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Fill an Easy Christmas Shaker Card with Buttons!

easy Christmas shaker card

There are few card styles out there that are more impressive or fun than the shaker card. The 28 Lilac Lane Embellishment Bottles made this easy Christmas shaker card beautiful!

I made this easy Christmas shaker card using the 28 Lilac Lane Embellishment Bottle in “Dragon Fire”. The gorgeous red tones of the buttons, sequins, beads, and pearls are perfect for Christmas cards, and they all come together in one adorable little bottle! Continue Reading →

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Celebrate a Star with this Handmade Birthday Card!

handmade birthday card

Hi, it’s Connie here today with the Buttons Galore & More design team sharing a handmade birthday card design using the themed buttons “Stars” by Buttons Galore & More. These star buttons come in four different colors – green, yellow, blue and red – plus two sizes. They are perfect primary colors, great for creating crafty projects with kids or for special occasions! Continue Reading →

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Send Holiday Love with a Christmas Shaker Card!

Hi, it’s Connie here with the Buttons Galore & More design team! Today I’m sharing a handmade Christmas shaker card, using the Deck The Halls Shaker Mix by 28 Lilac Lane. The 28 Lilac Lane Shaker mixes are full of beautiful colors of sequins, beads and buttons, mixed perfectly together to get you into the Christmas spirit or at least in the mood to start your Chrismas shaker cards! Continue Reading →

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Make a DIY Tailgate Party Invitation with Buttons Galore

Fall is quickly approaching, and we all know that fall means FOOTBALL! Today, I will show you how to make the cutest DIY tailgate party invitation using football themed buttons from Buttons Galore. So get ready to fire up the barbecue and cheer on your favorite team!

DIY tailgate party invitation

Supplies needed for DIY tailgate party invitation:

How to make a DIY tailgate party invitation:

Using a paper trimmer, I cut the brown cardstock to 5″ x 7″ and the tan cardstock to 4.5″ by 6.5″. I then inked the edges of the tan cardstock with brown chalk ink to add dimension. I used a tape runner to attach the tan cardstock to the brown cardstock to make the base of the invitation. Next, I hand lettered the words on the invitation. I used a fineline pen to do the lettering, then used a brush pen to darken all my downstrokes. This is an easy way to make your hand lettering look great, even if you aren’t that good at it! The word “football” made from alphabet stickers was then added.

DIY tailgate party invitation

I then chose the buttons I was going to use. Most of these buttons had shanks on the back. In order to use them on a flat surface like this one, I had to remove the shanks. This is easy to do using a button shank remover or a pair of side cutters. I clipped off the shanks, then attached the buttons to the invitation using red line tape. This tape is strong enough to hold these buttons securely!

I placed the buttons all around the card in the white spaces. The buttons give this invitation a fun feel and cool dimension that you just can’t get with any other embellishments… plus they are absolutely adorable!

DIY tailgate party invitation

Your guests won’t be able to resist this super fun invitation! Go team!

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Make a Fun Coffee Gift Card Holder for National Coffee Day!

coffee gift card holder

It’s National Coffee Day, and what better way to celebrate than with a gift card to your favorite coffee shop? Using 3D buttons from our Buttons Galore Sweet Delights collection, you can make a sweet card that doubles as a gift card holder!

Supplies Needed to Make Coffee Gift Card Holder:

Instructions for Making Coffee Gift Card Holder:

  1. Trace front of side stepped card onto the back of one sheet of patterned paper. Cut out with scissors and adhere to front of the card. Ink edges of paper if desired.
  2. Cut two 3/4″ strips from the second sheet of paper. Ink edges if desired. Adhere one strip to the bottom of the card. Cut the other strip in half. Adhere one piece to the top of the card, and adhere the other on the second “stairstep” of the card.
  3. Spell out “Thanks a Latte” by placing stickers onto leftover pieces of the 2nd sheet of paper and then cutting out rectangles around the words. Inks edges if desired. Adhere to card with foam pop dots to add dimension to the card!
  4. Remove shanks from back of “coffee cup” and “cupcake” buttons with a button shank remover. Adhere to card using red line tape.
  5. Adhere gift card to the last step of the stepped card using red line tape.

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Embellish a Seashell Coloring Canvas with 28 Lilac Lane

seashellcanvas-650x650

This project combines two of my favorite things: coloring and sequins! Using a pre-printed canvas, markers, and new sequins from 28 Lilac Lane, I made a fun project that is an easy way to decorate an ocean-themed room. This project is so easy that even the kids can do it!

