A few odds and ends...

 (If you are an email subscriber, there are two posts in this email - so be sure to scroll down to see them both)

I love to visit antique and consignment shops.  When we lived in England we went to lots of fairs and to the markets (similar to Brimfield in the US).  I had certain things that I looked for and I developed a few more collections - by chance or by choice.  One day I will photograph some of the things I collect for the blog.

While my brother and his partner were here we went into Boston one day and then checked out the local shops another day.  There is one tiny antique store here in Concord that I love to visit because they always have interesting buttons and small charms.  I have way too many buttons already but I still can always justify adding a few more to my collection  (this is something we need to talk about!) .

This charm will look so nice on a special card.  If you look carefully you will also see a great idea for a design made from the basic shapes used for the bird and branch.

The blue button is a glass button from Czechoslovakia (as it was known at the time).  There is a shank instead of pierced holes to sew the button to the fabric.  This style of button is still being made to day and you can find lots of sites selling them if you search for "Czech glass buttons" - I looked around a bit after I got home and saw dozens I'd love to have in my collection!

I also found this set of patriotic buttons.  The pentagon shape and the three colors are very eye catching.

Don't they look great arranged as a frame?  I am sure I'll find some fun ways to use these.

In another shop I found sections of an old French dictionary that were wrapped up for sale.  The book they were from was falling apart so the clever shop keeper made bundles of pages to sell.

With a little searching, I was able to find the sections for my initials.  The drawings are very detailed and interesting.

I have lots of ideas for ways to incorporate these in some projects.  I also will keep an eye out for decrepit books that I might be able to buy for a lower price than buying the book in sections.  You might remember the Tim Holtz Configurations box that I bought a little while ago - it is time to pull that out and get busy collageing (I don't think that is a word - but you know what I mean!).

We also visited our wonderful Five and Dime store.  This is where I found the fuzzy contact paper that I used for some Valentine's projects earlier this year (here is a LINK).  When I made those projects I was using the red roll that I bought a long time ago and I did not have a wrapper for the package with the information about the velour paper.  I finally was able to locate some more in the wrapper so you can see the details.  I got some in blue and black and I can't wait to use it for another project.  The price for the six foot roll (6 feet x 18 inches) was $7.99.

Several of you have asked about the IKEA items that I am using to reorganize my craft room.  I am not ready to "reveal" the room yet - it isn't finished and I have something special planned for when it is.  I did want to show you the bookcases I am using.  They are part of the Expedit series but the divisions are asymmetrical and actually work better for storing some of the thing I need to store.  Some of the sections will hold the plastic cases for 12 x 12 paper which won't fit in the regular cubes.  These are being discontinued at our store and I think throughout the system - I can't find them online anymore.  The number was 10973 if you want to check with an IKEA near you.

Just one more thing to mention - Lettering Delights is celebrating 10,000 fans on their Facebook page.  If you "like" them on Facebook be sure to go to their page HERE to find the links for lots of freebies - good only until midnight Thursday.

I have lots of projects to finish today - and some new "toys" to try out...

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