task of designing male genitals. How did I get there? Sorry, it sort of happened. Anyhoo, this is all rather splendid and sumptuous and inspiring and fine and Petui’s career will be watched with interest. As with your new brown-headed Frankenknit, we await developments.

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    • Well now, I’ve just found this comment in my spam folder. I opened the dashboard to start a new post about a book I have just received, opened and not been able to put down until I decided to make some notes as I go along – because you know, I’ve been a poor book reviewer in recent months. In tears by page 18, preceded by a couple of chuckles…. It’s just riveting and possibly the best thing you have written to date……

      I’m sorry WP decided to imprison your thoughts on this post – many fans now have missed your sparkling wit and rapier thought associations. Miss P is great – she’s my companion par excellence. Always giving and always silent, never demanding a game of fetch or another treat……..

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  12. Miss Petui Buttonbottom is perfect! As are Orlando and Siddy. Your creations emit so much joy, Pauline. It has to be brought forth by the hand of the creator. Keep going; I can hardly wait to see what is next. xo

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  14. The blanket is simply stunning. I love how all the stitches give it such texture. It is beautiful. Orlando is the most perfect presser in the world. No one presses a blanket square better then he does! The doll is simply to die for. The tons of creativity and the fact that you made it up as you went along. Pauline I think you could make a good chunk of change out of either selling the dolls and/or writing up the pattern. The fact that she is part button collector too is fabulous. She is absolutely perfect. Thanks for the picture of Siddy. I love him and his sunny disposition.

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    • Orlando is thrilled that you see his perfections and talents clearly! You may even get a head butt!! I laughed out loud when I read your comment about writing up the pattern – I am so incapable of methodically working my way through something like that 🙂 I tend to think if I can work it out as I go along, anyone can. But I thank you for the lovely vision of me making some cash! ❤

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  15. I love you, Pauline. You put such wonderful energy into the world through your gorgeous creations. Miss P. Buttonbottom is a treasure! You’ve infused her with a certain charm. She evokes the idea of a perfect grandmother somehow, with her warm smile and soft lavender hair, pins at the ready. Of course, all perfect grandmothers have apron pockets filled with just what you need when you need it (in my fantasy world anyway as I barely new my mother’s mother and didn’t meet my dad’s mother at all). She’s warm and charming, practical and creative and so wonderfully you.

    As for the jewel crochet, I’ve admired all the versions in our blogging sphere. I’m delighted to see your own colorful version, finished and ready for warming laps and cats. Orlando has the most striking eyes. He’s an old soul for sure. Siddy is Siddy: full of life and happy to greet each day. Ah, the life of a well-loved dog. I’m glad you’re making good use of your freezing cold days and diminished light, but I’m happy too that your winter solstice has passed at that lighter days are ahead. xo

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    • Thank you for this lovely fullsome comment Alys – I always enjoy reading your thoughts. I had the same non-grandparent experience and feel Miss B is a little like that grandmotherly fairy godmother, ready to grant my every crafting need at a moments notice. She’s great fun! I’ve already started to wonder where I might add in some extra pockets 🙂 Have you made any progress with your crocheting? I know it’s not really the right season for you …. but when is it ever cold in California? 🙂

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      • Pauline, I’ve been spending all of my free time volunteering at a place called Lifted Spirits. It’s a drop in/gathering place for women living on the streets of San Jose. I’ve been so tired at night that I’m falling asleep on the couch. I really should pick it up again. I finished that small, blue blanket, but didn’t start anything new. Thank you for asking.

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          • Pauline, you know me well. Things have been so dismal in this country of late, that I find my volunteering time a wonderful escape from one kind of reality into a place where I can make an immediate impact, no matter how small. I’m working alongside wonderful people, and though I can change the lives of these women, I can make a small difference, living spirits as I go. Thank you for caring for my tender soul. Not everyone understands that. Xo

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              • I try to avoid 45 engendered news, but it is hard as he knows full well the impact the effect of his behaviour has on the world. It keeps him front and centre and that is where he needs to be. If we could all avoid feeding him anything he would implode in two weeks! I can’t imagine how hard it is to live with – it’s awful enough watching from a distance! I am glad you are volunteering though. It is always such a good thing to get out there and help those less fortunate – a warm smile, loving heart and healthy energy goes a long way, never under-estimate it. It doesn’t help when we drown ourselves in their pain, doesn’t help us, doesn’t help them; just doubles the amount of unhappiness in the world. But the heart that stands there with love and warmth ignites hope and that, in the end, is all we can offer. xoxo

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                • I know he’ll implode, but in the meantime he’s harming innocent families and children. That’s not something I can ignore. His policies reach beyond his oversized, childish ego and cause daily harm. You’ll want to avoid today’s post.

