Vintage Red Heart Buttons

 

I recently bought an old sewing machine at a thrift store.  There's more to that which I'll leave for a different post.  The two draws were full of notions (what put me over the edge to buy the machine). Some things were bobbins and other items for the sewing machine.  Some things were old and junky.  Then there were a few treasures...including buttons--most not that great but a few nice ones!  These two heart buttons were in it.  I love them!  They need to be on a project, but it will be a while before I'll be able to part with them. 

 

Vintage Crown Buttons

Mom and I were at the local antique mall last week, and I purchased a bag of vintage buttons for $2.  I got the bag because of these three crown buttons....

...aren't they darling?  I hope to put them into a wearable craft. 

However inside there were plenty of other beautiful buttons---many are glass.  While there aren't very many others where there is more than one of a kind (though those red glass triangle ones are a lovely find!), I'm delighted with the purchase.  Buttons are so fun.

Valentine Swap--To Me from Sandy

Well, today is February 14th, and I could open my swap item.  It came all the way from Sandy in Australia.  She was also the hostess of the swap.  We were to make something; it had to have a heart on it; and we could open the item from our partner on February 14th. 

Sandy made me this beautiful heart ornament.  It has variegated thread stitching on the front and pretty pink toile on the back. 

I like how she put the bird on the front, then the toile on the back has birds and birdcages.  Just lovely!  Thank you so much, Sandy, for hostessing this and for my pretty, pretty ornament.

Pretty Mums

Despite some very cool mornings we've had lately, these mums are still alive and flourishing.  These are my favorite colors of mums...I love the rich berry color and deep pink.  They go well with the grays and berry reds of our house.  Most of my blooms have died out, and I know the season of pretty colors will come to an end shortly.  So...I will enjoy these while they last!

Happy Independence Day!

Thought I'd give a picture of an Etsy Treasury I did this week to show how I hope your day is today--relaxed and laid-back...but festive too.  Enjoy your day...and let's all be thankful to God for the freedoms we have.   Happy Independence Day to you and your family!

Having to Think of Autumn

I REALLY didn't want to start thinking of fall yet.  However, I have had to lately.  All of our school curriculum has been chosen, ordered, and received--we're ready for school, though we will not start until the last week of August.  The kids will pick up and play their violins again this week, after taking two months off for R&R, to get "reacquainted" with them to prepare for lessons again in September.  Also, I've seen fall things pop up everywhere in stores (Christmas things too--c'mon do we really have to in July??).  Some such things are these beautiful doilies I found at the Dollar Store.  They are so pretty!  I'm not sure what I'll do with them or how I'll use them...I just know they "spoke" to me and thought I'd better get them before they were gone.  They have great detail and color and are just gorgeous.  Perhaps the kids and I will have an art class and make something of them.  Couldn't beat the price either. 

I'm also going to list some vintage trim in my Etsy shop.  This trim, though I love and appreciate nice trim, is just not my style.  I know there are very talented people out there who could turn this trim into a beautiful fall project.