Findings in my Sewing Treasure Chest

The main reason I love to acquire vintage sewing baskets and their contents. is you never know the treasures you will find.  Women who sewed many years ago seemed to use their sewing boxes for mementos as well as the common sewing tools.

I've found letters, photos of children taken in elementary school and pipes among the needles, safety pins, and thread.

Here's some of my favorite finds thus far:

This is my favorite little box--I bought it at a garage sale, cleaned it and put oil on it.  Voila, instant treasure holder!

This is a cool contraption, its a clear wheel placed on an orange wheel with grooves. You stick your needles in a whole in the clear wheel part.  When you move the clear wheel, the hole opens up above grooves with the needles in it and then you can pour the needles out.

I've seen this needle threader a couple of times--maybe it was pretty popular at one time.  Can't say I've ever used it, but I think it looks so cool!

This is a gold name plate I found (I blacked out the last name).  Where would this tag have been put on, I wonder?

Take a gander at the large, sturdy screwdrivers of yesteryear with what we get for sewing machines now.

Cell phone earrings--they're cute but the phone is from the 90's!

This point is used to make holes in fabric so you can put in a snap, etc.

This is what I'm talking about--how cool that this was in the sewing basket!

These needle threaders seem to be fairly common too although I've never used them.  If I can't see the hole in the needle, I just put on my cheaters!

I think this is such a cool tube, but I'm missing the top.

I don't recall my Mom collecting these blue chip stamps, I remember the S&H green stamps.

The little patches had bits of thread on them which leads me to think they were cut off some clothes.

Old measuring tape.

I think the wood on this broken pipe is so pretty.

This is the coolest find of all.  I found this really old measuring take in this cooler mini cigar box.  Cute!!!

Going through a sewing box is such an emotional, lovely experience for me.  What were these woman experiencing 40 years ago with their families?  Makes you wonder.

Button, Button, Who's got the Button?

I recently became the proud owner of about 2 pounds of buttons from a lovely lady who is moving out of the area.

Sorting buttons is one of my favorite pastimes (besides going fabric shopping).

I first form a pile for the unusual shaped and textured buttons.

I make a pile of metal buttons too.  Aren't these cool?  Look at the one with the horse in the upper right hand corner.  And I love the military buttons too (lower left)--just think of who wore that button!

Look at this one--it reminds me of a nuclear physics logo.  Wonder if that one is vintage?

I also look for antique-y buttons, although I'm no expert.  Look at these worn buttons.

Sometimes it's the worn, unattractive buttons that are the most valuable (ever watched Antiques Roadshow?)

I also look for buttons made from shell.  See the flower button below?  That's made of plastic and it's easily identified because of its light weight and flat color.

A shell button, on the other hand (see right above) is going to have more weight to it, have a complex sheen, and it will sound click-y when placed on a surface.  A plastic button will sound flat.  Shell buttons will feel nicer in your hand and will feel cooler to the touch than a plastic button too. 

I look for button groups like this too for potential outfits I can make.  Sometimes if I'm really in love with a button, I'll build an outfit around them.  These below reminds me of a cool, retro suit.   

Here's a purse I made and the button was the important, crowning touch.  I think it really gave the purse character.

Khaki Flowers Purse

I love this nautical button, and I am compiling a group of fabrics based on a nautical theme--this will go in that pile.

Last--this is my favorite button because it reminds me of Las Vegas Glam.  This goes in my special pile!

Do you like to collect buttons?  What do you look for?

My version of Porange

Okay, I'm getting in touch with my inner child, you might say.  This is some serious orange porange.

Neon orange yellow fur bag

Love that sparkly snakeskin flap and handle too.

Love the snake on the front!

 And the lining fabric is my favorite, bright, bold and colorful!

Purple, yellow and orange, oh my!

Maybe I should carry a warning with this bag--don't look directly at it in case of eye damage!

Cotton Fabrics in my Stash

Here are cotton fabrics I have on stock.  And here's some cool pouches I've made using cottons in my stash.

Sequin Fabrics in Stock

Here are the sequin fabrics I have in stock and here are some purses and pouches I use them on:

I Love Theme Weddings!

Theme weddings to me are like Halloween on steroids. I love that people have given themselves permission to be as creative as they want (I wonder how Batman proposed to Wonder Woman?)

Wouldn't this bag be smashing to wear for a theme wedding?

check out this super hero themed wedding at BridalMusings.com

If I was getting married, I think I would like to be dressed like a movie star.  Here's Tie The Knot's post on how to do a Hollywood wedding right.

lidiloves's hollywood-theme-wedding on Pinterest.com

I really like alternatives to white wedding dresses too, like this red, white and black dress on Keeppy.com.

  

I've heard of a couple throwing a reception party--without the wedding.  Hmmmm.

New Ruby Red Sequins, Cheetah Faux Fur Bag Collection

Did you ever complete a project and it exceeded your expectations?  A project you were so proud of, you kept looking at it again and again, because it was so beautiful?  Well, I almost broke my arm patting myself on the back, but I couldn't help it.

Ruby Red Sequins and Animal Print Fur Collection

I absolutely love this color combination, I love the contrasting fabrics, fur, shiny sequins, sturdy broadcloth cotton...and take a look at the snake charm hanging from the large purse.

Ruby Red and Cheetah Medium Cozy Bag

Isn't it lovely?  And the crowing touch is that the red snakes eyes match the ruby red fur!

Red Eyed Snake!

And I tried a new thing too--I added the stripe of sequins--

The sequins took a lot of patience, time and stitches to get them secure but it was worth the trouble.

I also took extra time to add padding to all the pouches so they're nice and thick.  Doing so adds a little weight too, so they feel substantial when you hold them.  Also, they are sturdier.

I love when a project turns out like this!

Welcome to my New Purse Model Amber Rae

I'm so pleased to display lovely photos that Aurora Gibson of Aurora Gibson Photography took of Amber Rae, my new purse model.  She's modeling the purses and pouches for Carol Joy Fashions Purses and accessories.

Say hello to Amber Rae!

I have four Etsy Shops

She is currently acting as Tina in Tony and Tina's Wedding on the Las Vegas Strip.

Not only does this lady have a pretty face and have a lot of facial expression,

Diagonal Faux Fur Clutch in my Faux Fur Frenzy Shop

She's just plain NICE.

Gold Metallic Lace Clutch in my Bridal Evening Bag Shop

Thanks, Amber Rae!