Rita Carol Buttons

A garden show!!!

2011-05-31T14:06:00.000-07:00

Here is my table at the Garden Show in my Neighborhood. It was a lot of fun. Merry who sells vintage buttons was right across from me. I ran over to explore whenever I could.

It must be getting close to Easter. The Azalias are in Bloom!!!

2011-04-10T18:55:00.000-07:00

Every year just before Easter the Azalias in front of my house bloom. They are so pretty. Most years it rains though and washes the blooms off. I think they might be hanging on this year. Here is a picture of them. You can't see the house because of the hedge. I only see the flowers when I come home or go out. It is always a pleasant surprise. Happy Easter.

Happy St. Patricks Day

2011-03-08T13:09:00.000-08:00

My mom collected so many little jokes out of the newspaper. This was one that I laugh at everytime I run across it. So simple but so funny. Innocent humor. Plus I can just hear my mom saying it to my Dad. She had such a dry sense of humor and so unexpected sometimes. Ha ha mom, you still can make me laugh and bring joy to my day.

Started a new job designing a book today!!!

2011-02-23T16:00:00.000-08:00

So I ordered this magazine in a box to get inspired. Isn't this incredible. I can't wait for it to arrive. Lot of good ideas in here. Yeah.

My new valentine illustration.

2011-02-07T16:26:00.000-08:00

I love the month of February because it is so full of red things. What a way to brighten up a dull month. Although I must say, here in California we are having warm springlike weather. Very unusual. February has always been about RAIN. I guess now that my roof is fixed the rain needs to stay away. Ha Ha. I am busy making red bracelets and cute valentine buttons. Here is a valentine sketch for my husband.

Finally, I am back. Sort of!!!

2011-02-01T20:04:00.000-08:00

I have been on such a long adventure. My trip to North Carolina was divine. I even was able to stand in a snowstorm. That alone was worth the trip. I was so inspired by the Richmond art scene that I created these ear rings for my daughter as soon as I got home. I have had these glass striped beads for some time and am delighted how they turned out.

Oh I found the purrfect boots!!!

2010-11-30T19:22:00.000-08:00

I braved the black friday sales and although I did get a few things at some very deep discounts, the boots weren't on sale. I did get the HUGE California sales tax forgiven though. At least I got something. Almost every person I ran into had red bloodshot eyes. Guess they got up at 4am to be out there shopping. Wow it was really amazing the amount of people out shopping. The spirits were really high and I loved the good vibes. Noone seemed grouchy. Plus, Plus, the weather although cold was beautiful. Big bright sun and beautiful blue skies with puffy white clouds. So Nice.

These boots are the best. I have been wearing them for three days and my feet are so happy.
They will make my trip so nice.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

2010-11-21T17:43:00.000-08:00

Well, I am getting so excited about my trip to see my daughter and my sisters back east. It will be one year since I have seen them. It will just be a couple of weeks before I leave now. Woo Hoo
I have been watching the news about the new search techniques at the airport and I must admit I am a little scared. For some reason (I don't look weird) I always get pulled aside and searched at the airport. I ask why and they always just shrug and indicate it is random. I accept this, after all I want to be on a safe flight. But getting searched while holding your arms out and them running a bar along the outside of your body is not like them actually touching you with their hands.... I don't want that, yikes.... Hopefully the news has exaggerated the situation like they always do and it will be a piece of cake. I am also madly looking for boots that I can wear for the whole trip. I have found some really good UGG ones that are slip on and waterproof. I intend to go out on black Friday so I can get the best possible price. That will be exciting, I haven't been out on black Friday in years. Hope I don't get trampled. HA HA Yet another news exaggeration.

Here is a pin I am making for my home sweet home warm and fuzzy feelings. Don't you just want to be in the picture. So lovely.

Racoon Scarf!@!!!!! WOW!!!

2010-11-08T17:02:00.000-08:00

This is such a cool scarf. It is felt. The creativity shown here is amazing. I would totally wear this. How much fun!!!
Here is the website for the artist that made it.
http://www.livemaster.ru/item/244303-odezhda-gorzhetka-enot

Buffy and the Late Fall Sun!!!

2010-11-03T18:13:00.000-07:00

Buffy is really gettin to be old now. He turned 13 this past August. Here he is enjoying the sun and laying in the new Rye grass. He is so sweet.

Wow Time flies!!

2010-11-02T18:14:00.000-07:00

Well Halloween came and went. Now we are into November. I made a little photo box to take small pictures. I followed directions from online somewhere. It came out so good. Now I can take pictures at night instead of having to wait until daylite. COOL! This is one of the photos from it.

Playing with buttons

2010-10-14T18:50:00.000-07:00

This is my newest piece. I wanted to really show off some of the buttons that I have. Especially the marquisite ones and the black glass. Also I purchased some dyed fabric pieces from Cathy Cullis and I wanted to use some of those. The image on the fabric button that I used was takenfabric button that I made I want to do a series of these type of pieces using a lot of buttons.

Today I purchased my airline tickets for a Christmas visit to North Carolina. Thrilling.

So Hotttt on Saturday and so cold on Monday!!!

2010-10-06T12:45:00.000-07:00

Look at this amazing praying mantiss that I found in the lillies when I was watering on Sunday. I think he was looking at me.
California's weather is going through some really strange things. Saturday was so hot at Glitterfest that I thought I was melting. I am sure it hurt artists sales since we were all selling mostly fall stuff. Not the right mood.
Plus a few days before Los Angeles recorded the hottest day (113º), since the late 1800's. Now on Wednesday I am freezing in my studio. I hadn't had the gas guy come to light the pilot light in my gas wall furnace since it was so hot. I arranged it for this Friday and now I find out from the news that this weekend it will be hot again.

Glitterfest was so fun!!!!

2010-10-06T12:34:00.000-07:00

Well, Glitterfest was really wonderful. I met all kinds of new creative people. Everything that I am passionate about was up for discussion. From the moment I arrived at 8:45am till the time I left at 4:45pm I stood and talked and shared. Here are some pictures of the day before as I prepared my buttons for sale. The last picture of my table at the show wasn't taken until the day was over. I didn't get a chance to take it at the start. But at least you can see some of it. We were packed in there pretty tight behind those tables. Me and the artist behind me kept laughing cause we kept bumping each other in the buts.

Glitterfest!!!

2010-09-25T14:59:00.000-07:00

I haven't written in my blog for a while now. I have been busy with the house painting. That is done now at least the outside. Hooray. Now I am focused on the Glitterfest Show which is coming up next Saturday. I created a pumpkin fairy doll to wear at my booth. I also made a new outfit which I will post later when I get a picture. Sometimes when I talk to my sister I get so uplifted and inspired. I can't wait until I live near her and can walk over for some sweet tea. :-)

My new Roy Rogers shirt and big blue pants!!!