To make this project, you will need:

How to:

  1. Color in the coloring canvas using markers. 
  2. Fill in “water” areas of the canvas with clear drying glue. Only work on a small section at a time so the glue doesn’t dry before sequins have been applied.
  3. While the glue is still wet, shake on sequins from the 28 Lilac Lane Sequin & Bead Mixes and the 28 Lilac Lane Sequin Tins. When the glue has dried, shake off the excess sequins onto a piece of paper. You can then reuse those sequins!
  4. Use clear drying glue to mark accents on selected seashells on the canvas. Use sequins from the 28 Lilac Lane Sequin Tins. Shake off the excess.

This canvas was so fun to make. I absolutely love to color so I really enjoyed getting out of coloring books and onto a canvas, and the addition of a little sequin bling just makes it even better!

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ARRR! Scrapbook a Pirate’s Life with 28 Lilac Lane

Hi, Connie here hosting the Buttons Galore and More blog today!  I have a really cute scrapbook page to share using the Pirate’s Life Embellishment Kit by 28 Lilac Lane. This was such a fun kit to create with and couldn’t have been more perfect to create a scrapbook page with for the photos that I had.

A Pirate's Life scrapbook layout

The Pirate’s Life embellishment kit by 28 Lilac Lane includes buttons, sequins, velvet trim, a charm, small seed beads and pirate skull embellishments. I used the Pirate’s Life kit to create my page accents and it was really fun. I looked up pictures of pirate images. Then I hand drew them out on cardstock, cut them out, and embellished them with the contents in the Pirate’s Life kit.

Pirate's Life scrapbook pageThe first embellishment I created was the pirate ship. Drawing a pirate ship can be kind of scary when you’re not sure what one looks like to begin with.  When you have a picture in front of you, it’s not so hard at all! Once the pirate ship was created from pattern paper and buttons, it was ready to put in place on the scrapbook page. It’s amazing what can be created with paper and buttons!

A Pirate's Life scrapbook layoutThe next embellishment to be created was the pirate’s hat. I traced the outline of the hat on cardstock and then embellished it with sequins and the pirate skull from the 28 Lilac Lane “Pirate’s Life” kit.  The embellishment cluster was enhanced with grey pearls from the kit as well. The black velvet trim was added below the film strip of black and white photos and I tucked in a few large buttons in the bottom pirate cluster also. Next, the journal text was created and added to the side of the Pirate cluster.

I hope you are encouraged to create unique, one-of-a-kind embellishments for your craft projects using the embellishment kits by 28 Lilac Lane!

Supplies used:

Thanks for stopping by~

Connie Mercer/DT Member

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Embellish a Fiesta Birthday Card!

We’ve got birthdays on the brain around here in May. 28 Lilac Lane designer May Flaum was inspired to make her celebration a fiesta, with a card that features a watercolor pinata and a shower of 28 Lilac Lane embellishments!

Fiesta Birthday Card

Wondering what supplies May used? Here’s a look at her list:

This fiesta birthday card by May is so fun and easy to make – for the complete how to, check out her video tutorial below!

Did you notice that something was missing from the video? Here’s May’s explanation for that step that you don’t see in the video…

I did add the pink splatter you see here after filming. Intentional? Not quite… I was cleaning up spilled a bit then said oh to heck with it and went wild! Just a reminder you can always make it work.

Yes, even the fabulous May Flaum has crafting accidents! But as she proves with this cute fiesta birthday card, you can go from “whoops” to wonderful if you just are flexible and think creatively.

Fiesta birthday card close-up

This fiesta birthday card uses the pink and orange tones of the “Fruity Fun” embellishment bottle. But with a change of background cardstock and by using different colors of watercolors, you could make this design work with almost any of the 28 Lilac Lane embellishment bottles. How about the pink and green of Savannah Stroll, or the red, turquoise blue and green of the appropriately named Fiesta? Pick your favorite colors and make May’s fiesta birthday card your own!

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Make a Pretty Button Flower Card for Mother’s Day!

The spring flowers are in bloom, and Mother’s Day will be here before you know it! So why not combine the two to make a pretty button flower card for mom for Mother’s Day?

Button Flower Card for Mother's Day

Supplies Needed:

This 5″ by 7″ button flower card is super simple to make but so cute! And it’s so easy to make that it would make a great kids’ project for the holiday.

