Sunday, February 2, 2014

Seven Things To Do With Vintage Pearl Buttons



Vintage Pearl Buttons...mmmmmm.



Aside from my three children, one of the blessings I brought away from my marriage was an impressive array of vintage sewing items from my ex grandmother-in-law. 

She was gone years before we married, but since I was the only one even remotely interested in the items, I was offered cigar boxes full of zippers, snaps, trim and notions. Of all the items, my favorites were the buttons. 



There were buttons of all types; vintage plastics, jet, carved wood, horn, leather and metal - even a small silver button among the stash. Still, my favorites were the pearl buttons.



I sewed about a million on a man's suit vest circa 1990, and wore it quite a bit. It was REALLY heavy. Heavy vests are not really my thing anymore.  

Until recently, the other buttons have remained in their Little Corona cigar boxes. Blogging and Pinterest have inspired me to bring them out into the open, and flaunt my wealth of buttons!

Some of my favorites now fill a space in a small wall-display box found at a thrift store and painted white. 



It is in my middle bedroom, with the still-green chest. (I did at least BUY paint for it...does that count?)



Here are six more very creative ways to use and display vintage buttons, via Pinterest:

Jewelry...this piece from Quench metalworks was featured on I Love Handmade Blog, which is on hiatus now.





I LOVE this lamp shade from She Dreams Big...and it looks like it would take about as much time as my heavy vest. 

Here's a simple one from Timewashed on Etsy. Display carded pearl buttons under a cloche. 




Another simple, but charming approach from Laughing with Angels caught my eye. 


She displays her buttons in a vintage jar and on a flower frog in her studio, so she can be inspired to create! I'm going to do this, too. No more cigar boxes for pretty things.

How about Clever Karen's wonderful ivory crazy quilt?


Another Etsy Item (sorry, already sold, of course) from RememberMeEmily combines a vintage salt shaker, buttons and book pages into an adorable mini flower arrangement.

via

Update:  Emily has NEW vintage button items HERE.

Emily even has a doll head like mine! Love it.
For more creative ideas for vintage buttons, please visit me HERE on Pinterest. 

Word for the Day:
Matthew 7:6
“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

Possibly Linking With:
Sunday
Sunday Show-off Link Party
Nifty Thrifty Sunday
Monday
Metamorphosis Monday
Mod Mix Monday
Revival Monday
Masterpiece Monday
Make it Pretty Monday
Tuesday
Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
The Scoop
Inspire Me Tuesday
Inspiration Exchange Linky Party
Wednesday
Blissfully White Wednesday
Restored it Wednesday
Wow Us Wednesday
Show Me What Ya Got
What’s it Wednesday
Cottage Style Party
Penny Pinching Party
Thursday
http://petitemichellelouise.blogspot.com/
Grey Dey Thursday
Creative Inspirations
Thursday Open House Party
Time Travel Thursday
Share Your Cup Thursday
Friday
Feathered Nest Friday
Furniture Feature Friday
Friday Redoux Link Party
Frugal Friday
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Fabulously Creative Friday
Saturday
Party Junk
Get Schooled Saturday
Show and Tell Saturday



Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Thrifty Life Thursday #4


My trip to the thrift store netted some pretty cool things last week...one was a coffee can. LOVE that lid!



The container had a patina that called my name...and the other side has just a bit of a paper label left.


I saw it when it was marked $4, and left it on the shelf. Last week, it was half price, so I decided to grab it.

THRIFTY LIFE THURSDAY #3 FEATURES:

This week, we had a fun variety of listings in this new link party gathering. Though it is still an "intimate" gathering, if we were all together in one room for dinner, I know it would be fun and memorable!  

Linsey at The Farmhouse Porch has great style - and her post "Arranging "stuff" on shelves with purpose" showcases some of her textural vintage vignettes. 



In her hands, old floor buffing brushes and light fixtures that many would see as garbage, become stylish displays. Note to self...grab those when you see them next!

Jami from An Oregon Cottage shares her stylish hybrid of chalkboard and subway art. 


RH Knockoff Chalkboard Subway Sign - An Oregon Cottage

She has a well-done, step-by-step tutorial of how she created this project for very little cash-ola. You'll want to rush out to the nearest thrift store when you see how it began.

