Buttons and beakers

Man, it felt good to get the glue out today!  I've had a busy summer, but today, I was all on my own, just me, the glue, and the studio.  It seems odd to have Sugarwings gone all day at school, but it does make a difference in my productivity.  After making her some Care Bear toast (sunflower seed, whole grain bread cut with a teddy bear shaped cookie cutter after toasting), I sent her on her way and went to work.

So what did I do? Just simple projects, adding wallpaper to a jewelry box, and sorting buttons into interesting vessels and foofing those up to sale at Silver Bella.

These vintage test tubes were fun to fill and foof.  I had to run to Hobby Lobby to buy some corks for them, but everything else used is all vintage. Little squares of wallpaper make the label, and it is tied up with old ribbon and topped with a millinery bloom.  Then, the corks each got a pretty button to spruce them up.

I only had 10 of them, I wish I had more. That is the trouble with using vintage things, I can't just order more when I need them. I just kind of use what I find when I go out treasure hunting. 

Earlier this summer, I found a boxful of these old jam jars.  These three are pretty as is, so I just filled them with buttons and that's it.  The rest have lost the details on their lids, so I'll get to play with them a bit more.

At my last garage sailing trip, a lady gave me this jewelry box. It was marked a dime, but she said she wanted to get rid of stuff, so she gave it to me, along with an armload of beautiful, plum colored velvet bedding! (that I gave to a friend who was redecorating)

The box was not that attractive, but I saw some possibilities. First, I primed and glazed it, with the technique in my sidebar.

Then, I glued down three coordinating wallpapers that were a birthday gift from Beth.
 
I'm not sure if I'll do more to it or not... I could put another paper on the top and do something to the front of the door, but I kind of like it as is.

The door of the jewelry box could never be as pretty as Sissy's front door. As the sun flows through the window, it hits all the prisms she has hanging there and creates light birdies that fly all around the room.

 

And onto the dog.

Isn't she a cutey? This is Elphie, my little cock-a-poo niece.  She'll be coming to visit next week when I have the Nathan Campgrounds open for business (20 relatives camping in our yard!!)  I just hope that bossy little Twinks plays nice with her.  They are just about the same size, but Twinkle thinks she's bigger than she really is.

Its almost time for Sugarwings to get home from school, so productive time is about over.  I'll leave you with a few photos of my Sissy's sparkles, then I need to squeeze out a bit more work from this last half hour of time that I have.

Isn't everything colorful and pretty at Sissy's house?



Don't forget you have a few more days to enter the August Giveaway by leaving a comment.

Comments

[Mahala]

I love it all. I can't wait to have a place to hang my crystals. just a few more days!

[Lorrie]

Oh, I love those vintage test tubes - and Sissy's crystals. So pretty.

Lorrie

[Lori]

Karla, the buttons look so cute in those vintage test tubes that you found!!! i love it:)

[LiLi M.]

That first photo of the tubes is amazing, I love the colors, so inspiring! And I love the jewelry box too, I don't think it needs more, but I know if you do so, it will be even more beautiful, but it isn't necessary. The 'feet' of that box are so cute too, nice when a freebie turns out like this. Your sisters home seem to be enchanted, well I cannot believe she isn't the head sorcerer of all good faeries. Thanks for sharing these lovely details in her beautiful home, tell her that she has a fan from afar now too!

[Beth Leintz]

Elphie is so cute- she reminds me of a chocolate layer cake- I don't think I've ever seen a dog with horizontal stripes.

[michelle]

Oh, I can't stand the thought of Sugarwings all day at school! So nice to have a productive day though isn't it!

[Myrna]

Love those test tubes and what you did to the jewelry box...beautful!

[Deborah Woodrow]

Karla :
OMG ! You did it again, you never cease to amaze me ~ ! you come up with the neatest, and prettiest ideas !
Love everything ! Glad you got to go on those short mini-vacations. Your "Doggie Niece" sure is a cutie.
Take Care,
Deborah

[DeniseLynn]

Buttons, Buttons, Karla's got the buttons! Love what you did with them.

[Southern Lady's Vintage]

Love the little test tubes!!

[Stephanie]

Karla, these pictures are really doing it for me today!! They are fantastic ~ each has an almost magical quality to it. Did you get a new camera?!?! Love those itsy beakers!

Big Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

[tracey]

Elphie is a cutie. And I never get tierd of seeing ways to use vintage white buttons (love them) and they look so great in those test tubes...wonderful!

:) T

[Lorilee]

I love Sissy's sparkles! I have a cool prism that you fill with water and hang in the window. I got it at a RennFest. I love to be in my kitchen in the morning when the rainbows are dancing on the walls!
I am back at school too! I have 22 4 year olds in the morning and 19 in the afternoon. I am really worn out this week!
Blessings,
Lorilee

[Wanda]

Karla, it's all perfect as usual. I'm always inspired by your work. And now I'm convinced I need some prisms hanging in some windows!