To start this card project, cut a 10″ by 7″ piece of white cardstock and fold in half along the 10″ edge to create your card base.

Cut a 2.5″ by 7″ piece of cardstock from the scraps of the white sheet. Select buttons from the Glam Girl Button Bonanza to make your button flowers with. Then, using the PPA Matte Adhesive, adhere the buttons in place using dots of glue. Set the flower strip aside to dry.

While the glue dries, cut a 1.5″ by 7″ strip of paper for the top of the card, and a 2″ by 7″ strip of paper for the bottom. Adhere them in place along the top and bottom of the card front.

Stamp “Happy Mother’s Day” on a yellow cardstock scrap in dark blue ink. Trim the cardstock to slightly larger in size than the sentiment.

After the glue on the flowers is dry, adhere the flower strip in place across the card front. Glue the sentiment block down on the right side of the card front, over the seam between the flower strip and the bottom patterned paper.

Button Flower Card for Mothers Day

This card design is so versatile! Just by changing the sentiment, the design could also be used for a thank you card, or for a birthday, or for a variety of other occasions. It’s a classic that you can use over and over! To create a smaller card, just use smaller sizes of buttons. With theGlam Girl Button Bonanza bag, you can make this beautiful button flower card over and over!

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Say Congratulations with a Button Balloon Card!

This time of year means graduations, and all sorts of other occasions for which congratulations are in order. Running out of time to make cards for all of them? Just dive into your Button Bonanza bags and dig out some of the largest buttons to make balloons!

Congratulations Button Balloon Card

Supplies:

I used the “primary” Button Bonanza bag for this but the beauty of a simple design like this is that you could use any color scheme that works for your occasion. For a graduation or sports-related occasion, use school colors! Recent graduate got a new job? Make your balloons the recipient’s favorite colors or their new employer’s corporate colors. With our huge palette of Button Bonanza colors, the options are endless!

Button Balloon Card

To make this card, select the buttons that you want to use and arrange them to make a row of “balloons”. Before you glue them down, nudge them up just slightly to get a pen in to draw your “string” lines and bows. Then use clear drying adhesive like PPA Matte Adhesive to glue the buttons down so that it looks like the strings are tied to their bottoms.

For the final step, get out a handwritten sentiment stamp (or a pen if you are braver than I am) and use black ink to stamp the sentiment in the lower right corner of the card front.

Button Balloon Card

Send some button balloons to someone special!

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Use Trendy Circles for Making an Easy Birthday Card!

Circles are trendy right now – and they are a perfect match for buttons! This five minute card project pairs circles, buttons and a retro style patterned paper to create a look for an easy birthday card that is quirky and fun!

Button Circle Easy Birthday Card

Supplies Needed:

To make this easy birthday card, select a blank card base and use black ink to stamp a sentiment in the lower right hand corner. I chose a birthday sentiment for my card, but this card design is really suitable for a variety of occasions: hello, cheer, thank you, and many others. Simply choose a sentiment suitable for your desired occasion!

Cut a piece of paper to 5 1/2″ by 3 3/8″. Get out your circle punches and punch about a half dozen random holes in it. Adhere it across the card front, just above the sentiment.

Select buttons that fit in each of the circles and glue them down with a clear drying white glue such as PPA Matte. Try to pay attention to color balance when selecting your buttons – don’t choose too many large buttons the same color or use too many buttons close together in one area of the card that are the same color.

Button Circle Easy Birthday Card

When the glue dries, your card is ready to be put in an envelope and delivered! This easy birthday card project would also be great for doing with kids to make teacher thank you cards for the end of the school year, And the color scheme possibilities are as endless as our Button Bonanzas…check them out and get inspired!

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Embellish an Easter Egg Card with 28 Lilac Lane

Embellishing an Easter egg card is a great reason to get out your 28 Lilac Lane embellishments and go crazy with color. The flat back pearls and buttons in our embellishment bottles will have your Easter egg card shining like a jewel!

Easter Egg Card

supplies needed:

One of the great things about having a large selection of 28 Lilac Lane embellishment bottles on hand is the ability to mix and match them to create colorful projects like this Easter egg card! By combining small amounts from five different bottles, I was able to create a jeweled effect on my Easter egg that allows the egg to stand as the entire design of the card.

How to Make An Embellished Easter Egg Card

Locate a decorative Easter egg design in your die cut machine software. (If your machine doesn’t have this particular design, it will certainly have a similar design that can be embellished in the same manner. Look for a design with lots of straight lines or wide spaces that can be filled with embellishments.)

