tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33432437730568340262024-03-05T18:33:02.515-08:00Jillions of ButtonsSee the world through Button-Colored-Glasses!Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-13548584857451735252013-06-28T09:45:00.004-07:002013-06-28T09:48:47.956-07:00For The Love of a Button<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <img alt="ButtonShop.ca - Enamel Art" class="pinImage" height="198" src="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/f1/75/f7/f175f707531143e61b83d97d8fa45f36.jpg" style="height: 484px; margin: 0px auto; padding: 40px 0px; width: 487px;" width="200" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Buttons. Say it with me, "Buttons". Are you smiling? I'm certain that you are!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> Lately, however, I find myself screaming at my computer screen when I look at buttons. There are people out there who want you to think they know about buttons, when, in fact, they are mistaken (yes, I think that's the politically correct way to say it). I am on a mission to teach you how to spot these errors, so that we stop passing on bad information. Let me give you a couple examples.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> I am always searching for buttons and button craft on the Internet. My latest addiction is Pinterest. Now, I have seen some gorgeous buttons there and I am always glad to see so many people have Boards where they collect buttons! What breaks my heart is when the description of a button is incorrect or misleading. Words like, "Antique", "Rare", "Vintage", or even all 3 together to describe a button, makes my skin crawl! Here is one I found:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">"A mixed lot of 14 small vintage buttons. All are in time worn, rusty patina. These jewel like buttons are great for your jewelry making, altered art, altered couture, mix media art, Steampunk, collage or any creative craft projects. It's great to have them around in your studio. They will inspire you...or they can make your inspiration take fly. "</span><br /> <img alt="14 vintage metal buttons" src="http://img3.etsystatic.com/000/0/5650787/il_570xN.327997927.jpg" width="570" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> Sounds enticing! I tried to see how much this seller wanted for these buttons, but, to my horror, they had SOLD! The description says, "...time worn, rusty patina". It should say, ..."disintegrating, rusty and moldy"! These are buttons that I would NEVER touch or put in with my other buttons, because these buttons are SICK and they WILL infect your other buttons with their mold spores. In short, these buttons should be trashed. Sad? Yes, of course! Had these buttons been properly stored, they might have been spared this deplorable fate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> Now, the disclaimer: I am not doing this to call people out, point fingers or malign anyone. The market lives by the rule, "buyer beware". THAT is why I am writing this series: To give you the tools to make educated purchases and shares. I saw this picture on several other Pintrest boards, so the misinformation is being spread like the mold spores on the buttons!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> OK, it has begun. I am going to teach you about buttons from the ground up and you will be ambassadors for buttons, or as I like to call myself, a buttonologist!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> Time is a precious commodity. I promise to keep these posts brief, so that you can learn a little each day and not be overwhelmed. Ask questions, comment, let me know what you are thinking. Above all, Button Up!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-78110797765504610062013-06-27T13:46:00.002-07:002013-06-28T09:46:48.102-07:00Buttonology 101 <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I am "The Button Lady". I collect buttons. I teach others about buttons. I have written two books about buttons. My goal is to make button education accessible to everyone. I feel I am failing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I embark on a mission to continue what I started with my books and lectures. I will write about buttons, chapter by chapter. I will not shy away from controversy. I'm calling it like I see it, because you all deserve to know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I am so excited about this endeavor that I may wander from my path from time to time. I must be patient and start at the beginning, or risk having my message lost. I welcome your questions and thoughts. Ask anything, say things pertinent to the subject. Open your eyes and your minds. Learn something new.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Learning. We learn something new everyday, it is said. What do you, and I, do with this learning? It is our responsibility to share what we know with others. Do not keep your "light under a bushel". I am asking all of you to share my blog messages on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and the like, so that everyone will have access and learn about buttons.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> "Really, Jill, " you say, "Buttons?" I know you are thinking this because I though it as well. I see the same look on the faces of others that I had when I saw a flyer for a State Button Society Show. I went to the show, thinking it would be "fun". I left the show, knowing it had changed my life. I was entrusted with knowledge and a mission and I have embraced it; writing books, articles and speaking to groups. It needs to grow larger, and I need your help. As I post chapters here on my blog, I am asking that you share them with others, and encourage them to do the same. It is my hope that you will be ambassadors for me when you see what I am seeing on the Internet, eBay, Pinterest and at flea markets.</span><br />
<u><em><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Look for my first installment tomorrow and you will see why I am so passionate about this.</span></strong></em></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Button Blessings to you all, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jill</span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-22824297189182205702013-01-25T14:10:00.000-08:002013-01-25T14:10:36.562-08:00I'm Ready For My Close Up!<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Some of you may remember hearing me talk about taping a segment for "The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims" last year. I was shocked and honored to be asked and I was treated like royalty (well, I AM the Button Queen, after all!) while I was there. The only disappointment was learning that it would not air until late in 2013.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"> That's why I'm so happy to tell you, the release date has been changed to February 11! That's right, just a couple weeks away! Here is a link to the promotion they are running for it:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/blog.php/blog_id/5378/visible/1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/blog.php/blog_id/5378/visible/1</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> But wait! There's more! I was able to get a special gift for you, my friends and followers:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><strong>You can watch my episode For Free</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Here's how: "The Quilt Show" will open up my Episode for you to watch for FREE! It is scheduled from *<span style="color: blue;">February 17 – February 24, 2013 AND here is a link where you can receive a discount on a TQS membership</span>. This way, anyone joining during that week will have an opportunity to see my show and other fun things they have to offer on their website.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">The link is:</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: purple;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple;">https://www.thequiltshow.com/os/create_account_2.php/alias/jill</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple;">_gorski/coupon_number/233430744953</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The coupon code for my followers to receive a<span style="background-color: yellow;"> discount of 20%</span> when joining is: <strong>233430744953</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"> I urge you to take advantage of this great offer! You will love all of the wonderful guests and information The Quilt Show has to offer. Alex and Ricky bring you top notch talent along with their own expert advice in each episode, so you can't go wrong!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;"><strong>To sum up:</strong></span> If you already subscribe to TQS, you can watch my episode on February 11.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"> If you are not a subscriber, you can watch my episode for free during the week mentioned above.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"> If you'd like to be a subscriber to The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims, you can get a discount by using the code number above.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"> Please mark your calendars for this exciting show! I look forward to hearing your feedback about it!</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><strong>Button Up, </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><strong>Jill</strong></span><br />
