China Buttons for Grace

                                                               
     I have an adorable niece named Grace.  She and her twin brothers, Seth and Ryan, have been helping me set up, work and tear down my show booth for several years now whenever I visit Arizona.  They love to help me sort, package, count and label my stock.  They each have their own button boxes which they made themselves and they have become button fanatics.  I can't imagine why!?
     When Grace decided that she would like to get serious about button collecting, at the ripe old age of 7, I started her with China buttons.  Grace calls them "Chiiiiiiina Buttons"  as if they were rubies.  It brings tears to my eyes!  She now has a lovely card of China buttons complete with identifying labels and she studies her copy of Warman's Buttons Field Guide diligently to be able to identify new buttons I send to her.

     China buttons are a wonderful button for a beginning collector because they are plentiful, inexpensive (for the most part), and colorful.  There are several body styles and types of China buttons, but the most popular seem to be "Calicoes" and "Stencil" patterns.  There are over 326 Calico patterns (and that number grows as new specimens are discovered) and over 63 Stencil patterns catalogued.  Both types came in several colors and sizes.

I'd like to talk about China buttons this week in my blogs.  What exactly is a China button?  Where were they made and when?  What kinds of Chinas are there?  What are they worth today?  Where can I find China buttons?  In addition I'd like to share new finds and research that is being done today.  Can you see why I'm so addicted?  And this is just one type of button!!!  Heaven help us!

To Everything, A Season

     Those of you who know me well, know that I can be a bit...hmmm, what's the word....flighty?!  These past few months have been very trying on me, my family and friends, especially those who have had to deal with me.  My frustration levels were through the roof and I thank you for listening and standing by me.
     This last weekend I participated in one of my favorite qyilt shows, "Quilt-AFair", in Longmont, Colorado.  Before the show I remember thinking, "This is my last show of 2012.  Now I can really get to work!".  Funny what a difference two days can make.  After the show was over, I made a big decision that I have been putting off for some time now:

 

            I will not be doing shows in 2013.



     There are a lot of reasons why this must happen, but I won't bore you with them.  The silver lining is that I will finally be able to finish my novel, write the new books and patterns I have been working on and travel the country giving educational programs and classes to guilds and groups and museums.  I am even going to appear on "The Quilt Show" with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims.

     When I actually said it out loud, I thought a bolt of lightning might strike me.  Instead, I got so excited!  I thought I might be sick.  Instead, I feel energized, as if I'd lost 50 pounds.  I know that there will be moments of doubt, but if I pour myself into my work (including my blog and website) I will be able to look back on this day as a moment of truth for myself: 
        You can't do it all, but you can do it!

Army Locket Button

Story time! A long time ago (maybe 5 years), in a far away place (Denver, CO), a tall, red-headed lady attended the Colorado State Button Society Annual Show.  It was at this show that two important and wonderful things happened that changed her life:

• She saw a locket button for the first time
• She met and became dear friends with button dealer, Don Ortwein

OK, it wasn't so dramatic, but in retrospect it was pretty important.  My friend and colleague, Janice Stutts, had a newly acquired find:  an Army locket button, circa. 1918.  Her Mom had found a box of buttons at an estate sale in Portland, Oregon, and having picked out those she wanted, gave the rest to her daughter.  Janice told me of finding the button in the box and thinking it was a regular Army uniform button.  That was, until she turned the button over!!!  On the back were the words, "LIBERTY MFG. CO. LOS ANGELES CAL PATENT PEND."

Now, not too many buttons were manufactured by companies on the West Coast, so that was a clue in itself.  Luckily, Janice had seen one of these buttons from Hawaii button dealer, Don Ortwein.  We were, in fact, sitting at Don's tables when she and I had our meeting of the minds!  Janice showed me how the button hinged and opened it to reveal two black & white photos behind celluloid covers.  What a find!  Janice and I stared at the photos for a moment and she said to me, "I wonder who these women were?" "Maybe his sweetheart?  His Sister? It would be cool to know who they were, wouldn't it", I said.  Then, as if zapped with electricity, we both sat up straight and looked at each other.  "You need to...."Janice started, "write a story about it", I continued!

Since then I have toyed with the idea.  Don Ortwein even searched and found a locket button for my collection.  It has one photo in it of what appears to be a young man, but I'm not certain.  The photos that haunt me, however, are of those young ladies and I have decided that their story needs to be told.
To that end, I am asking all of you reading this to send me any information you have about a relative who served in WWI, letters, photos, etc, or even places where I could visit to continue my research about live during this time and Army regulations, uniforms, rule books that may exist, etc.  I have been reading voraciously and the book has begun to take shape.
I hope I can do these ladies and their soldier proud with my story.

Don Ortwein

If You Work Hard...

