The button tin hasn't gone by the wayside. I have several small tins and larger brown medicine bottles with buttons that I have clipped from ragged shirts...and somewhere in all my sewing stash, I have a few zippers, as well. The buttons I'll use to replace where I need to, and I'll also use some of them at point where I would tie a quilt...it'll add a little dimension to it. The zippers? Well, pillow covers need to be reoved occasionally for laundering, right? And sometimes, grandkids like to play with buttons...keeps them occupied with sorting...for a little while, at least! :)
And Madamekelly, I don't think you had too much time on your hands...I think you wanted to try another art form! :)