DIY Initial With Buttons

This cute little project takes no time at all to throw together and can be made for just a few dollars, or even with items you have around the house. 

If you remember my post about Nana's buttons and fabric that I scored, you'll know where all of these buttons came from. I purchased the cardboard J at Hobby Lobby for under $2, I believe. 

I wanted to make a solid white initial so I pulled out all of the white buttons and divided them by size; small, medium and large.

Using my E-6000, I glued down the large buttons randomly. I gave them a few minutes to dry and started adding medium size buttons and then the small. Again, letting them dry in between. There is no right or wrong way to arrange your buttons. I found adding the larger ones first helps cover more of the cardboard. 

If you don't feel like buying a premade initial, you can easier print a letter out, trace it onto a piece of cardboard (Hell, the cereal box would work), cut it out and use that. I plan on making another one, an L, and I'll probably end up using all different colors.

Note: I used the E-6000 because I noticed that regular Elmer's glue just wasn't holding the buttons as well as I wanted it to. Feel free to use the adhesive of your choice. You could even use fabric to cover your initial and then add buttons. Totally up to you!

I'd love you see some of your designs so post your links below!

The Solution For All Those Buttons

A few posts back I talked about the fabric/button collection that was my Nana's. I had no idea what on earth I was going to do with that many buttons. But Design Sponge came to the rescue. *Thanks guys!*

If you haven't already checked out their site, head over there for some awesomeness. Seriously. Awesomeness. Especially the DIY section. There's probably 10 things I bookmarked to try. What you see in these photos was one of them. Download the template. Print on card stock. Attach buttons. Frame. Done. Awesomeness.

I'm planning on swinging by Walmart to pick up some contrasting embroidery thread before work tonight and possibly some frames.

And now, feast your eyes on these...

Has anyone else tried any of the Design Sponge DIY projects?

Memories of Nana

After Nana passed away last month, the family had the task of going through her things and deciding what to keep, donate or throw away. Nana had a large three drawer Rubbermaid cart in her dining room filled with fabric and fabric related items. At first it was suggested that no one wanted it and it should be donated. I said I would take a look through it to see what exactly was in there and I was pleasantly surprised at what I found. A lot of the stuff I left in there. The photos below are the items I snagged.

Buttons! Loads and loads of glorious buttons! Two storage containers and two glass containers full! Most of them still have thread on them and bits of fabric so I'll have to go through them and clean them off.

Pretty much every color and material one could think of, with a big emphasis on white.

I also snagged some pieces of vintage fabric. Seriously, I think some of this stuff is older than I am!

I love {LOVE!} this print above. I've been searching Etsy for some bag/wallet patterns. I think this would make a fab tote bag!

And perhaps a wallet out of this.

And some pillows from this.

Still deciding on this one.

Still doing some research on this Bulpitt's bag.

This fabric is actually a wrap around skirt that Nana had made. I clearly remember her wearing it with a white blouse and sandals when I was little.

I think this fabric would also make a cute pillow or clutch.

Tote!

DIY Valentine Button Heart Card

Wanna make a super cute handmade card for your love for Valentine's Day? Good, cause that's what I'm teaching today. Grab your supplies (card stock or blank card, pencil, glue and an assortment of buttons in hues of red and pink)

Step One: Trim and fold your card stock down to the size you want. If you're using a blank card, you're all set.

Step Two: Using a pencil, very lightly draw a heart outline.

Step Three: Arrange the buttons along the heart line. I like to do this to see how many I'll need and I'm also able to rearrange them if I don't like the placement. Or you can just wing it for that I'm-an-artist-and-I-don't-care look. (No judgement here)

Step Four: Glue all the buttons down. Let dry overnight.

Step Five: Uh, you're done dude!

Happy Crafting!

Button Hearts

Just throwing some ideas around the other day and came up with these. They'll be up in the shop soon!