Buttons

I've had a little stash of buttons for a couple years but have never been a button collector.

I'd swear I have another jar but haven't seen it since moving last summer.

Recently I have read posts about buttons from some of my blog friends such as Linda from Unlimited Possibilities  and Laurie at Button Floozies and started to pay a little more attention to buttons at estate sales or flea markets.  Recently I found Kathy's blog, Kluless and fell in love with how she displays her buttons. If you look here and here you can see how she put her beautiful buttons in a vintage jewelry box. So cute but I didn't have a box like that. Then I was out with my sisters the other day and spotted a great antique shop that I'd never been to. As soon as I walked in the door I saw a perfect jewelry box to use for my buttons and it was only $3.

The next day I pulled out my buttons and grabbed my new box and I started to sort. Actually, before I started sorting I noticed that when I moved the box, I could hear something sliding around on the inside but I couldn't get at it. I suddenly started dreaming of a diamond ring or something valuable. I had to pry up the floor to get my treasure but only found the key to the box. It was a nice dream while it lasted. Ok, back to buttons. First I must tell you that I don't know a thing about old buttons but that some are pretty and some are not so much. Here is what I came up with so far.

This isn't all the buttons, just the ones that fit in my "some are pretty" category. So far I love the ones with the rhinestones the best.

The three on the top right don't even have stones in them but they appear to.

I seem to have tons of mother of pearl buttons so obviously they aren't rare. I have lots more of them in the can and jar.

I got some books from the library to learn more about buttons so I have more to go on than some are pretty and some not so much.

See these four cans?

They are filled to the brim with old buttons. One can is my mothers and the others were from both of my grandmothers. Technically they still belong to my mother so I can't go take all the pretty ones out and put them in my jewelry box no matter how much I want to. My sisters probably wouldn't like that either. But I will have fun looking through them and learning to identify the different types. My little round box has the same floral design as this much bigger button box. 

So, thanks to the lovely button collecting ladies I mentioned earlier, I am inspired to learn more about buttons. Should be fun! I hope I find buttons at the estate sale tomorrow!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!!!

Christmas Stuff

I made an ornament for a friend and it was so fun to make so I thought I would share it.

The pocket watch is from Tim Holtz.

I got the background image from The Graphics Fairy. It is this beautiful image of reindeer which I also have on my computer as wallpaper this month. 

I put some glitter on the ends of the branches and put it in the back of the watch. Then I glued this adorable deer that I found at an estate sale onto the back and also put some cotton batting and snow glitter at his feet.

Then I put the watch together.

I picked out a shiney button and some trim and put them all together as an ornament.

I also made this card for my mother.

You can find this image of the squirrel on The Graphics Fairy right here. The bow and words are here. This is kind of a joke for her because she gets very mad at squirrels because they chew on her house. I wanted her to see their softer side.

 Tee hee!

I hope you are having lots of fun with your Christmas crafting!

Christmas at Phipps

If you are ever in Pittsburgh, you must see this beautiful place called Phipps Conservatory.

It was built in the 1890s by Henry Phipps as a gift to the city of Pittsburgh.

This is the extension off to the right of the main area and the same sized extension goes off to the left also. The inside is stunning and they change the displays with each season. I'll just share a few of my many pics but you have to come see it for yourself. 

This tree was so big I couldn't get the whole thing in the shot.

Not Christmasy but a fabulous glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly. I love how it mimics the plants.

Look at these plant chandeliers.

How about these picture frames? Aren't they gorgeous?

This was such a wonderful place to visit and I can't wait for the spring show!

December Collage Challenge

Time for the monthly collage challenge put on by Mary Green at Greenpaper. Mary posted some beautiful images and all you have to do is make something out of at least a part of each image. I thought this lovely lady needed a blouse with a bit more pizzazz so I made one from the map. I did alter geography a bit by moving the Caspian Sea. I hope no one minds! I added that sea and a little clock to mimic the front of her original blouse. The flower from the third piece was used to bring some color to her hat.

It is always fun to see what everyone else does with the same images so check them out right here.

Thanks for the challenge, Mary! I always enjoy them!