Fire Truck Sewing Buttons

                                           Fire Truck or Fireman Sewing Buttons

I have a son of my own and remember how difficult it was to get cute clothes for him when he was a baby.  He's a grown man now but I always try and think of little boys when I make my buttons.  I want to be sure that the Moms and Dads out there are able to find cute clothes for their little boys.  I hope in some way that my fireman buttons (and my other boy themed buttons) add a special touch to their outfits.  Of course I realize that it's just not little boys that like fire trucks.  I know little girls may as well and I try not to be too stereotypical in how I list my buttons.  I do have a section for boy buttons in my shop www.buttonsbyrobin.com but I know a lot of these would be perfectly adorable for little girls.

These particular buttons have been pretty popular in my shop so I'm happy to keep them in stock.  If you have other ideas for buttons you'd like to see drop me a line and I'll see what I can do.  I'm always looking for new ideas and inspiration.

Green Dandelion Sewing Buttons

Green Dandelion Sewing Buttons

Okay I'll admit it.  I'm a bit cranky today.  As a matter of fact I'm slightly more cranky than I was just a moment ago.  I was writing this post and hit something and deleted everything.  The funny thing was I was writing about how listing these buttons in my shop and writing a bit in my blog was starting to turn the day around and then - boom - deleted my blog post.  Oh well....I guess you just have to laugh.  There are certainly much worse things in the world. 

I must admit I really do like these dandelion buttons.  I haven't had them in my shop www.buttonsbyrobin.com in quite some time.  I think they were last listed in 2012.  It's funny how all of a sudden I'll see some buttons I've made in the past and want to remake them.  The one thing about having a website and making all my own product is that usually there are very small numbers of buttons made.  I get bored easily so want to move on to another designs.  I guess that's why I have close to 500 designs in my shop currently.  It's probably not the best business model because I'm constantly having different designs (which is good) but that means when something sells I no longer have it available.  I've started to make a few sets at a time most of the time.  This way when something sells I have another to put in it's place.  Again, if a design is a flop :( I have a number of sets that sit there.  I'm constantly rethinking how to get the best use out of my time when making the buttons.  Particularly since it's just me making the buttons - no manufacturer - no production line.  What is your best trick for making handmade items in a productive manner?

Turquoise Blue Whale Sewing Buttons

Turquoise Blue Whale Sewing buttonsI love these whale buttons.  The blue is so bright and pretty.  Images are from Digi Web Studio and when I saw the collection of sea creatures I just couldn't resist them.  There are a number of other adorable sea creatures that I'm sure will be making their way to my shop shortly.  I've already started on a blue and yellow fish. 

Looking at these sea themed buttons really makes me want to go on vacation again.  I particularly love going to Mexico and the Caribbean.  I remember being in Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) a couple of years ago and being out on the ocean watching the whales.  Now they weren't this cute blue but they were beautiful and majestic as they jumped and frolicked around us.  We were in a ship that was respectful of the distance.  There were other smaller ships that went far too close.  It's dangerous but also disturbs these wonderful creatures.  I can't wait to go on my next vacation.  We've booked a trip for next February to Antigua but lately I've been wanting to go back to Mexico.  We've been there about five times I think but it almost seems like going home.  Maybe I'll go look a www.itravel2000.com and see what trips are available.  A great deal of the fun is the search for the perfect place and the anticipation of the wonderful times to come.

Butterfly Sewing Buttons



Bright Butterfly Sewing Buttons

I just love these bright butterfly sewing buttons.  These have been sold out on my site www.buttonsbyrobin.com for a bit and I just got around to putting them back up today.  These are really perfect for summer as they're so bright and cheerful.  I love these pink/purple colours with a touch of green and bright yellow.  These have been pretty popular in my shop.  Today is a day for butterflies I think.  I'm trying to think positive thoughts and these certainly do help with that.  These are the type of designs that are sure to brighten someone's day. 

