My Grandma's Buttons

When I was little, I used to love trips to my Grandma's house.
She was one of those brilliant old ladies who collected EVERYTHING!

When she passed away last year, we had to clear out her old bungalow, and although it was hard, there was such happiness in seeing all those things I remembered loving as a child.

Amongst the collection of stamps (not exotic ones, just second class stamps torn off envelopes) and the old issues of the People's Friend magazine, and the hundreds of sachets of salt, we found all of her old knitting and sewing and making stuff, including EVERY button off of every garment she could have ever bought! The woman threw NOTHING away!

And so the other day, when I was rummaging in my mum's craft room for bits and bobs that I needed for some people's gifts, and she brought out my grandma's button box and said I could help myself, I had a bit of a cry before setting about planning something special for them.

My grandma couldn't get out the house very easily , but was far too determined to do nothing. 

So she channelled her energies into making other people happy by providing for people in need...

She spent her last few years knitting blankets for homeless people to keep them warm in winter, and making teddy bears for orphans and homeless children.

And so I've decided, every last one of these buttons will be used to make somebody else happy. I think she would have liked that.

I've already incorporated a few into my home made Christmas gifts for some very special people, but for fear of giving away surprises, I won't show my hand just yet.

So it's been a while...

It's been the actual craziest couple of weeks.

Firstly, I have a job offer! As an actual real-life counsellor. I couldn't be happier.

Since then, I've been snowed into my friend's grandmother's house up in Newcastle, played lots in the snow, caught a horrible cold, gone a bit mad over deadlines, my university's actually had to close because of the weather, finally paid for my New Year Birthday Weekend in Wales with some amazing friends, and in less jolly news, I'm currently stranded in Hull while I'm meant to be home seeing my parents for their big party.
Not only are the roads undriveable, but the train station where I would be going to caught fire!!
Maybe I'll sit tight here.

Enough about me, let's talk about Hannah...

Hannah is the lovely lady who asked me to design her new tattoo for her.
She is one of those people who makes you smile and laugh without even trying. She's also one of the most strong-hearted people I know.
Anyway, she was looking at a painting I'm working on of some love birds, and she said she likes my style.
And so asked me to do some little doodles of "maybe some cherry blossom or something"
... Seeing as cherry blossom is a symbol of strength, I think it's most fitting.

So doodle I did, and they're all very rough but forgive that and think of them as a first draft...

I've numbered them all, please tell me your favourites or what you think of each, and I'll work on getting some more finished versions soon!

Oh and excuse the messy pictures, my scanner hates me, and I don't have a real camera right now.

1. Just a basic shape. Needs colour I think.

2. I personally quite like this one. Poshed up would maybe have a couple of falling petals. 

3. Not cherry blossom, but I liked it for a tattoo.

4. This was more for the cherry blossom flower shape, bit dull as a design.

5. I just love fans!

6.

7. One of my favourites

8.

9.

10.

11. I can't decide whether this is a dove or a phoenix

12. My favourite cherry blossom design

Thank you. Enjoy the snow on my behalf... I'm off for lemsip and soup!