Button Purse

I'm not much of a "purse lady". Some women have numerous handbags and trade them out with every outfit. After having six kids and constantly carrying a diaper bag, I've taken a self proclaimed hiatus from anything much bigger than my wallet. It's not that I don't enjoy looking at handbags, or haven't been tempted to buy one now and again. I do have a purse, but I tend to use it only when necessary and until it's totally worn out. Each bag's tour of duty lasts approximately 2-3 years. Last year, I came across this cute little number at my local antique store.

I couldn't resist buying it. I think it was my weakness for buttons and the multicolored use of them. I must admit, I haven't used it a lot - because you can't fit a lot into it. I keep waiting to use it when David and I have a special night out or go to some kind of fancy event. In my life, that doesn't happen all that often, but next time it does, I'll be prepared!!

There are plans to make my own button purse using a cream colored crocheted bag I found at the thrift store and my antique pearlized buttons. I'll keep you posted.......

Who's got buttons?

I am a weak person, I will admit it! I have a weakness for quite a few things. These aren't the ordinary woman weaknesses like shopping and shoes. I go weak in the knees over things like vintage aprons, old plates and silverware, quilts, and BUTTONS!! I think my love of buttons started when I inherited my Grandma Fonnesbeck's button jar. Since then, I've picked up bottles of old buttons at thrift stores and flea markets.

Old buttons are really cool, unique and beautiful. I love looking through my collection, but looking once in awhile wasn't enough, so I tried to find some uses for my buttons. That way, we could say hello to each other more often! I have a few ideas in mind, but those might take awhile. I did use some of my prettiest mother-of-pearl and opalescent buttons to make myself a new bracelet. Using the different sizes, shapes, and color tones, I think it turned out great.

Hello beautiful!!!

I am a WINNER!!

The only blog I follow on a real regular basis is The Opulent Poppy. One day I stumbled across it and have checked it every day since. I've never met the lovely lady who writes it and probably never will, but I am indebted to her for brightening my days and inspiring me to find joy in the little things of life. Check her out @ www.theopulentpoppy.blogspot.com.

Now, I am indebted to her for making me a winner! You see, she has a affinity for vintage dresses - just like me! She has the talent to recreate these beauties by producing her own patterns - unlike me. But lucky for me, she made a dress and had a give-away drawing and...... I won!! I'm so excited, I literally squealed with delight! Now if only I had more patience.

Here's the dress I won!!

Having a Ball - a Snowball that is!!

I recently had the opportunity to do the table decorations for our churches sisterhood dinner. The lovely lady who was going to be doing the speaking planned on focusing on the circle of sisterhood. I racked my brain to come up with some kind of decor that incorporated circles/orbs. Since January is our winter month and the love of sisterhood has a "snowball" affect, I thought that it would be nice to use a winter/snowball theme. I had six tables and was on a budget - I had to get creative.

I found some really pretty, snowy pine boughs on clearance, bought some cheap glass vases at our local thrift store, and bulk package of white tissue paper. I spray painted the glass vases a shiny silver. They looked so pretty, once painted! Then with the tissue, I made some orbs and spray painted them with some glitter so they glistened like real snowballs. I placed these on the various sizes of vases that I had sprayed silver. I then used some cheap white plastic table clothes and spray painted with the same glitter. Finally, my friend and I, added some tall glass vases filled with water and tied with an iridescent purple bow. We added some small tea lights to add a warm glow. I was told it created a "elegant and peaceful" mood.

I think it turned out pretty good - especially for the cost!

Oh Honey!!

Yesterday afternoon I took the time to make a honey cake. I found the recipe in my Grandmother's old cook book. The batter was gorgeous! (Who would've ever thought that I would proclaim batter to be gorgeous?) The color was divine!

I found out that old recipes are a lot more vague than today's counterparts. I'm guessing that in general, people of that era, held a better understanding of baking than we do today. Needless to say, there was some guess work going on in this endeavor. Also, I had to come up with my own frosting. In my quest to decide what kind of frosting to make, my mind kept going to raspberry honey butter, so yes, I made a black raspberry butter cream frosting to top it.

