Great Grandma's Buttons

I made some time to sew up a few blocks and stitched on one last week:

The 2 buttons on this block are from my Great Grandmother's button jar.  I gave them a good washing with water and little dish soap.  I used a small brush to get any dirt off but I didn't want to remove the patina so I was careful.  When they were dry, I just went over them lightly with a polishing cloth to brighten up the raised area.  There's a lot more in the jar!

One thing with old buttons....and no one knew this back in the day....never store metal buttons with glass buttons, plastic buttons, MOP buttons and so on.  The metal buttons tarnish when mixed with the others.  In this case, it's okay because I love old stuff and the old look but for anyone who collects them, it's best to store them separately.

I've been studying Jennifer Clouston's gorgeous embroidered vines.  And I've been experimenting!!  I ordered her books the other day and I'm expecting my Amazon delivery anytime now!  I also ordered a few other CQ books that I've been wanting so I'll talk about them when they arrive.

I'm going back and forth between CQ and cross stitch.  I have a pretty little pattern that I'm almost done with.  I'll post that too when it's completed.  

ATTN:  Lesa from CQforNewbies:  Please email me!!