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Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-75802132963519844402012-12-15T11:03:00.002-08:002012-12-15T11:04:58.368-08:00Goldilocks and the Dresser DrawersPeople have often commented on how clever I am. I never really took it to heart....until yesterday! This was such a light bulb moment that I just had to share it with you!<br />
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We purchased a dresser for our son quite some time ago. It's been a sturdy choice, except when it came to the handles. One by one the center pull would come out of its socket and end up in your hand. This, as you would guess, is not where it belonged and the drawer was certainly not opened!</div>
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I finally decided to replace the handles on the drawers. Little did I know how challenging this would be! First of all, the size is not the most popular and I looked for some time to find pulls that would fit! Then, as I endeavored to put the new handles on, I discovered that the post you see above allowed the screws to be short (about 1"). The new hardware also came with 1" screws, but not with the post so the screws were too short.</div>
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My husband, Steve, found some longer screws for me...Yea! BUT....now there was a gap. The new screws were too long. How to make it "just right"?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uVi4XWrfZQiPMr2BgOU0O4Ep9Hjw4qqAGSUFUZbxNOK7N5uIPBdsQZm1BJ9prQycycMRMOmVlS6JhEsplUMAfV5y_8CFVqZPFPpz-63WsgeYWWmJFFPTH1fHUZAs8JkjRaCQdVCr0Orl/s1600/IMG_0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uVi4XWrfZQiPMr2BgOU0O4Ep9Hjw4qqAGSUFUZbxNOK7N5uIPBdsQZm1BJ9prQycycMRMOmVlS6JhEsplUMAfV5y_8CFVqZPFPpz-63WsgeYWWmJFFPTH1fHUZAs8JkjRaCQdVCr0Orl/s320/IMG_0458.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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OK, I needed a washer. Did I have any washers? Yes, in my sewing room. I use them to balance shank buttons. But wait! I have these "buttons". Well, they were buttons before the center piece with the shank was snapped out. I wonder.....</div>
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Well, would you look at that! They fit perfectly! No jiggling and kinda cute to boot! </div>
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Buttons to the rescue....again!</div>
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Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-81625933631531747822012-11-01T14:43:00.001-07:002012-11-01T14:46:00.866-07:00Button Up....Literally!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am often asked how I came to be a Buttonologist. It's a long story, really, but the thing that drew me to buttons was the "crossover factor". Buttons have so much in common with other things that intrigued me: history, sewing, quilting, fashion, traditions and the like. Here is one of those fascinating crossover tidbits I found: Buttonhooks!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I recently found a website for collectors of buttonhooks while doing research for my upcoming novel. They are mainly based in England, but, like button collectors, they have a Society and strive to document and educate others about these lovely little tools. Like buttons, there are your garden variety and your pieces made for royalty. There are pieces that multi task and pieces that advertise! There are even some buttonhooks made from military findings, including uniform buttons, called Trench Art! Like buttons they were, of course, made from the most popular materials of the day. These included materials such as sterling silver, celluloid, brass, Mother of Pearl, bone and plastic.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDLJWbzGkadwkO9gXRP4MifjG0AGfwVeLGnC8yfZ29qTaRUiQnOIsUiUjWLxwgi7AM8YjFmNCe2stwNb6M5oKjAs7WwuV4DLi5gNvpSCd7wOycwnLmDxi5vjD_svG7R9HsklLx_idIgj2/s1600/usingbuttonhooks2c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDLJWbzGkadwkO9gXRP4MifjG0AGfwVeLGnC8yfZ29qTaRUiQnOIsUiUjWLxwgi7AM8YjFmNCe2stwNb6M5oKjAs7WwuV4DLi5gNvpSCd7wOycwnLmDxi5vjD_svG7R9HsklLx_idIgj2/s200/usingbuttonhooks2c.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Buttonhooks came to be a very necessary utility item between the1880's and 1930's. The style of clothing included shoes, gloves, stiff collars, spats and dresses used rows of tiny buttons that were to be pulled through equally small eyelets. The buttonhook was a real sanity saver!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3u9IRewx03ITYB7hBGCAcEk7hoBbL5vLzt5JNThdQU0qu2lGaf_TGtoGxsUDaVUjWreRUONAaENWU2U31I1EkdINTUV2nokim3DsTjGbv3zDogeDX8ZbhI38qwoaqwTPZYgWENXFK7fHC/s1600/usingbuttonhooks3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3u9IRewx03ITYB7hBGCAcEk7hoBbL5vLzt5JNThdQU0qu2lGaf_TGtoGxsUDaVUjWreRUONAaENWU2U31I1EkdINTUV2nokim3DsTjGbv3zDogeDX8ZbhI38qwoaqwTPZYgWENXFK7fHC/s320/usingbuttonhooks3a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The society has a wonderful and well written website that explains so much more, if you are interested. I found it fascinating! Now, as you search for buttons, you can keep your eyes pealed for these beauties as well and you will always be able to "Button Up" with no trouble at all!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">For more info, visit: <a href="http://www.thebuttonhooksociety.com/mainpage.php">http://www.thebuttonhooksociety.com/mainpage.php</a></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTg-qNK-wLv-g4kK9wrxbodOIOohLsfyiyjzlF0hoBVdYVKQnRKL56RRXf369tahcFaZp9uEzaUwEisfoykhQn6ofc_O7JXcSGss9hl-Q5hoGwE8IK3Px0jt2_T2wYoNpJTM5JfQ_W9tKi/s1600/usingbuttonhooks1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTg-qNK-wLv-g4kK9wrxbodOIOohLsfyiyjzlF0hoBVdYVKQnRKL56RRXf369tahcFaZp9uEzaUwEisfoykhQn6ofc_O7JXcSGss9hl-Q5hoGwE8IK3Px0jt2_T2wYoNpJTM5JfQ_W9tKi/s640/usingbuttonhooks1.jpg" width="364" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;">States: " The only first class fastener in the world.</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">ask your dealer for them</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">Does not mutilate the (???) the foot</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">saves time and trouble of sewing on buttons</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">samples attached to this card"</span></td></tr>
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Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-40196519154324400892012-10-01T13:33:00.000-07:002012-10-01T13:45:30.021-07:00What are "China" Buttons?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJa5cd3HeVg9JoqwzIlheWpB74z6JPxzcz1tr-hgCRYWzF0Au3e1dxaDmbQkXXnTCQXg9mHrUGgARvx0UOLvdJiwcdHkp8ynJt_QOZy_bytHXaX-V45Lq47NaYywk8zgeXwYp504DQrcL7/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJa5cd3HeVg9JoqwzIlheWpB74z6JPxzcz1tr-hgCRYWzF0Au3e1dxaDmbQkXXnTCQXg9mHrUGgARvx0UOLvdJiwcdHkp8ynJt_QOZy_bytHXaX-V45Lq47NaYywk8zgeXwYp504DQrcL7/s320/015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Whistles; fluted w/Rims & hobnail, rimless.</span></strong></td></tr>
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China buttons do not come from the Country of China, but rather, from a porcelain production method. Imagine Bone China plates and tea cups, vases, figurines and the like. Up until 1840 buttons of this type were made in the same way as these items: from wet clay. It was tedious and the product was so unpredictable that the buttons that turned out well commanded a very high price. What changed that? An Englishman!<br />