2010-08-31T12:37:00.000-07:00

I love this shirt. It is so comfortable and when I wear it ahhhh!

A Sketch of Mama!!!

2010-08-21T18:56:00.000-07:00

This is a pencil sketch I did of mama when we spent Thanksgiving at Celestine's house at the Russian River. We were sitting out on the lanai in the lazy afternoon and I was asking her what she thought my little baby girl was going to be like. I was about 3 months pregnant and I was very excited about it. I think I captured the dreamy look that my mom would get on her face whenever she had a pleasant thought. She looks so happy in this sketch and I know she was thinking about my beautiful new daughter and her own daughters. We had such a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner except that one of Eric's childhood friends showed up with a bottle of wine which none of us drank so he proceeded to drink the entire thing. By the end of dinner he was a stumbling drunk with a bad attitude. We tried everything to get him to sober up and leave us. We even walked around the pitch dark valley with him. He bored us with the huge chip he carried on his shoulder and he would not shut up. Eric and I were a little scared because we had our moms with us and he was so dark. We were so happy when he left. Whew!!!!

My new crochet hook holder.

2010-08-19T18:25:00.000-07:00

I am making good use out the painting/collage I made to make Erin a purse out of. Now maybe I will be able to find my hooks. ha ha

Its such a happy day. I have my arm back.

2010-08-16T20:22:00.000-07:00

I am so happy right now. I have my arm back. Okayyyy, I have to go easy but I don't feel like an ancient person. I think I can run again. I drew this picture of my niece Kelly. She is so cool and has such a neat attitude for someone just 13.

PINCHED NERVE !!!!!!! Ouch

2010-08-12T21:04:00.000-07:00

I haven't been writing in my blog lately because I have been struggling with a pinched nerve. I was outside trying to get some leaves down from a big old Sycamore tree and I was using a tree trimmer. I was poking things over my head so every now and then a whole bunch of debri would fall down and I would jump out of the way. I guess by doing this I messed up my neck. The doctor says it will take 8 to 20 weeks to heal. ARGH. It really hurts. I have been taking Vicodin like aspirin.
Anyway I am better today. I had physical therapy and he told me not to bend my neck. I guess he should have told me that at the beginning. I have been crocheting. Not something I can do as you have to bend your neck.
Did it really matter that there were old leaves sitting in the tree. What was I thinking? Sometimes you just think you can do anything.
Yesterday I saw a news article about Mrs. Obama and her little daughter who were on a trip to Spain. They looked so happy. It is such a contrast to what I am reading. "I know why the caged bird sings" It is a story about another little girl who lives in a very segregated part of town called The Stamp. She describes her daily life and her interactions with people and situations from the perspective of a child. The humiliations that she experiences and the fright that she feels are so wrong. Things do change. There is hope for us all.

I made this little pin for summer.

Embroidered Watch Face!!

2010-07-23T16:27:00.000-07:00

I treated myself to a new watch. It is so me. Here is a picture of it. I can't wait to get it.

What does this mean?

2010-07-23T16:21:00.000-07:00

I made a button out of this image but I can't figure out what it means. It was out of context so I have no idea what the image was used for. It is interesting to try to figure out the meaning. I put it on one of my clown cards. That has nothing to do with the button. I love the clown cards.

I made a bracelet from the yarn and thread my sister sent me!!!!

2010-07-23T16:17:00.000-07:00

I am so pleased with the way this bracelet worked out. I decided not to put too many beads on it. I just love the thread so much. It is interesting that my sister can drive to South Carolina to visit her son and while she is there in a very small area can go to a store that has every imaginable color and texture of yarn and thread. I live in such a large area. What with Orange county blending into Los Angeles and San Diego. There are so many stores but non like this one in South Carolina. I am hoping she gets me an orange set for my birthday. Oh pleazzzzeeee!!!! I have so much fun working with these different textures. Here is the bracelet.

Is it a wall hanging or the front of a purse?

2010-07-20T20:01:00.000-07:00

I finally finished this piece with the Days of the little Bears week. I can't decide if I want to hang it on the wall or use it as the front of a purse. I wish my week was like his. Mine is so confusing. Yesterday the plumber man put in the new bathtub and faucet. It just doesn't look right so I made chocolate cupcakes today. So so bad. I kept going by the cupcake bakery in Orange and thinking, wow I should buy one of those but then I thought I should just make my own. I know I won't like the one that I buy. The problem is you just can't make one cupcake. Now I have 24. Oh my poor husband is going to have to eat most of them.

Oh Hurray!!! Look what my sister sent me.

2010-07-19T19:54:00.000-07:00

Oh Marylynn, you are just too generous. I can't wait to get started making a new bracelet with that yarn. And the fabric. Wow such a perfect summer skirt. And the buttons, the buttons. You perked up my whole week. Plus look at Eric with his beard. The girl at the store called him Grissly Adams. I think the beard is very pretty. I love the white curls.

I cut my hair this morning.

2010-07-11T14:58:00.000-07:00

I couldn't stand my hair in my face for one more day so I got out the scissors and whack whack whack. What do you think. I like it but I think I need to do a few more cuts on the left side. I also took down wallpaper today. Oh that is a nasty job. What a mess. My hands feel like they have been sanded. Yes I did wear gloves.
Yesterday my husband and I decided to go the OC Fair. We had to stop by the bank first and we proceeded to go around in circles for a while. They have stupid freeway signs on main street that make getting on the freeway going the right way very confusing. Even though we were talking about it so we wouldn't get on going in the wrong direction we managed to do it anyway. Then to get turned back around you have to go to calamazoo and back. We laughed about it but when we got all the way down to the fairgrounds we discovered it doesn't open until next week. ARGH!!! I guess I enjoyed the ride, at least I wasn't driving.

A purse made from painted canvas.

2010-06-29T18:51:00.000-07:00

I made the first of a series of purses I am making for summer. It was more difficult to sew than I thought. I am sending this one to my daughter, but the next one I am going to throw in the washing machine to see what happens. Oh experiments are such fun. They continue with the house. ARRGGHH!!!

Erin's Beaver tooth necklace

2010-06-21T11:03:00.000-07:00

When my daughter was in Virginia she visited a farm and while walking in the tall grass she discovered an old beaver skull with teeth. She sent me two of the teeth to put in a necklace for her. I felt the organic nature of the teeth was perfect for working with my metal technique. I had a great time creating the links. Working with the teeth was another story. When I had to drill a hole in them, much to my shock it smelled like I was in the dentist chair and he was drilling on me. The smell was so strong. Yuck! I bleached the teeth and polished them but they are still kinda yellow and stained. Beavers have a hard life. I found the little beaver charm at my local bead store. It was the only one. So cool.

