Aprons in April

Spring has finally sprung out here after a cold spell that seemed like it'd never end! After a brief hiatus from ArtsWalk...(I just couldn't stick it out on those cold Winter nights, Brrrr!) Button, Button, Who! will be coming out of hibernation and participating in the 2nd annual exhibit, “Five Stitches” at Division 9 Gallery. The show represents a common thread that unifies all five artists in the show through the medium of fabric. Work in the exhibit includes various works in textiles upon the theme of aprons. I have five total pieces in the show, one that is actually a four piece grouping called "Four Mothers", each piece representing a different culture, and a fifth piece is titled "Eventually We Become Our Mothers".

Here's a peek! This piece features five Matryoshka dolls, from the baby to the mother. She begins as a duplicate of the mother, just smaller, and as she grows, begins to change and develop her own identity; rebelling in her teenage years (that's the middle one),  eventually coming into her own, which is not unlike her own mother, but expressed in her own way.
All the pieces are made using fabric from vintage aprons from my collection. Over the years I've picked up aprons here and there, not sure if they would make it into my permanent collection, but being drawn to them, I couldn't just leave them! Ever since I was little and wore the pinafores that  my mother sewed for me, which were essentially fancy aprons, I have been enamored of aprons. To me, they speak of home, comfort food, and especially, Mom and all that mothers represent. So when Cosme of Division 9 Gallery asked me to participate in this show, I knew I had to do it, and knew my collection would be put to use, but wasn't sure how I was going to use the aprons! It took me a few months of thinking about it, until the answer, I realized was right in my own shop...Matryoshkas! I have been making them for Button, Button, Who! this whole time and what better way to feature my apron fabric, than depicting dolls wearing aprons? Not just dolls but dolls of mothers. I had so much fun working on these pieces...sometimes it's nice to break away and make something that is actually an expression of yourself and your feelings, even though on the surface they may appear cute and whimsical. As you may or may not have gathered, I am a huge fan of all things kitschy.
   The show opens tomorrow, at Riverside ArtsWalk on April 5th and continues through April 25th.
Button, Button will have a table set up for the opening night, so if you've been waiting to see the new stuff we've been working on, tomorrow's your chance! For further enticement...if you sport your favorite apron to the show tomorrow...each person wearing an apron will get entered into the raffle to win a doll from Button, Button, Who! I hope to see y'all there!!!!

Gearing Up, to Wind Down!

As it nears ever closer to Christmas, I can feel myself relax a little more by the moment! I am starting to really get into the Christmas spirit! I got all our gift shopping done, in one afternoon, at least for friends and family. Mr. Husband and I are are keeping it VERY simple this year, and not exchanging gifts until Dia de los Reyes...or as the song says, the twelfth day of Christmas! I have made plans to bake persimmon cookies this morning, and then wrap presents and sign cards with the Hubs! Things that were stressing me out just days ago, like the fact that we have done zero Christmas decorating here at the Button Haus, and I mean, literally... ZERO, have ceased to bother me, ever since I accepted the fact that due to our adoption of a cat with a penchant for mischief, not to mention red wine, it would just be begging for trouble to even think about setting up a proper Christmas tree.  I don't think I could withstand the heartbreak it would cause to get our lovely white, artificial tree (which was a $5.00 score at a yard sale 2 years ago!) set up in all it's 1950's resplendent glory, complete with my collection of vintage ornaments... only to have the kitten tear it to glittery shreds in a matter of moments. I mean, look at what this little guy does to a bottle of La Finca Malbec! Yes, he is a wino. My husband and I thought it was ever so cute when he started casually stealing sips from our glasses when we would have a glass of wine, until the other night when this happened...

He jumped up on the counter and knocked the bottle onto the floor, breaking two wine glasses in the process. Thank goodness no one was cut or hurt...but that was what effectively put the nail in the coffin for our dreams of a White Christmas tree this year...at least until he gets neutered and calms down a little bit! He's been so gosh darned rambunctious lately, I can only attribute it to his little raging hormones!