Cut the Easter egg design out of cardstock scraps, and assemble with glue. Then glue the assembled Easter egg to the front of a coordinating blank card base.

Using 28 Lilac Lane embellishments that coordinate with each area of the Easter egg card design, add rows of embellishments to the card with a liquid adhesive like PPA Matte.

Finish the card with a sentiment sticker in the lower right.

Easter egg card

This is a great project for kids and grown-ups to do together….make the cards and then let the kids do the decorating!

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Embellish a Spring Butterfly Card with 28 Lilac Lane

It’s officially spring, so let’s use some 28 Lilac Lane to create a butterfly card to send some spring greetings with!

Butterfly Card

Supplies needed:

  • 28 Lilac Lane “Love Story” embellishment kit
  • PPA Matte Adhesive
  • card base
  • smooth cream cardstock
  • foam adhesive
  • Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Abandoned Coral, Weathered Wood, & Peeled Paint
  • Graphic 45 “Nature’s Sketchbook” 6×6 paper pad
  • Hero Arts “Many Everyday Messages” stamps
  • Hero Arts “Newsprint Butterfly” stamp

This butterfly card uses the “Love Story” kit by 28 Lilac Lane. With cream ribbon, heart charms, and embellishments in shades of red, pink & white, this kit is as versatile as it is gorgeous! Although at first glance this kit is a Valentine’s Day, wedding, or “I love you” themed kit, projects like this one are a great reminder to look at the kits for the colors of their contents as well as their themes.

28 Lilac Lane Love Story embellishment kitTo start making this butterfly card, cut a piece of green patterned paper to 4.25″ by 5.5″, ink the edges, and adhere it to the card base.

Cut a piece of blue patterned paper to 3.75″ by 5″ and ink the edges. Tie the ribbon ends together, and then secure the ribbon around the back side of the blue patterned paper. Adhere the blue patterned paper panel to the card front.

Butterfly Card close-up

Stamp the butterfly and card sentiment on cream cardstock. Cut out the butterfly. Trim the sentiment into a 5/8″ wide strip, and snip the ends to make a banner.

Adhere the sentiment banner to the top left of the card front, and glue a button on top of it.

Squeeze a strip of glue down onto the body of the butterfly, and then layer seed beads on top of it. Once the glue is dry, use foam adhesive to attach the butterfly to the card front.

Butterfly card

And your butterfly card is all finished, except to choose someone special to send it to!

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This Easy 3 Step Mixed Media Canvas is Fruity Fun!

Our fabulous 28 Lilac Lane designer May Flaum is at it again, showing us all the beautiful things that can be done with her exciting new 28 Lilac Lane products that were announced at Creativation in January! This time, it’s a mixed media canvas with a profusion of pink flowers that will brighten your day – especially if winter is dragging on a little longer than you’d like!

Fruity Fun Mixed Media Canvas by May Flaum

This surprisingly easy mixed media canvas project can be made in only three easy steps, with just a few supplies, and is easy to customize o a theme or color scheme for your home or occasion.

May’s project uses her fun new 28 Lilac Lane “Fruity Fun” embellishment bottle that features an assortment of shades of (what else?) fruity pink! These brilliant shades bring to mind summer berries, watermelon, a cool glass of punch, or  even flamingoes. It’s great for summer themes, flowers, and oh-so-many things!

28 Lilac Lane Fruity Fun

To see more of this mixed media canvas project – and get the full 3 step instructions – visit May’s blog. Also, don’t miss the challenge on the mixed media challenge blog this month that is based on this project! (Did I mention that there is a giveaway?)

Mixed Media Canvas close-up

Our “Fruity Fun” embellishment bottle is just one of six new 28 Lilac Lane embellishment bottles that are shipping now from our online store: Fruity Fun, Queen Bee, Fiesta, Gemstone, Stormy Skies, and Farmhouse. Get them all!

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Make an Altered Notebook Travel Journal

Travel journals are hot, and altering notebooks with mixed media is a great way to make them. In a recent journal project, 28 Lilac Lane designer May Flaum showed how her embellishment kits can make mixed media beautiful!

28 Lilac Lane travel journal by May Flaum

For this project, May used one of her brand new 28 Lilac Lane embellishment kits that was just unveiled at the Creativation show in January. “Let’s Go” is a beautiful combination of turquoise, brown and butter yellow with a few touches of gold mixed in – plus a gorgeous camera charm!

lets go embellishment kit

To see how to make this travel journal cover, visit May’s blog, or watch May’s video below to see the step by step techniques that May used!