Richard Prosser came up with a method that used very dry porcelain powder which was then pressed into dies that were ready to be fired immediately in the kiln. The process was quick, inexpensive and reliable. Now there was competition for the utility buttons of the day made from metal or shell.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglas_ipquZqbDvxZbcWRDWfWD89nzOucPYh4xafv30udOHRGyg3MTFdw8su7WhmRpQWXtqXOcgzST67Ac55DjK61COb_Y_CE3mOTrFCBdkmRDl3XQk37O1s7OWXPQ2weo3oIl7V4tfyG53/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglas_ipquZqbDvxZbcWRDWfWD89nzOucPYh4xafv30udOHRGyg3MTFdw8su7WhmRpQWXtqXOcgzST67Ac55DjK61COb_Y_CE3mOTrFCBdkmRDl3XQk37O1s7OWXPQ2weo3oIl7V4tfyG53/s1600/018.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Colored body (red) Fish-eye. </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><strong> Note the back (on right) has typical rough patch.</strong></span></td></tr>
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Richard sold a part interest of his patent to Minton's of France and they soon began producing beautiful, yet practical, china buttons. There is a wonderful story about Minton's that I will share with you later this week! While other countries, such as England and America, soon got in on the production market, France made a superior quality product. In addition, the Calico patterns, which these buttons are sometimes patterned after, were produced in France, so they are typically thought of as a French product.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SSYJoYQ9HTBiZWDIlG_Z8X1IsjlibZDwcrNsc8mYq9oymWZeJMVQtNwtXNfttaZuWk_a6YGcwfitKbhnPuFXcZOGzeddMKt38scUs_NJxJAYqV61H9-fjwp95qjGbYc5iV2dvR4E-5j-/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SSYJoYQ9HTBiZWDIlG_Z8X1IsjlibZDwcrNsc8mYq9oymWZeJMVQtNwtXNfttaZuWk_a6YGcwfitKbhnPuFXcZOGzeddMKt38scUs_NJxJAYqV61H9-fjwp95qjGbYc5iV2dvR4E-5j-/s320/013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Fish-eye with a stencil pattern. Found in 11 colors!</span></strong></td></tr>
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The fact that they could be mass produced and sold for reasonable prices might explain why we typically find so many china buttons among the other utilitarian shell / Mother of Pearl, metal and plastic buttons in our button boxes! They were made in a large variety of types, shapes and patterns and I will try to introduce you to some of the more common types this week.</div>
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The pictures you see in today's post are of my newest acquisitions from my dear friend, Sharon Onweller. In the near future I hope to make a few display cards to show you how I store them for reference and safe keeping. Until then, Button Up!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaVzrl-l3QK0q1sEKBz_uNXa-tXez2H1pKoSQLdh_KPGRjCBzaF_5m5YJxIsaCt_sS8jZLDTXUkEjlcTfQcmIqjTiZPr0Hv_NNgsELKAfMXAXiN7TgdXxYUUASzk-tgDHQUHXiVJIoKl-/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="547" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaVzrl-l3QK0q1sEKBz_uNXa-tXez2H1pKoSQLdh_KPGRjCBzaF_5m5YJxIsaCt_sS8jZLDTXUkEjlcTfQcmIqjTiZPr0Hv_NNgsELKAfMXAXiN7TgdXxYUUASzk-tgDHQUHXiVJIoKl-/s640/016.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Calicoes, glorious Calicoes!</span></strong></td></tr>
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Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-76523615726154378462012-09-28T13:07:00.000-07:002012-10-01T13:46:40.272-07:00China Buttons for Grace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMCoeM5Hid2GveK6oOsKMs34MpAbOhEoWw4MhhdgSBVsLRFHL_y4WxJW43QVOvxhLClmupnF6lGEdaQDvDlrF0vXntk9hsbWv_amP0yFP6G4-40rMJ-Szt2eIJPH_2Hn7W1vUhJcSA36k/s1600/kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMCoeM5Hid2GveK6oOsKMs34MpAbOhEoWw4MhhdgSBVsLRFHL_y4WxJW43QVOvxhLClmupnF6lGEdaQDvDlrF0vXntk9hsbWv_amP0yFP6G4-40rMJ-Szt2eIJPH_2Hn7W1vUhJcSA36k/s320/kids.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 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!?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">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 <em>Warman's Buttons Field Guide</em> diligently to be able to identify new buttons I send to her.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYStJw-UeuyQ9HRLPN1YhyZEdpBYr7TbLUY6HiMDwJ3ZgLlAsi1W9BIrvFtvQlXYee-lH0luamQ5YqqoxGGINbDhWxF2tDxrL0zuhBkkAlC4x9f1QxrM8hBqZo3k9-Xv3EM4DHXXFfvmFf/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYStJw-UeuyQ9HRLPN1YhyZEdpBYr7TbLUY6HiMDwJ3ZgLlAsi1W9BIrvFtvQlXYee-lH0luamQ5YqqoxGGINbDhWxF2tDxrL0zuhBkkAlC4x9f1QxrM8hBqZo3k9-Xv3EM4DHXXFfvmFf/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> 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.</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXBmb3JAhjk6qebcxspnpP3aU4G5EGUEj7cOfMKR-CjUIotDgGb923bwmqm7GxkSAqchb6FOfttEA0f5gwURgkRIWL2NXlkdo9Fp3tAdF-9SVXMRiO6sD1_PpptaJSPdxaBZIdAzJfe2o/s1600/stencils+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXBmb3JAhjk6qebcxspnpP3aU4G5EGUEj7cOfMKR-CjUIotDgGb923bwmqm7GxkSAqchb6FOfttEA0f5gwURgkRIWL2NXlkdo9Fp3tAdF-9SVXMRiO6sD1_PpptaJSPdxaBZIdAzJfe2o/s320/stencils+(3).jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">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!</span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-42145657094797961002012-09-25T09:42:00.001-07:002012-10-01T13:47:28.029-07:00To Everything, A Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbqlTlU5XQpDRdzDJ3Cj1bu4Y1o3BXTxhFEgOV6s59SaLOUT-xHkMHVowXmSI5EBX7akstXU04X2Im5UAWC6JPNGfMJ-L1OmDmuXnrGvMl0EKeV2lhVWILIWp6-OLpkJ4axVks8Wrz2J-/s1600/pearl+card.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbqlTlU5XQpDRdzDJ3Cj1bu4Y1o3BXTxhFEgOV6s59SaLOUT-xHkMHVowXmSI5EBX7akstXU04X2Im5UAWC6JPNGfMJ-L1OmDmuXnrGvMl0EKeV2lhVWILIWp6-OLpkJ4axVks8Wrz2J-/s320/pearl+card.png" width="226" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Those of you who know me well, know that I can be a bit...hmmm, what's the word....<em>flighty</em>?! 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.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> 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:</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0t-5V95Vc-rY9ZUO5-1dTWwFz0SVzYdCO1s8jd7fbp1-a5UvTM8VuT_fV4vJZwtDDaiApJPUkqcrNsVtznWja8EXmrdltwO4HfVps8khVgu0HJ-bxOic9Cdnhk57rpsiwumUYlIRAvmy/s1600/card2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0t-5V95Vc-rY9ZUO5-1dTWwFz0SVzYdCO1s8jd7fbp1-a5UvTM8VuT_fV4vJZwtDDaiApJPUkqcrNsVtznWja8EXmrdltwO4HfVps8khVgu0HJ-bxOic9Cdnhk57rpsiwumUYlIRAvmy/s320/card2.png" width="205" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana;"><strong><em></em></strong></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana;"><strong><em> I will not be doing shows in 2013.</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 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 <u>"The Quilt Show" with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims.</u></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixr15tg9_FLe2i9EwESgi_3J6XnLvnFNW361R7sR3KjhWCiBPph05aw8RvYIRYw_mItqcr2KfOZYI4V1X6p53Pn5wRbRIbmvrvs2Bmtu3rfKLeIamlMWppYmKj3yygHbaNlJ5tnuAQmge/s1600/bluebird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixr15tg9_FLe2i9EwESgi_3J6XnLvnFNW361R7sR3KjhWCiBPph05aw8RvYIRYw_mItqcr2KfOZYI4V1X6p53Pn5wRbRIbmvrvs2Bmtu3rfKLeIamlMWppYmKj3yygHbaNlJ5tnuAQmge/s1600/bluebird.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> 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: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> <strong><em><span style="color: blue;">You can't do it all, but you can do it!</span></em></strong></span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-38685310123622587612012-09-10T13:28:00.001-07:002012-10-01T13:48:44.949-07:00Army Locket ButtonStory 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:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwV1OX3huu-BilAVBw1I0n1pyhytd-x9_IR7VE7hK8z53mBB9aHoFlBgiK-pmBlS1NX-xZzN85PU7kLVGV_Eug4j0zZep-HEFca1F4uzmy4K-2Eg8uTzxx3PKj9v_oenvoTKq8vLIflf58/s1600/army,+L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwV1OX3huu-BilAVBw1I0n1pyhytd-x9_IR7VE7hK8z53mBB9aHoFlBgiK-pmBlS1NX-xZzN85PU7kLVGV_Eug4j0zZep-HEFca1F4uzmy4K-2Eg8uTzxx3PKj9v_oenvoTKq8vLIflf58/s200/army,+L.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<li>She saw a locket button for the first time</li>
<li>She met and became dear friends with button dealer, Don Ortwein</li>
</ul>
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 <em>turned the button over</em>!!! On the back were the words, "LIBERTY MFG. CO. LOS ANGELES CAL PATENT PEND." <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttgVjvJjQy2_cNhcXtyCP3UPLep0CNrzK_HOcJPNNvDXh9RWoI7trmTOcFGoH_8VW9jgZD_S_gAE2cO0c44YG09HpQ5MaRjrwutgDXiWQiKgiZAeHiyJrPI9X6GPVEVQzwh4WYn2-BnKE/s1600/US15541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttgVjvJjQy2_cNhcXtyCP3UPLep0CNrzK_HOcJPNNvDXh9RWoI7trmTOcFGoH_8VW9jgZD_S_gAE2cO0c44YG09HpQ5MaRjrwutgDXiWQiKgiZAeHiyJrPI9X6GPVEVQzwh4WYn2-BnKE/s320/US15541.jpg" width="320" /></a>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!</div>