Another thing winding down is our stay at Division 9 Gallery!!! It has been so lovely to be centralized in a permanent location this month, and it's been tons of fun hanging out with Cosme Cordova and Micheal Elderman and all the interns at the Gallery... everyone has been extremely welcoming and supportive...and I got to meet so many new people! It really was a wonderful time.Our official last day in the Gallery is tomorrow, Thursday the 22nd and I will be there from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00, so if you are in the area and have been putting off coming down, that will be your last chance to catch Button, Button, Who! and get your one-of-a-kind, handmade gifts checked off your shopping list!

We still have some really cute dolls left! Not to mention, our assortment of mini and full sized stockings made from reclaimed felted cashmere! The mini stockings are going fast, thanks to a big order from a certain lovely Mother-in-Law who shall remain nameless! Each day she has added more to her stash! Hurry and get yours before they are gone and you will only have full sizes to choose from!

Not that that would be so bad either...every time I make the big guys, I find something to add to them, and this year, it was the scallop trim! I would be lying if I told you I was not pleased with the effect. Not to toot my own horn, but I wouldn't mind keeping these for myself and replacing the ones I made for Mr. Husband and myself years ago, when I was first beginning to fiddle around with felted wool!

I had seen the beautiful stockings that Alicia Paulson was making with felted wool and was inspired to make some for myself and Mr. Hubs, who back then, was still Mr. Boyfriend. I love her blog, Posie Gets Cozy and I find so much inspiration from her writing. I have been following her blog for years now, and tell anyone who will listen about it! She has the most wonderful photo essays, and her writing style is so clear. I hope you will hop over and take a look for yourselves!

So, if the end of the year keeps going in this relaxed a manner, I can say that, that is just all right with me. I am looking forward to holidays spent with my family and later on with friends, with a LOT of movie watching and snacking with Mr. Hubs sandwiched in between! I swear, I am the luckiest gal! Lucky in Love, Friends, and Family! What more can one person want!

Happy Holidays from the Button Haus! 

What's New, Pussycat?

A lot has been going on keeping us busy at the Button Haus! Manda Millar of Mammal Chupie fame hosted Art Bazaar at Back to the Grind and it was smokin'! Well, it was a super hot day, and all our gratitude to all who braved the sweltering heat to drop by and give your props!! I am looking forward to doing another one in November when the weather is a bit cooler!!!Stay tuned for a date. Jet Set with an Edge, September edition was fantastic. Victoria Lacey of House of Flames put on a great event and all the vendors were super supportive! Not to mention, the tacos weren’t bad either!

ArtWalk last Thursday was wonderful! Not only did we get to visit with lots of lovely folks, but since hubby Mark was helping watch the table, I was able to take a little break and mosey on down to Division 9 Gallery and check out my dear friend, Cynthia Huerta’s one woman art show Las Sequelas! If you missed the opening, don't fret! It goes on til October 28th! Such a fantastic show…I couldn’t resist picking up a little something for the Button Haus Gallery!

A word on the Button Haus Gallery…my wonderfully talented aunt Griselda (check out her paintings and her art dolls, they are beautiful!) has been requesting pics and a blog entry fully dedicated to our little townhouse that lives a double life as an art gallery. Soooooo, since I love my auntie so much, be sure to keep an eye out for a future entry all about our house/gallery/reason I will end up on an episode of ”Hoarders: Buried Alive” eventually!

Just a little update of where we will be in the upcoming weeks! Yes…the Etsy shop is still not open yet…because we have been SO busy around town lately! This Friday, October 15^th we will be at the RCC quad for .EDUfest from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.! LATE night! There will be music and tons of original artists and vendors, so come on down and say hi!

Sunday, October 24^th we will be participating in the October edition of Jet Set with an Edge…this time we will be in the banquet room of Zacatecas Cafe at 2472 University Ave. in Riverside! This one starts at 9:00 a.m. and goes until 2:00 in the afternoon, some come on down, have lunch or brunch or even breakfast if you are that early of a riser and check out all the cute stuff!

In November, we will be at ArtWalk on the first Thursday as per usual, this time with MORE Fridas in honor of Dia de los Muertos!!! Come on by and check it out!!!