With beads, sequins, pearls, and buttons, 28 Lilac Lane embellishment kits are a great match for mixed media techniques. Whether it’s a journal cover, a canvas, a scrapbook page, or another project…you’ll find just what you need in one of our handy embellishment kit boxes!

28 Lilac Lane travel journal by May Flaum

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Make a Wreath Card with Wisteria Hues Mix!

I’m so excited to tell you that the new 28 Lilac Lane products are shipping now – and are available in online shops like Ellen Hutson and Simon Says Stamp, as well as local stores!

Use Your Wings Card by May Flaum using 28 Lilac Lane Bead & Sequin Mixes

Today I’m playing with one of my personal favorites from the new products- the Wisteria Hues Bead & Sequin Mix!

My inspiration for creating this Wisteria Hues mix was my backyard wisteria, but the arrival of Mardi Gras season got me in the mood to choose this mini bottle to use first of the new ones. I love this particular mix and I’m excited to share it – and all of the rest – with 28 Lilac Lane fans.

Despite the name mini, there really isn’t anything “mini” about how much is packed into these bead & sequin bottles! They’re a great value, and so easy to travel with that you’ll want to collect them all!

Wisteria Hues Bead and Sequin Mix

This ‘messy wreath’ is so quick and easy- and so much fun to create! Watch the video below to see the steps of exactly how I made it.

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Scrapbook by Embellishing Pre-Designed Paper with 28 Lilac Lane Kits!

There’s many papers available for scrapbooking that are pre-designed to look already partially “done” as a layout. But how do you take those from looking flat to looking fantastic? The secret to fabulous scrapbook layouts is embellishing pre-designed paper with your 28 Lilac Lane embellishment kits! And I’m going to show you exactly how to do it with this easy scrapbook layout from my recent trip to Paris.

Paris Scrapbook Layout

Supplies:

I started with a pre-designed background paper from DCWV. It is designed to look like a piece of ledger paper that has florals and several vintage elements layered on top of the left edge to frame it.

Because this paper comes from a paper stack, I was able to create practically the entire layout using pre-coordinated items from the stack. All of the paper items on the layout are cut from sheets in the same stack.

pre-designed paper background

That large brown vintage receipt ephemera was white space that was just begging to be filled! It was the perfect place to put my Eiffel Tower stamp, stamped in dark brown pigment ink to continue the vintage theme.

eiffel tower stamp on paris scrapbook layout background

But of course, a stamp is still flat – and I wanted to add some dimension to this area. So I grabbed my 28 Lilac Lane embellishment kits, which are perfect for embellishing pre-designed paper! A few buttons and flat back pearls from the “Love Story” embellishment kit (along with a strip of tissue tape) were the perfect addition to finish off the area where I’d just stamped my Eiffel Tower.

At the very top edge of the page, I dabbed clear glue in the center of a few of the pink flowers and dropped a few pearl sequins on them to add a bit of shine and dimension to the flowers.

embellishing pre-designed paper

On the other side of the layout, I cut and arranged all of the paper elements. I stamped the Paris stamp with Shimmer ink, and used black pen to write my journaling (leaving room to put the charm on).

Once all the paper elements and the photo were in place, I tore and stuck down two pieces of tissue tape along the edges of the large pink block. These pieces served as grounding for my buttons.

I used button shank removers to cut the shank off of the large white filigree button from the Attic Findings kit, and glued it in place at the bottom of the layout. Then I selected a cream colored button from the same kit and adhered it at the top of the layout. Finally, I glued the heart charm from the “Love Story” kit onto the journaling block.

embellishing pre-designed paper

Having a selection of 28 Lilac Lane embellishment kits on hand makes it so easy to scrapbook by embellishing pre-designed paper. Select a paper, grab the kit in the coordinating color scheme, and in minutes you can have a beautiful layout!

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Say “hello” with an Embellished Butterfly Card!

Today is “send a card to a friend” day. What better way to celebrate someone special in your life “just because” than with a sparkly embellished butterfly card?

Embellished Butterfly Card

Supplies:

One of my favorite things about creating with the 28 Lilac Lane embellishment bottles is that they come in an entire rainbow of colors. This means that there is always the perfect bottle for whatever paper collection I’m in love with at the moment. For this new Graphic 45 collection called Nature’s Sketchbook, I reached for “Birds of a Feather”. It’s a perfect match for the blue tones in the papers, and a great way to add pops of colorful sparkle to my metallic butterfly!