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.<br />
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.<br />
I hope I can do these ladies and their soldier proud with my story.<br />
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Don Ortwein</div>
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-82381992786192247322012-09-05T20:07:00.000-07:002012-09-05T20:07:15.149-07:00If You Work Hard...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
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:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>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.<span style="color: orange;">*</span></li>
<li>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.<span style="color: blue;">**</span></li>
<li>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.<span style="color: magenta;">***</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">*</span><span style="color: black;">Y</span>ou know, like a publishers deadline or the kid you were making the baby quilt for is graduating from High School.<br />
<span style="color: blue;">**</span>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!<br />
<span style="color: magenta;">***</span>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!<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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!Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-2635715543735151522011-12-31T21:47:00.000-08:002011-12-31T21:49:23.188-08:00Love 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. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5OesGiHBw8/Tv_fcvZhLyI/AAAAAAAAAk0/UUqIEhuBRuY/s1600/pink+rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5OesGiHBw8/Tv_fcvZhLyI/AAAAAAAAAk0/UUqIEhuBRuY/s320/pink+rose.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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! </div>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?<br />
Then the big day arrives. We gather before dawn at the prearranged spot on Colorado Blvd with cameras in hand. <br />
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</div>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!<br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hoX3O00NVRA/Tv_yJJ4vMWI/AAAAAAAAAlM/jfO7uv60u8k/s1600/tor_foundation_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hoX3O00NVRA/Tv_yJJ4vMWI/AAAAAAAAAlM/jfO7uv60u8k/s1600/tor_foundation_logo.png" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><img height="39" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hoX3O00NVRA/Tv_yJJ4vMWI/AAAAAAAAAlM/jfO7uv60u8k/s1600/tor_foundation_logo.png" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 346px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 1064px;" width="96" />Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-73903853924324934332011-12-30T17:36:00.000-08:002011-12-30T18:56:48.497-08:00Life Happens<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vpjwoiSHsrRJzlZgsp-d7Va62pKZ6_Es6MczAN1nh8lxj4mpXfOQ7TnrPuPAfmOfyWvqHj-shygjzEwMkfsYogZq3c7AF1wXeTJFA18GYNPXjy__apaZr3e4xplZ70dJH-Bg3lydDYY7/s1600/robins.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 197px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692120194617586578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vpjwoiSHsrRJzlZgsp-d7Va62pKZ6_Es6MczAN1nh8lxj4mpXfOQ7TnrPuPAfmOfyWvqHj-shygjzEwMkfsYogZq3c7AF1wXeTJFA18GYNPXjy__apaZr3e4xplZ70dJH-Bg3lydDYY7/s320/robins.jpg" /></a>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.<br /><div><div>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!</div><div>To that end, I have a new schedule, a new plan and a new attitude. </div><div> </div><div>The new <em>schedule</em> is on my web site and I'm adding new classes and programs frequently.</div><div>The new <em>plan</em> involves following through. Less talking about it all and more doing what needs to be done! </div><div>The new <em>attitude</em> comes from reminding myself that worrying (or complaining) doesn't change anything. Prayer. Trust. Accountability. These are things to dwell on.</div><div>So, here we go. Bring on 2012! </div><div> </div></div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-37925054627037424322010-09-17T16:03:00.001-07:002010-09-17T16:03:23.168-07:00Free Pattern Day!<p>OK, here we go!  Our first Free Pattern Friday!</p> <p>In honor of my daughter, who is serving in the US Navy, I picked this project.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TJPztQ2UEoI/AAAAAAAAAiA/YylGbNCohLU/s1600-h/Star122.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Star1 (2)" border="0" alt="Star1 (2)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFsC_Fmtw115vDwPPnvn8Dz_l0OLtKFyAP0yDENl0g0NQ4AYT_SFxxiyYI9X5rdbNdl9khcK-YJqUsRBd_CqqQ6b5GRhvfAjSjHxv3Hk5JxfwkM9_ofVUc0mfZhc-Yeaz3b4vlE6B5qxc/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="240" /></a> </p> <p>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.</p> <p>Directions:</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>3.  Sew through all three layers <strong>on</strong> the traced line for each color.  You can do this by machine or by hand.</p> <p>4.  Trim approximately 1/4 inch outside your sewing line.  I used pinking shears to trim mine.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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!</p> <p>They work up so quickly, you could make several on one piece of fabric and chain sew!</p> <p>Attach a pin or other finding to the back and wear it proudly!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TJPzuPTryKI/AAAAAAAAAiI/yzusZpUNSak/s1600-h/Star%20Pattern%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Star Pattern" border="0" alt="Star Pattern" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TJPzusmOagI/AAAAAAAAAiM/htywWZ6Ry2k/Star%20Pattern_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="359" height="473" /></a></p> Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-43399378934052277282010-09-08T20:40:00.001-07:002010-09-08T20:40:50.158-07:00Project Runway<p>Taking a break from my travel log series….sort of…to show you some fun button fashion:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIhXNZ6c1OI/AAAAAAAAAho/w1ealV2sw2g/s1600-h/IMG00018-20100801-1353%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00018-20100801-1353" border="0" alt="IMG00018-20100801-1353" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIhXNwDRx_I/AAAAAAAAAhs/TeqGU92HFNA/IMG00018-20100801-1353_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a> </p> <p>While on our trip to Atlanta for the American Sewing Guild Annual Conference, my daughter-in-law, Lisa, and I went shopping.  We combed through the Forever 21 store at an upscale mall in Atlanta and found the cutest button clothes!  This jacket had a double row of metal buttons, but closed with hooks and loops.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIhXOZtL09I/AAAAAAAAAhw/6jkYRxEmckE/s1600-h/IMG00019-20100801-1407%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00019-20100801-1407" border="0" alt="IMG00019-20100801-1407" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIhXOzSxieI/AAAAAAAAAh0/OPJBCiEEUtM/IMG00019-20100801-1407_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="248" /></a> </p> <p>This jacket had a zipper, but was “embellished” with buttons.  I think I would have hidden the zipper and used prettier buttons, but I haven’t gotten any phone calls from Tim Gunn or Heidi Klum, so I guess that’s just my opinion!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIhXPQos_gI/AAAAAAAAAh4/JWx-9SThkVk/s1600-h/IMG00020-20100801-1417%20%282%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00020-20100801-1417 (2)" border="0" alt="IMG00020-20100801-1417 (2)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDt63UYr6sWUEgnMsIMsHsuK53ie2rRly29mBDXqYfSdDfLXmn8NXvwGdHBAyYDhD8ClruMkfvsnRCLE6I_sQ7IRl7pEfRNZRq-C67f7-E23y9Kj6y0HkLAfkMn3209h6naty9BwJHtZw/?imgmax=800" width="355" height="484" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Finally, this dress was Sew-adorable!  I think it was a lightweight jersey; very soft and flowed nice.  It is, as you can see, strapless.  The skirt has box pleats with these sweet bows and button centers.  Now, I won’t be wearing this dress (or any other garments from this store!) anytime soon, but I sure can apply this technique to something else…say, a purse!</p> <p>I recently was told that my Warman’s Buttons Field Guide is out of print, with no plans to reprint it.  I am very hopeful that we will be producing a second edition or newer version of this wonderful little book, but I have no news yet.  