Everything and Nothing all at the same time!!!

2010-06-18T15:10:00.000-07:00

Well, now they have finished putting in the new air conditioner and heating system. They are working on the bathroom. Wow such a painful process. I made this little sock monkey to keep me company. ha. ha.
I am working on a lot of stuff right now but nothing is to the point for photos.

Ooh, Ooh working with my husband!!!!!

2010-06-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

I am working with my husband on a project. This illustration is a way to blow off steam for me. Why is it you are always attracted to your opposite.....So many of the ways we work are in direct collision. On the plus side when we do agree it is always completely. And if we work together, we find that we compliment each other.

The roof is finished!!!!

2010-05-31T10:38:00.000-07:00

Well, the roof is finished. Whew!! That was something else. Now we are doing things on the inside of the house. We have been without heat now for 2 weeks while they work on that. Since it is California, that shouldn't be a problem however this year it is so cold even in May. What is up with that. Where is the Global warming???? We are having a lot of fires in the evening and sleeping under our quilts. Probably they will be finished just as the weather heats up. The saga continues.

The Glitterfest Show was fantastic. The moment I arrived I was so busy that I never got to walk around and see what the other artists were doing. As I look at some of the pictures that other people took of the show, I wish I could have looked around.

Oh well, I met so many wonderful people. It was fun. I will try to be more prepared for the one in the fall so that I can allow myself some time to see other artists booths.

Here is a photo of one of the little dresses I made to display some buttons on for my table at Glitterfest. So cute!!!

Just when I think I have seen it all.....

2010-05-31T10:30:00.001-07:00

Look at these shoes. Sometimes you think you have thought of everything and then you see something and are totally amazed at what someone else thought of and produced for you to see. Wow!!!

Sunday is a peaceful day. Happy Mothers Day everyone!!!

2010-05-09T17:08:00.001-07:00

All last week all I heard all day long was hammering, banging, yelling, crash boom bang and beep beep when the giant truck backs up. I see I have another week of the roofers. Their compressor is right outside my office door. Just when you get used to the noises it turns on. The roof is looking very nice. We are using triple lament and I am pleased with the result. We are trying to figure out the bathroom. Last night we went to home depot. ARRRGGGG!!!

Anyway I managed to finish the cool shirt that I made from a vogue pattern. When I saw the dress pattern I thought oh my gosh it looks like a sack of potatoes. But I thought it would make a good loose studio shirt. It has great pockets and I liked the way I could mix up the fabric. I bought the fabric from an online store called Hawthorne Fabrics. They have really nice stuff.

http://www.hawthornethreads.com/

I am busy making pins and buttons for the Glitterfest show. That is going to come up faster than I think.

This too shall pass!!!

2010-05-01T08:45:00.000-07:00

So, I wake up to the sound of saws. It's saturday, I thought they would take a day off. This is the fourth day of tree trimming. I was feelin so low and then I had to come out to the office to check my email and this is the video I came across. Someone is trying to tell me something.

2010-04-27T10:16:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, I installed that last of the software fix ups my computer needed. Today is a new day. I noticed that my sound is louder but that is all that seems to be different. You would think that a new system and a cleaned up hard drive would show but it doesn't. Not that I am complaining, I am just glad it's is back. In my nervousness I made 50 little oragami boxes and straightened up my studio while waiting for things to repair and load. It has taken a week and many tearful sessions with desperate prayers to fix. I made a new brooch to show how I am feelin today. She is so sunny.

Computer Blues

2010-04-19T10:12:00.000-07:00

Oh no. My computer has only a grey screen. I am typing this from my laptop. I have a Mac OSX Power PC G5. I found out last week that CS5 is coming out and I am excited to upgrade. When I looked at the system requirements it said it needed Leopard. I am on the one below that which is called tiger. I decided I had better upgrade my system but much to my suprise, Apple was not selling Leopard anymore. They are now selling Snow Leopard which only works on intel based Macs. This was a total shock. My computer will be obsolete in just a year or two. APPLE :(. Anyway to get these few years left I had to go to the aftermarket (ebay) to find a copy of Leopard (cost an arm and a leg). It arrived on Saturday so I went to work to upgrade my system. I got it installed and everything seemed to be working okay but when I went to turn on my computer on Sunday all I got was a grey screen. After many efforts to try and get it to open and a days worth of stomach acid, I decided to call an expert. He just called me back and he is on a job in Beverly Hills today. However he will fit me in this afternoon. I have to go a whole day without my precious computer. I sure hope he can get it running smoothly again. (another arm and a leg). It really saddens me that a company like Apple who has always been so customer friendly could do this to all their loyal followers. There are so many design agencies that have the Macintoshes that don't run on intel based systems. It is like they are giving us all the finger. Afterall we are not talking about antique computers, they just came out with these new intel based computers last year. I am so MADDDDDDDD!!!!!!!

Oh Where Does the Time Go!!!

2010-04-15T18:20:00.001-07:00

Today is my baby sisters birthday. I am so happy I have sisters. Here is a drawing I did of her a few years ago, when she (like me) had wonderful long hair. Happy Birthday Eva.

I have done so much since last Friday. On Sunday I went to Joann's Sale and purchased a couple of Vogue Patterns at 3.99. A great price. I also bought some grey linen and made these pants from a Marcy Tilton Vogue pattern. It called for a knit fabric but I made them out of the Grey linen. they are wonderful pants. I added a pocket on the side and a zipper in the back since I wasn't using a knit. the side detail on these pants is so cool. And the way there are darts at the bottom so the pants curve in. I purchased a few other vogue patterns that I will be making up in a few weeks.

I love to sew, especially when I am nervous. We had a contrators meeting today and they are going to start working on my house next week. Life will be difficult for a while now.

Woke up at 4am this morning. WHAT?????

2010-04-09T18:10:00.001-07:00

Why did I wake up at 4am. Who knows but I got up. I finished sewing my new shirt. Then I went for my walk (it was still dark out with a moon sliver). Hardly any lights were on in the houses but there were a few. I wish I understood why sometimes I seem to need a lot of sleep and sometimes I don't. Oh such a mystery.
Anyway here is my new shirt. I don't ususally sew simplicity patterns but I like the way it looked. It is a new one. The really interested thing is the back yoke was cut on the bias so the shirt has a little stretch to it. Here is the pattern and the shirt. I am going to make a bunch of these out of cotton for summer. I like the way they feel.

This Sunday there is a sale on vogue patterns at Joann's I have to see if there are any new Marcy Tiltons or Issey Miyaki's. My favorites.