Embellished Butterfly card close-up

This metallic butterfly was created with a glue and metallic flake stamping technique from Indigo Blu. It creates an opaque image even on dark paper, perfect for creating visual pop.

The butterfly is gorgeous on its own but it needed some more color to make it coordinate better with the chipboard. Also, it needed more dimension so it wasn’t overwhelmed by the chipboard elements. The blue sequins and seed beads from “Birds of a Feather,” along with the white pearls, provide just the right touch to take the butterfly from simple to gorgeous!

Embellished Butterfly card detail

A few buttons from the bottle finish off the holes on several of the chipboard elements, and the whole thing is tied together beautifully! By mounting the black background on a blue card background, it keeps all of the embellishment contained and coordinated.

Embellished Butterfly Card

Who do you know that would love a blue and gold butterfly greeting? Flutter an embellished butterfly card their way!

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Craft a Button Collage Heart to Send Valentine’s Wishes!

I love making button collages on small items – you may remember my button collage apple on my teacher tag awhile back. Collaged die cuts are a fun and simple way to add some dimension and detail to a design. Today, I’m falling in love with a button collage heart for Valentine’s day!

Button Collage Heart Card

Supplies Needed:

  • Buttons Galore Strawberry Cheesecake Color Blends (online store, Amazon)
  • 28 Lilac Lane Pretty Princess embellishment bottle (online store)
  • PPA Matte Adhesive (online store)
  • Simple Stories “Love & Adore” 6×6 paper pad
  • white cardstock
  • white card base
  • Cricut Explore machine
  • Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Picked Raspberry
  • Crate Paper “Heart Day” stamps

I started this card by cutting my 3″ high heart out of plain white cardstock on my Cricut Explore using the software’s basic shape tool. Then, starting in the upper right corner, I gradually spread white liquid adhesive (PPA Matte) over small areas and filled them in with the Strawberry Cheesecake buttons.

Constructing Button Collage Heart

While my glue was drying on my button collage heart, I cut my background paper to the size of the card front and adhered it. Then I stamped the sentiment on a strip of the white cardstock. Once the ink was dry, I snipped the ends to create a banner look for the sentiment strip.

The button collage had white spaces showing through between the buttons after the glue was dry. To fill these in, I dropped spots of glue on them, and pushed seed beads from the Pretty Princess bottle down into them. Some of the white edges also weren’t entirely covered, so I ran beads of glue along those areas and pressed beads into there as well.

Button Collage Heart Card

After all the glue was dry, I simply attached my heart and my sentiment strip to the front of the card. This simple design has a lot of “pop” from the color contrast and the button detail. I can’t wait to share it with someone special!

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Best of our 2016 Button Projects!

2016 is coming to an end, and it’s time to take a look back at the best of our button (and sequin) projects for the year. We hope you enjoy taking a look at the year’s highlights, and find some things you missed – or forgot how much you loved the first time!

Button Monogram

A monogram is just the thing for baby’s room, and buttons add just an extra touch of cute to one. Use traditional pink or blue, or choose a color to coordinate with baby’s nursery for home decor style.

Button Monogram Wall Art for Baby's Room

Button Title by Becki Adams

Guest artist Becki Adams used primary colors to create a giant title out of buttons and sequins on an adorable layout about her children reading. Paired with a bold black and white color scheme, the colors really pop!

Becki Adams Read to Me layout

Buttoned Up Dress Form by Candy Rosenberg

Guest artist Candy Rosenberg used buttons to dress up her signature design icon – a dress form. Using a palette of neutrals along with pale green and peach, Candy created an eye popping “dress” that is at once vintage and modern. This beautiful lady will be at home in your home decor or decorating an art studio!

Button Decorated Dress Form

Sunny Sequin Card

A little sparkly sunshine is always seasonal! This simple sequin collage card using our 28 Lilac Lane sequins will have someone special looking on the bright side of life, and let them know you are thinking of them.

Bright Side Sequin Card

Resin Button Tray

Buttons make a big impact in a big collage. Encase them in resin, and you’ve got a surface that is both practical and pretty. Creating a collage of ivory and pearl buttons gives a gorgeous vintage look to this wooden tray, creating a project that will decorate your party or wedding.

