big fat buttons!

Monday morning. I get to work unusually early. Approaching my desk,  I see a large bag sitting precariously on the corner with a box sticking out the top. What is this? What kooky task have they conjured up for me today? Warily I peer into the bag, but I am pleasantly surprised at the contents.

BUTTONS!
LOTS OF BUTTONS!

Then I recalled a conversation with a coworker on Friday. “My aunt had a button collection. I can’t imagine anyone would buy it at the garage sale. You can have them if you want.”

I spent the afternoon sorting them. It is not what I would call a unique collection considering there are large quantities of a single type. But if ever I decide to knit a floor length cardigan with buttons 1/4 inch apart, I’ll be set.

white buttons? no thanks.

I came across something else to dye. After doing a search on Etsy and finding someone selling “handdyed” buttons, I had to find out what this was all about. Next I went to Google and landed on this blog, where she talks about dyeing white buttons. Awesome! Because who doesn’t have 400 white buttons in their collection? They are a bit unavoidable. In her post, she uses liquid Rit, but I didn’t have any on hand, so I used my Lanaset dyes instead.

Handdyed buttons with bowl thrown by Johanna

It worked, but definitely not as good as the photo she shows as an example. I tried it three times. The first was orange and it came out very pale. The second I did yellow-green, which also came out light. And last I did dark blue with Jacquard acid dyes and it was the least successful. There must be certain types of buttons that take the dye better than others. Those buttons that are shiny and smooth didn’t change color at all. I may be inclined to continue experimenting.

winter? check!

Boy, we just got dumped on for sure. Yesterday and today has been steady, though light, snow. Everything is white. It’s the kind that just piles up on things, so you can still see all the slats in the deck chair, but it looks 4 inches taller. Maybe a total of 7-8 inches? I must remind myself that I live in NE Ohio and it is January.

But even more exciting are these fingerless mitts that I just finished today. I completed the knitting last night, but I added the extra bits this morning.  Not sure what the inspiration was.  I just started doing some chain stitch and incorporated buttons because I have them.  I’m pleased though.  For a long time I’ve been wanting to try this, but just couldn’t find the right piece.

Cheers! and thanks to Richard who took the photo. He stood behind me and held the camera in front of my face.  Good thing he’s tall.

Yarn = (Main) Handspun/dyed by Gwen; (Extras) Handdyed by Cosy
Needles = US 8
Pattern = Make as you go

revived by buttons

i’m falling in love with my button collection.

Yesterday I brought out my little plastic box of buttons and washed each one with a toothbrush (okay, just the ones in the lefthand box). It was an excellent way to reacquaint myself with my buttons, remind myself of what I have, and clean off any bits of grit. I had planned to do them all, but I got a little tired.

Next I pulled out five neckwarmers that needed their buttons. Actually having a full palette to work with makes such a difference. Previously I would only buy buttons on an as-needed basis. It wasn’t nearly as fun or creatively stimulating. Now I can choose from all of these different colors and styles – I’m no longer limited to Jo-Ann’s mundane selection.

Today I bought two new plastic storage boxes. They had larger compartments so my buttons could spread out and multiple. I arranged them as such: one box containing the neutral colors and one containing Roy G Biv. I just adore all the varying shades of one color all together. It makes me want to put buttons on everything!

supplements

In all things, there are deficiencies. Areas that need to be improved upon, updated, increased, etc. In my button collection, that area is the red section. I do not buy red buttons, I do not make red things. The person who had the color-coded button collection before me, she did not have many red buttons either. So, while at the Flea Market today (which was a beautiful day, by the way), I searched specifically to increase my stash of red buttons, and I think I achieved that goal. In addition to a few snazzy non-red ones. $5.00 for the lot.

Another area in which I am lacking is linens. My housewares collection is primarily cookware, not so much textiles. Whenever I’m out, I always look for table clothes, but they are either ugly or too expensive. Today I found these two and got them for $8.00. I liked the holiday one because it wasn’t too ridiculous – covered in snowmen and trees for instance. The other was nice and plain for regular occasions. I also bought some other items, but they haven’t been sufficiently cleaned yet.

a work in progress

That’s a fairly broad statement. My life is a work in progress. My collections are a work in progress. My knitting is a work in progress. And the weather. The progress today is cold. But even though it was chilly, the sun was out, so I made a spur of the moment decision to go out to that flea market where I found that nice box of buttons a few weeks ago. I wasn’t sure if anyone would be there, but there were a few vendors.

