Steam Punk and Free Clip Art of 1895 Halloween Costumes

 Today is a very different post.I have come across the term Steam Punk here and there but thought it only applied to collages and jewelry with bits of old watches and clocks. Well...it is much more than that!   It was time to look into Steam Punk on wikipedia. Wow! There is nothing subtle about Steam Punk. I can't say I like most of it but some of the fashions are beautiful and all of it is so creative.

1790 Jacket

           Simplicity even has a pattern out.

 

No wonder I see more corset stuff out there. The other day we even had a gentleman customer whose wife made custom corsets.

 Going into my Halloween file for a new  post I found the following images from a 1895 book. Perfect for making witches. They also look Steam Punky to me. What ever your interests are I hope you enjoy the images below.

Thank you Dawn, from the The Feathered Nest for mentioning my giveaway and store drawing. It really helps our cause.Now it is time to work on the buttons! Much love to you all, Louise

Happy Birthday Blog!

Hi everyone and welcome to all of you. It is my blogging anniversary! Two years ago I created Bumble Buttons. My blog has evolved as I learned from all of you. Checking out your blogs and links lead me to so many new worlds of creativity. You are amazing! I had no idea my life would be so enriched. Looking for material to post sent me back to my own love of art and design. My world expanded as I wandered over the web searching for little treasures for you.
Thank you for your encouragement and positive comments. I also want to acknowledge and thank the following for so much;
-Sherry, from the Legacy.  The open heart and sole of the Legacy for so long, you are really where the story begins. Encouraging me to volunteer and then nudging me along. Thank you for buying the first pin cushion I made. You gave me a key to open a part of me that had been locked away from the twists, turns and events of my life.  It didn't matter at all, she just needed the fabric folded! When Gema retired from doing the buttons she gave me the opportunity to be the new button lady.I will be eternally grateful.
-To the many lovely ladies who also volunteer, you have made it so fun! I cherish the new friendships that have begun. Lucinda and Marie, a big hug and special thank you for inviting me into your lives.
-The Graphics Fairy, need I say more. As a great resource you showed me the possibilities.
-Kathie Holden at justsomethingimade. Her email back to me helped break the ice for communicating with all of you..Her blog is full of Sonoma County references and made me feel at home. Little did I know that Bumble Buttons would have visitors from all over the world!
-Dawn, at The Feathered Nest, you posted one of my first photographs and a link.That is what brought so many visitors to me. A better welcome couldn't be found.Thank you for your continuing positive comments and support.
-Liz, at  lululizinlalaland you make me feel like a pen pal from both England and France.By sharing your world it allows me to live in a cottage and shop the fea markets in France.
A special thank you to what I will call my "frequent flyer's". Your frequent comments make my blog feel cozy and full of caring friends.

Last but not least, I want to thank all of my followers and visitors.
My salutation most days is "much love to each and everyone of you". That is very much how I feel today,Louise

The Best Antique Fall Postcards.Free Clip Art For You.

Hi everyone! Oh my you all really liked my last post! Thank you for all the comments to let me know! I have a few more in my files for a future post.

Most of the antique and vintage postcards I come across feature spring and summer flowers or holly. It was so exciting to find some with lovely brown fall leaves and white flowers.Perfect for today's post. I can't decide if the white rose or chrysanthemum one is my favorite. I just love them both. Hope they find their way into your scrap booking,collage,cards, tags and artist trading cards.If you are a collector these are Tuck's early 1900's postcards.

Wearing warm cozy socks/slippers and drinking hot tea are becoming a daily habit again. The Japanese Maple outside my window has turned a nice burgundy red. We are even getting some rain today.Enjoying the crispy fall air and changing landscape is inspiring. I should work on my Thanksgiving wall hanging. I have been stashing lots of fabric in rich browns, golds and greens way for awhile.

Get all warm and comfortable and create something beautiful.

 Much love as always, Louise

P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway!(October 17)

The message is so pretty.

Late Victorian Antique Photographs of Little Girls Lots of Lace plus Dolls

Welcome to each and everyone of you, I have something special today! These antique cabinet photographs are softly tinted or painted. My guess is they are from the late Victorian to early Edwardian time periods. Do any of you know what kind of dolls they are holding? The photographs leave me wanting to know more about their lives and personalities. What is the story about the lockets? A Christmas or birthday gift and from whom? The girl on the left has a gold ring and a hard to see collar pin as well.  Based on the jewelry, lacy clothing and the dolls they must be from a prosperous family. 

All of the photographs are free for you to enjoy and use.They are from http://tuckdb.org/

Today is beautiful and full of sunshine.  Another fabulous fall day to create something.

Much love as always, Louise

Victorian 1850 Children's Book Illustrations ~Free Clip Art ~Beautiful Birds ~ Red Breasted Robins

Hi everyone! Today felt like a bird day. Not birthday...bird day.Looking through my files I came across these illustration. How perfect! The prints are from an 1850 children's book titled 'Treasury of Pleasure'.Love the green, red and brown color combination and rustic feel. I know they will find their way into your many and varied projects. Framed in rich wood they would fit right into a french provincial styled room.

Be sure and read the October 17 post for my giveaway. I am looking forward to your emails and links of buttons or things you have created.

 Thank you for stopping by and leaving  many wonderful comments.Much love to all of you, Louise

Free Clip Art Bright Colorful Women from the 1920's Art Deco Style

Hi everyone, Another wonderful warm(hot) day in California. Today I have some cheerful bright illustrations from the 1920's. It was time to lighten things up!

1926 movie poster of Corinne Griffith, a successful actress. She was an Academe Award winning silent screen actress. Looking her up was interesting. Married 4 times, affairs with Howard Hughes, and wealthy if what I found is correct.

1924 Peoples Home Journal magazine cover with the title removed.

I can not remember where this came from. Love the colors

While searching around I found the artist Warwick Goble. Look him up for beautiful children's book illustrations. His work is still under copyright so thought it better to share the info and not the images.

Marie Antoinette and Friends in Beautiful18th Century Paintings

 Hi everyone,I am so excited about this post! My search for portraits from Marie Antoinette's time has been a success. Lovely royal ladies in lavish and sumptuous gowns. There is one issue that needs to be addressed. It is those panniers! Really ladies.Imagine a party with all those fancy gowns. Do they bump into each other? Think of how much maneuvering a group of 4 or 5 conversing together would require! Huge Victorian bustles are also a perplexing fashion trend.

Have a happy and creative day!

Love, Louise

I love this one. She looks so serene.

Grand Duchess Marie Fiodorovna

  (large image)

details!

Large image.

 Maria Luisa of Parma,Laurent Pécheux(French,1729–1821)1765

Queen Charlotte by sir Thomas Gainsborough

The two paintings above are large enough for framing. Looks like the same dress.

The two illustrations below came form a book titled "The Well Dressed Woman".

A quick note, there are three new peacock pictures on the 9-26-12 post.

Free Back to School Clip Art from 19th and early 20th Century Paintings, Illustrations 2 John George Brown Paintings

Is it to late for a back to school theme? The clip board and pads of writing paper are from a very old catalog.When I found them I knew they would make excellent clip art. If anything else they are just fun to share. Love the red tape one. I feel in love with the little girl painting. Hopefully a search for more illustrations by the artist goes well.The signature is hard to read so if any one has any information about the artist please let me know.

I want to thank all of you for the wonderful comments. They inspire me.

  Much love to you all, Louise

'A breezy morning' 1876 by John George Brown

Preschool

'School Bound' John George Brown 1873