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!!