Apr 07 2007
My Mom’s Buttons
One of the things I inherited from my Mom was her button collection. She didn’t call it a collection, though. Mom’s buttons were purely functional, snipped from old garments to be stitched to new. Rather than being discarded, the old garments then became quilts, braided rugs, potholders, cleaning rags. She kept her buttons in a Quaker Oatmeal box. It was the greatest pleasure for my brother and I, when we were little, to sit at the kitchen table with that oatmeal box between us and explore its treasures. There was always a favorite button for each of us, more special than all the others, and to discover it still there, among the lesser buttons was to have the security of our small world validated. Wouldn’t it be nice if things were that simple, still?
I guess I was feeling a little nostalgic when I decided to alter this oatmeal box for Mom’s buttons. Only Mom’s buttons will go in this box. When I purchased this BasicGrey Stella Ruby paper from Jacksonbelle Embellishments I didn’t realize it had a dressmakers’ or sewing theme throughout and, since I bought the 12 x 12 pack with this project in mind, it was perfect! What a nice surprise! I did a little faux stitching to carry on the theme and trimmed (and trimmed and trimmed) until I could trim no more. The letters that spell “buttons” came with the paper and, yes, the buttons along the front are Mom’s. Thanks, Mom!
What a beautiful story. I could picture you and your brother sorting and looking and could feel your Mom’s love. Great box to store those buttons/memories
Leslie - today’s conversation is as beautiful as the cards you make. I got very choked up reading this. I don’t have my Mom’s buttons but I do have my husband’s Mom’s button collection. She did the same thing your Mom did and many of them are snipped from clothing. There are also some very beautiful buttons in this collection. They are probably 60 - 70 years old. You have inspired me to get them into a container that is worthy of them. When I do I’ll send you a link. Thank you for sharing your thoughts today.
What a touching story you’ve shared about your Mom! Your project is absolutely gorgeous. I love the ribbon and lace trim, as well as those beautiful buttons!
Awwww! You’ve completed your button box project! It turned out so beautiful, Leslie. You’re right, that paper is perfect, as are all those genteel ribbons. Nice touch with the faux stitching and buttons. I think your mother would be very pleased. Linda
Oh Leslie this is just gorgeous! Your story is wonderful too and brings back many memories for me going through my grandmothers buttons. Just recently my aunt gave me some of the buttons she has collected over the years and I still love sitting and sorting through them.
Leslie..What a beautiful button story. I will chime in here and say that I, too, used to spend many hours going through my grandmas button box. I wonder who has that box now. What a great altered container you made for the buttons.
Leslie…thank you for sharing your beautiful story. What a lovely altered box! Perfect paper, perfect lace & ribbon, perfect buttons! What a treasured keepsake you have.
This is wonderful! I should do the same with my tin of my Grandmother’s buttons. I still love to look through them all!
What a sweet story! We had a button box at my grandma’s house, too and would spend hours sorting - by color, shape, 2 hole, 4 hole, etc. Who knew we were learning math skills then? Thanks for sharing your story.
OMG….I just saw this incredibly gorgeous and creative oatmeal box/ Button box IRL!!!!!! All the DP’s, lace,buttons and button letters go so well together because of the talent of the artist, of course. TFS…you do your mother proud! Nancy
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