Custom Request Rodeo Buttons

Sometimes I'm asked to do custom requests.  Well actually often I'm asked to do custom requests.  This time it was for some rodeo buttons.  My customer sent me the pictures and I made some sample buttons for her.  These are ready to have the holes added if the images are approved.  Custom requests sometimes give me really great ideas about what people are looking for.  I haven't been able to find cowboy images that I've been really pleased with for my shop.  I've made a few sets of cowboy buttons over time but I'm still on the hunt for something that really fits the bill.  I hope my customer is happy with these buttons.  She only needs 6 so hopefully will be able to find 6 that are suitable.  It's really challenging sometimes because everyone has different taste and likes different styles so it's hard to know what idea someone is thinking of.  Having done these I think I'm inspired to go on the hunt for some more cowboy themed images and see if I can come up with something within the next few weeks. 

Sunday... Sunday

So it's another Sunday and time to get organized for the work week coming up.  It seems that there is always so much to do on Sunday to get ready for work.  I'm lucky in that I get every third Monday off from my day job.  I just work a little longer and take a shorter lunch each day to make up the extra time.  That lets me accumulate the time to get every third Monday off.  I'm working tomorrow though so no extra long weekend for me this weekend.  I'm already half in work mode and starting to think about everything I need to get done.

The laundry is underway and I've just showered and will be working on my hair.  That's a project in and of itself as my hair is fairly long.  I've thawed the chicken for dinner and think we'll do a BBQ today so hubby will cook that.  Then I have to think of the sides and from this prepare my lunch for tomorrow.  I'm not a morning person so I'm not able to get up and make my lunch before I get to work.  Also I have my adult son living with us temporarily right now so after years of just hubby and I have to think of someone else as well when it comes to preparing meals.

Also this is typically a slower time in my shop so while I keep plugging away it's a bit discouraging.  I'm trying to think more positive thoughts though and as I said yesterday in my blog post I need to start thinking more of me.  I'll see what the day brings but may go and get a manicure or pedicure or maybe even both.  I'll see how I feel.  It's still early here.

I've also gathered up the buttons I started yesterday so will have to see how those have turned out and take some pictures for someone for a custom order they have requested.  Then in my other shop www.outspokenjewelry.com I've also had a request for some Ice Princess hair clips.  I've made the no holes buttons and will hopefully get those clips made for that shop.  I've recently renamed that shop Buttons By Robin 3 but haven't changed the URL yet so it's still linked to www.outspokenjewelry.com I'll have to change that in a bit.

So after a bit of a grumpy start to my day I think I'd better change my outlook and enjoy this wonderful day I've been given.  It's beautiful and sunny outside and I need to take advantage of this wonderful bright may day.

What do you do when you wake up a bit grumpy?  How do you get out of the funk?

Set 2 of Knight and Dragon Sewing Buttons

Knight and Dragon Sewing Buttons Set 2Here is the second set of knight and dragon sewing buttons I mentioned in my earlier post today.  This time the princess or damsel in distress is wearing a pink dress.

Knight and Dragon Themed Sewing Buttons

Knight and Dragon Sewing Buttons

 

 

I'm finally back to blogging.  I've definitely been neglecting the blog.  I've been busy with my buttons and have close to 500 different sets of handmade buttons listed.  I've decided it's now time to get back to sharing my creations.  I think these knight and dragon pictures are appropriate.  I've been neglecting taking care of myself lately I think and I've been focusing on others.  That's not a bad thing but now it's time to fit me in there somewhere.  Sometimes I wish I had a knight in shining armour to take care of things :) - seriously though I know it's up to me to prioritize.  In fact I'm going to take a large chunk of this day and just go do something fun.  I'm not sure what that is just yet but it's a bright sunny day - something we've been lacking lately this spring so I think I'm going to go out and take full advantage of this bright and wonderful day.  What are you doing for yourself today?