I have been told by many in “the industry” that buttons are HOT right now, but they feel it will cool off very soon.  I could not disagree more!  Not only have buttons been enjoying a popularity similar to when quilting was brought back into the forefront, but if we, the consumer, continue to buy, design with,  request, use and cherish our buttons we can send a strong message to the powers-that-be.  Button Up!</p> Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-39167792685464781052010-09-04T21:01:00.001-07:002010-09-04T21:12:35.773-07:00The Initiation of Gorski Men<p>There is something magical about the second Saturday in July when you’re in Sister’s Oregon.  The town is inviting, the flowers are blooming, the mountains are glorious and the quilts are spectacular!  oh, and one other thing…there are more people there than in the state of Rhode Island!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIMV-MYr1rI/AAAAAAAAAg4/GnPlojj00Oc/s1600-h/IMG_0514%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0514" border="0" alt="IMG_0514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5n6yjOFTgZtsnncqHyMomScLuLFvfB4OBgQr4eBUuEHX8qFssNBSm-qXOG5WebkwD_jBfy0GMfbvsV2Eu4t2l8KjCjREaHawKs6BtvGa270Osa4azykHCRvVUWTuo_2oNNfRnbgvMguL/?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p> <p>This is looking north on the main street in town, halfway through town.  There are 3 main streets and the whole south end of town, and they all look like this……I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIMV_EAPlxI/AAAAAAAAAhE/3A7sYmm0Ho4/s1600-h/IMG_0486%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0486" border="0" alt="IMG_0486" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIMV_TNgWLI/AAAAAAAAAhI/j7DQTCzzO4E/IMG_0486_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>It takes a huge team of people, including the local fire department, to put up and take down all these quilts for a one day show.  That’s right, <em>one day</em>!  Not to mention the planning, etc. that must be done all year long to make this the best quilt show in the country (in my humble opinion).  The craziness is part of the charm and you meet some of the nicest folks!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIMV_2BK_UI/AAAAAAAAAhM/3S5Uj6_dfgI/s1600-h/IMG_0571%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0571" border="0" alt="IMG_0571" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIMWAPkLWjI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/_BP9yVTC1us/IMG_0571_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>There were dogs everywhere and Tristan wanted to see them all.  This nice lady let him pet her puppies while Babcia ran around taking pictures of blankets and Dzia-Dziu relaxed in the shade.  We ate ice cream, shopped for a new cowboy hat, and learned something that all Gorski men must know:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIMWAlCtKDI/AAAAAAAAAhU/F8boYkizlc8/s1600-h/IMG_0487%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0487" border="0" alt="IMG_0487" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIMWA8K7TOI/AAAAAAAAAhY/mTIws2hINW0/IMG_0487_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Where to find the “man bench” outside the quilt shop door!  It is tradition for husbands (and grandsons) to sit on this bench outside The Stitchin’ Post, hold packages, give out money and reply, “yes, Dear” on cue.  Tristan has been initiated!  Steve is a pro at it!</p> <p>As promised, we did not stay all day, and returned to Bend for some Pizza and swimming in the pool.  Tristan got better each day as he practiced his swimming.  He was such a quick learner and we had a great time together.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIMWBM2_MLI/AAAAAAAAAhc/y2TjwAiH84s/s1600-h/IMG_0474%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0474" border="0" alt="IMG_0474" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIMWBsvR2BI/AAAAAAAAAhg/uulslaV3hFY/IMG_0474_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="287" /></a> </p> <p>This photo shows one of my favorite views in the whole world:  The 3 Sister’s Mountains and, on the far left, Broken Top.  Further to the left you would see Mt. Bachelor, and to the right, Mt. Washington, Jefferson, and Black Butte.  The Deschutes river runs through the center of Bend and fish and birds abound.  Paradise!</p> <p>By the way, if you’d like to see all of the quilt photos I took, here is a link to the album.  They are truly exquisite, but too many to post here!  Enjoy!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:b321f282-f237-40ee-8fcb-7780ee5bcf79" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-5bd8b3cab71dcd12.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=5BD8B3CAB71DCD12!106&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Sister's Outdoor Quilt Show 2010" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIMYsrcLHaI/AAAAAAAAAhk/flG8ejoTbGk/InlineRepresentation4c20d00a-3729-4648-b876-969dd79d32d5%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-5bd8b3cab71dcd12.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=5BD8B3CAB71DCD12!106&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-50108400166870614492010-09-02T20:15:00.001-07:002010-09-02T20:15:23.202-07:00Reindeer and Llamas and Snow, Oh My!<p>We pick up our story as we wake up in Bend, Oregon on a gorgeous Friday morning.  As we eat breakfast, Steve and I can’t help but fondly reminisce about the trip we took with our own 3 kiddos.  We spent several glorious days in Bend one Easter when they were about Tristan’s age and it is still a favorite memory.  We are hoping to show Tristan some of those same magical places his daddy enjoyed.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIBoLXbhVZI/AAAAAAAAAfw/RsgI8GHKwAE/s1600-h/IMG_0406%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0406" border="0" alt="IMG_0406" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIBoL3KFIlI/AAAAAAAAAf0/AE3qLeoYa9g/IMG_0406_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>First stop:  Operation Santa Claus Reindeer Farm.  The farm has dwindled alarmingly since we were here with the kids.  We talked to the owner who told us that government regulations and disease problems have caused him to keep the numbers low.  We drive down the road to where the reindeer are lying in the shade of a few trees.  There are a few little ones among the adults.  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIBoMHDzA4I/AAAAAAAAAf4/9SkKdQ67hVM/s1600-h/IMG_0404%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0404" border="0" alt="IMG_0404" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIBoMWyB4CI/AAAAAAAAAf8/Ljocgr6zMsk/IMG_0404_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIBoM0CfNcI/AAAAAAAAAgA/hNxucRvLUbk/s1600-h/IMG_0409%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0409" border="0" alt="IMG_0409" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCeBQNraQst2-BF6QZu9ROw7l4ZcDa14wnthwx9Z2tzQyJ3PXHEXAt29jmxN5W1IEaVyZAnShZw6YdvRrOwejn8_g6RVwqig00O5GKO2iYqZwK-i6yB_Etv0UKBYc7zM6-xYGhyphenhyphenUUaF5l/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>They are fun to look at but there are llamas down the road, so off we go.</p> <p>Any time we visit Bend, we try to stop at the Hinterland Llama Ranch.  It is a stunningly beautiful place with hundreds of llamas, a barn full of swallows and a house and garden that are a showplace in their own right.  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIBoN5CBG6I/AAAAAAAAAgI/bNpcubxEo7A/s1600-h/IMG_0430%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0430" border="0" alt="IMG_0430" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIBoOeNAliI/AAAAAAAAAgM/k-7yOA5fOK4/IMG_0430_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>As we come up to some of the enclosures, the llamas seem very curious about Tristan. In fact, when we walked up to one area, all 8 llamas actually <em>ran </em>to the fence to check us out. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIBoOw1zYaI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/sQwE3y05YaI/s1600-h/IMG_0424%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0424" border="0" alt="IMG_0424" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIBoPEGypbI/AAAAAAAAAgU/96n2gELI9dI/IMG_0424_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>  </p> <p>I lifted Tristan and they took turns sniffing him.  </p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIBoPsBMV_I/AAAAAAAAAgY/3fxBG5L2I1k/s1600-h/IMG_0427%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0427" border="0" alt="IMG_0427" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4emfbMaj1ac61tEG7nvcbgSqkiJD-w0T2aK1MKvk6e3L_2uFsi2pUmSo3abxNusgDjSKaO1vNAkvWeNKrLAeQD0frCalP9BvWpfK84d1YRuoA88i647EpwV6fcQFYr8AgCzm8t6XYulf/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Finally one allowed him close enough to stroke his neck.  