How many times have I tried this?  More than I can count!  The truth is, we have to act on things in order for them to become a reality.  Wow, that sounds like a Physics principal...Sir Isaac Newton, help me out here:

• Newton's first law of motion states: A body in motion tends to remain in motion, a body at rest tend to remain at rest unless acted on by an outside force.*
• Newton's second law of motion states that a force, acting on an object, will change its velocity by changing either its speed or its direction or both.**
• The third law is probably the best known of Newton's laws. It states that for every force and action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.***

*You know, like a publishers deadline or the kid you were making the baby quilt for is graduating from High School.
**This would explain why Calvin's Hocus-Pocus didn't work...no force or action was taken. This would explain why the ideas I think of either don't come to fruition, or someone else comes up with it before I do!
***I like to think of this as good in, good out, bad in, bad out.  I think i'll save this one for tomorrow....it's a whole new can of worms!

I talk about procrastinating all the time. I can always think of an excuse or "reason" things didn't get done.  Truth is, talk with out actions is wasted breath.  No more good intentions.  I'll say yes when I can and no when I can't.  My word is my bond.

I'm going to post a picture of Sir Isaac Newton in my office to inspire me to turn over a new leaf....and maybe one of Calvin, too!

Love Those Roses!

I am normally giddy with anticipation on New Year's Eve.  I know that when I wake in the morning I will get to watch the Tournament of Roses Parade!  Alas, I will be forced to wait an extra day this year.

Roses have always had a way of making me sentimental.  The first perfume I ever wore was rose scented.  Rose is the flower for June babies such as myself.  I enjoy growing roses in my garden (although I have not been so successful here in Colorado!).  To seal the deal I was privileged to be a "Petal Pusher", not once, but twice! 

I remember it rained both years.  The float barn is so cold!  There are supervisors running around making certain that we are busily buzzing around the floats; time is ticking!  When our shift is over we are sore, tired,  frozen, and there is glue everywhere! All I want to know is....when can we do it again?
Then the big day arrives.  We gather before dawn at the prearranged spot on Colorado Blvd with cameras in hand. 

The parade begins and it NEVER disappoints!  The queen and her court are so lovely.  The bands are incredible.  The horses are beautiful.  The floats are magnificent!  Here comes the float we worked on.  We cheer wildly as it passes, pointing to the sections each of us decorated.  Too soon the parade is over.  Shall we go to the park where the floats are on display after the parade?  Maybe later.  The consensus is to make a Tommy Burger run!

Traditions make life so special.  I still watch the Rose Parade on TV (sometimes twice), squealing like a child on Christmas morning as I recognize bands, equestrian groups and city sponsored floats.  I have a not-so-secret dream of a family reunion trip to Pasadena; my children, their spouses and our grandchildren.  We celebrate Christmas at my Dad's house, spend a couple days working on floats, camp out overnight on Colorado Blvd and see our handiwork up close as it motors past us.  I have it all planned out!

This year I will have to settle for watching it on my big screen TV, but it won't diminish my excitement.  There is a whole new year ahead of me. I can't imagine starting it any other way.  I hope you'll join me. Pasadena, here I come!

Life Happens

I love to write on my blog, so it's hard for me to understand just why it has been so long since I last wrote. All I can think of, is that I've been busy with Life.

There is one day left of the year 2011. This year has been challenging and I have learned many lessons. I am absolutely to start fresh with the year 2012!

To that end, I have a new schedule, a new plan and a new attitude.

The new schedule is on my web site and I'm adding new classes and programs frequently.

The new plan involves following through. Less talking about it all and more doing what needs to be done!

The new attitude comes from reminding myself that worrying (or complaining) doesn't change anything. Prayer. Trust. Accountability. These are things to dwell on.

So, here we go. Bring on 2012!

Free Pattern Day!

OK, here we go!  Our first Free Pattern Friday!

In honor of my daughter, who is serving in the US Navy, I picked this project.

 

This cute little star is quick, easy and versatile!  You can wear it as a pin, a hair clip,  purse clip, flip-flop decoration, or package trim.  Make it large or small, the choice is yours.

Directions:

1.  Print out the pattern templates provided below.  There are 3 sizes given, so choose the #1 and #2 pieces that correspond to the size you wish to make.  You can shrink or enlarge any of them on a copy machine.  Trace the templates onto the right side of the red and blue fabrics with a wash-out marker.

2.  Sandwich a piece of blue (right side to the table), a piece of batting, and the blue piece that has the pattern traced on it (right side up).  Pin together, if you need to.

3.  Sew through all three layers on the traced line for each color.  You can do this by machine or by hand.

4.  Trim approximately 1/4 inch outside your sewing line.  I used pinking shears to trim mine.

5.  Place the small triangle on top of the “rocket” shape, matching the bottom triangle point to the “V” point, as shown in the picture.

6.  Place a button (or 2!) on top and sew through all layers.  I used several strands of embroidery floss and tied a bow.  Be sure to place a dab of Fray Check seam sealant on you knots to keep  your button secure!

They work up so quickly, you could make several on one piece of fabric and chain sew!

Attach a pin or other finding to the back and wear it proudly!