A Very Special “Happy Birthday”

On Sunday, September 13, I was privileged to participate in the Birthday Bash for Nuts N Bolts Needle Works in Woodland Park, Colorado.  The setting for this fabulous shop is the mountains above Colorado Springs and the day was gorgeous!  In addition to the quilts, fabrics, notions, yarns, and fun gift items, we were treated to a delicious array of finger foods and birthday cake.  There were lots of giveaways and make and take classes as well.  That’s where I came in!

I taught many of the ladies in attendance to make the Button Button Dangle.  Here are a couple of the ladies enjoying themselves:

And me, talking, as usual!

Next month I will be teaching a class for the Beaded Button Bracelet at the shop.  My schedule has all of the information, if you are interested in taking this fun and easy class.

Thanks to all of the ladies at Nuts N Bolts for a wonderful day!  It was also my nephew, Kevin’s 8th birthday.  Kevin was lucky to be born on my Da’s birthday (my maternal grandfather) who passed away a couple of years ago at the ripe old age of 99.5.  After helping him to celebrate so many birthdays it seems only fitting to continue to do so in conjunction with Kevin!  So, Happy Birthday to all.  Let’s eat cake!!!

Back In The Saddle Again

Well, I feel like I’ve been gone for a month (oh my, it has been a month!).  I have been going nonstop and it’s time to get back on track.

When we left off, I was heading to Denver for the National Button Society Convention.  I entered 2 trays into competition (no ribbons, but no “measles”), made lots of new friends and spent WAY too much money on gorgeous buttons!

                        

This is a photo of my roommate, Roberta Schuler from Tucson, AZ.  She won several ribbons, including this original sample card from JHB Button Company as a prize.

I was also thrilled to meet Millicent Safro of Tender Buttons in New York.  She liked my books so much that she purchased several copies as gifts for her friends!  Now that’s what I call an endorsement!

                         

I was recently in Loveland, CO for a show where they had a fabulous display of the Hoffman Challenge Quilts.  I sure do admire those who can create such imaginative creations. This one is by my dear friend, Sharon Schlotzhauer (her talents are also displayed in my Busy With Buttons book!).  She received a 2nd place, if I’m not mistaken.

Last, but certainly not least, I have been at the ball park, feeding and cheering on my Reno Aces / Diamondbacks who were visiting the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.  I could go on forever about “my boys”, but I’ll just post a couple photos and say that John Hester was called up the next day and hit a home run in his first major league at bat!  Could it have been my Rice Crispy Treats and words of encouragement?  Probably not but I’m happy for him anyway!

Manager, Brett Butler.

My buddy, Chris Young.

  Catcher, John Hester, the newest Diamondback!

To be continued tomorrow!

Living for Love

I have three incredible children!  They bring Steve and I so much joy!  But I have also been blessed with a precious grandson and 4 beautiful Godchildren.  Meet Alan.  He is the oldest son of my best friend, Colleen and he now has an adorable daughter named Reina.

Recently I went “home” to California and got the chance to visit with Colleen, Alan and Reina and spend a day at the beach.  Reina and I spent the afternoon making sandcastles and jumping the waves that washed over our feet.  It was Heaven on Earth!

 

My Beach themed Beaded Button Bracelet was designed with these special kinds of memories in mind and I wear it when I want to feel surrounded by my favorite things.  I hope you’ll create your own memories and commemorate them with a button creation!

Junior Buttonists!

While at the Firehouse Quilt Show in Highlands Ranch, Colorado recently, I had the privilege of encouraging some budding Junior Button Collectors!  I hope you will all do the same by sharing your buttons and remembering to designate them to others for future collectors to enjoy!

This young man is also a very talented quilter at the tender age of 17!

I never get tired of seeing others enjoy digging through my button buckets!

Oh, The Possibilities!

This bracelet is the latest creation by my friend, Becky.  I “talked her into” trying the Beaded Button Bracelet pattern.  She was skeptical, at first, but she tried it and now she can’t stop!!!  It’s fun, fabulous and easy, even if you have never beaded before (just ask Becky!).  You can find the pattern, button sets and complete kits in our online store at www.JillionsofButtons.com.  They take an average of 4 hours to complete, so you can work on them for a hour each evening and finish in time for the weekend, but be warned: Once you start, it’s hard to stop!

Below is the first bracelet Becky made.Too cute!

Bead&Button Magazine - Goodyear rubber buttons

Bead&Button Magazine - Goodyear rubber buttons

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Strange Plants in California!

These are flowering artichokes!  I had never seen one before our trip to California.  These were growing in front of a winery in the McDowell Valley (my maiden name!).

These were in Carmel and I have no idea what they are, but they were certainly intriguing!

 

These seemed to be blue, green and purple!  Here is a closer look.  Again in Carmel…the land of unusual plants!