A Few More "Finishes"

A long time ago, perhaps as long ago as 2013, I bought two chairs for $5 a piece at a yard sale.  The grand plan was to strip them, stain them, seal them, and reupholster them with quilted seats.  I then thought maybe I should paint them, instead of stain them.  Yesterday, I finished one.  Here's how it looks.  I think I will paint the other one, just because.

 I also made a little quiltlet, for a friend, and a second one (that I forgot to snap a photo of) for my sister.  They went out in yesterday's mail.

 I think I mentioned that I've been busy, with this n that.  One of the things I've been doing is trying to clean up the clutter in the studio.  I just finished washing these buttons, which I bought in Missouri.  They filled a Mason jar, and the cost was $5.  Such a deal, such a deal!  Look at all of that color!  :)

 I also washed buttons from an estate sale in Visalia.  No wonder they've been pushed aside for months (like since before Christmas!)  There's no color to be seen, compared to what Missouri had to offer.  Then again, I think these were somewhere in the neighborhood of $3, so I don't know what I'm complaining about.

And, hmmm.  I guess that's it on the creative front for today.  I'm working on it, definitely working on it.  I'm trying to do one major household task - yesterday was to finish reassembling the shower - and then reward myself with sewing. So far, sew good.  And now, it's time to get back at it.  Happy creating, y'all!  :)

Postcards!

As you likely know, if you've visited here often, I'm a member of Postmark'd Art.  We are in the throes of our 20th exchange.  I believe I joined them during Round 11.  It's been great fun, and this time, I signed up for THREE themes.  Usually I choose my favorite, or when I'm really feeling inspired, I choose two.

My first set went into yesterday's mail.  These are my "No Theme" cards, which means the sky's the limit.

As you can probably tell, I have trouble throwing anything away.  Especially pretty selvedges with fun writing.

I also sent off this independent card to one of the group.  I coveted her creations from Round 19's White on White, and we agreed to swap outside PMA.  I finally finished mine and mailed it off yesterday.  Can you tell I still have wedding on the brain?  One piece of silk was from my wedding dress, as was the lace.  Pretty.  I think I need to make another.

 The tail is actually a tail, that drops off the right side.  I didn't realize it had curled in on the card until it was in the hands of the USPS.  I think it's a pretty little thing, and it makes me smile.  For the first time ever, I've grouped buttons "randomly," and they don't look stiff or planned.  yay!  Can't wait to see what I sew up next!

Old Things

First, I'll wish you a happy Independence Day, hoping that freedom becomes more familiar and restriction/oppression (I live in CA) less.  (Ever see Monty Python..."Help!  Help!  I'm being oppressed!"  It's a favorite quote around here.)

I made this little quilt in 1993.  I believe the cowboy pattern came from Quiltmaker or Quilter's Newsletter Magazine, either in late '92 or early '93.  I finished it for my #2 son's 6th birthday.   The older kids KNEW it was him.  That's how he dressed.  Every day.

"The Birthday Cowboy" 1993

 A friend is clearing out an acquaintance's stash.  I had a chance at some acquisition.  I chose some buttons...

 And some perle cotton...

 And some rayon (on the left) and silk (on the right) threads...

And an entire box of metallic threads.  oh my!  I may have gotten carried away!

 Here is a close-up, of some of the threads.  I hear they add sparkle, when added to other floss.  I can do that...

I'd been slowly accumulating things to begin crazy quilting.  The bug BIT me, and now I can't stop.  If only there were more hours in the day!  Or perhaps I should say, "If only I spent more hours in the day quilting!"  :)  Time to stop blogging, and begin quilting.

Happy Birthday, America!

Buttons Galore

Well fancy that. Blogger flipped all of my pictures, with the exception of family. At least they were kind enough to leave us on our feet!

Over the weekend I visited a few Estate Sales. At one, I bought a Lot of Grandma's stuff - crochet thread, ribbons, tatting, etc. for $9. I thought most of it would be passed along, but Grandma had good taste. I will be keeping much of it.

But now I have to organize it. These are some of the buttons that were in the bag. Should I keep them on cards? Or remove them?

I inherited my mom's button box. I've sorted through much of it, but this is how the bulk of the "leftovers" are stored. Do you have an unsorted button box? Is it just for fun? Or do you try to actually use the contents?

I've also got some "special" buttons, which have been sorted into boxes by color. But I find that they are a pain to get to, and then I just play with them. I feel bad about using them.

I'm looking for suggestions on how to make my button collection "user friendly." I know a lot of you don't do buttons...I don't do them much either, but sometimes I just gotta have them. ;)

Finally, here is a picture taken this weekend. All of the kiddies gathered from various parts of CA and met in Fresno for 7 hours. Then it was home again, home again, jiggity jig. oh well. We treasure the time we have together, knowing that it is scarce.

(This was taken in a restaurant, an hour from home.)

And I guess that's a wrap. Button comments? Anyone? Help? :)