Tristan was delighted!</p> <p> </p> <p>Tristan kept insisting that he wanted to talk to the farmer, and we did find one of the hands who talked to us for quite some time.  I was saddened to that after many years, the owner was retiring and the ranch was for sale.  Does anybody have $4, 500, 000 they can loan me?</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIBoQba8V2I/AAAAAAAAAgg/ckU1ZiwnU7s/s1600-h/IMG_0433%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0433" border="0" alt="IMG_0433" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIBoQyMHmfI/AAAAAAAAAgk/3gpQlgZO0RU/IMG_0433_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="230" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>On our way out, we stopped at the pen with several mamas and adorable babies.  This one wanted to go home with Tristan!  They were so sweet, running and frolicking together.  We hated to leave.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIBoRdkpjCI/AAAAAAAAAgo/5UdxBYlcwSE/s1600-h/IMG_0468%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0468" border="0" alt="IMG_0468" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIBoRgpSCnI/AAAAAAAAAgs/F1_bGeyFoI0/IMG_0468_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>                                                                                                           We spent the rest of the day driving up to Mt. Bachelor and playing in the snow and lava beds.  We put our feet in the cold, cold water of the Deschutes River, “just like Daddy did”. </p> <p>It was a memorable day.  Too tired even to go swimming (gasp!)  we slept soundly!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIBoSF_lZLI/AAAAAAAAAgw/mbOgP1XGZ_U/s1600-h/IMG_0445%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0445" border="0" alt="IMG_0445" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TIBoSuWwFTI/AAAAAAAAAg0/BBT21fwwUCk/IMG_0445_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>  </p> <p>Tomorrow:  Sister’s Outdoor Quilt Show and passing on manly traditions! </p> Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-10329349848537988122010-09-01T20:57:00.001-07:002010-09-01T20:57:21.565-07:00A Lesson in Polish.<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFL7yNSOhhyphenhyphenuXevvpg9HD2KHGsDy6jSvzLNFyXFVg9qGGuh8R6kV9qFXk70hQz4GJnovGpR2pG76jZpzrSCM0lfgbyc13fCbDdy_u1Ft1546I_BW99wBaUI6kGFUa8BZwtD5-6yBaSvPl/s1600-h/IMG_0327%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0327" border="0" alt="IMG_0327" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TH8gk-KZlzI/AAAAAAAAAfU/IXe5POMzfNg/IMG_0327_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>  I love being a Babcia!  That’s Polish for Gramma, by the way and pronounced “bobsha”.  Tristan is the son of our oldest son, Chad, and his wife, Anna.  He looks so much like Chad, but then, a cock of his head will transform him into his Mother’s son!  He is, without a doubt, the biggest blessing in our lives.</p> <p>We recently took a vacation with Tristan.  Here we are, on day one, feet in the water at Mukilteo Beach in Washington.  We then proceeded to “jump” the ripples he called waves.  We laughed and screeched and nearly fell in !  What joy!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TH8glYLFxBI/AAAAAAAAAfY/9ngGKNKugRQ/s1600-h/IMG_0374%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0374" border="0" alt="IMG_0374" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TH8glyH_iCI/AAAAAAAAAfc/KYcLsLakawI/IMG_0374_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>The next day we stopped to visit old friends and Tristan played with his new best friend, “Kat”, at this play place while we adults chattered away and watched them at play.  Mostly we asked each other where they got their energy form and “remember when?”.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TH8gmxpbIEI/AAAAAAAAAfg/vFlgTFsoPFA/s1600-h/IMG_0385%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0385" border="0" alt="IMG_0385" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TH8gnVkCUWI/AAAAAAAAAfk/qjPVpdXwJKU/IMG_0385_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> Tristan’s Dzia-Dziu (more Polish, sort of pronounced “Jaw-Jew”), insisted it was time to teach his grandson how to speak “cow”.  Not just any, cow…Tillamook Cow!  It’s a special dialect that only Steve can speak. (true story!)  Tristan was delighted to find he can now speak <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TH8gnjNfXVI/AAAAAAAAAfo/4rmZglJ6UTU/s1600-h/IMG_0380%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0380" border="0" alt="IMG_0380" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TH8goFqv2UI/AAAAAAAAAfs/OK16OUUPGFU/IMG_0380_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="244" /></a>English, German and Tillamook!  Here we are enjoying real Tillamook ice cream!  Yummy!</p> <p>It’s been a long time since we’ve heard those immortal words, “Are we there yet?”, but Tristan knows them very well!  We took the rest of the day to cross over the Cascades into the town of Bend, Oregon, or, as I like to call it, “Paradise”.</p> <p>To be continued……</p> Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-88050479086751024802010-08-31T11:18:00.000-07:002010-08-31T11:53:40.732-07:00Spreading Button Love!Thought I would share a couple more fun sites with you:<br /><a href="http://bonkersaboutbuttons1.blogspot.com/">Bonkers About Buttons</a> and <a href="http://ihaveanotion.blogspot.com/2010/08/2-martins-in-nest.html">I Have a Notion</a> . Both refer to wonderful creations by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/2Martinsinanest">2 Martins In A Nest</a> . I am in awe of these talented ladies and just had to share them with you right away! Enjoy!Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-73679351141562630642010-08-31T10:34:00.001-07:002010-08-31T10:36:26.588-07:00Buttons For a Cause!<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TH09JyZkV4I/AAAAAAAAAeg/v2gHE5sKL_s/s1600-h/chair%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="chair" border="0" alt="chair" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/TH09KTrwkjI/AAAAAAAAAek/omL9oLcqIxM/chair_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="445" /></a> </p> <p>I saw this on the California Button Society blog and thought it was important to share with all of you.  It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything new….I’ll try to do better.  This is the jump start I needed!</p> <p>Jill</p> Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-17885672668268372242010-04-29T12:29:00.001-07:002010-04-29T12:29:41.246-07:00Memories of Carmen<p>So many buttons were created to commemorate historical events or echo themes of the times.  Glass fruit buttons, manufactured in Germany,  were originally created to pay homage to Carmen Miranda’s wonderful fruit covered hat she wore in the 1943 movie, <em>The Gang’s All Here .</em></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:8952f34c-f4ca-473a-9f09-e5d7f4f86f73" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="cad98f86-3f03-47e9-8f5d-3449d40d7b98" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flfB4PGBHhE" target="_new"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S9neGoTD9zI/AAAAAAAAAdU/KXsA94bonG8/video129287200c2a%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('cad98f86-3f03-47e9-8f5d-3449d40d7b98'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/flfB4PGBHhE&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/flfB4PGBHhE&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p> </p> <p>“Miranda's enormous, fruit-laden hats are iconic visuals recognized around the world. These costumes led to Saks Fifth Avenue developing a line of turbans and jewelry inspired by Carmen Miranda in 1939.  Many costume jewelry designers made fruit jewelry also inspired by Carmen Miranda which is still highly valued and collectible by vintage and antique costume jewelry collectors. Fruit jewelry is still popular in jewelry design today. Much of the fruit jewelry seen today is often still fondly called "Carmen Miranda jewelry" because of this.” (from Wikipedia)<a title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmen_Miranda" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmen_Miranda">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmen_Miranda</a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S9neG03yHII/AAAAAAAAAdY/lw4KSdonB7c/s1600-h/220px-Carmen_Miranda_in_The_Gang%27s_All_Here_trailer_cropped%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="220px-Carmen_Miranda_in_The_Gang's_All_Here_trailer_cropped" border="0" alt="220px-Carmen_Miranda_in_The_Gang's_All_Here_trailer_cropped" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1T0kcS8j1k9WN7OMUmXbWFTtyI6mh2Qh6OGCkK-SzJSywFgRbh3L12jW9dx43TBEe65Qfp5MTbdnTC_NxqEkG9aMC4tTthoyteU6Tuo56Znq-7Oso8WAnmOXB2BE8Ruex0hNJvRJ21Fj/?imgmax=800" width="224" height="219" /></a> I have just finished my latest creation and I’m naming it “Tutti-Frutti”.  