Free images of Mermaids for you to enjoy. Illustrations from Antique Children's books and paintings by John Waterhouse

Welcome to you all. It is a nice sunny Saturday. I have a nice glass of iced coffee and felt like blogging. The draft of this post on mermaids has been in my files forever. Today is the day to finish it up and share the wonderful paintings and illustration I have found. Of course I had to find a just a few more images of frolicking  maids of the sea to entice you. So after a few happy hours going in many different directions I came up with a few more. It is so easy to get sidetracked! 

Imagine decorating a scrap book page for a cruise or a day at the beach with one of these. Worked into a collage with the little treasures you found walking on the beach could be a reminder of how much fun you had. Incorporate them into gift tags, inches and artists trading cards. Have fun with them and imagine the salty water and warm sands as you create something beautiful.

Much love to all of you,Louise

P.S.While searching I came across the artwork of Victor Nizovtsev. Several of his incredible mermaid paintings are  at the McBride Gallery. I am providing a link for you because as a living artist his work is copyrighted. Thought you might like to see them.

scanned from an old magazine

The Mermaid by John Waterhouse 1901

Free Vintage Button Cards - LuckyDay and Bluebird Brand Reprodutions

Hi everyone!

The last few days I have been busy making new button cards. They continue to be a big success at The Legacy.  Making cards, sorting and pricing the button donations has kept me very busy. Thought I would pop over to my blog and share a few of the vintage cards.If you collect vintage and antique buttons they are nice way to display your little treasures on.They are not as crisp but authentic looking reproductions. Have fun with the cards. 

Enjoy and create something beautiful!

Much love to you, Louise

Vintage and Antique Button Cards~ Lady Washington and Bluebird Brands~

Hi Everyone!

    Well it is time. Time to blog! Some of you may wonder where have I been. Well obviously I am still alive. I have not been sick except for a cold. Nothing broken or hurt. My excuses; procrastination, down right lazy, Pintrest (so addicting). Yes all of that but one of the biggest reasons is working on vintage button cards. Wanting to make button cards is the original reason I have a blog! 
   Searching for images,scanning old button cards and cleaning them up has been incredibly fun and very time consuming. I can't stop!  Marie, another volunteer has joined in the fun. Thank goodness I have someone to share this adventure with. She has been handling the printing, sorting buttons and helping me sew buttons on the cards.
The response has been so positive. The customers love them and the buttons are selling out. The oohs and ahhs and appreciation from the staff is so rewarding. Who doesn't like positive feedback on something you have created!
    So that leads me to my theme for the day. Old and new button cards! Here are 8 out of the 60 that are finished. I have at least a hundred still to finish up and continue to look for more! Some are my own creations. Please remember I am still figuring this out as I go along. Hopefully the quality will improve. Some of you make beautiful things using the images on my blog but it is a new endeavor for me.
                             Much love to all of you,Louise

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.