SEPIA BUTTONS on SALE

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I am tidying up my studio..

there always seems to be boxes of buttons that I was going to do this or that for or extras I was painting my an event...leftovers  & many I have removed from website because I get tired of painting them.

Some designs are quite detailed to paint  & if I've painted several 100 & it is slow tight painting....

I think I am NOT painting this again so pull it from the website. 

Some of these are in this lot & are perfect in everyway including prices  & many sepia buttons are on the market because the designers do not paint ...so now I have some too LOL

They do all come with my copyright intact, which I hold for another 70 + years on most of these & it can be one of my illustrations & buttons etc that form my assets & are bequeathed after I have gone from this planet......

I am reminding that this is with all my designs except where I have done specific designs for another company or they have bought the rights to use the designs in another medium.

No buttons or Christmas decorations have ever been sold rights ..however from time to time I see some modification of my original work floating about in another button ....

I know my original work because I draw it....I can see very quickly where a head is removed to become a mannequin ..waist ever so slightly changed 

As with this lady button  below..

She is quite detailed even though she presents in a simplistic look 

Another side bit is when any designer does a free giveaway of a design, that copyright remains with the designer.....most freebies are not for any commercial use by another. & if you buy a pattern/ product from a designer's work you are not buying the rights. you are buying that one design to use in stitching, sewing onto a project ...making your quilt not  to reproduce it ...Designers can on sell that right if they chose, pull it back off a free file etc etc...

Designs are featured in stitcheries, appliques, buttons, decorations, fabric, crockery etc etc so first it need to be authentic...& all designer's works need to be respected.....

Most do exactly that but one only needs a commercial copy to go off into the universe as it does today, stores buy it in, they sell on line stores often at a cheaper price & it can reflect badly on the original designer as if she /he is the copier....it is not what we like to see in the industry ...it spoils a great day

I have said enough ..LOL 

  

Happy Pots of Flowers

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It turned cold today ... after a stunning little storm at 3.30am.... I thought the windows would be blown in !!

I was awake for hours there after......but slept late & was in full dawdle mode when I realised I had an appointment before lunch !

I have the heating on tonight !!! 

Amazing 

It's that day

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It is ANZAC day today which remembers the men & women who went to war on our country's behalf

Many didn't come home & some of my blood relatives are buried in the French soil...

My father lay face down as the Japanese flew over him on their bombing raids in Darwin

He sort of came home 

I had a boyfriend who was conscripted to Vietnam war....& we lost that happy time forever.

I do not like war... I do not wish to engage in celebrations ... as the memories are raw...unkind .. & so cruel for those who went...& those who waited...

I do believe in the service personnel getting together...I recall those days when Dad's mate would arrive from Nhill or was it Nyah West  & they'd be very drunk but happy to share those times with each other...the secrecy acts stopped most from ever unloading all that happened to them as they tried to regain a "normal Life "

So I turn my face towards the sun 

&  

return to a much more peaceful & happier place 

Gardens full of flowers...

Little buttons to paint...

&

Hope to heck we never experience more of what has gone before us....

Bright Animals

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Here are some bright cheery animals & birdies & a little coffee cup

Some are limited in numbers for the present time

On the website now ...

Love the RED ELEPHANT.....

the best ( maybe)

Ready for another show

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More for Anni....

For her next show....

All painted today

Not a Santa in sight !!!!!

Angels & deers & tulips, & houses, Elephants..pink giraffes..

Such fun & such colour...on a dreary day.

Nice to be snug....

Nearly finished

Nearly finished my stocking feast...

So simple 

They make a statement...

Perfect for preparation for Christmas in July Projects...

These will be included in the new package ways I was referring to last blog....

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What I love is the flexibility one stocking layout can bring....to the decorations.

Add stitches, use plain red or off white fabric ( or felt) use a pattern fabric or spots...

There is that possibility of using a very busy fabric & in between the stocking & decoration one adds a calming off white say linen piece of fabric or felt...

They can all be different ....

Just look at the variety of ribbons,... the ric rac... pompoms...rusty bells...glass beads...

You with me now ? LOL

Waiting for POST today

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I was waiting for a delayed parcel today to be able to paint stars for the Advent Stocking orders....

In the box I found my new resized bells & the English Bunny

Both are a really great 35mm size ....

& 

 we bit less to buy in...so that has been passed on in the website already...

The bells look so divine in this size ..the design is all neat & compact...

and that rabbit...

It was so excited I have painted it is soft blue & gingersnap pink shade..

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The AQC begins on Thursday 

Carlton  Exhibition Grounds ...

It will be a lovely show as usual...

See Marg Low designs & some of my buttons will be going as well

I will have a visit too.

I was talking to Lisa from Max & Louise Pattern Company today...

Wow she is machine quilting for quilters now  

&

Off to USA very soon to look over the Spring Wholesale Market 

&

She & Lou are working on their deadline for their book by Quilt Mania ...

