Thursday, April 14, 2011

A few odds and ends...


 (If you are an email subscriber, there are two posts in this email - so be sure to scroll down to see them both)

I love to visit antique and consignment shops.  When we lived in England we went to lots of fairs and to the markets (similar to Brimfield in the US).  I had certain things that I looked for and I developed a few more collections - by chance or by choice.  One day I will photograph some of the things I collect for the blog.


While my brother and his partner were here we went into Boston one day and then checked out the local shops another day.  There is one tiny antique store here in Concord that I love to visit because they always have interesting buttons and small charms.  I have way too many buttons already but I still can always justify adding a few more to my collection  (this is something we need to talk about!) .


This charm will look so nice on a special card.  If you look carefully you will also see a great idea for a design made from the basic shapes used for the bird and branch.


The blue button is a glass button from Czechoslovakia (as it was known at the time).  There is a shank instead of pierced holes to sew the button to the fabric.  This style of button is still being made to day and you can find lots of sites selling them if you search for "Czech glass buttons" - I looked around a bit after I got home and saw dozens I'd love to have in my collection!


I also found this set of patriotic buttons.  The pentagon shape and the three colors are very eye catching.


Don't they look great arranged as a frame?  I am sure I'll find some fun ways to use these.


In another shop I found sections of an old French dictionary that were wrapped up for sale.  The book they were from was falling apart so the clever shop keeper made bundles of pages to sell.


With a little searching, I was able to find the sections for my initials.  The drawings are very detailed and interesting.


I have lots of ideas for ways to incorporate these in some projects.  I also will keep an eye out for decrepit books that I might be able to buy for a lower price than buying the book in sections.  You might remember the Tim Holtz Configurations box that I bought a little while ago - it is time to pull that out and get busy collageing (I don't think that is a word - but you know what I mean!).


We also visited our wonderful Five and Dime store.  This is where I found the fuzzy contact paper that I used for some Valentine's projects earlier this year (here is a LINK).  When I made those projects I was using the red roll that I bought a long time ago and I did not have a wrapper for the package with the information about the velour paper.  I finally was able to locate some more in the wrapper so you can see the details.  I got some in blue and black and I can't wait to use it for another project.  The price for the six foot roll (6 feet x 18 inches) was $7.99.


Several of you have asked about the IKEA items that I am using to reorganize my craft room.  I am not ready to "reveal" the room yet - it isn't finished and I have something special planned for when it is.  I did want to show you the bookcases I am using.  They are part of the Expedit series but the divisions are asymmetrical and actually work better for storing some of the thing I need to store.  Some of the sections will hold the plastic cases for 12 x 12 paper which won't fit in the regular cubes.  These are being discontinued at our store and I think throughout the system - I can't find them online anymore.  The number was 10973 if you want to check with an IKEA near you.

Just one more thing to mention - Lettering Delights is celebrating 10,000 fans on their Facebook page.  If you "like" them on Facebook be sure to go to their page HERE to find the links for lots of freebies - good only until midnight Thursday.

I have lots of projects to finish today - and some new "toys" to try out...

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31 comments:

  1. These buttons are so neat. I love the one with the bird and branch on it. Looking forward to seeing your reveal of your craft room. Thanks for sharing your finds today.

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  2. Love these buttons. I have a huge stash of buttons and need to start using them in scrapbooking since I am not doing much sewing or making sweaters anymore. Need to start using them up. Thanks for sharing and congratulations to all the winners.

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  3. Congrats to the winners. I love those buttons. Very unique. Can't wait to see your room. I love ikea and that line of shelving. I'm hoping to finish my basement this summer and having a little craft area. I plan on going to ikea to get a unit. Can't wait to claim my own space. Have a great day!

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  4. Love the buttons and am glad to hear about thw forum !!!! eCongrats to the 3 ladies !! am very envious lol, enjoy!!!

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  5. YAY to the winners! you ladies will greatly enjoy. I am truly happy for you.
    Diane, the monthly chat is incredibly awesome and generous of you. You continue to amaze me.
    I love your finds! I have a 5 and Dime store on our Main Street that I will have to go check out. I followed one of your previous tips (AC paper stack at Marshalls, and I found a lovely Travel Set for $5.99). Thanks for your tips and always, for your inspiration!

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  6. I like the idea of old dictionary pages. Really, any pages from any old books would do the trick. I think I'm going on an old book hunt! Thanks for the idea!

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  7. I love buttons, and have quite a few collected thru the years as I am a sewer. But it seams that when I have a project, I rarely go to that stash because I never seem to have the amount that I need or they are to big/small for what ever I am doing.
    Do you collect them with the intention to use them on projects, or just because you have a love for them? When you buy, do you buy multiples or just one or two? Just curious.
    Can't wait to see the big reveal. I just made some additional shelving in my office to house all of my cricut carts,spellbinders, and embossing folders. I am pretty proud of the way it turned out and it sure makes my life easier.
    Marcie
    Marcie

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  8. I love the idea of using buttons for a border on a scrap page. I love that bird that would also be great on a card. TFS

    Luria

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  9. Great buttons! I love finding the perfect button to add to a card! Can't wait for the big reveal! :-)

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  10. Great finds on your shopping trip! You've given me ideas on what to do with my old books.
    Lucy Lam

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  11. I love the little treasures you've found and I'm anxiously awaiting the reveal of your updated craft room. TFS!