How to make toilet paper yarn. So Cool!

2010-04-07T17:00:00.000-07:00

Double click the video to see it at youtube. This is so great

Oh my paper yarn arrived.

2010-04-07T14:04:00.001-07:00

Oh, the paper yarn I order from paperphine on etsy has arrived. She included some yellow paper that she spun as a sample. She is very nice. Look how well the yarn goes with my buttons. I can't wait to try it out. Hurray!!!

Easter Sunday

2010-04-07T13:59:00.000-07:00

As I sat in church on Sunday, I couldn't help but watch the little girl sitting a few spaces down in my row. She was so dressed up and she kept admiring her shoes. It really brought back memories of how much I loved my Easter dresses and shoes. Black patent leather. They made such a great sound when you walked in them. My mom usually put taps on our dress shoes so they would last longer. So cool. I loved being a kid. In the picture is me in the pink and my brother and sisters. I think my front teeth are missing in the picture.

The Masquerade Ball

2010-04-01T20:03:00.001-07:00

My sweet little girl is going to a ball. I just had to make her a bracelet to wear. Take a look. It's so pretty.

Ready to start my walking program.

2010-03-26T17:25:00.000-07:00

Now I have two outfits to wear for my morning walks. Plus I fixed my music with new earbuds. Saturday will be my first day. So exciting to get in shape again.

Also, ML. here is the button I want you to forward to Ronnie. This will teach him a thing or two about putting deer heads on his wall. HA HA

Here are the pieces I finished in Fimo. I love the leaves attached to wire. I can't wait to use them in something. Hooray.

See all the crochet thread I got yesterday. I love the colors.

Thursday - Finished a big job today!!!

2010-03-25T16:34:00.000-07:00

Yeah!! Now I can try out my fimo leaf idea. I am baking them now. I want to make a leaf attached to a metal wire so I can put the leaf into a brooch. I also made some beads. Anyway we will see.
Mary Lynn, remember the silk I purchased when we went downtown???? Here are two things that I have made out of it. The skirt with the huge pockets and the overshirt with the hand stitching. Also Look at the neck piece. It is the collar you made. I found I could use an old pair of earings that have the clasp that pinchs. It works so perfect. This is what I will wear on Easter. Okay I Know it isn't the usual spring colors but hey it will be very light and cool. It is so lightweight. You just have to make this skirt. Of cours I have now lost the pattern. Where it is I don't know. It was a Marcy Tilton Vogue pattern. So cool. she is the best.

Saturday Fun!!!

2010-03-20T18:23:00.000-07:00

I am supposed to be working today but hey a girl has to have some fun. Here is an old phantascope card that I turned into an animated gif. It was fun to do. I am going to do lots of them. If you turned the card in the viewer this is the animation you would see. We have progressed so much.

Serger miracle!!!

2010-03-16T16:10:00.000-07:00

Wow!! I have had a serger for at least 25 years and I have only used it to finish seams. I knew that people used their sergers to finish whole garments but I just never tried it. Well when I got the serger back this time from the repair man, it was so costly that I decided I had better make better use of the machine. Here is the first outfit I have made using only the serger. Except I used my machine to add the pocket to the shirt and to add the waistband to the pants. I did the neck edge 3 times. It was the hardest part. I was totally amazed how quickly the whole thing went together. and how smooth the seams were. No ripples. Since I am getting ready to start a walking program I have to make a bunch of spandex clothes to wear. (well I don't have to but you know how it is, any excuse to make something new to wear) I am so happy with my outfit. I have ordered a bunch of stretchey material from my favorite online fabric store. www.fashionfabrics.com and am waiting for it to arrive so I can sew my new outfits with the serger. How fun.

I miss Daddy too!!!

2010-03-10T19:20:00.000-08:00

These are old photos of my Dad when he was about 5 years old with his mom. Our family never even knew these photos existed until we were sorting through family things after my mother passed and we found these old negatives. What a treasure it is. I love the sweater my grandmother has on. and her shoes are so great. Wow!!

Deju Va!!

2010-03-06T15:42:00.000-08:00

I am doing the same thing this saturday that I did last saturday. I am making more doggy pins and cards. Yesterday I picked up a rubber stamp that I had made. I think I am going to have more made. It was so easy.

I ran across this little article the other day and reminded me of my mother. She always whistled while she was working. I know that somedays I catch myself whistling while I fold my laundry. She gave me so much. My sisters are also guilty of this whistling. ha!

The article came from the book "Golden Rules, The Ten Ethical Values Parents Need to Teach Their Children" by Wayne Dosick

Whistle a Happy Tune

Do you see the glass half full or half empty? Do you call the day partly sunny or partly cloudy? Are you an optimist who, in the words of James Cabell, claims we live in the best of all possible worlds, or a pessimist who fears that this is true?

When you "whistle a happy tune," you can show your children that whatever the situation, whatever the challenge, you greet life with good cheer and good will.

When you have a positive, confident, upbeat attitude, you can teach your children that real happiness comes not from having or acquiring, but from being; not from external circumstance, but from inner contentment.

I know my mother did not read this book so it must have been something she learned from her own mother or father. What a great gift for her to give us kids.

Oh I love Saturday!!!!

2010-02-27T19:28:00.000-08:00

Saturday is so great. You are rested from the week and you know you have one whole day before you have to start the week again. It seems like you have forever. I finished my give her a hand brooch today. I purchased this big sterling silver hand button from one of the bead shows I have been to. Today I am madly working on making cards. It is so fun and creative. I have all these trims and paints and papers and things. You'll see!!

I also had to work turning some forms into emails without the format changing. That seemed like it would be easy. NOOOOOO it wasn't, but I made it through it. I don't like microsoft word. That little cartoon guy down in the corner hides secret formating things. He looks so cute but he is EVIL!!!! and why is he there anyway.

Good Morning Erin

2010-02-23T09:51:00.000-08:00

Here it is Tuesday morning and my daughter sent me this great photo of herself. Now this is a dynamite way of starting my day. She did a favor for another student at her school. He needed a model for the day to put together a piece for his portfolio. I can't wait to see the photos of her in the clothes he picked out for her. She told me he had her pose in he shape of letters from the alphabet. So cool.

Sunday is a relaxing day!

2010-02-21T18:51:00.000-08:00

I made a chocolate cake today. What am I thinking? The sermon at church was really good. We had a guest preacher and he spoke on the 27th Psalm. He talked about the valley of the shadow of death and how we have hope (those of us that are walking through that valley today, isn't that all of us?) and we can look forward to getting through it with God's protection. I guess that is why I made a chocolate cake.

