Saturday, December 31, 2011

Buckle Up

I imagine most of you have your Christmas decorations put away by now. Since we leave ours up till after the first, I'm still rummaging in closets, trying to organize what's in there, and make room for the decorations when we do get them taken down...probably tomorrow.


 Sometimes, I forget what's in boxes that are on the top closet shelves...well, that's no surprise...but, I found these little mother of pearl belt buckles, which belonged to Mom...or my grandmother...probably both.




I wanted to gussy up the buckles a bit for you, so I looked in my ribbon stash to see what I had that would be a good color, and would fit the openings.





This one is my favorite...love it with the brown satin ribbon.




 I tried to think of ways to use them, other than belt buckles...napkin rings, as a choker on a pretty ribbon, or a bracelet, or maybe even on a pillow.
I know...the leopard-print ribbon probably isn't true to the period, but it's fun...and it was the right size and color. What can I say? 


This one is a two-piece buckle. A tiny scrap of pink taffeta material was all that was left of the original belt. I wondered what the dress might have looked like...maybe a party dress?






Two other things were in the box with the buckles. 
This one, I think, is a beauty pin or beauty bar, from about the 1800s.
 I thought I'd pin it to the ribbon, since the buckle is rather small and plain. 






Do any of you know how the clip, on the right, was used? 
It looks  like a tie clip, but it's only an inch and a quarter long.  It seems too small for a tie clip.
Y'all let me know if you know what it was used for, cause I don't have a clue. 

It was fun showing you this little "collection". 


Hope y'all have a Happy New Year. 
I haven't made any New Year's resolutions, except to learn how to make a new header. 
Y'all must be sick of the one I've had all year. 
Hugs, and I'll see you at these parties:



Alison@The Polohouse for Favorites on the First.
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday,
Kim @Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays,
Debra@ Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday.
 

31 comments:

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Babs, those are so pretty. What a neat find that was tucked away. That looks like a tie clip to me.

On Crooked Creek said...

Babs,
What a lovely buckle collection!
Isn't it amazing to stumble upon something forgotten for a while and then the excitement it brings to us once again? I adore the way you used those buckles around the napkins!
Fondly,
Pat
P.S. Tire of your header, never!

Debra@CommonGround said...

I'm in love with these, so glad you found them! I have several of these little pins and clips too, that were my grandmother's. I'm interested if anyone knows for sure their purpose. Please come to my house and help me organize my closets, I'm desparate!! Happy New Year! xoxo

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

I adore mother of pearl. This is a collection to treasure. Headers are pretty easy to make in Mosaic Maker. Here's the link. http://bighugelabs.com/mosaic.php
It's been a while since I made one but I remember it being sort of fun.
Happy New Year Babs!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Those are really pretty! I love the leopard print one!

Happy New Year!
Penny

Blondie's Journal said...

I don't know what the little pins for but they would look pretty on a lapel. Love the little buckles...I'd use them for elegant napkin tings! What a great find! Rummage some more!!

Happy New Year to you, Babs!

XO,
Jane

Toni said...

Such pretty belt buckles, and the ribbon is so pretty with them. When I first saw the small "clips" I also thought tie tack..for skinny ties. Styles do change! Not that we would ever be aware. lol Happy New Year! Looking forward to seeing what you are up to in the coming year.

Kelly said...

I think you did a great job showing off those buckles using ribbon like that. It's always fun to find things in a drawer or box that you forgot you had. Hope you have a great new year!

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

How beautiful the buckles are. And how wonderful they were your Mother and Grandmothers!
Don't you love finding things you forgot about!

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

Those buckles are exquisite. What a great idea to repurpose them. I am sure when you look at them you look back at those wonderful memories that you have of the two of them.

Yes, the great fun we have decorating our homes for Christmas, but now comes the "breakdown"..As every nook and cranny of my home is decorated for Christmas, it takes me weeks to dismantle, organize and plan for the next year..but all worth it!

Happy New Year!!

Barb said...

They are just beautiful, Babs. So glad you found them.

Happy New Year!

Barb

Alison @ The Polohouse said...

Oh no!
Another thing I want to collect now too!!!! Love them as napkin rings!
How clever.

Thanks so much for sharing this awesome sentimental collection, Babs.

Thanks for linking up!
xoxox
Alison

Cottage and Broome said...

Babs, love the buckle collection, how nice you have things from your Mom. I agree with you I think the clip was for a tie maybe a women's one when small ties were the rage. Thanks for stopping by and how fun you had a fur muff thanks for sharing that, Laura

Sarah said...

Babs, I love the idea of using these as napkin rings! You have me wondering what is left of the mother of pearl buttons and buckles in my grandmother's button box. I was the lucky one who took possession of this box many, many years ago. I'm off to look.....Sarah

Unknown said...

For narrow ties! Happy New Year!

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Happy New 2012 Babs. Great ways to show/use your vintage buckles. So very elegant too. Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment.

Savannah Granny said...

Babs, These are so pretty. They are wonderful as napkin rings. Thank you for sharing. I think the clip was for one of those slim knit ties.

Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

I love these Babs!

Happy New Year!

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Great buckles and I love them like napkin rings, wow, that is clever! I know I don't have any, but I'm inspired! Thanks for visiting honey and yeah, start showing your doggies too!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
FABBY

Barbara Bussey {The Treasured Home} said...

Very pretty buckles, Babs! Love the leopard ribbon too! I vote tie clip, too! Happy, healthy new year to you!, Barbara

The French Tangerine said...

babs,
hope you will have fun making the new header! It's easy with picnic! I have made hundreds - and have a new one coming in a few days.. I can't stand to look at the winter one very much longer - there are too many pretty options! Just click on collage, pick 4 or 5 pretty photos, upload them, and add them to the banner! you'll do great,
happy new year to you,
Jan

Paula@SweetPea said...

Your mother-of-pearl belt buckles are a real treasure. I love your idea of using them with ribbon to make napkin rings.

Have a wonderful 2012!

michele said...

gorgeous collection and photos, babs!

and the leopard is perfect!

michele

Donna~One Simple Country Girl said...

I love those buckles! And they look so pretty with the ribbon around the towels. Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving such a nice comment and for following me. I'm now following you too! Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Oh! I am so glad you stopped by for a visit! These are fabulous and I have some in my sewing box right now! I will be back to visit!

blessings,

karianne

A Few Pennies said...

Gorgeous idea; very chic and elegant looking. Have a beautiful and happy 2012!

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Love your Mother of Pearl. Precious that they belonged to your mother or grandmother. Sorry, no help on the clip, but it sure is cute. I made a new header today too. Not sure if I'm loving it. Still trying to figure out how to make a buckle. You asked about the stars by my milk glass. Not sure just bought them quite a few years ago because I thought they were cool. Do resemble Moroccan Stars. I think I spelled it wrong.

Debbie said...

I have such a fascination for things like that. It's like stepping back in time to look at them. I love the two piece one. It reminds me of the style of preppy belts I wore in my co ed days.

Maybe the clip is for a thin tie?

Kathleen said...

They are beautiful! And yes, what elegant napkin rings. But I am sure you will come up with other uses too!

Elegant Economies said...

I love your buckles...especially the animal print. Just redid my header yesterday. Hope you have a wonderful New Year.
Blessings, Audrey

Anonymous said...

I think the clip is one of an original pair...worn on the edges of a wide neckline to keep straps, etc., in place. I have a pair of them and a picture of my Grandmother wearing them. It was a sweetheart neckline and they were clipped on the outside edges.
Beautiful post....guess I had better go and hunt my MOP buckles and copy you ;^)
Blessings to you in this nice shiny new year!
J