Vintage Glass and Metal Buttons

Morning all!

Here are a few of the latest buttons to be added to Love Buttons HQ.

These charming black glass buttons, with a lacy moulded pattern and 'baubles' in the centre. They have a touch of gold parti-lustre as the finishing touch. They are available at £4.00 for four buttons from Love Buttons HQ and Etsy.

These unusual green finished, plastic or resin buttons are cup-shaped and look as if the surface is covered in small seed beads. They have an almost metallic glint to them. The buttons cost £8.00 for eight buttons. Also available in my Folksy shop.

Finally, these smart, military-style metal buttons. They feature a central, raised crown motif. They have a 'white gold' tone finish, hollow, two-piece construction with inserted loop shank. Ideal for a smart coat or jacket! They cost £7.50 for ten buttons.

Posted by Julia of * Love Buttons HQ * Fire Horse Textiles on Folksy *

knitted Harvest Bowl pattern

This autumn-themed bowl will make for the perfect centerpiece during any party you host. It'll make a great display during your Thanksgiving feast too. It can hold all your seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Crochet Harvest Bowl
This image courtesy of lionbrand.com

Crochet Hook: J/10 or 6 mm hook, K/10.5 or 6.5 mm hook
Yarn Weight: (4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)
Materials:
860-174 Vanna's Choice Yarn: Olive one ball Note: (A)
860-170 Vanna's Choice Yarn: Pea Green one ball Note: (B)
860-171 Vanna's Choice Yarn: Fern one ball Note: (C)
860-124 Vanna's Choice Yarn: Toffee one ball Note: (D)
860-130 Vanna's Choice Yarn: Honey one ball Note: (E)
Lion Brand Crochet Hook - Size J-10
Lion Brand Crochet Hook - Size K-10.5
Large-Eye Blunt Needles (Set of 6)
GAUGE:
Exact gauge is not essential to this project.
STITCH EXPLANATION:
Dc2tog (dc 2 sts tog) Yarn over, insert hook into st and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops. (Yarn over, insert hook into next st and draw up a loop. Yarn over, draw through 2 loops) twice, yarn over and draw through all loops on hook – 1 st decreased.

BOWL
Note: Bowl is worked with 2 strands held tog throughout.
With 1 strand each of A and B held tog, ch 4. Join with sl st to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Work 8 sc into ring, join with sl st in first sc.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, * sc in next sc, 2 sc in next 2 sc; rep from * around. Join with sl st in first sc.
Rnd 3: Ch 1, * sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around. Join with sl st in first sc.
Rnds 4 and 5: Ch 1, * sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around, join with sl st in first sc.
Rnds 6 and 7: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, join with sl st in first sc.
Rnd 8: Ch 1, * sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around, join with sl st in first sc.
Rnds 9 and 10: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off B. Join 1 strand of C.
Rnd 11: With 1 strand each of A and C held tog, ch 1, sc in each sc around, join with sl st in first sc.
Rnd 12: Ch 1, * sc in each of next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around, join with sl st in first sc.
Rnd 13: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off A and C. Join 1 strand each of D and E.
Rnd 14: With 1 strand each of D and E, ch 1, sc in each sc around, join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off.
LEAF
With smaller crochet hook and B, ch 8.
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook (counts as first dc) and in each ch across – 5 dc.
Row 2: Ch 3, turn. Dc2tog twice – 3 dc.
Row 3: Ch 3, turn. Dc2tog – 2 dc.
Shape Edge of Leaf
Ch 4, dc in 3rd ch from hook and in first ch. Sl st back into end of Row 3.
Ch 4, dc in 3rd ch from hook and in first ch. Sl st back into side edge of Leaf.
Ch 4, dc in 3rd ch from hook and in first ch. Sl st back into end of Row 1.
Working back across opposite side of foundation ch, sc in first ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc in last ch. Ch 4, dc in 3rd ch from hook and in first ch. Sl st back into end of Row 1.
Ch 4, dc in 3rd ch from hook and in first ch. Sl st back into side edge of Leaf.
Ch 4, dc in 3rd ch from hook and in first ch. Sl st back into end of Row 3. Fasten off.
Stem
With smaller hook and D, and leaving a long tail, ch 4. Fasten off, leaving an 18 in. (46 cm) tail. Hold stem at center of lower edge of Leaf. Thread tail into blunt needle and embroider ch st ‘vein’ up center of Leaf. Sew Leaf to Bowl. Weave in ends.

