Buttons

I am today, the very proud owner of about 5000 buttons.  They were my great-grandmother’s and have been saved over her life time and then added to by her family over those who came after.  I think 3 generations – my great grandparents, my grandparents and of course, my Mum and dear late Uncle.  The tin itself is beautiful, covered in bluebirds…yes they are in a 4d bluebird toffee tin  As I am looking through the tin, a few things strike me.  Firstly, the care and attention that my family took in ensuring that every last tiny button was removed and stored.  It might be useful some day.  Secondly, how beautiful some of the buttons are.  Some are clearly hand finished and it seems such a shame that they are stored away in a tin, its not what they were saved for.  I think the thing that most touches me is my sense of generations.  I am going to use something that my great grandma saved, her fingers dipped into that tin, searching for just the right button for school shirt or Sunday best dress.  I was just one year old when she died but I feel very close to her and of course the generation I knew better today.

I have a few plans for some of the buttons, but the majority will stay in the tin, ready to be useful another day.

 

Granny Great’s Toffee Tin

Inside!  Oh the joy  It smells of Granny’s house somehow.

Some of the pretties

 

 

 

 

 

Just a few more photos

In the daylight (it was raining quite a lot though)

No one has trashed it so far – someone kindly tied on a heart that had fallen off.

 

 

It looks pretty good all things considered

Something appeared in the paddock last night…

So, our first, little yarnbomb.

We did it after the pub quiz last night (we won the quiz by the way, thought you would like to know that – £8 each  -Thanks!)

It was quite tricky doing it in the dark at midnight but not many people were about and I’d had a few gin and tonics so it seemed appropriate.   It was quite good fun and a little bit naughty. I had got a bit of a design plan in my head but mostly we just tied them on and hoped for the best.   I had wanted to put the swags in the trees in a Christmas decoration/bunting stylee but the tree was far taller than I imagined and even tall person couldn’t quite reach up there.

Things I  have learned. 1)  Take a non-crunchy bag with you.  Fumbling about in a crunchy bag attracts attention.  2) Having someone with you is essential as you can pretend you are having a good old snog if someone comes along! 3) Check your route for dog poo.  4) Don’t worry about a design, just bung it all on.  5) Be ready to do another one because its fun and addictive!

Many thanks to the tall person Mr Redde Man

 

 

 

 

We are going back later to take better photographs and tie on two flowers I found in the bottom of the crunchy bag that got missed.  I hope no one notices.  We are really pleased, we made a tiny corner of Countesthorpe prettier, we were a tiny bit subversive and we mostly hope we make someone smile.

 

Lots of flowers…

Crochet flowers

 

We’ve picked a site – the paddock in the village.  Its a nice open space but with one issue…there are no flowers.  So our idea is to add some to brighten a bench up a bit.  Lovely.  It might help our parish council to plant a few real ones next year.

 

things are being made…

Lots of flowers are being made to decorate….well we will have to wait and see!

We have a site in mind and are frantically making things to decorate our chosen space.

An extra pair of hands is always useful, get in touch if you fancy joining us!

Interesting things are happening in the Village

yarn bombing also yarnstorming noun the activity of putting knitted coverings on statues, posts, seats and other public objects, especially secretly and without official permission. Niffy.. Countesthorpe, Leicestershire.   Known locally as Niffy following a leaking septic tank in the 19th Century (apparently) Oh, the yarnbombing won’t smell Watch the village for some yarnbombing fun…probably around the […]

Hello world!