THANK YOU! Danke Schön! Σας ευχαριστώ! Gracias! Merci! Большое спасибо! Bedankt! Děkuji! Tēnā Kōrua! Diolch o Galon! Taing mhòr! I send my sincere thanks to those who reached out and became an inspiring part of my 365-Day Button Project's embroidery hoop canvas. Your heartfelt gestures, shared stories, notes of encouragement, carefully wrapped button or bubble-wrapped pack of buttons, all helped me complete this creative healing project.

You can read about my 2018 Button Project here. And, about the new Button Project to replace the original embroidery hoop filled colorway of buttons that was lost in the 2020 regional wildfire. As my sister rallied dozens of friends to send a button, my husband and I laboriously and lovingly worked to rebuild our lost home. Careful to uplift each other when the grief of losing everything became overwhelming, we recreated the former house on paper then made thoughtful changes within the original footprint.

My journey to the finish line became your journey, too. I loved hearing how you decided to send the buttons from the bottom of your Grandmother's sewing basket; how your elderly Mother said to take the extra button from her coat for me to add to my project; how you spent time at the Antiques Faire (with over 800 booths) to find a bag of brass buttons for me to use; you sent an extra button from a sewing project where you "re-discovered a love of sewing"; how your search re-ignited childhood memories of sorting through your Mom's button box; sharing that your "Dad was a tailor and left me lots of buttons"...and, how you played with them in his workshop when you were a kid.

Some even categorized the buttons - Karen sent "a lion for courage and a ladybug for health". There is a charm from New Zealand with the etching "created with love" that I placed near the 1st button added to the canvas - the red heart from my sister. Another shared a precious blue button from a cardigan you knitted when you were slowly recovering from illness - the jacket has accompanied you for a very long time and you've remained healthy, so your wish is that the button also brings me good. I am sincerely honored.

The messages of joy and success, good health and much happiness were abundant. Many notes began or ended with Best Wishes! One button was chosen because "one side is dark, the other one shines. After the sadness there might be glorious days again!"

Then, when I thought I was close to finishing the button project, I found more colorful buttons from you friendly strangers. So, a slight change of plans and the white buttons were removed and I began the slow process of adding or stacking on a colorful button each day to make the swirl larger. In keeping with the original design, I was able to add fewer white buttons to complete the center of the swirl.

There were some long, stress-filled days - between working full-time, waiting for inspections, scheduling deliveries, moving into our completed house, emptying boxes, hanging pictures, ordering window coverings, re-ordering items due to supply chain delays (which often meant a color palette revision for other items previously purchased). The buttons, embroidery hoop and notes were all packed and put away for safe keeping. Finally, we were able to bring together all of the pieces we envisioned in each room, set up in just the right spot, with each vignette feeling familiar, cozy and complete in our new home. Quilt tops, a writing & design project, and my Button Project were all unpacked so progress could resume.

Again, my heartfelt thanks to those who have reached out, and those who sent over a button (or two or more!). Thank you so much for the support, encouragement, and friendship.

Created With Love

Special thanks to those who sent buttons with signed cards, letters, notes or postcards:

Ruth, Rochelle, Céline, Leslie, Patricia, Gail P., Char, Marilyn, Gertrude, Gail V., Heather, Cindy, Beate, Sarah, Vivian, Karen, Nancy, Hana, Connie, Mary, Susan, Jo, Yvonne, Celley, Samantha, Karin, Clare, Rebekka, Elan, Alana, Mousy, Athena, Susanne, Natasha, Deborah, Lucy, and Charlzann. And, to those who sent envelopes, marked "Hand Cancel" or "Handle With Care" - I hope you spot your button on the completed artwork. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being part of this healing Button Project. We Did It!

Enjoy the video above (best viewed in full-screen mode). Thank you so much for being a big part of my 365-Day Button Project Challenge.

Post Script: The Button Project was completed in 2024 (a leap year with 366 days), so I was able to select another button for placement. You will see that 'Leo' has been added to the embroidery hoop.

Please feel free to share a quilt story or art project where you received help from friends or strangers to complete.

Thank you for stopping by.

XOXOX