Lucky

I started reading The Long Winter last night.  I've been re-reading the Little House books, childhood favorites of mine, that I picked up second-hand and look what I found tucked in between page 50 and 51.

Luck!  It struck me as funny given that the passage on that page tells of the cows whose faces froze to the ground during a blizzard.

Note to self: no grazing outside until it's much warmer. 

Do you remember this image from a few weeks ago?

I had mentioned that I would have to keep my eyes open for a little dog head button to add to my Little House collection.  Well, much to my surprise, a sweet little button landed in my mailbox courtesy of the wonderful Nini.

Isn't it just perfect?

OK, and here is where you get to roll your eyes at me...I bought a button.  Yes, after unloading 100 pounds of buttons, I bought one.  But just look at it!  It's so cool.

There's even wash hanging on the line.  I had to have it.

All this reading has me itching to make green pumpkin pie and practice my stitching.  I'll pass on the red flannels though.  If you haven't read the books, you should.  If you're on Twitter check out HalfPintIngalls.  She has a new book coming out in April, The Wilder Life: My Adventures In The Lost World Of Little House On The Prairie, which I am going to have to order.

The temperature is almost up to zero here this morning and I'm crossing my (frozen) fingers that it hits the projected 27.  This winter is getting long.

Have a good and warm Monday, all.

Bone Button Monday

Dem bones, dem bones, dem bone buttons. 

They might be a little creepy to some people, but I love them.  Bone was one of the, if not the, first materials for buttons.  It's easy to imagine early man carving these practical fasteners out of the bones of his kill.  They're reminders of a time when nothing went to waste.  When more sophisticated materials came in to popularity, they became the ornamentation of common people and peasants.

I relate to and celebrate their history and I appreciate their aesthetic also.  Creamy colors, obviously handmade details, and a weight different from plastic.

Some were dyed and achieved a beautiful brown color, not unlike wood.

Most were carved and drilled by hand.  This lovely below just shouts "handmade" and I can't help but wonder, by whom?

These with the bump on the back were likely turned on a lathe.

Historically, women would dye buttons using a variety of dyes.  I tried an overnight soaking in strong tea on these.  Below on the left is the  tea-stained buttons and on the right were the buttons pre-tea.  (the X button is an undyed button that slipped in)  The result is really subtle.

It was sarahracha's work that I featured the other day that inspired me to make myself a necklace.  I wore it while mopping.  (just for you, Marilyn)

Since I had all the materials out, I decided to make a few for my shop too. 

Natural and filled with history.  Just the kind of things I like to carry with me.

Happy Monday all!

Button Monday and a Giveaway!

Some of you may know that I have a rather sizeable stash of vintage buttons.  I love old buttons and enjoy working them into my projects.  I love the history behind them, the odd shapes and colors, and the strange not-buttons that I find mingled amongst them when I buy an old button jar.  Mostly, I love the diggin', the pickin', the explorin'.  I have more buttons than I'll ever use but still...when I see a jar of buttons at a thrift store or yard sale, I have to buy it just so I can dig through it.

 

I have some of my buttons sorted but I have about 50 pounds that I haven't yet sorted.  In fact, they've been sitting in my workspace for about 2 years now sooooo it's time for them to go.  Since I know there are other button-lovers out there, I thought I'd start my de-stash with a giveaway. Yay!

I'm starting with a pound bag o' buttons.  If you'd like to dig through some unsorted old buttons for yourself, then leave me a comment on this post and maybe you'll get one for yourself! 

I'll pick a winner on Friday Jan. 28 so please be sure I have some way to contact you.   I'll ship worldwide, so come on fellow button lovers, let's see what treasures you'll get!

Tomorrow I will start adding buttons to my (now empty) destash shop - lilfishextras - so if you're interested, come have a look.  I'll be adding a bunch of these unsorted bags o' buttons to the shop as well as a few more, but if you're looking for a certain kind of vintage button, just ask and I might have it for you.

Happy Monday everyone!

**** this giveaway is now closed ****

Button Monday

Tomorrow is the first day of school here and for the first time I will have two guys taking off on the big yellow bus.  Today's button Monday is a quick arrangement for my intrepid kindergartener and 6th grader.  

Have fun and learn lots, kidlets.  Momma will try not to cry too much at the bus stop. 

(Oh mommm )

Happy Monday everyone.  (and Labor Day too!)

Button Monday

It's harvest time here under the poplar and pine and I thought I'd show you how I've really acquired so many vintage buttons.  The truth is...they grow here. 

 Come with me for a little walk, won't you?

If you look carefully, you can find them in the flowers.

Sometimes with coordinating spiders.

They're hidden amongst the leaves and dew.

Some disguise themselves as acorns.

They even sprout up from the earth. 

Sometimes with fancy caps.

Some are shy and try to crawl away.

Some are even edible.

 

So if you ever come to visit, bring your baskets.  You never know what will be in season.

Happy Monday!

Button Monday

A quick dive into the button pile today.  There's gold in them thar hills...

I'm kind of curious about the shoe button...I'm trying to envision the article of clothing that demanded a shoe-shaped button.  Hmmm.

Choo choo!

Buzz.

Tic Tac Toe.

Things will be a little busy around here for the next few weeks so posts may be spaced out a bit.  I'm hoping to freshen up my blog too so don't be surprised if it looks a little different the next time you stop in. 

I hope you all have a great week.  See ya soon.

Button Monday

The grey clouds parted long enough to give us a rainbow.  Well, a button rainbow anyway. 

The grey weather put a damper on my attempts to photograph anything inside so I hauled my old table outside and played. 

I'm hoping it will chase away the rain and leave me a real rainbow in its path.

Happy Monday.