It turned out pretty good. The flavor was nice, but the cake was a little dense. I'll have to work on that. Perfect, no, but it makes for a good way to start the day! So "let them eat cake" for breakfast......with a cold glass of milk, of course!!

Grandma's Recipe Book

A few years back, my mom surprised me with a gift. It was one of my Grandma Fonnesbeck's cookbooks. It's very old, oil cloth, and beautiful. Some of the pages are torn and faded, but that's what makes it so special - the years of use that this little book has seen, the hands that have held it carefully as, they worked to make some sort of special treat for the ones they love.

It's filled with recipes of a bygone era: Vinegar Cake, Celery in White Sauce, Danish Sweet Soup, Raisin Cremes, and many others - treats that have fallen out of fashion or just been lost with the convenience of mixes and ready-mades filled with preservatives. What hasn't been lost - thank goodness - is my Grandmother's handwritten notes in the margins! What a treasure!

Now, I have a Honey Cake to go make!

My Beautiful Bobbles and Beads

I love anything vintage! About a year ago, I was fortunate enough to find an old jewelry box full of vintage necklaces and earrings at my local thrift store. It seemed a little pricey at first, but once I'd counted all the items in the box, I realized it was quite a steal!

I happily brought my treasure chest home and over the past year, I've worn my "granny" jewelry every chance I could get. I'm not sure if I appear as glamorous as I think, or just gaudy. I really don't care. I love all of my trinkets!

Over the holidays, I bought myself a new shirt. As I got ready to go out last night, I perused my box for an accessory......or two. I was really happy to see the result when I combined two of my favorites. Just thought I would share. Not so happy to share the self portrait, but had to give you the overall look!

Maybe, over the coming months, I'll spotlight some more of my favorite vintage bobbles!!

A Lost Art......

I am a big fan of technology. In so many ways, I love it! I'm not sure that it loves me, but no matter, it makes my life much easier. It's an amazing thing, to be able to keep in touch with family, find information in seconds, and create projects with ease. There are apps for about anything that you desire. I'm sure I wouldn't want to live without it. Still, with the ease of technology, there are some things that have been lost.

Lying in the aftermath of the surge of technology, is the art of penmanship. I am always in awe of the beautiful handwriting that accompanies old photos, journals, and letters. The swirls and twirls mesmerize me as the words seem to flow across the page. People used to take pride in their handwriting and felt lucky to have an education. In honor of that opportunity, they took great care in portraying on the page what they had learned.

Anymore, most of us give very little or no thought to how our handwriting appears. I am one of the worst offenders. When it comes to producing anything of value, I use my computer with it's myriad of fonts and colors. Other than that, I simply and quickly scribble out what's on my mind without regard to how it looks or if it's even legible. I am determined to change that - to take pride and find joy in the art of penmanship.

My Resolution: To Find Joy!!

As most do, I begin the new year with a handful of resolutions. Most have to do with bettering myself. We all know the regulars - eating healthier, more exercise, drinking more water, etc. All of these things are good, valid goals, but take a huge amount of self discipline. I am a fan of discipline. Being a mother of six, it should go without saying, a house void of discipline, is a house void of almost anything productive and/or orderly. This year though, I choose to recognize that there can be an overdose of discipline. My personal pendulum seems to swing closer to the imbalance of too much structure and not enough joy. I resolve to find joy, in some form, every day - to be grateful for the smallest of blessings, to be amazed at the beauty around me, and to recognize how incredible even the mundane can be when viewed with a different attitude.

I will continue to try my best to make the most of everyday that I have been given, but I hope that while doing all that is required of me, I don't lose sight of the goodness that surrounds me. I have so much to be grateful for. I have been given gifts that should be used in more creative ways than laundry and cleaning. I will take time to recognize that these gifts should be utilized in ways that bring more joy to my life and to the lives of those around me. I will ALLOW myself to ignore the "have to"s and take time to enjoy the moment - even if it's only for a moment. Through creativity, laughter, or a quiet moment, I will reflect and I will find joy!!!