Autumn Sun in Fife!

Hello everyone! We are just back at home after an enjoyable 4 day holiday in Fife.

We visited lots of towns and villages in the area, and stayed in Cellardyke, which is very picturesque and surrounded by a string of lovely coastal, fishing villages. There is also a coastal walk, of which, we did about 3 or 4 miles of the 117 miles possible. Highly recommended for an autumn break!

Cellardyke Harbour

Scary 'head' in the rock formations, seen on the coastal walk from Cellardyke to Crail.

Our new rescue dog, Brock, enjoying the beach at Kirkcaldy.

Anstruther harbour. Don't forget to visit the award winning fish and chip shop, which also sells delicious ice cream (I tried the cherry cola and rum and raisin flavours - heavenly!).

A view of some of the beautiful Autumn- flowering plants seen at Cambo Victorian Walled Garden. Dogs on a lead are allowed, and you can take a woodland walk down to the sea, and then enjoy coffee and cake in the tea room.

Anstruther sea front.

As you can see from the photos, we were very lucky with the weather, which was hot and sunny for three of the four days. On the wetter day, we looked round St Andrews, a charming small city, famed for its University and golf courses. There is also miles of sandy beach to stroll along.

Posted by Julia of * Love Buttons HQ * Fire Horse Textiles *

Cross Stitch And Embroidery

My favorite crafting hobby is cross stitch and embroidery.  So, I tend to buy most anything related to it at auctions and rummage sales.  I have a few patterns for sale in my shop for the hobbyists out there.  I also have a several vintage examples of embroidery and cross stitch for those who appreciate the skill and patience that goes into it.

Printed Linen Samplers

Embroidered Sampler

2 Stamped Pillowcases

Embroidered Doll Blanket

Make your own felt demonstration

Today i attended a felt making demonstration at my local library by a local lady Shenna Swan.  Shenna runs craft workshops using vintage & recycled material to create handmade supplies, artwork and gifts.
https://m.facebook.com/shennaswanmatextiles?v=feed
Below is a piece of felt Shenna made at the demonstration in my favourite colour purple :)

Below a range of handmade items made by Sheena, such as a pink artists brush case, bags, jewellery, needle cases, glasses cases etc., all from felt with other mediums worked in.

http://uk.ebid.net/for-sale/vintage-handmade-felt-needle-holder-with-needles-72164552.htm

Hexham Stone Carvings

HexHam Abbey is not far from Hadrians Wall in Northumberland which was founded by St. Wilfred in C.674AD.
Situated in the Prior Leschman Chantry Chapel are several figures carved into the stone.
The 1st guy looks like he is wearing a woollen pixie hat!

Hadrians Wall which is approx 73 miles long is also worth visiting especially Vindolanda, a wooden fort was first erected there about 85AD later forts were built of stone.  The museum houses fabulous finds from the site including leather goods,glass, pottery, jewellery, shoes of all kinds, and the famous wooden writing tablets.
http://www.vindolanda.com/
http://www.vindolanda.com/doorway-articles/edge-of-empire-3d-film

Do you like vintage buttons

Well if you do, Purplestevie has a wide variety to choose from.
All my items are Buy It Now, I combine post & packing and you can make an offer on most items.
What are you waiting for come and have a LOOK what i have
I have huge quantitys of buttons to list so come back often and  remember THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM OR SHOULD I SAY THE BUTTON

Buttons from purplestevie - press here to view and buy

vintage milk dishes booklet

For sale at ebid i have a milk dishes recipe book produced by Libby, McNeill & Libby Ltd of London.
Recipes include:-
The best Chicken pie you have ever tasted, Chocolate ice cream, Bean Soup, milk finger rolls and many more.

http://uk.ebid.net/for-sale/vintage-finer-flavoured-milk-dishes-booklet-receipes-74605427.htm#