I also finished this bracelet that I call smile. One of the blogs I follow had a little book all about the power of the smile so this bracelet is a reminder of it. Always smile, no matter what. http://vintagebling4u.blogspot.com/

I am ready for Monday. Hooray!!!

Here it is Saturday Again.

2010-02-20T14:12:00.000-08:00

I can hardly believe a whole week has just gone by. I was really busy this week and I had a lot of troubling things to deal with. It all got done though and now I can look forward to the next week with a fresh mind. When I am working on a tough design job, one of the ways I keep myself inspired is to draw on the side. It takes my mind off of my design problem and frees up my thinking ability. Here is the result of the side job that helped me accomplish my work design.

A beautiful red bird. I just find it so hard to believe that these birds just fly around in the air. Such pure joy. Oh and the background flowers are from my ornamental oak tree. I have two of them in my yard and this time of year they are filled with white flowers. In my drawing I made the flowers lilac (creative license, Ha). As the petals fall from the trees it looks like snow on the ground. They are wonderful trees and are always doing something pretty. In the fall the leaves turn all shades of red and gold. Beautiful.

What a great day!!!!!

2010-02-13T18:07:00.000-08:00

Today was so sunny and warm, just a touch of summer. Such a nice break from the rain. I finished a new bracelet today among other things. I sat out in the sun and drew things. Oh the sun just baked me. So nice.

I sketched nelson my sock monkey so I could use him on some cards for the sock monkey buttons. He was such a good model and held himself so still.

Happy Valentines Day for Sewers

2010-02-12T10:34:00.000-08:00

Here is my card for Valentines Day for those of us who sew. Sewing is so fun!!!. I just got my serger back from being in the shop. It needed major work. The insides were all gunked up but now I have it back to sew and sew. Yeah!!!

Newport Beach Meeting

2010-02-09T18:46:00.000-08:00

I had a meeting to go to in Newport Beach today. It was raining so hard but I went anyway (like I have a choice) ha ha. I took my camera so I could take a few pictures. I posted them on Flickr but here is one that I really liked. He was just so saucy. You can't tell but it was raining on him and he didn't even care.

Wow, where does the time go.

2010-02-08T19:47:00.000-08:00

I am trying to work up some metal closure for things. I am following the directions for this book that I purchased called Amulets and Talismans by Robert Dancik. Really cool. Here are the results so far. I have to go inside to watch 24.

Wonderful Friday!!!!

2010-01-29T20:01:00.000-08:00

What a great gift my sister sent me today through the magic of email. How can these birds really just be outside in the air for anyone to see. Such beauty!!!!

2010-01-28T18:34:00.000-08:00

I purchased a new gismo at the CHA show that I went to last saturday. It is supposed to turn this shiny stuff hard when you expose it with this little uv light machine. I tried it today. It didn't work. The shiny stuff turned out all pock marked and there was not any air bubbles in the stuff when I put it under the lamp. ARGGGG :( I made this new avatar of myself on breaks from trying to figure out what kind of new phone I have to get for my vonage phone line. Also what it does. So much simpler to draw.

Back at home.

2010-01-27T19:49:00.000-08:00

Well, now all the hoopla is behind me and I am once again hard at work. I just made a set of buttons for Alice in Wonderland. I am going to put them up for sale on etsy. Plus I want to make a plaid jacket to wear with those buttons on it like the Mad Hatter wears in the movie. I have so much fun when I work in photoshop. I just love that program. Also, I made soup today. My husband and I are watching the series of old Clint Eastwood Western movies this week. Last night we watched A Fistful of Dollars. I didn't think I would like it cause I usually don't like old movies but I was pleasantly surprised. Oh that clint. What a hero. It was a pretty good movie with a lot of anquished close ups of everyone. I think it was ahead of its time. The stitching on the mens leather pants was so exceptional. All the clothing was fantastic.

Somehow I have hurt my back so yesterday I went to the Doctor and it was raining so hard. I had to wear my sandals because my toe is healing and I stepped into a big puddle. ARGH!!!

California Gift Show

2010-01-20T19:54:00.000-08:00

Here is my booth from the Gift show I did last weekend. This was just for the bracelets so I wanted to keep it kinda stark. It was a lot of work but I met a lot of super terrific people. There are so many kindred spirits out there. A lot of other artists stopped to talk with me.

I am glad to be home again with my easy pleasy schedule and my plaid flannel pants.

A very sweet lady ordered one of the dolly buttons I make in smaller sizes. I never thought to make them small but I was so happy with how they turned out. Take a look.

Back from North Carolina

2010-01-16T09:47:00.000-08:00

As soon as I came back from my vacation I needed to get ready for the California Gift Show. My plans of increasing my blog entries had to take a back seat. My trip to NC was fantastic. I can't wait to move there. It was unseasonably cold. BRRRRRRR!!!! But still it is beautiful.

Here is a picture of me making footprints in the snow in Richmond Virginia on the roof of the VCU Branding center where my daughter is attending school. We don't get much snow in California. Ha.

The Gift show is very different from the Bead and Design Show. Even though I am in the Handmade section it is such a BUSINESS situation. These shows are so hard to do. There is all the preparation of the display and then getting to the site. This one is in Los Angeles so the drive here is a bear. It would be a 40 minute drive but when you come on a business day it stretches to 2 hours. And there is an extra charge for everything.