Button Tray

Mixed Media Locket

Our 28 Lilac Lane embellishments are so pretty, you’ll want to wear them – and you can, in this mixed media locket project! Layer charms, buttons and beads to create a one of a kind piece of jewelry. The options are as endless as our 28 Lilac Lane color palette!

DIY Holiday Gift Jewelry close-up

Button Rainbow Card

What is cheerier than a rainbow? Creating this bright button rainbow card to bring some cheer to someone you care about is surprisingly easy. Learn how we did it!

This happy button rainbow card is perfect to bring cheer for any occasion.

Glam Girl Button Frame

With our huge selection of colors, a button collage can be customized to any decor. This project utilized our trendy new Glam Girl Button Bonanza to make a button collage frame that is perfect for a kid’s room – or a grown-up room, too.

Button Frame with Glam Girl Buttons by Buttons Galore

We hope you enjoyed our walk down memory lane of the best of button projects of 2016! We can’t wait to share more beautiful things – and products – with you in 2017!

Best of Button Projects 2016

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Make a Geo Heart Valentine Card for Someone Special!

Are you feeling the love? It’s time to start thinking Valentine’s Day! This geo heart valentine card is trendy, fun, and best of all…oh so easy to make!

Make a golden geo heart Valentine card for someone special!

Supplies:

  • 28 Lilac Lane “Love Story” embellishment kit
  • Simple Stories “Love & Adore” 6×6 paper pad
  • white smooth cardstock
  • white card base
  • Neat & Tangled “Heart of Gold” stamp set
  • Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Black Soot & Embossing
  • Ranger Super Fine Detail Gold Embossing Powder
  • embroidery floss
  • foam adhesive

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to use our 28 Lilac Lane embellishment kit called “Love Story”. This kit is packed full of beautiful rose and white buttons and seed beads, along with gold and rose pearls and sequins. For those extra-special greetings, there’s even a few charms and some ribbon, too. Love Story will make loads of valentines for the ones you love!

28-lilac-lane-love-story

One of my favorite things to do with my 28 Lilac Lane embellishments is to customize my stamps with them. I love stamps, but it can be difficult to create different looks using the same image repeatedly to get value out of it. Adding buttons, sequins, pearls, or beads over an image can help make it look like an entirely new design!

This clean and simple geo heart valentine card design is very quick and easy to make with only a few basic supplies. It truly is only a ten minute project! Or it can turn into twenty minutes if your cat gets up on your work table and knocks over your entire container of beautiful “Love Story” embellishments so you have to clean them up. (Let’s not talk about how I know that…)

How to make a geo heart valentine card:

To make this geo heart valentine card, I cut my floral paper to the size of the card front. Then I glued it down to the blank white card base. I cut the heart print paper a half inch smaller each direction, and glued it centered on top of the floral paper. To finish preparing the card base, I stamped the sentiment in black ink on the center of the bottom of the card front.

I stamped the geo heart design on white paper with embossing ink, and then heat embossed it with gold embossing powder. I used fine pointed scissors to cut out the heart. Don’t worry if your hand cutting skills aren’t the best! Since this heart doesn’t have super smooth curves, it’s quite easy to hand cut.

To embellish the heart, I glued a few gold sequins at the intersections of lines in the geo heart. Then I chose a nice big rose button for a big pop of color, and then tied it off with matching embroidery floss before gluing it down. Finally, I used foam dot adhesive to attach the heart to the card front.

embellish a geo heart with 28 Lilac Lane

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28 Lilac Lane | Easy Home Decor Canvas by May Flaum

Whether you are looking for a last-minute gift idea, or to brighten your home decor for the new year…this mixed media wall art project by 28 Lilac Lane designer May Flaum is just the thing for your walls. It’s an easy home decor canvas that can be completed in just a few minutes, but packs a visual punch!

easy home decor canvas

easy home decor canvas by May Flaum

Only a few basic supplies are needed for creating this project:

The mixed media technique for this easy home decor canvas is messy and random looking – and therefore very forgiving and difficult to screw up! Just smear the shades of paint in one direction across your canvas – and remember to make sure it is nice and thick for a beautiful textured look.

