I started collecting buttons as a child, but stray buttons were hard to come by around our house. Mama’s frugal habits surely hindered my button collecting. She insisted those buttons had another life, and were not destined to live out their days in an old mayonnaise jar. So back then I was never able to completely fill a jar and call it my own. 

This is a huge 8 gallon jar that sits in the center of my kitchen table.

Things are sure different now, do you know even ten people who would replace a missing button rather than just buy a new shirt?  So when I see stray buttons that go unclaimed I bring them home, clean them up, and put them on display.  My button jars serve as a reminder to me that the tiniest thing can be used to ‘hold it all together’.  Surprising when you think about it, huh?

Antique jar of buttons (next to our wedding picture) on top of a cabinet.

Antique button jar in my bunny bathroom.

Old coffee jar - again in my bunny bathroom.

Union Suit button pin sitting on top of old coffee jar.

Vintage bird waterer filled with buttons - yes! on the back of the toilet (in my bunny bathroom)!!

Fat Belly Button Jar in the center of our family room table.

Antique pharmacy apothecary filled with buttons.

Water dispenser - spigot does not drip buttons

My favortie Beehive jar is almost full now!

Button jar hidden with other collectibles in stacked cubes.

Baby dress buttons, military buttons, and the big black buttons from Grandma’s church dresses. Rhinestone buttons from a fine Easter bonnet, and simple wooden buttons from granny’s field bonnet. Pearl buttons from silk gloves, and metal buttons from grandpa’s overalls. Buttons just remind me of all the times when something was about to fall apart, but someone rushed in with just the right button to help hold it all together again.

Assorted button jars on my stacked cubes.

Heart pin filled with white and pearl buttons hand sewn by mama.

I just love BUTTONS! 

Here are pics of the finished projects from a class at The Flying Needle .  Wonderful jackets made by some very artistic quilters. 

Gary and I had a wonderful time at The Flying Needle in Stephenville, Texas on Saturday.  To say Anne’s quilt shop is filled to the rafters is almost an understatement.  If you are ever in this part of north Texas, you really should make it a point to stop and check out The Flying Needle.

We were fortunate to be there on the same day they have their monthly gathering and got to view their Show & Tell.  Quilters from all around the area showed off their current works.  I asked permission to snap a few pictures for you to see.  I wish I had thought to write down each ladies name to go with her picture, and we met so many nice ladies…but I guess we’ll just have to call them the Gifted Quilters – I know you’ll agree. 

This first photo is a lovely lady and her Turning Twenty around the Block quilt.  She not only used our Turning Twenty pattern, but the stitcheries are from our Love Covers book!  Isn’t it pretty?

The lady holding this quilt is the talented quilt maker.

The next two were made by the same quilt maker.  She used a pattern from our Turning Twenty Just Got Better book to make the same quilt in very similar color ways.  What an outstanding example of how fabric choices really make the quilt!

Turning Twenty Just Got Better

The quilt maker is shown here in the red plaid shirt. I found out that she and I have the same ’favorite color’ — RED!

Turning Twenty Just Got Better

This next quilt took my breath away! What a great surprise when the quilt maker unfolded her smashing quilt made from the Monster Machines fabric collection that I designed for Northcott Fabrics.  Her quilt was SO cute!  If you’d like to order any of this fabric, this link will take you to Monster Machines on our website.

MONSTER MACHINES fabric by Tricia Cribbs - whoo hoo!!

This next photo is the last one I’m posting for today. But I’ve got lots more Show & Tell from The Flying Needle so come back soon!

I was excited to provide a door prize for the day.  I prepared a 20 fat quarter kit to make a Snowman Turning Twenty Quilt.  The lucky lady holding the package was our winner, that’s Anne in the center, and me on the right.  What a fun day!    It’s late here tonight and I’m pooped, but I promised to post more of these in a couple of days. 

And We Have A Winner!

I think I’ll catch on to this blogging thing pretty quick.  It seems like I’m always a slow starter.                     Blessings, Tricia