Day one of my Vacation

2009-12-23T06:57:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a travel day. Not quite the fun it used to be. For some reason I am always frisked at the airport. And as an even further assault, yesterday, before I was allowed on the plane they asked me to step aside and they went through my purse and my overnight bag. What???? They didn't ask anyone else to do that. How can I possibly look so suspicious? Once upon the plane it was nice. Delta has the little tv on the back of the seat in front of you and so I was able to watch the house channel and crochet the whole time. It was great. I got a lot of great tips on how to remove wallpaper. My house has so much of that and it all needs to go.
When I arrived at Atlanta I had to find my boarding gate for the next flight. I arrived at gate A1 and had to leave from gate b2. Wow no big deal, right. Oh the Atlanta ariport is so big. It took a long time to get to B2. I stopped on the way to get a bottle of water. Big mistake. When I arrived at my gate and sat down. The gatekeeper posted a note saying the gate had changed to A1. Oh no, time was short now. I had to hurry back to where I came from. I shoved the bottle of water back into my purse, apparently not closing it properly in my rush. As I hurried to the gate A1 the water spilled all over my purse. No big deal except my cell phone was in there. When I realized what had happened, argh!!!! What an idiot i felt like. I needed the cell phone to announce my arrival in Richmond to my daughter. Plus her phone number was on the cell phone.
What to do. I had the laptop with me and managed to find her phone number on it. The man next to me allowed me to call her, but she didn't answer. I left a message. When I looked out the plane window, I saw snow on the ground. I have never in my life driven in the snow.
I managed to get to the rental car place and got a car with a gms thing. That should help me find my daughters apartment in a city I have never been in before at night in the snow. She handed it to me over the counter though and there were no directions to how to connect it to the car. I managed to find a friendly stranger and he set it up for me. Ok, now I am in a car that I am not used to and driving to her apartment. I rolled down the driver window to adjust the mirror and I couldn't figure out how to roll the window back up and in my efforts to do that all the windows are now down and it is very cold and very dark. I had to pull over and get out the instruction booklet. The GPS did not like this, but I managed to get the windows back up. It is so funny how simple things that we do everyday like driving the car can turn difficult when we don't know the basic operations of the thing and it is dark outside. It is so dark in Richmond. California has so many lights that there really aren't any really dark places even at night, unless you are in some residential area out in the boondocks. Plus it is never this cold. I did finally manage to get to my daughters apartment. I was so happy to see her. We decided to walk to a little latin place to have dinner and of course on the way there I slipped and fell. Oh my gosh, how does anyone walk in the snow. After it has been walked on and patted down it is like a skating rink. My fall didn't hurt too bad though. I will be more careful. Today is a new day and I am fresh from a good nights sleep. I will take some pictures to post and get myself and my daughter down to Norfolk Virginia where my sister is going to pick us up. We will see how I do. At least it is daylight.

I never post enough!!!

2009-12-18T19:55:00.000-08:00

Oh dear, I look at some of the other blogs I follow and I feel so much pressure to post more. I will be able to do that for the next couple of weeks. I am going on a small vacation and I want to record it so I can remember the fun I am going to have. Hip Hip hooray. I will get to see my lovely daughter in Richmond and my wonderful sisters in North Carolina. I will be posting pictures and things as I go. There was a lot to do to get ready to leave. It is funny but when you work for yourself, you have to do all the work that you will miss before you go. So it is crazy work hours. Plus I had to clear up my studio so I could work on the frames that I am going to create for the bracelets. That is how I am going to display them at the California Gift Show coming up in January. I am going to take all my tools with me so my sister (who has a fantastic workspace) can assist me. Today I went to Joann's to buy some canvas.

Some of my work is going to be in Bell Armoire magazine, the Spring issue so today I finished writing a short article to go along with the pieces. I can't wait to see how they photograph them. The pictures are of my straightened up beading area. Ha Ha, You should have seen it before. And some things I am working on. Everytime I sell one of those little dolly pins I have to make another. I become attached to each one. silly me.

It's raining, iIt's pouring, the river is running!!!!

2009-12-12T17:02:00.000-08:00

Funny, I live on a street called River Lane in Sunny California and although the Santa Ana river bed is directly behind my house, it is hardly ever a river. Maybe a river of rocks!!!!! But today when it is raining so hard we have a real river. It never becomes mundane for me. I walked down to where there is a little bridge between the neighborhoods where you can really see the river. Here is a picture. Of course I got really wet as it started raining on my way back. It is all good. I took the little stuffed cat with me. ML, remember I bought all the stuff to make it in Elizabeth City. The kitty lives. I finished it. I love his eyes. Rita

Unique show table

2009-12-09T13:28:00.001-08:00

Here is my table from the Unique Show in LA.

New pen made from Grace Lampwork Beads

2009-12-06T09:59:00.000-08:00

I made this brooch before the bead and design show in San Francisco and while I was there I fround the perfect bead for it. She had so many beautiful beads. Check it out. ww.gracebeads.com

Unique Show in Los Angeles

2009-12-05T15:58:00.000-08:00

Wow this show is so different than the Bead and Design Show. I will post pictures later on. They are playing music. It makes it very difficult to talk to anyone. Lots of really cool people. I can't wait to walk around and look around at the other vendors.

Listings on ebay!!!

2009-11-25T21:50:00.000-08:00

I just listed a lot of buttons on ebay. Take a look.

http://my.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MyEbayBeta&CurrentPage=MyeBayNextSelling&ssPageName=STRK:ME:LNLK:MESEX

I will be listing also on etsy, but tomorrow. Time to go inside.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2009-11-25T12:51:00.001-08:00

San Francisco Bead and Design Show

2009-11-24T20:09:00.001-08:00

Oh wow, I have so many things I want to post. But for tonight I am just going to post my booth so you can see it. It is so hard to take pictures at these shows even though I have my camera. There is so much going on that you just get so distracted. I did manage to get a couple. Here is my booth.

Also, the yellow vest dress I made to wear one of the days to highlite how you can use the buttons. The pockets came in so handy and I loved doing the stenciling on the pockets with Daddy's old stencils. I had so much fun and I met the best people. Grace, the lady behind me was so much like you ML. All the people around me just kept me laughing and inspired the whole time. I wish I could bottle it. I also met some new great friends. I will tell about these later. Plus I have to show what I traded with the other vendors. Some wonderful things. I sold quite a few of my bracelets and was so sad to see them leave. I am very attached to them. Anyway I will post more tomorrow. I am going to watch the Biggest Loser on TV so I have to hurry. I have already missed half of it. Rita

Look at this guy!

2009-11-16T14:26:00.001-08:00

Can you believe this picture. It has so many levels. He must love to crochet... but look at the people around him. Are they visually dead. How come noone is staring at him. this is not something you see everyday, is it? Wow. He is over the top. I wish I could speak to him. I think we would be best friends. Ha

Just wanted to say Hi.

2009-11-09T17:49:00.000-08:00

I don't mind being busy but only with things I like. I have been busy lately with Doctors, hair and roofing contractors. Not fun. Today I am having to fast because tomorrow I have to have a colostomy, a blood test and a masectomy. Oh it is so dreadful and it is a long drive. I made the most beautiful soup yesterday and I can't even have any of it today.

I went to the art store on Sunday and of course since Jenny's fabric store was up that way I had to visit. He he. Look at these fabrics. Mostly they are for my booth display but oh my the black dots with the delicious looking oranges on it had to come with me. Can't you just imagine a skirt. Oh and what about the funny one. the name of the fabric is That's sew wrong. A designer with a sense of humor. This has to be a pair of pants.

You sent me buttons. Oh How Fantastic!!!!

2009-10-26T17:37:00.000-07:00

ML - I have put all the buttons you sent me on flicker for a record to enjoy over and over. Once they get mixed in with my buttons I won't remember which ones came from you. So generous. Here is what I have made out of the ribbons that you sent me. I am going to bead and decorate it next. Doesn't it look like a pretty catapillar. I don't know if there is such a thing. Have a great week, I know I will. Love ya. Rita

beanie festival olympics

2009-10-23T10:46:00.001-07:00

beanie festival olympics, originally uploaded by gusseting.