I have, at the moment, 5 kits available at the price of $40 plus $5.00 Priority Mail shipping (includes pattern, buttons and everything you need to make the bracelet as seen) :</p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S9neHwcProI/AAAAAAAAAdg/bgJOQIDEcqA/s1600-h/009%20%282%29%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="009 (2)" border="0" alt="009 (2)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S9neIYyKb8I/AAAAAAAAAdk/3XKcV7UwCqI/009%20%282%29_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="121" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S9neIuLJFbI/AAAAAAAAAdo/mjtCcfdaaSs/s1600-h/009%20%283%29%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="009 (3)" border="0" alt="009 (3)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S9neJFpzkKI/AAAAAAAAAds/4pSNKgpilqc/009%20%283%29_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="267" /></a></p> <p>I have to admit, it turned out just “peachy”!  (You may groan now!).</p> <p>Be the first to make this adorable bracelets for yourself or as a gift. It only takes 4 hours of your time ( I promise!  Even if you have never beaded before!)</p> <p> Email me at <a href="mailto:Jill@JillionsofButtons.com" target="_blank">Jill@JillionsofButtons.com</a> </p> <p>or call me at 719-661-9218  to place your order.  The price will be slightly higher when it is posted to the web site this next month.</p> Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-31687664151804495632010-04-17T10:22:00.001-07:002010-04-17T10:22:55.644-07:00I Saved The Best For Last!<p>Was I kidding?</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8nuWutTHkI/AAAAAAAAAco/2BqkEXu35ug/s1600-h/010%282%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="010(2)" border="0" alt="010(2)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8nuXHAwIVI/AAAAAAAAAcs/GR0NFmjBvq0/010%282%29_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="395" /></a>When I saw this card, toward the bottom of the stack of cards, I literally gasped.  When people tell me they have buttons to share with me, this is the last thing I expect to see. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8nuX45OxhI/AAAAAAAAAcw/crEHg-rWGfo/s1600-h/010%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="010" border="0" alt="010" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFp-ZqWSv3q5DoYoFqXdBZm7kt6lGcHJGP6V1Shop3ksEM0tMtYOUAkltrFE1gBX2tomXJUWm3c76TK8LQWZnm-BlQSnZczE-iUrWp_m7dad3DlGT01TGokb1pcd4RKCRZtrPPePEq0Ga/?imgmax=800" width="179" height="172" /></a></p> <p>The first thing that caught my eye was this incredible large Satsuma.  This button was made in the Satsuma province of Japan in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s.  The material is a type of porcelain with a distinctive shank style and decorative style. (This is a very interesting subject.  I may have to write about these buttons in my <a href="http://www.jillionsofbuttons.com/Newsletter.aspx" target="_blank">Newsletter</a>!)  This button is worth <em>at least</em> $150.00 on the open market.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8nuYm6lZhI/AAAAAAAAAc4/I3Am5r9Njps/s1600-h/010%282%29%20%284%29.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="010(2) (4)" border="0" alt="010(2) (4)" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8nuZOokhpI/AAAAAAAAAc8/h0bmMVZ_fxY/010%282%29%20%284%29_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="153" /></a>  When I snapped these photos, I was in a bit of a hurry and so I did not think to document or even look very closely at these buttons.  I see at least one other small Satsuma (3rd button down on the left) and the top right button is a flat steel button with a yellow metal embellishment (hand holding flowers).  I think I will have to meet up with Barbara again and look this card over more carefully.  These were obviously her relatives’ “deluxe” buttons!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8nuZr09SLI/AAAAAAAAAdA/qqx0dwbSOmQ/s1600-h/010%282%29%20%283%29%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="010(2) (3)" border="0" alt="010(2) (3)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxas0jItVbOW2L_4c3xTqDb7ajYBWxDIcmiYu9wMCc-jGAxZysOFUDwgZ_jo2xTP7-Bj8qHgn7Jl7etmGl88CqRpcFh69-kBbjJbIYDzm9ve3Pnj1BqYGpDZM0i3B3rJhnqVu1UMkMskG/?imgmax=800" width="404" height="164" /></a></p> <p>The buttons at the bottom of the card show at 2 enamel buttons (far left and right).  They are beautifully painted and show no wear at all!  The center button features a fan design on a “Japanned” brass button.  I believe there is a beaded button and several mirror backs, but I am only surmising.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8nualcnxGI/AAAAAAAAAdI/UMkRj4cz-Tc/s1600-h/010%282%29%20%282%29%5B2%5D.jpg"> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="010(2) (2)" border="0" alt="010(2) (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8nubQEFOdI/AAAAAAAAAdM/rkFjdVl0Pp4/010%282%29%20%282%29_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="222" /></a></p> <p>The buttons with the photographs are called Ferrotypes, or Tintypes, and were popular and inexpensive to purchase in the late 19th century.  The smaller Tintype button may have been a Civil War soldier’s mother or sweetheart and could have been worn on his uniform.  The button in the center has an unusual border for the period and I am thinking that this looks a lot like President U.S. Grant.  If this is the case, this may have been made as a campaign type button and mass produced, but I would have to do more research to be sure.  One thing is certain: it is a fabulous button!  <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="010(2) (5)" border="0" alt="010(2) (5)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8nubrXHn2I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/nUrVT204zpg/010%282%29%20%285%29%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="237" /></p> <p>The buttons to the left are Indian silver buttons.  The button to the right shows a bird with cut steel embellishment on a metal button.  Next to this is a mountain scene carved onto a material that was then set into a metal frame.  I will not even hazard a guess as to what this material is without closer inspection.</p> <p>As you can see, Barbara is the custodian for a phenomenal collection of 18th, 19th and 20th century buttons.  We can learn so much about our past from these miniature works of art.  They certainly have given me cause to do some more research and learn more about some of these buttons.  Keep an eye on my Newsletter and this blog for the results of my educational pursuits!</p> <p>Until then, Button Up! </p> Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-52943783889595205172010-04-16T15:10:00.001-07:002010-04-16T15:10:14.892-07:00Barbara’s Buttons III<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8jgODLo5UI/AAAAAAAAAcI/8mhr8_wDhy4/s1600-h/00423.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="004 (2)" border="0" alt="004 (2)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8jgOoPLkcI/AAAAAAAAAcM/eD5fP5J0LHc/0042_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="297" /></a> </p> <p>These uniform buttons were sewn to a piece of velvet and mounted to a piece of cardboard.  There are Army, Navy American Legion and railroad buttons here.  My favorites were the Confederate Army Infantry and Artillery buttons circa 1860-65:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8jgO_k7m0I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/SXHbMQVwwNY/s1600-h/00433.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="004 (3)" border="0" alt="004 (3)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8jgPQfeiQI/AAAAAAAAAcU/BnjN-3Xj4XM/0043_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="121" /></a></p> <p>These buttons are just plain fun!  I see a Bakelite “cookie” button as well as extruded rods, colored glass and plastics.  Cool design, too!  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8jgPw68PmI/AAAAAAAAAcY/MJ2B99gZkAA/s1600-h/00824.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="008 (2)" border="0" alt="008 (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8jgQp4VEjI/AAAAAAAAAcc/0K2npDoRgPU/0082_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="306" /></a>  </p> <p>Last, but not least, are these small metal buttons.  