The Antidote

Pocket Money

I often wonder where the line is drawn as to whether the similarities we have with our children are genetic or imitated.

On Friday, Ivy and I popped into our little haberdashery to stock up on trimmings and ribbon roses to get us through the weekend.  Like a magpie she was drawn to a button.  A nice button.  A nice purple button.  "I am going to buy that with my pocket money" she said "well you don't have your pocket money with you" I replied, keen not to miss our appointment at the hairdressers.

Lo and behold, by Saturday afternoon she had pestered her Daddy into taking her back to the shop and bought the button.  It is the big one in the middle.  I should have recognised that look in her eye and let her buy it straight away,  I am secretly rather proud that one of her treasured possessions is her button collection (those in the picture are all hers).

When I first became pregnant I assumed my babies would have my dark hair and green eyes, but Oh No!  I have a pair of willowy blondes just like their Daddy, so who can blame me for being chuffed that Ivy loves literature, the ballet, buying wool and collecting buttons.  I have no idea if that is inherited or copied, but I love her for it all the same.

And while we are about it.  Oscar and I share an hour or so every Saturday morning when everyone is still asleep.  We watched cartoons or whatever I have Sky Plussed through the week, I have a little something on the go on my lap and he plays Lego.  We plan it on Friday night and I would be mortified if I slept in and missed it.  Last Friday as I was tucking him into bed he said "Mummy, when we get up tomorrow, shall we watch Kirstie?" (Kirstie's Homemade Home).  Sigh, who needs dark hair and green eyes?!

PS - this post would have been up at about 9.30 this morning, unfortunately Ivy had hidden her buttons from me and I had nothing to photograph.  No why would a girl do that?!

Cute as a Button

Ok, time for Book of the Week.  This week I am looking at Button it up by Susan Beal.

First of all, a little peek at my button tin.

It is only a year or so old so not very full, but I love it all the same.  I remember playing with my aunts button tin as a child, counting, sorting, currency, I especially loved her little glass ones.  I desperately hope that one day I will inherit that collection.  I can even remember the black floral tin!

I digress, back to the book.

Susan Beal has a popular blog, and from it has come this lovely little collection of button recipes.  It begins with a history of buttons before going on to instructions of techniques used in the book.  These instructions are well illustrated and very clear.

This is a great book if you are interested in making button jewellery, there are cute ideas and great instructions, this was my favourite piece, but there are also earrings, pendants bracelets, the lot.

I thought that the other non-jewellry ideas were far more inspiring, and I loved this little button trimmed mirror..

..and this adorable pencil tin.  The button bath set and stationary will also be on my to do list.  Oooh and the little button jars are to die for!

Sadly, for me there were far more jewellery ideas than I can cope with, but if that is what you are looking for this book is inspiring, clear and nicely written and  you also get to glimpse Susan's lush button collection.