I just had to add this to my blog. These women are racing to crochet beanies. Look at all the hats around. I shoulda been there. Ha

I finished one of the Orange and black Bracelets today.

2009-10-22T20:27:00.000-07:00

I love the Orange and Black. I loved making it. I wore my sweat pants today and and old shirt because I had to take a look at the sprinklers. Oh gosh, I found one that was broken so I had to dig it up. What a mess. The knees on my sweatpants not only stretched out but they are black from the hole I had to dig. I got it all set up to be fixed and then I had to finish working. As soon as I finished the bracelet I wanted to photograph it so as I was looking for a place around the yard, a couple walked by the front with their dogs. I rushed out to have the lady put on the bracelet (I don't know why I did this) so I could get a good photograph. I can only imagine what they thought. I was so dirty and my hair was sticking off everywhere. Big black knees and dirty hands and here I have this beautiful sparkly bracelet in my hands. They are neighbors, what was I thinking. I spend way too much time by myself. Yikes. The orange beads glow in the dark. so cooolllll!!!! I put more pictures of this on flicker. I used a lot of the black glass buttons. Thanks ML

It has been a whole week!!!!

2009-10-20T20:38:00.000-07:00

Wow, time sure seems to be flying by. I am trying to build up product for the show in San Francisco along with my other work. But I at least want to post something once a week. Here is the finished necklace I made with my new metal skills and a tube I knitted. The best part of the tube is the yarn is from North Carolina. I found it in a thrift shop out shopping with my sister. We had such a wonderful time together and I just can hardly wait to go there again this year.

Glitterfest was so fun!!!

2009-10-13T13:53:00.000-07:00

I so enjoyed selling at Glitterfest. When I first arrived I was a bit overwelmed with all the talented artists that were there. It was hard for me to stay with my booth and not go looking. I was very envious of all the people walking around. My booth neighbors were fantastic. I was so inspired. Now I feel like I need to do a lot of work before I go to San Francisco next month. Here is a little illustration that I did that was inspired by the Glitterfest. It has nothing to do with the show but I feel it reflects the feelings I felt from all around me. I am working on compiling some illustrations for a calendar.

Yesterday I had to fix my color printer. Oh no, the parts were so tiny and I kept thinking I was gonna drop them inside the printer guts. I didn't and it appears to be fixed (maybe). Argh!!! I need that printer.

Here it is Saturday!!!

2009-10-03T08:55:00.001-07:00

I have so much to do today to get ready for the Glitterfest Show I am doing next Saturday. But what am I doing???? I have to go to the Bank this morning so I am sitting here all dressed waiting until they open. Today I am going to try the PMC3 silver clay. We will see how it comes out.

I finished the Louie the Fourteenth Bracelet

2009-09-28T20:33:00.000-07:00

I have been looking at this button for ages. It was terribly discolored and stained until I found this amazing polish. I had to make something from the button, it was so beautiful. Also I mixed all sorts of yarns together. There are a few button from my trip to Bruce's yesterday.

ML. There is a working fireplace in his store. I was amazed and asked him if he ever used it. Of course he said no. You remember how his store is stacked with boxes and things behind the counter. But wow what a great store it would be with a fire burning. Can you imagine looking at buttons with a fireplace going. Oh my. So perfect.

I bought some vintage buttons today!!! Hooray!!

2009-09-27T20:06:00.000-07:00

Oh gee, I had to go over to Tustin and drop off my payment for the Glitterfest show. While I was there I noticed Bruce the Button guy was open. Oh my, I hadn't been by his place for so many years. He is never open. I dug through his old buckets and was in there for at least an hour. I though of you ML. You would have been right there with me. My hands got so dirty he had to give a little towlette. So sweet. Here are the ones I got for your enjoyment. Of course I cleaned them all up. What fun.

I have buttons listed on ebay!!!!

2009-09-22T19:32:00.000-07:00

Check them out ML.

Look at the sailor one - can you feel his longing for his family back home. Just like Daddy. You just know he looked at mamas photo like that.

Also I got the information for the Glitterfest today. Oh I am so excited to do this show. I wonder if there will be cupcakes with glittery frosting on them. Oh boy.

I am gettin out there!!!

2009-09-20T20:57:00.000-07:00

Wow, I spent this week trying to get organized. Not an easy thing for me. I will post some pictures tomorrow. In the meantime here is a halloween card I made. I love to draw.

Today is my 38th Wedding Anniversay

2009-09-16T20:11:00.000-07:00

Unbelievable how the time goes by. We have been through so many different time periods together. The end of the 60's, the 70's, the 80's, the 90's and now we are almost through the 2010's. In most things we are in complete agreement but there are those one or two things that we never agree on. You would think we would be used to each other by now, wouldn't you.

And then a Spider sat down beside her

2009-09-11T17:21:00.000-07:00

Oh no, look at this spider. If I had gone out to the trash can last night I would have walked right into it. What is he thinking????? Scary

My first button from fimo

2009-09-07T19:12:00.000-07:00

I am so excited, I made my first button from FIMO today. I did other things but this was such a reward. I love anything that sparkles. What do ya think ML??? I used some of those Rhinestones we got from Berger beads downtown. Hooray. I don't know what I am going to do with it but I can look at it for a long time. I also turned on the torch today. I also listed buttons on ebay. Check them out.

Labor Day week end

2009-09-07T10:41:00.000-07:00

So are the trash guys coming today or not. Sometimes on holidays they come and everyone is in a mad dash to put their trash cans out in the morning. Yikes. We all see each other in our bathrobes, and we all have the same sheepish, frustrated look. Ha ha. I don't hear them this morning though, I guess they give the laborers the day off. Oh yeah it is LABOR DAY.

I guess some of us have to labor anyway. Rita

Today is my Birthday!!!!!!!

2009-08-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to me. I look at my Birthday like some people look at New Years Day. I assess my life and see where I am at. It is a goal setting day and a day to relax and just enjoy being alive. Where have I been, where do I want to go. Each year I am amazed at what has transpired in the year. So much happens to us and so many things are only know to ourselves and God. I love being alive and have enjoyed every moment. Even the bad things that are not pleasant at the time we can look back on and see how they changed us and helped us grow as people. When I was younger, I never realized how much I would grow to appreciate my memories. It is like having a great treasure chest in your mind that you can get pleasure from at any time. Yesterday, a man came to pick me up to take me to pick up my repaired car. As soon as I was seated in his car the smell of the ice cream shop that my mother took my sister and me to after the dentist washed over me. How wonderful and rich life can be. A treasured moment that is buried inside me springs out and I get to experience the joy of that moment all over again. I have so many of those and I never know when this joy will come over me. Wow!!!

