Aunt Helen's Obsession

A few months ago I made an impulse purchase on Etsy and have been meaning to share it with you ever since it arrived. Lucky for me I came across this potpourri of old buttons lovingly stitched to a bright yellow cloth and cardboard backing. Debra of Saffron Colored Pony says the "buttons in this collection called Aunt Helen's obsession. Sewing buttons onto card stock, mostly in a pleasing manner. They come to you on their original cardboard backing that Aunt Helen culled." I dare say I share in Aunt Helen's obsession. Do you?

And....there is another of Aunt Helen's button cards available here.

Button Bear

Button Bear, mixed media assemblage

My sieve collection just lost another member. I'm thinking this button bear dressed up a little early for trick-or-treating? There's already been an involved discussion about costume options in this house too.

Doll House no 378

Doll House no 378, mixed media assemblage

Welcome 2012

A Happy New Year to you! We welcomed in 2012 with a family game night--complete with Operation, Bananagrams, Spot It, Hedbanz, Gobblet and Blink. How did you celebrate?

Salesman Button Sampler

This old salesman sampler of buttons 'n buckles has been sitting in my studio for months and was finally placed in the shop. I kinda had to come to terms with letting it go to a true button collector. As you know, I love, love, love me some buttons but I'm more the sifting, sorting type of "collector" who loves to play with them and use them in my own projects. Of course, the OCDish side of me wants to just sit and admire the beautiful neatness of these pages! The Patent Button Company of Waterbury, Connecticut was founded way back in 1876. I found some interesting history on the company while surfing the interwebs but I just gotta say--they sure set their salesmen up for success--didn't they?

Thrifted Buttons

I thrifted another jar of buttons for $8.00. It is a weakness, I cannot resist them. Maybe I'll make another button board soon.

Kaleidoscope Button Board

A whimsical assemblage, a collection of old buttons, a kaleidoscope of color--it's all of these things! Take a closer peek at this button board in the shop.

Button Palette

Oh me, oh my! I have found my dream color palette in this old salesman sample of tennis buttons. I've procured a large binder full of button and buckle sample cards from the Rochester Button Company of New York. Some of them will make there way into the homes of other collectors but this page is mine folks! I'm claiming it for my studio inspiration board 'cuz this is a collection of color that makes me truly giddy to gaze upon.

The Grandparents

Thought I would introduce you to the two pieces in our family collection that are the precursor to my Doll House series. We lovingly refer to them as "the grandparents". Both assemblages were created in early 2006--Lizzie was just about to enter toddler-hood and I had not yet discovered Etsy (imagine that!). Both pieces measure about a foot high and were constructed with wood scraps scavenged during my days working at a Mardi Gras float building company. I'm realizing while typing this post that I miss using buttons in my work (mental note: use more buttons somewhere, somehow). The Doll Houses were originally adorned with buttons but have since transitioned to feature old anatomical images. It may be time for the series to transition again? Just thinking out loud here but if you have an opinion I'm all ears. In the meantime, the grandparents are mighty pleased to meet you!

Black & White

I'm still incessantly snapping pictures with my iphone and (according to Patrick) have overspent my app budget for the month. I finally purchased all the film packs for Hipstamatic including this black and white BlacKeys SuperGrain film. Happy Friday!

Spring Has Sprung

Tomorrow marks the first official day of spring so Lizzie and I decided to plant a little flower garden (of buttons!) to celebrate. She had a lot of fun "planting" them in bunches and then in rows. 

When I was growing up we always recited this little ditty:

Spring has sprung, the grass has riz, I wonder where the flowers is. 

Now Lizzie is going around the house chanting it and the first thing she did this morning is look out the window reporting back to me that the flowers are STILL hiding.

Have a beautiful weekend and to all of you in the Northern Hemisphere -- Happy Spring!