    Carol aka cyimbugbitten
    bugbitten at hotmail dot com

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  12. Hi there,
    I have been "collecting" your blog posts in my email box for weeks. Took some time to read a little this am. Love the buttons! I have lots of buttons from mothers and grandmothers. Will need to reconsider their use in my crafts. I have dedicated a room in my house for my crafts. I love to make cards. Do some sewing and crochet. I have a saturday craft day once in a while for my fellow crafters, mostly family. We always have a great time.
    I really love your posts and love to hear other's comments. Will try to be more "faithful" in checking in every day. Thanks for being there and doing this every day!
    Marilyn

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  13. I love the vintage newspaper look. And you found the REAL DEAL. How cool is that??? Can't wait to see how you use it. But how would you make it acid free if you were to use it on a scrapbook page?

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  14. Love the Dictionary pages and can't wait to see what you do with them.
    And did you say "new toys"? "Show & tell" time...

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  15. Diane
    Congrats to the very lucky ladies.
    Your buttons are very cute. I have some from when my grandmother collected them and some are very different.
    My grandchildren love to go through the button boxes to see what they can find.
    Myrna

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  16. Congrats to the lucky ladies!!! Thank you so much again for sharing all your time and talent. I continue to look forward to seeing your website blog every day. Thank you

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  17. Love seeing the stuff that you collect. I have a lot of old buttons too; they're nothing "special" but I started collecting them when I lived in Nebraska & learned to quilt & some of the antique shops would have little jars of them or sometimes they'd have a barrel of them & you purchased them by the scoop. My DS used to love doing the scoop for our button treasures (he was 3 or 4 at the time). I'm excited to see what your craft room project is...I imagine that you have a pretty amazing space!!!

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  18. Very neat buttons, Diane!

    My mother grew up in Mexico and I love rummeging through her button box. Many unique shapes - I'll have to show them to you soon!

    Have a great day!

    Congrats to the winners!

    Carmen L

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  19. Happy thoughts to Luria, KTbirdiegirl, and Granny Charlotte - enjoy the goodies!! As for these buttons - WOW - I've not been a button collector UNTIL NOW - I will definitely be on the lookout for this type of embellishment - TFS!

    jackie

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  20. Can't wait to see your new projects!

    Wendy T.

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  21. Thank you for reminding me about the fuzzy contact paper. I can't wait to see your finished project. I am getting ready to re organize my space again. Can't figure out a good way to store my border punches. How do you store yours????
    Thank you
    Linda in Stanwood

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  22. I think you made a mistake - my name wasn't there -lol. Wanted to say congrats to the winners. I love buttons also. They don't take alot of room to store so that is good.

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  23. Love the buttons, some great things you showed us today, Thank you :)
    Hugs
    Adele

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  24. Love the buttons and the pages, Diane. I have a friend who works in a library and I recently asked her for the books she is going to trash because they can't be mended any more. I had to destroy a book that can still be used. Hadn't thought of looking in antique stores. My craft room had Expedit furniture in it too. It was original set up for my son's legos and such in the toy room, but I've know take it over. I'm afraid those shelves, behind the glass doors, still have his lego creations in them though. He felt I was throwing him out of the house early :- ( so it was a concession, I was happy to make. I still haven't finished excising all of the toys yet (my problem though.) Can't wait to see what you do. Have a great and blessed day.

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  25. Great post today. Love all the buttons and especially love the French dictionary. Question: How do you store your ribbon? I am moving and losing my current storage. UGH! Looking for some ideas. Thanks

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  26. i favor the czech button. i'm half czechoslovakian so anything that pertains to the 'slavish' is interesting to me. my father was from PRAGUE.

    kat

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  27. Oh darn that I didn't win a box but I am very happy for the ones that did. They are very lucky. I love the buttons today but especially the red, white and blue. Great idea to make a frame with them. Thanks for everything you post. What an inspiration.

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  28. Fabulous finds (oh isn't that a Cricut cartridge LOL) thanks for sharing them with us.

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  29. Congratulations to the winners of the boxes!! Enjoy! I too collect unusual buttons and love going to shops and vintage clothing stores looking for them. You are more of a "giver" than I--I just can't seem to part with any of mine! Can't wait to see the room reveal!
    Shellee

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  30. It's funny that you posted about buttons as my friend just had a couple of relatives give her jars of buttons and she's been sorting them into colours. There are some amazing old buttons that will make wonderful embellishments. It was quite exciting.

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