Such wonderful news & Lenore will have their patters & some of their quilts at the AQC...

See just another reason to go !!!!      

These were such fun

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I had some time in the easter break to do this idea & I had for some time...to test it out.

These are made with the Christmas decorations

& 

with a few stitches or ric rac or ribbon etc to embellish

They are ready to be in Christmas in July festivities !!

Keep a look out as there will be a deal going on the website soon in regards to these .....

Easter Saturday

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I am making stockings.....

12 of them have been sewn....

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On Pinterest I have put some free stitcheries....so if you wish to continue gardening with the needle & thread....you can with these designs.

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Today I nipped out to visit the Antique show that was in some place I had not been to before...

Lovely array of small pieces & jewellery

I enjoy looking at the creativity of many artists...in what they make..

A few stunning happy pieces of Clarice Cliff ...

some gorgeous  Moorcroft

& those delightfully painted scenes on china.... as well as some interesting jewellery.

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I didn't take the camera today it would not be permitted I would imagine...

But still I have many from my wanderings yesterday

 I found Lyn designer & quit shop owner of Li'l Blokes 

She has created this wonderful address book cover using my 3 houses together button

This booth was in the Bridge St market, just off the High St in Bendigo....

It was so colourful

I was walking back to my car from a street where the quilt show was & this church is over the way from Coles...

I have taken lots of pics but I looked up a lot 

&

Spied this..

Love taking pictures like this with my handy little camera....

there was no touch up needed !!!

Great Grandfather Cleave may well have been impressed....he used to take photos using some glass slides & some are in the Vic Library of places...

I just look & point & often the light obscures my view ....but most times it works...& I get super thrilled when it does....

it shows I know !!!

Easter IN Bendigo

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I adore the Lion Dancers ....

In Bendigo the Chinese heritage from the gold rush days has left us with a delightful colourful show 

Tomorrow they wake the largest dragon in the southern hemisphere....& it will be parading the streets int he Easter Parade....

Along with these amazing dancers.

This yellow one in youth dancers

Amazing skills, ...

   

Interesting Read

A colleague sent me this link last week & I have just read in through now.

This is an excellent read & guiding light for those in the industry or thinking of dippings one's toes into it....

The designer Sue Blei Weiss has some really great modules for coaching & learning about designing on her website....

& 

I see her blog has more I wish to read over the next few days.

https://suebleiweiss.blog/2017/04/02/inspiration-vs-copying/

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Just some pictures of designs for browsing

Easter Collections

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Over the years I have collected a few sweet Easter decorations...

&

one of my 3 bunny family designs has wandered into the photograph as well

The stamp on the centre tag of that gorgeous rabbit is so loveable 

The Easter Yellow plate I love....

Somethings become things we keep forever....

In the daylight

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It was daytime & the fence was accessible....finally the last photos

Little Red & some white stockings

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I finished these all the other day...

Then needed to go to the city to see my dentist....

&

I did some serious shopping for colour pencils & pens..

For me going into the stores & I smell the pencils it is back to day one at school !!!

Hooked !!

The Advent Stocking Calendars are now on line & also I have finished 3 of the white look  felt stockings...

I love them both...

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My photo fixer to crop is doing something on it's own & I waste so much time as the cropping I am used to doing is not being cooperative !!! GRRRRRR

I caught up with family yesterday in the city before heading back out onto the freeways  

Great few hours.

This is a little look at the 2 sets of versions...

These are now done as a club in that it has been broken down to 6 separate payments & will be monthly  for 6 months.

Now I have some other ideas...

But today....

I need to centre myself...

Breathe ..deeply... turn around ...& see which way to go now LOL

Eaglehawk..a walk in the park

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When a friend mention she often went to the park in Eaglehawk ( Bendigo Suburb with gold mining history ) it reminded me of my very first tram ride.

My mother & I ( circa 4) had come in from the country to visit her parents..

This day  was special we took a tram ride out to Eaglehawk & walked in this park...

It was a most magical time 

So I walked again... alas no trams today.

but I took my camera along...

This is a vacant shop & I wonder who built it & for what purpose..

It is my little piece of Paris ..

I look at it & see buckets of flowers on the pavement...

Interesting giftware inside....maybe it serves tea & coffee...

The charm ! 

Just looking to my right is the Star Theatre which has been running movies & events for some years..

It is a most stunning piece of work..

Star Theatre again

I have just been looking at some pinterest spots around the world ...

these equal that beauty I see in Europe..

Many of these architects who developed part of Bendigo were European..

How lucky that gold was !!!

Star Theatre

I have wandered into the gardens now ...

I was hoping to find a fountain

& 

It is working !!!

So beautiful

 

These lights are probably from the times the gardens were formed...many are dotted in Bendigo central

What an amazing find a gingko tree !!!

Holly with a couple of pale berries on it ...