Shabby Gals (and her not-so-shabby husband) created a most adorable kitchen from two dated bedside tables. 



Any toddler would love this kitchen set-up, complete with real salvaged stove burner hardware and kitchen faucets!

Keeping with the vintage kiddo theme...


Vickie from Ranger 911 is as fun-loving as any kid! Her home is cozy and tasteful, but with plenty of whimsical touches. She finds the best vintage, and uses the items to decorate her home. Her wit shines through, as illustrated in her collection of stylish wearables:


 

I am tickled that sock monkeys are rocking this vintage garb!

Now it is your time to share!


THRIFTY LIFE THURSDAY #4

Gathering Guidelines:

This is a gathering for people who enjoy hunting for treasures that have
 lived a former life elsewhere. Please share your pre-owned treasures only. 

Types of Posts to Share:
    • Home decor, furniture, collectibles, garden items and even wearables are welcome. Please, no food items, new pieces from "real" stores, or crafts, unless made with upcycled thrifty finds.
    • Hand-me-downs and curbside finds are welcome, as are items found in thrift stores, garage sales, antique shops, flea markets and other interesting places.
    • Treasures may be listed as you found them, or with your updates, tweaks, and re-purposes; befores and afters are both welcome.
    • Items need not be "vintage" but must be pre-owned.
    • Posts including Etsy and other shop links are welcome! For visitor enjoyment, please link to your blog post, not directly to your Etsy shop. 
    Etiquette:
      • Please link back, and follow Revisionary Life some way - via Blogger, Pinterest or Facebook or subscribe via email. Links are located in my sidebar on the right.
      • Please visit at least one other party friend.
      • I'd love for you to comment and introduce yourself if we've never met before. :) Otherwise, don't feel obligated to leave a comment. 
      Features:

      • Featured items must meet the criteria above. 
      • I will try to email you and let you know if you were featured!



      Thank you for visiting and looking or linking. :)


      Hebrews 10:24-25

      24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.




      Tuesday, January 28, 2014

      Take Two - Styling a Mantel with Winter Twigs


      January is a gray time...dead grass, and the leaves have long since fallen and blown away. 

      Some might be wishing the winter away now, especially with the intense cold we have experienced this year. 

      While I cannot fault them, I love winter. 


      I see much beauty in winter; white show, icy crystal trees, textural grays and tans in empty trees and grass.  

      These textural neutrals appeal to my senses as much as flowers in spring and green grass in summer.



      Since I ALWAYS do it, I have "tweaked" my winter mantel to bring some winter texture. Au revoir, milk glass urns...



      The matching milk glass containers were switched out with white terra cotta planters. This is the first time I have used them. I like the way they look with the chippy frames.


      Gray twigs from my yard are now gracing each end of the vignette of chippy white, shiny mercury glass and tarnished silver plate small containers. 

      Here's the new tweaked mantel:


      The twigs add height, texture and something organic. 
      Here's the first mantel:


      As far as those sweet milk glass urns are concerned, I have some ideas for a spring mantel...and spring feels like it is just around the corner!

      Word for the Day:
      Psalm 74:17
      You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter.

      Possibly Linking With:
      Sunday
      Sunday Show-off Link Party
      Nifty Thrifty Sunday
      Monday
      Metamorphosis Monday
      Mod Mix Monday
      Revival Monday
      Masterpiece Monday
      Make it Pretty Monday
      Tuesday
      Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
      Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
      The Scoop
      Inspire Me Tuesday
      Inspiration Exchange Linky Party
      Wednesday
      Blissfully White Wednesday
      Restored it Wednesday
      Wow Us Wednesday
      Show Me What Ya Got
      What’s it Wednesday
      Cottage Style Party
      Penny Pinching Party
      Thursday
      http://petitemichellelouise.blogspot.com/
      Grey Dey Thursday
      Creative Inspirations
      Thursday Open House Party
      Time Travel Thursday
      Share Your Cup Thursday
      Friday
      Feathered Nest Friday
      Furniture Feature Friday
      Friday Redoux Link Party
      Frugal Friday
      Vintage Inspiration Friday
      Fabulously Creative Friday
      Saturday
      Party Junk
      Get Schooled Saturday
      Show and Tell Saturday