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  16. So frustrated that my comment got lost between Twitter and WordPress. Anyway, I wanted you to know that the blanket is beautiful–an intricate design and vivid colors. And Miss Petui is a star that Siddy and Orlando will have to compete with for the stage. I hope they don’t take it into their combined heads to make off with her haha. Pauline, you are such a creative person!

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  17. Oh! What a delightful name! I love Miss Buttonbottom and all she has to offer. It is always a delight to see Siddy (nothing against Orlando, I’m just more of a dog person). He is so adorable! Keep on crafting, we love seeing your creations.

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    • Hi Karen! Orlando is part dog but would never reveal that on camera – but Siddy is all dog and therefore completely delicious! Suggesting the title ‘Miss’ was inspired – thank you for that!

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  18. Oh Pauline, your Persian Tiles blanket is stunning! Well done on completing such a masterpiece and Miss Petui is wonderful too. Cold winter weather is good for something if you’re going to produce such beautiful creations.

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  19. It is still June yes, and how we have progressed and crafted this year already. 🙂
    Well done on all the beautiful goodies. Your blanket is super stunning. I love all the shades of blue in it.
    Hugs to both the little helpers. 🙂

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  21. Love the colours you chose for the blanket – I’m having to part with my Eastern Jewels version (promised to my daughter) but would like to make another as I enjoyed it so much. Would you make it again? As for Miss B – what a great idea – my bits and bobs are strewn all over the place.
    Siddy looks as if he was in the middle of saying something important to you.

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    • Ha – I was just over at your blog admiring your frock 🙂 Siddy was smiling encouragingly at me in case I would like to give him a little something – it was heading up towards time for elevenses…………. I would make it again – I was just thinking that today. It was such a pleasure to make, no sticky bits that didn’t quite work out, easy to block etc etc. Miss B as you say is terribly handy – everything at my fingertips! I imagine she might get quite weighed down with a few more bits and bobs too.

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  22. I’m so pleased you posted today to share both these projects (and the whisper of a third), Pauline. Your Persian tiles are just beautiful, and I’m not just saying that because they incorporate my favourite colour. The blanket will be gorgeous. And of course, I love Miss Petui Buttonbottom, and I love the way you arrived at her name – little bits from everywhere woven together to make something beautiful, just as any good crafter should. Her name has a real ring to it and I think she’d make a great protagonist in a series of children’s stories, if you ever felt the urge. Perhaps the little brown head just emerging is another character for the stories. Love your work.

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    • Fortunately for me I have no ambition to write stories any more. Them there days are long gone 🙂 I am, however, still very happy to read all the wonderful offerings made by my many friends who have talent with the pen – or keyboard 🙂 But I give you my full blessing to use her name and personality however you desire.

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  27. Miss Button Bottom is so practical in her manner as well as charming. What a delightful addition to your sewing area. Are you taking away those beautiful wool tiles from Orlando? He will not be happy about that. Siddy thinks you need to post more often so he can have more attention. He knows he is missed as much as you are. Looking forward to more and hopefully your painting. You are heading into winter when indoor things can happen more. We are quite warm today, Summer is almost at full strength here. Hugs all around.

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    • Not heading Marlene – there – deep in it. The country is having its least sunny June in forever apparently. Winter – got to love it 🙂 I’m so glad we are on the upward rise of the light now. This is probably why Orlando is so keen on pressing the blanket – it is lovely and warm. I’m glad you are in summer, not so much the heat I know, but the light is fabulous isn’t it. Hows your garden doing? I hope you are able to get out and enjoy the sights and sounds of summer. I am enjoying Miss B, she’s already proving very handy and fun to have around.

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  28. Love your Persian Tiles blanket, this one looks great in so many colours, but yours is the first I’ve seen in this colourway, which looks wonderful! I’m on my ninth big tile now, all in Delft blue colours 🙂

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    • Hello Hannah! I have a feeling that most colour choices would look stunning with this pattern as long as you get the relationship right in the big tiles. Delft blues sound very lovely, restful and calming I would imagine. I would love to see it if you are posting…… 🙂

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