How could I resist this picture ...Christmas is in my DNA

ADVENT STOCKING BUTTON CALENDAR

Advent Calendar Buttons with stocking layout is about to happen...

This year is so much fun to sew stockings in your favourite felt in red or cream...

I don't supply that ....ohh I know ...

(Most quilt stores have a felt or wool fabric these days)

Each stocking is provided with one of my hand painted Christmas Buttons which are visible here.....

santas, pudding, flakes, trees, bell, deers even a Christmas puss cat ..

&

 each tag is a hand painted little numbered 1 to 24 star

I love everyone to have the pleasure of making these using my buttons so once again it is a half the price gift !!!  Instead of $145 ++  it is $75  & PLUS +  postage for Aust is $7.50 & International is $18.

I was thinking of doing this as a club BUT by the time postings go out at $2 each time or international at $2.75 & maybe it would need to be 6 postings to fit in the boxes it works out being more expensive...

But if you would like that to happen... email me through my website & I will see what I can do...to sign you up for all the postings ...

theodoracleave.com

Small Button Stitcheries

www.theodoracleave.com

Small little button stitcheries will be available today on the above website..

Each is a one only....

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On Display

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 I have the best time creating these display boards...

But maybe ....

I'll have a spell now LOL

It is a great way to pull all styles of buttons into one spot...

Sometimes it takes a while to get the board layout sorted..

All boards & inks come with a risk LOL

Too dark...oh why did i use that as a stencil

what is around that will break the picture up

I try to theme but then some that just goes totally out the window...

I say does that really matter....break the boundaries... stretch your creativity...just see what happens...

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Now I have quite a few houses on one board.........with sheep & birds & cats & bunnies...oh I forgot the dogs....

I pulled all the boards I have now completed onto the floor for their cameo shot...

ARE YOU INSPIRED YET ???

You don't need to fill the board with as many buttons as I do ...

As for me these are working samples...

but

they also can be interesting & fun 

See the first board ....

I had purchased a couple of these wood round boards & I have some from some years ago of my own designs.....

but this fitted perfectly around the stencil I had sprayed on this board...

I spotted a little crocheted flower...just perfect & a tiny bird button on top

In the left hand corner the word is Inspire... used as a stencil from a little pack of words I bought once..

so useful is that...!

Then at the base I have a few buttons in the garden theme & one word....

You could have less on some tags ....

See I never know how these will sort of sit ...

I grab ribbons & tapes & ric rac..tags of all sorts ( I love all of that & if any of you recall A Day In Paris Quilt I did years ago now I did that same embellishing but with bling crystals & mother of pear buttons 

 ....you see the things I collect ????.....

I know I am going on....

but I am on "fire " 

LOL

 No imagine these made on fabric...

Linen with it's rich texture.... some antique lace 

....what else ?

Stitcheries .... look even use some you have waiting for the project to arrive..

at the end or maybe before you begin .... get a large frame to house the finished project in...

Make Swags ...my simple way ...

add buttons of any theme ...just be mine LOL ohhhh how lovely would that be

Walking up View St Bendigo

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I had parked way up at the top of the hill in View Street this morning 

&

Walked down to the city...

Past the huge crane installing the vast mirror maze that will go on in the park from  the 7th April..

I meandered a little in the town square, despairing at the empty shops ....such a beautiful part of the city.....& it could be so magical embracing all this rich architecture...

I cross what is the highway to go back up View St...

It is a hill, so if you visit the art gallery from the railway station, wear walking shoes !!!

I am getting fitter these days & do not labour too much getting up the hill I noticed with pride...

As I walk I do cheat a little as this is all in one block on one side of the street...EXCEPT the detailed lattice ironwork is on the other side.

If I take my camera I often stop & look up..

Fruit falling from a cornet....just how wonderful.

There is much to see just on the first picture...

By chance I have a reflection of a tree in the window ...

Just observe that border under the guttering... 

We have only progressed a short way to find this amazing door & the window is square but with an arched overlay...& some etching design & something in relief too !!!

Loving that blue colour too

I look up & to the side & the arched ??? on the top...

Is it shade for the birds I wonder ..

Wonder if there was a garden there once ?

Across the road 

Oh la la..

It is a design in full swing...

so much richness !!! just in that ironwork..

But under this are windows with the most divine decoration ..OH wow..

I see this often but ...... it never ceases to amaze me of the design wealth in this city...

It is slightly squandered for a modern look..... many times ....

A little alleyway & this gate is just a work of art in itself..

I haven't reached the art gallery yet !!!!

When I do I pop in for a look at 130 years on display ...

It is not only history but  an art show from the gifts of the ancestors ...

for free walking along the streets....

At Easter the Chinese wake the dragon ...so it can weave it's colourful body through the streets with vibrant colour & noise of the drums & the lion dancers...

Come see it... catch the train from Melbourne ...