Isn't this button gorgeous? I ordered it last week from the Etsy shop of Older Rose. I think I mentioned before that she has tutorials on her blog showing how to paint them yourself. I have to tell you though, the button in person is stunning and looks much better than the ones on her blog and shop. Those are small pics and don't do the artwork justice. You can't see the pearl of the button shine through or the details. These are painted on vintage pearl buttons.

Now I want a hummingbird one. This one will have to be showcased somehow. Any ideas out there?

Here's the corsage now that it's pinned in a frame and slightly re-ribboned for the exhibit my lace guild is having in November. It's hanging on my tea calendar until I take it in.

Here's the wire wheel with a black tatted edging and beads. I stiffened it but I'm not happy with the way the Stiffy worked on this. I also miscalulated a bit. I had it right at first but the first two rings were too close so I cut out one, and I thought it ended at the perfect spot but I did need that ring....just a wire spoke over instead of where it was at. Now if I actually make this into a pendant, I'll put the bail in the space above where the missing ring is and it won't be so obvious.

I just had to see what it would look like! There's too much height with the button and wire wheel so the scanner makes the background fuzzy. My camera battery is charging and I didn't want to wait so I went ahead and scanned. I don't plan to use the button this way, but it's one idea going into the inspiration folder.

I noticed that Umintsuru has been tatting a lot of patterns from Lyn Mortons's Tatting Patterns. I've only tatted a limited amount from this book, notably the Hearts and Flowers motif that attracts so many people, but I actually bought the book because I saw this corsage in it and fell in love.

You can make it with 3 flowers or 6 flowers. Actually, I would prefer to use it as a hair ornament but my hair is so fine that it will NOT hold anything, even things designed for fine baby hair. So I thought I might actually make it as a clothing decoration or maybe for a bag.

Here's one view of the 3 flowers. I tatted them with one of the skeins of thread I dyed on Monday. A nice combination of Autumn colors, don't you think? I'm not sure if the white bits are detrimental in this or not. If I didn't know they weren't supposed to be there, I guess I wouldn't think anything of it.

Here's a view where they are more separated. I've got to find beads to set them off and also my florist's wire and florist's tape. I'll go through my ribbons to see if I have anything to complement the colors. Maybe I'll make it into a brooch for my fall jacket which I'll probably be wearing before too long!

Today has been full with the insurance adjuster, a company to tarp the roof, and the return of the woodcutters. The smell of sawdust and the sound of chainsaws is beginning to fray my nerves but lacework and stitching have kept me grounded. I was pleasantly surprised to learn I'll get a new roof on the garage! There was so much of the crown of the tree on it that I couldn't really tell what kind of damage there was and it was already in bad shape. I will be responsible for other repairs to the garage but it'll all work out. The people I've dealt with this time have been super!

Even so, I'm ready for everyone to go home and for me to enjoy what's left of my vacation!