Roll out the barrels.......

.....buttons that is!!! They are the cutest things and used in my latest finish, Tall Year Square, a class I took last June with Betsy Morgan at Salty Yarns (more on that to come).

 I loved stitching this piece for a number of reasons. One, I am drawn to four season themed pieces because I so enjoy living where there are four seasons to the year. I always think that when you start to feel so fed up with the current season/weather, you always know another one is right around the corner. And I do love all four seasons, even this terrible winter we've had. I love the quiet beauty of the snow, spring flowers popping up, lazy days at the beach and crisp autumn days with the bluest skies ever. Two, it was fun to stitch on 4 different luscious colors of linen with beautiful silks and an array of seasonal motifs. Three, after the stitching was completed, it was a challenge to put it all together...and I like a challenge, especially ones I can overcome! And  challenges did present themselves: I accidentally ironed some interfacing on to the right side of one side piece (that was documented in an earlier blog entry). I lost, and still have yet to find, the original four buttons for the sides (luckily I had some that would work because the holes had to be big enough to thread some perle cotton cording through). Had a bit of a hard time with the perle cotton for the barrel buttons--it kept getting caught up on my dry hands and pulling out of position--then when I tried to fix it, it would get worse. Had to start over a couple times with the wrapping. BUT, I persevered and have a lovely finished project. So, with out further ado, here is Tall Year Square!!!

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter

 This is the piece opened up--Cording goes through all four sides and you pull it up to close and slide the lid down to hold it all in place.

Top

Bottom

This is a barrel button--aren't they the cutest!!! And not as hard to make as you may think! This was my practice one in class and I got it on the first try. The center section looks like ribbon but is actually perle cotton wrapped very tightly and a buttonhole stitch done in each end. Pretty cool--huh!!!

I didn't change much of anything--why mess with a good thing! But I did add a bee charm to the box tassel and an acorn charm to the scissor fob tassel. And of course the buttons I had to replace on the sides. The one on the bottom is one of the originals so I know I had them at some point--it's a mystery waiting to be solved!!! I also added the blue glass beads to the tie-down cords for the scissors.

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi