Sunday 3 May 2015

Vans and Buttons

Thank you for your lovely comments last week, I really do appreciate them as I'm sure all you bloggers out there do too!  Things have thankfully slowed down a little this week, I have been able to start swimming again  at my local outdoor pool, just 10 minutes walk away and had a bit more time to contemplate the wedding dress.

Local outdoor swimming pool

The 25m pool is beautiful and feels so warm when you get in at this time of year as it's so chilly outside.  It is a wonderful facility to have on the doorstep and as I usually go to an adults only session at lunchtime it's quiet too!

Wedding Dress Progress
I have managed to devote a little more time to the wedding dress, which I am pleased to say is coming along nicely, and have now worked out the skirt and train and attached it to the bodice so am feeling a little happier.  Only a total of about 5 tries!!  Each 'try' meaning creating a paper pattern, sewing the calico back together (that I used previously) so it can be cut out in a different way (waste not want not!) and finally cutting it out and attaching it to the bodice (the deciding moment!).  Wish I could show you pictures but I can't risk the groom catching a glimpse of it!!!  

Dorset Buttons
I have started making some different Dorset Buttons as I have a workshop coming up on Wednesday 13th May. The last workshop went really well but was only half a day and so we really only managed to get a Dorset Crosswheel button finished.

Red dorset crosswheel button

We have a complete day this time so I am trying out some alternative designs.  Below is the one I have been working on this week.

Dorset Button

And here is another one I did a while ago with tiny crochet flowers.

Dorset button with crochet flowers
I'll try a few more over the coming week so hopefully will be able to show you them soon.

And finally!
A bit more progress has been made on the van conversion.  All the seats are now out and the roof lining is off so we can see what we are left with.  If you didn't see last week's post, here is what the van looked like before.  The roof space will need insulating and all exposed metal will need covering to prevent condensation when we are sleeping in there.  Now is also the time to decide whether we add wiring for lighting or just use portable battery powered lamps! The jury is out on this one for the time being (I need to work on Mr FF to persuade him it may be worthwhile!).

Conversion of van to camper van
Side panels are next to come off but we've had a look behind them and it all looks very similar to the roof.  May as well leave them on until we're ready to do the insulation.

I do hope the weather has been reasonably kind to you all over the bank holiday (those in the UK anyway!) and you have been able to get out and about.  I shall look forward to finding out what you have been up to over at Lucy Blossom Crafts on Handmade Monday.

See you there!
Take care!


26 comments:

  1. I'm not very familiar with Dorset buttons but they look pretty amazing.
    How dinky are those little crochet flowers, so cute.
    Good luck with your workshop x

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    1. Thank you, they are quite fun to do and can be used for decoration as well as being useful :)

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  2. That pool looks so inviting! the buttons are lovely especially the one with the crochet flowers. The van is looking much bigger now that the seats are out it sounds like there is still quite a bit of work to do so good luck with that, I'm sure it will be amazing when it's done. It's been freezing up here I'm hoping that it will be warmer tomorrow. Have a great week. :) xx

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    1. The pool is wonderful. It makes me relax every time I go. Bit chillier today though :)

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  3. Missed last week, so will have to look back to read about the van conversion. What an exciting project. Are you sure that that swimming pool isn't somewhere on the Med?

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    1. It looks a bit like that doesn't it :) It is really light around the pool and as soon as the sun comes out you could be anywhere :)

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  4. Sounds like the wedding dress is coming along nicely.
    The buttons are all lovely.

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    1. Thank you. I shall just be happy when we have chosen the fabrics :)

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  5. Your dorset buttons are beautifully intricate, i'm sure the workshop will be a success. How fab to have a heated outdoor pool so close! x

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  6. Oooo! LOVE the little Flower detailing on the Button! Great Thread, btw...
    About the Van, since you haven't done the wiring yet, have you considered rigging it to use a rooftop Solar Panel..? IF that's even possible...

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    1. Ooh wow! Not thought of that one! It's a great idea but a little complicated for the very simple conversion we will be doing I think :)

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  7. Is that outdoor pool really warm or are you just being super brave? If it is it must be lovely, although the dash back to the changing rooms would't be SO much fun! Love the Dorset buttons, especially the floral one, it's so pretty.

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    1. You're right, it really does have to be a quick dash back to the changing rooms :D

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  8. Years since I have seen Dorset buttons, think they look so good and made me want to make some. Keeping the tradition alive, well done.

    Your van is looking better, each week will reflect a change a big job but worth it in the end.

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    1. Thank you. Whilst keeping the tradition alive I am also trying to bring them up to date too :)

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  9. The van's looking great! As for those adorable buttons, how small are they? I've never heard of them before but they're cute!

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    1. You can do them any size you like really, the red one is probably a bit over an inch across and the crochet flower one is about 2.5". They actually originate from Dorset as the name suggests and date back to the early 1600's :)

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  10. I would love to try making Dorset buttons, they are so pretty. Shame I am not a bit closer. Looking forward to seeing how you progress with the van. xx

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    1. I did a quick tutorial a while back now which will show you the basics if you would like to have a go http://fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/halloween-dorset-button-earrings.html :)

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  11. Beautiful Dorset Buttons. I made an ordinary cross one as a 'make and take' on a Girl Guide selection weekend years ago. I'm glad the dress is going well & the van conversion too. I'm just home after a fun packed weekend helping at a weekend workshop learning how to make all sorts of different things using the Silver Bullet Cutting Machine I've got. Hope this week is a good one for you xxx

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    1. That sounds interesting and fun Lucy! I really must pop over to cut out those numbers, just seem to have other more pressing things on the go.

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  12. the pool does look inviting - hard to believe its in the UK! The wedding dress seems to be progressing nicely - its all in the preparation so hopefully things will speed up now you've got the groundwork done!

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    1. My thoughts exactly!!! Choosing the fabrics is a tricky stage too :)

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  13. Your Dorset buttons look great and I'm sure everyone at the workshop will love them.

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  14. That photo of the swimming pool makes it look amazing! It's nice to finally see some snaps of the van too, looks huuuuge inside. Love the little flowers on that Dorset button too, can't say I've seen that one before :) x

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I really appreciate all the lovely comments you leave so thank you for taking precious time to do this.