I bought a bag of buttons for 50 cents. The woman kept saying “50 cents” and I wasn’t sure if she meant per card/baggie or for the ENTIRE bag. She meant the entire bag. So I bought one.

Also found this interesting sauce pan. It was $1.00 and says: “Austria email – Made in Austria” EH?? Is it not an older piece? What does that even mean?

When I got home I decided it was time I cleaned the Fiber Den. Everything was beginning to pile up in a very ugly, embarrassing, and unhelpful sort of way. I had misplaced several items, so I was also looking for those. Of course I ended up with an obnoxious little heap of stuff in the middle of the room that I didn’t quite know what to do with. That always happens when I’m cleaning a room. Papers or unfinished projects or miscellaneous pieces of junk. And then I just stuff them into a tiny corner and forget about them.

cheers for unemployment

Being unemployed + sunny day = Thursday morning flea markets! I popped over to a PA flea market this morning, one I had been wanting to go to for a few weeks, and spent some time browsing and enjoying the weather. I found several happy little items including two Pyrex 501 refrigerator dishes. Also picked up two lids for my Bake Serve & Store set; a small divided dish that matches my other green relish tray; and an awesome box of buttons.

The refrigerator dishes are in a pattern I don’t usually buy, Crazy Daisy I believe, but they were $2.00. Plus, they can go along with Verde quite easily. I may be inclined to trade them in the future.

This small dish was only 75 cents. It matches a relish tray I bought back in January, one of my very early pieces. After going to the flea market, I stopped at an antique mall. One of the vendors was selling this exact thing for $7.50!  And she had the matching relish tray for $8. I know I didn’t pay that much.

I found this box of buttons where I bought the 501s. When I saw the $6.00 price tag I knew I had to buy it. The previous owner and I must be kindred spirits. She organized them all by color! How fantastic is that. I finally have a good assortment of buttons in a variety of colors rather than just having a very large collection of brown and white.

i’m super hyper today!!!

Again, two unrelated subjects. First, I wanted to share this dress:

I bought it on Etsy last summer but never had the chance to wear it. It was looking like I was not going to have a chance to wear it again this summer, so I decided to wear it to work for no particular reason. It’s so much fun and definitely that weird old 60’s fabric that doesn’t feel quite natural. I can’t believe how perfectly it fits me either. I think vintage clothes work better on me than modern clothes. Were all the women petite? Did they not think everyone was 5′7″ and 105 lbs? Sensible, I’ll say.

Photos taken by Billy.

And next, check out these adorable buttons I had made! I want to specifically thank Laura who designed the graphics since I can’t make things fit in a 1 inch circle. Thank you so much Laura!! They were made at purebuttons.com and were really affordable. I wanted them to put in my etsy packages for a little something extra. So go buy something and you’ll get one!

a thrift for future fiber

I’ve had a busy non-fiberous week. School and work and no time for fun! I was able to sneak in a little thrifting however. Sunday afternoon I went to an antique mall/flea market and found some buttons. It was $2.00 for the box, all neutrals. I specifically chose this box because most of the buttons were big and I always seem to use large buttons rather than small ones.

Monday on my way home from school I stopped at a thrift store and found this silly little loom for $1.50.  It seems like a miniature rigid heddle loom.  Even though it’s doubtful I’ll use it, I had to get it for the amusement value and the price. It’s from the 1970s.

done already?

This weekend I was quite busy.  I finished up my train tam on Friday. It’s a little bit bigger than I was anticipating, but I’ll wear it anyway.

Friday afternoon I dyed the sweater vest yarn. It’s really really bright, not at all what I was going for. I had intended to start it on Saturday, but I didn’t have the right needles, so I bought a #10, 29″ circular at Pat Catan’s before going to Pittsburgh. The yarn shop there didn’t have 10.5 either, so I used the 10. The gauge is off, but I’ll probably be able to wear it anyway. The next time I make it, I’ll try a little harder on gauge. There are also a few other things I’d like to tweak too. Rather than a 1×1 rib on the bottom, I’m thinking about a 2×2 or 3×2.  The only thing I have left to do is the crochet edge around the neck and armholes. I hope that helps it to look better.

While I was at the yarn shop this weekend I picked up these funny little buttons. It took me a while to figure out why one side was flat. Duh. It’s a fish bowl. Sometimes when I’m in a yarn shop and I really need to pee, I get a little flustered and overwhelmed…