There are pewter, brass, white and yellow metals.  I see Twinkles and cut steels as well!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8jgQ96GhkI/AAAAAAAAAcg/QzG5WBDmxHU/s1600-h/0073.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="007" border="0" alt="007" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8jgRTTJoSI/AAAAAAAAAck/Npl4baDqIH4/007_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p> <p>I am saving the best for my last post of Barbara’s buttons tomorrow.  You will be impressed!  Don’t miss it! </p> Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-38942377959233883222010-04-15T07:29:00.001-07:002010-04-15T07:29:19.852-07:00Barbara’s Buttons II<p>Since I discussed China buttons in my <a href="http://www.jillionsofbuttons.com/Newsletter.aspx" target="_blank">Newsletter</a> that was released today, I’ll share Barbara’s card of Chinas:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8cisYdv2sI/AAAAAAAAAbo/ai_pL0-kvgM/s1600-h/01323.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="013 (2)" border="0" alt="013 (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8cis4RZ5MI/AAAAAAAAAbs/UaCnJ7VFV-M/0132_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="286" /></a> </p> <p>Isn’t this fun?  Here is a close up of one area.  Notice the one Calico that is a blue body with a white design.  While these are not rare, they are not plentiful, either.  Most Calicos are a white or crème color body with a colored design applied.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8citJU0LSI/AAAAAAAAAbw/8gT2SqzUVco/s1600-h/01333.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="013 (3)" border="0" alt="013 (3)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8cit1XETVI/AAAAAAAAAb0/p0-6kB60Ino/0133_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="274" /></a> </p> <p>In addition to Calicos, there are inkwells, stencils, hobnails, hollow-eye ringers, and Aurora luster buttons in this close up!  There may even be others, but it’s hard to tell from the photo!</p> <p>Button collectors made do and this card shows just how far they went to conserve resources!  Let’s look at the back of this card:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8ciudb3zDI/AAAAAAAAAb4/cLscWDNZGxI/s1600-h/01423.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="014 (2)" border="0" alt="014 (2)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8ciu0x0GOI/AAAAAAAAAb8/vk15VscbZnc/0142_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p> <p>Note the date on this wonderful campaign poster!  Sept.15, 1936!  It sure is handy when your family helps you date your collection!  </p> <p>While this next card does not come from Barbara’s button collection, (I believe this is from the collection of Pam Maine) I thought it would be a good time to show it.  Here is another favorite way for collectors to arrange their China (in this case, Calico) buttons.  So much fun!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8civYlfs-I/AAAAAAAAAcA/YpYdr3h9hLU/s1600-h/IMG_001513.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0015-1" border="0" alt="IMG_0015-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8civz2ucvI/AAAAAAAAAcE/HIa-RWYQFwo/IMG_00151_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="484" /></a> </p> <p>Tomorrow, part 3 of 4.  Stay tuned!</p> Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-34369544171333484042010-04-14T19:39:00.001-07:002010-04-14T21:09:11.043-07:00Barbara’s Buttons<p>I recently spoke to a wonderful group of ladies at the League of Northern Colorado Quilters in Ft. Collins, CO.  A lovely lady, Barbara, brought a box with some carded buttons to show me.  I’m afraid I can’t recall exactly which family member they belonged to, but they were only a small portion of what was left to her.  Let me share these beauties with you!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8Z8SRFjqgI/AAAAAAAAAbI/qOIJAOD14qk/s1600-h/011%20%282%29%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="011 (2)" border="0" alt="011 (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8Z8S3fuuKI/AAAAAAAAAbM/yxer_1TWClo/011%20%282%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="347" height="484" /></a> </p> <p>This is a card of Black Glass buttons.  They are sewn to a piece of cardboard with a heavy thread in a lovely arrangement.  The center buttons are especially gorgeous.  Here is a close up of the very center button:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IevMn04ZnnJyykwuryS29fkCg3LnrKx5V4f2kwvpnU5iThuuDWvlhQQf6M_nOzflF1Rx6rujSzHmaMheB0Ygos1PGa-4YIYTPqmzMwd4n2a51NJf4LMTsskom2bzWI6eZDd8CJsb8l4h/s1600-h/012%20(2)%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="012 (2)" border="0" alt="012 (2)" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8Z8TYpDCjI/AAAAAAAAAbU/Zcg3hDZqW3E/012%20%282%29_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>As I recall it was about one and a half inches across and very round on the back (like a half ball).  The outer design is incised while the center is deeply carved.  This picture does not do it justice!</p> <p>Then there was a card of Goodyear Rubber buttons.  Isn’t this a clever way to mount them?</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8Z8T4zrAEI/AAAAAAAAAbY/rmXbF_NqEzA/s1600-h/009%20%282%29%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="009 (2)" border="0" alt="009 (2)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8Z8UbxazBI/AAAAAAAAAbc/DCE8UJxoOKM/009%20%282%29_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="215" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>This card is completely covered with Whistle buttons, many of them made from Vegetable Ivory.  A Whistle is a construction method that has one hole on the top of the button and two holes on the underside.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8Z8Ul-eXaI/AAAAAAAAAbg/Kgf-lQoP5j0/s1600-h/005%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="005" border="0" alt="005" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S8Z8VfHZTzI/AAAAAAAAAbk/qu2tUbO4p3Y/005_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="389" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>There are several other cards to show you, so I’ll break it up into a couple of posts.  See you tomorrow!</p> Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3343243773056834026.post-74569008427281462702010-03-23T10:09:00.001-07:002010-03-23T10:09:17.301-07:00I Live For This!<p>It’s my favorite time of year….Baseball is back!  I was able to see 2 Spring Training games at the new Surprise, AZ stadium.  The second game I went to was a night game and I went alone, but the first game was a 1:05 start and I went with my brother and his family.</p> <p>The weather couldn’t have been better, the grass greener, the hot dog tastier!  We sat in the outfield where the kids could play and I kicked off my shoes to caress the grass between my toes.  Oh, yes, I live for this!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S6j1XKSchyI/AAAAAAAAAao/yA-HzN-njc4/s1600-h/017%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="017" border="0" alt="017" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S6j1YHWMxzI/AAAAAAAAAas/MAIAL3RMx3Q/017_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>Here is Daddy (my brother, Jay) explaining the finer points of the game to his crew of three.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S6j1Y5znS6I/AAAAAAAAAaw/jbWONXckKSg/s1600-h/012%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="012" border="0" alt="012" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S6j1ZhYnn_I/AAAAAAAAAa0/YZoXfV-tJ30/012_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Grace enjoys a hot dog.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S6j1abw59VI/AAAAAAAAAa4/VNNQxMqIN2M/s1600-h/013%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="013" border="0" alt="013" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S6j1tyfor4I/AAAAAAAAAa8/TC7zUBfcazY/013_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Jeannine gets some sun and lovin’ from Ryan.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S6j1uYthYvI/AAAAAAAAAbA/tb9O1vv4tzs/s1600-h/014%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="014" border="0" alt="014" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gmCT-_txYCA/S6j1uwueIOI/AAAAAAAAAbE/BYCcskAf9u0/014_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Seth was determined to catch a home run ball, but there were none in this game between the Royals and the Brewers.</p> <p>Not that it matters, but the Brewers won this one.  </p> <p>“Put me in, Coach, I’m ready to play!  Look at me, I can be centerfield!”</p> Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024953289811093161noreply@blogger.com1