[LORRAINE BELL]

Hi Karla from Canada..love those buttons & shiney,beady, hangy,things..I`m a true libra, cant resist anything that shines or glistens ....Lorraine

[Janis]

Karla, I love all of the pretty pictures
especially the one of your Sister & Elphie!
Such beautiful colors!
Those jam jars are sooooooo sweet!
I wish they made them like that today.

Hugs,
Janis

[Joyce]

Everything is beautiful, as always. Looks like you're adjusting quite well to Sugar Wings and school. Good job! And 20 people camping in your yard - what are you, nuts?? You'll make it into a beautiful, enriching affair and you won't even be stressed!!

[Bunny Rose Cottage]

Karla, I love the test tubes full of buttons!! It just looks so pretty! I am so glad you had so much fun with your sisters. It looks like a blast! I love the greens and blues in the last pictures too, sooo pretty!!
Love,
Amy

[Elaine L.]

The jewelry box is beautiful and I love the way you decorated the test tubes.

I can't wait to hear how Sugarwings likes school.

~elaine~

[Diane]

Karla your sister looks darling and I sure do love the way she adds that extra sparkle everywhere! You two are both very creative!
Hugs, Diane

[chrisitne]

Her home is magical. I'm going to start finding some of the crystals to hand in my craft room windows. It's beautiful!!!

[Zita - Mlle Magpie]

I adore that first photo of goodies, Karla, especailly the test tubes (since I trained as a scientist!) filled with vintage goodness I just love it when you create - not only are you so talented, you are super productive too!

[shawn]

Those little test tubes are wonderful! I bet those will go fast! That jewelry box is adorable! I think you should paint something pretty on the door. Hope sugarwings is enjoying school. I know Bethany is! Take care and have a great weekend with family!!

[Jenny The Red Bulletin Board]

TOo fun! Your sister seems so neat, just like you!! LOVE the buttons!

[angela]

Karla, it sounds like you had a wonderful time with your sis and her home is just beautiful! It also sounds like my mom and yours liked to do the same things except the scary movie part, I watch The Young and the Restless in memory of my mom, haha. I know your test tubes will be a big hit at SB and if I come across any I will send them your way!!
love,
angela

[Diane]

Love your sister 'stuff'!! So bright & sparkley. In a couple weeks is 2 festivals in Pendleton......I'm bein' there
Have fun with your campers

[jeanie]

The button packaging is four-star! And that jewelry box -- isn't that really what it's all about? Not seeing what IS but seeing the possibilities? You aced that one!

[Milli Wagoner]

Wow, your jewelry box is beautiful! I love the wallpapers you used on it, so pretty! Little Elphie is precious, especially with rainbow colored fur, haha! Oh, I have a small bag of those little test tubes, I think they are plastic though, my sister picked them up at a flea market for me and I am sure I will never use them, I would be more than happy to send them to you if want them! Just let me know and I will drop them in the mail. Have fun creating!
(((hugs)))
Milli

[Laurie]

The color in your blog photos is so awesome! I loved the sparklies on the poochie! Your test tube buttons are lovely, as are your jars and your jewelry box. I wish I could go to one of your sales!

[Bobbi]

Sweet Karla...Isn't it funny when they go away for the first day of school? Even though my baby is 33 now, I still remember that first day of preschool, in her little tartan dress and her hair up in a little bun with a ribbon in it. I was thinking, "Wow! I am actually going to be ALONE for a little while!" and..."I will remember this day for the rest of my life..." Baby Girls, gotta love 'em...Your Friend, Bobbi

[lee w.]

the test tubes and the jam jars are so pretty. I have some old tubes and a wonderful green rack they used to sit in stashed... somewhere...

[Jennifer]

Looooove the test tubes Karla! Im sure those will sell out at SB!!! ;) So glad you are getting some quality productive time now that Sugarwings is at school. I know tho' you are happy and anxious to see her when she get's home. Beautiful post!!! :) XO,Jenn

[Elizabeth Marchus]

Hi Karla,
Thank you so much for visiting me at "Home is Where the Heart is". Its a pleasure to meet you.
I love your blog. You are so creative, I will be visiting often.
Take care and enjoy your day,
Elizabeth

[karen]

I love all the button containers! Great idea! They look so pretty! That puppy is darling and your family will have a great time camping at the Nathan grounds! See I told you, you live in the country! (my neighbors house in 10 ft from my house!)
hugs! karen....

[Linne-maria]

The vessels filled with buttons are simply gorgeous. Love that little drawer you've decorated /linnea-maria

[Andrea Villarreal]

Oh my gosh Karla!! I love Sissy's window. I would just sit and stare out it all day:) And I sure do hope you have some of those beakers left after Silver Bella I want one!!

[Hope Ellington]

Hi Karla!
Your beakers are delightful. Can't wait to see you at Silver Bella.
Blessings~Hope

[Rose Brier Studio]

Love the tubes of buttons, specially the white ones -- the color & textures are so pretty.

It looks like you have had a wonderful week! The parties look like such fun. I think I will throw a slumberparty when I turn 60!
~Marilee

[Stephanie]

Karla great idea for the test tubes... ihave the old buttons so will look for something unique to put them in. Had fun visiting your site!