Hi there, it’s only me popping in to say hello. It’s been a busy week for me. I’ve finally recovered from our recent trek and am glad to be getting back into normal sleeping patterns, and having the energy to get on with my days.

I love buttons. I suspect there are an awful lot of quilters out there who also love buttons. Just about everyone can remember their grandmother’s button box. I was very lucky to inherit my grandmothers sewing things, and amongst them were her buttons. She had an interesting eclectic mix of buttons. Her “collection” was utilitarian.

When I look at Grandma’s button box, I don’t see pretty elegant buttons, but buttons that were for using – lots of khaki coloured Royal Australian Army buttons; a multitude of buttons for baby clothes; a smattering of mother of pearl buttons from linen blouses long gone; and sprinkling of leather coat buttons from a time when people wore woollen coats, closed with leather buttons.

I also like to wander the antique markets when possible and I’ve noticed in recent times that buttons are becoming a desirable collectable. Many stalls now have buttons “stitched” onto pretty card and prices that would make Grandma’s hair turn green! But it’s always nice to look.

I’m not sure what makes a quilter, but I do think having that “collectable” gene helps enormously, and it seems, from the size of my fabric and button collection, I have that gene in abundance!

I’ve been surfing the web and found some great buttons sites for you. Here’s the link:
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art175988.asp

We’ve had some more chat on the Forum, welcome to those new to the forum; it’s great to have you with us. Here’s a link to the forum:
http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php/forums/43/1/Quilting

So, now it’s time for some little goodies that I’ve sourced from the plethora of sites that I watch each week. I hope something here tickles your fancy!

http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/simon-beck-snow-art amazing quilting art. Thanks Jane for the heads up on this one.

http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/cutting-corners/category/pincushions/ PINCUSHIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks Momshobby for sending me this link.

http://obsessivelystitching.blogspot.com/2010/07/toddler-dish-towel-bathrobe.html A baby bathrobe from a dish towel

http://www.aspoonfulofsugardesigns.com/2011/06/winter-warmers.html wheat and lavender bags, a lovely idea for a mother’s day stall

http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2011/05/sew-wallet-that-turns-into-tote.html this little wallet turns into a tote

http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/09/preserving_vintage_embroidery.html some tips on preserving your vintage embroidery transfers

http://afewscraps.blogspot.com/2011/09/desperate-housewifes-block-linked.html a cute patchwork block for you, I think this would make a great quilt.

http://www.incrediblethings.com/art-design/damn-band-aids-when-you-get-so-fancy/ what will they think of next? (an aside – what did she do to her (hmmm breast) that requires a bandaid?

http://www.refinery29.com/who-needs-target-we-ve-got-diy-missoni-shoes/slideshow#slide-1 click on the arrow at the right and watch these shoes transforming before your very eyes

That’s all I’ve got for you this week. I hope that this newsletter finds you all well and keeping happy. Make some time to quilt in your busy schedule – I promise it will make the day shine.
Cheerio for now

Judie Bellingham, Quilting Editor
http://Quilting.bellaonline.com

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