The other day a box was delivered to me with some of my old artwork and this picture in it.

This picture was taken on the last Christmas day our family spent with my father. It was a day of so much laughing and happiness. Another fantastic memory and here it is captured in a photo.

Erin in Issey

2009-08-18T07:40:00.001-07:00

Erin in Issey, originally uploaded by RCButtons.

Fun with Erin. She really looks great in my clothes.

WAC Meeting

2009-08-16T11:56:00.000-07:00

I went to my first Wearable Art Group meeting this Saturday. Actually, right after I dropped Erin off at the airport to go to Richmond. I was very sad the entire day but I did enjoy the meeting. It was held in Redondo Beach. That is a long way from Santa Ana, and is a place I have never been before. All the years of living in Southern California and I have never been there. The meeting was wonderful. They had a speaker Margot Silk Forrest who is an expert at painting shoes. She is the owner of Sassy Feet. Her web site it www.sassyfeet.com. She had samples of her shoes and lots of photos. She also was teaching a class today and I wanted to go but I have way too much to do. Oh well, some other time. I learned alot about glue and the proper paint for shoes. Very interesting.

They had a lot of terrific things for sale at the lunch break. See the picture for what I bought. It is very hard to find pink and orange cotton fabric. And those patterns. I love the shirt and the Asian outfit. Unbelievably, they are in my size.

Erin arrived at her new apartment last night and called me. She says it is really hot there. Probably like when I first went to see you ML and there were those few days where the humidity is unbearable and you have to stay in the air conditioned house to survive.

She is on here way now.

Erin has her Driver License. Wow!!!

2009-08-13T19:30:00.000-07:00

Erin and I drove all the way to Redlands today so she could take her driving test. That is the only appointment I could get before she leaves on Saturday. It took forever to get there but we made it. It was so hot. We waited in the hot line with the car and even though I checked the brake lights on tuesday (one day ago) when we got to the front of the line the tester said we couldn't take the test because a brake light was out. Argh!!!!! No matter how hard I begged. We had to go and find a place to get the thing fixed and then come back and try to fit into the later group. Luckily next door to the DMV was a brake repair shop. We drove over there and he fixed it for us and he didn't even charge us. How nice was he. Then we came back to the DMV and they took us right away. Erin passed and now she has her Drivers license. Oh the parallel parking and the freeway driving was hard. We had to go to the ups store so we could send some bed linens to her new place in VA and we had to get a new external hard drive for her computer at the Micro Center Store. Finally we are home. Wonderful.!!!!

A proud peacock!!!!

2009-08-09T09:59:00.000-07:00

Erin will be leaving for Grad school next Saturday, so we are heavily practicing her driving. Yesterday we drove all the way to Fashion Island. I went into Anthropology and she went into Urban Outfitters. We both found some things we liked. But I found something fantastic for my future displays. It is a wooden peacock. I just have to paint it. I am so excited. I just love him. He does need a little sanding here and there. ML, isn't he just great. I put a new bracelet around his neck. He is so proud. Ha. I think he has the same hairstylist as me.

His head actually turns. Isn't it great.

My table at the show!!!!!

2009-08-03T15:35:00.000-07:00

This is a close up of the white witch bracelet.

My bracelets fitted nice in my newly painted doll wardrobe.

I covered my dress forms with Dick and Jane stories. So fun!!!!

Here is Erin at my show table. We met so many wonderful people. There were lots of very talented artists at this show. I was just amazed at some of the inventive artwork.

2009-07-31T15:32:00.000-07:00

oh my gosh,
I am at the Bead & Design Show in Pasadena. I am meeting so many wonderful people. It is fabulous to share ideas and talk about things I am working on. Wow!!! I will post some pictures tomorrow after I bring in my camera. Yah!

Erics Bathrobe

2009-07-24T21:35:00.000-07:00

Hey amongst all the sewing I do for myself I had to sew my husband a bathrobe. One of many I have made him over the years. Hey Marylynn what do ya think. I have new things on flicker.

Daddy's Button

2009-07-22T21:23:00.001-07:00

Daddy's Button, originally uploaded by RCButtons.

Why did Daddy save this. Such a treasure for me. Love it.

Blink-Postcard

2009-07-17T17:15:00.001-07:00

Blink-Postcard, originally uploaded by RCButtons.

Erins Eye.

Making boxes. Really fun!!!!

2009-07-13T20:52:00.000-07:00

Today, I decided to start sending out my buttons in little boxes. People throw away the cards if they use the buttons so the boxes are better. Take a look.

Oh No the Strawberries are on Sale at Ralphs!!!

2009-07-12T18:36:00.000-07:00

This is a funny story. When my husband and I were first married and for many years after, we would laugh at my husbands mother as she went to several different stores to purchase her weekly groceries. It was so time consuming but she insisted on purchasing certain products at certain stores. Well, we would never do that, except now that we are older much to my horror my husband noticed that they were having a sale on cherries at Stater Brothers (we never shop there) so he insisted on going not only to our normal Ralphs (we always shop there) but we had to first stop by Stater Brothers (way over in Tustin). While we were there we also purchased the strawberries which were the same price as Ralphs were last week. Soooo, when we got to Ralphs guess what was on sale there...the strawberries. What did we learn from this experience? Not much except I sure hope I can point this out next time and we can limit the weekly (boring) grocery shopping to only one store. I did make a strawberry pie though, since the strawberries were on sale at Ralphs. ummmmmmm!!!!!!!!! I can't wait for dinner tonight. Ha.

Wow Fantastic books at the Library.

2009-07-10T17:38:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I got this book at the little store where they sell old books at the Public library. I always cruise through it looking for crochet and craft books (dare I hope for a button collectors book) Yes). I always find good ones to build up my library. The pictures in this book are amazing and there are several of the old cloth sheets that were printed in the late 1800s for ladies to make dolls out of. I can print these out if I want. So exciting. also some of the doll faces are going to make great buttons. Some of the dolls I don't think were for children. They are kinda scarieeeyyyy. The one with the map for acuputure is neat. I am showing a couple of pages just for fun. click on my flicker account in the right column and look under the set with antiques. Hey Eva, won't it be fun to look through. Ha. Rosie and Libby are not in there though. :(

Here are some of the buttons I am listing on Ebay

2009-07-08T19:06:00.000-07:00

Oh buttons on ebay. They take such a long time to list and to make. Ebay has decided not to do dutch autions anymore so I can only sell one button at the time. We will see how it goes. Puts pressure on me to get my site up.