Next, use your palette knife to smear a shape into the paint. Use liquid adhesive to add your embellishments and gold leaf on top of the smeared shape. Finally, spritz with gold mist for an extra touch of shine!

easy home decor canvas

easy home decor canvas by May Flaum

It’s that simple to create beautiful wall art! And don’t forget that May’s mixed media technique on this easy home decor canvas can be adapted very simply to many color schemes and shapes. Try the 28 Lilac Lane Hello Sunshine bottle with shades of yellow and white paint to create a beautiful moon for a nursery wall. Or create a heart in shades of pink using Pretty Princess to add a touch of artsy elegance to a dorm room. The possibilities are as endless as our color palette of 28 Lilac Lane embellishment bottles!

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Button Up an Ugly Christmas Sweater Card!

Nothing’s more fun at Christmas than an ugly Christmas sweater. So why not send one to a friend in the form of an ugly Christmas sweater card for the holidays?

Ugly Christmas Sweater Card by Nancy Nally for Buttons Galore

Supplies Needed:

  • Buttons Galore “The Merriest” Button Bonanza
  • PPA Matte Adhesive
  • White cardstock
  • Pinkfresh “Oh Joy” Stamp Set
  • Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Ink
  • Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Twisted Citron
  • Ranger Embossing Powder in Clear Super Fine Detail, Gold, & Red Tinsel
  • Black pen
  • Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Marker in Candied Apple (optional)

This card’s technique is simple – just creating two strips of paper by stamping the sweater knit stamp over and over, alternating the color and embossing it. The Twisted Citron ink is embossed with clear embossing powder, and the red is clear embossing ink that is heat embossed with Red Tinsel powder. The strips need to alternate to create the effect on the front of the card.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Card construction

Doing all that stamping and embossing while changing colors takes a bit of time, but the result is a great effect!

Once strips are made, they can be adhered to a card base. Start by attaching the one on the right side of the front. Position it, glue it down, and then trim off any excess. The front is layered, with the left side overlapping the right panel, so there’s no need to worry about how wide the panel is on the card front.

To emphasize the layered effect and create bulk in it as if it really is a sweater placket, adhere two inch wide strips of paper underneath the right edge of the left panel before attaching it to the card front. This will slightly raise the area under the buttons up, creating depth and shadow that look like a true sweater! For a little extra shadow, run a dark red pen or inkpad along the paper edge where the pieces overlap as well.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Card by Nancy Nally for Buttons Galore

Now that your sweater has a placket, it needs buttons to fasten it! “The Merriest” Button Bonanza has red and green shades that match the card base. Adding in the the pink and blue shades that are also in the assortment looks a bit random on top of all of that red and green, and is the perfect way to “ugly” up your ugly Christmas sweater card. Glue your buttons down with a clear drying adhesive like PPA Matte Adhesive.

The finishing touch is the “patch” that has the sentiment on it. Just stamp and emboss the sentiment, and then draw stitching lines around it with a pen. Adhere it at a jaunty angle to your sweater’s “front” and you are done!

Who do you know that needs an ugly Christmas sweater card? Send them one today!

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Pretty Pastel Christmas Tree Card with Buttons & Stamps!

Christmas isn’t just green and red anymore…pink and blue are also becoming more part of the palette. Today, I’m going to show you how to create a beautiful pastel Christmas tree card with our versatile new “Coral Reef” Button Bonanza bag!

Pretty Pastel Christmas Tree Card

Supplies Needed: 

This card uses our new “Coral Reef” Button Bonanza to create a fun pastel blue and pink Christmas look that is super trendy and oh-so-pretty! The shades of pale blue, soft rose pink, and white are perfect for a retro pastel Christmas tree card look.

Coral Reef Button Bonanza by Buttons Galore

Making this card is fast and easy, but with the gorgeous patterned papers and the pearly button accents, it looks anything but plain!

To begin your card, cut the pink background for your card base to 4.25″ by 5.5″. Then cut the garland paper to 4″ by 5.25″, and adhere it on top of the pink base. Next, get out a blank card base and adhere the layered background to the front of it.

Stamp the Christmas tree in brown ink on blue text pattern paper, and then add the star in gold at the top. Trim closely to the tree in a rectangle shape. Adhere the tree block on top of the pink striped paper, and trim it to leave a small border around the edges of the tree.

Pastel Button Christmas tree Close-up

Select buttons from the Coral Reef collection, and use PPA Matte Adhesive (or other clear glue) to adhere them to the tree. Once the glue is dry, attach the tree block to the card base, angled in the upper left corner.

Stamp sentiment on green patterned paper, and trim to size. Adhere in lower right corner.
Pretty Pastel Christmas Tree Card

This pastel Christmas tree card design could be used to create seasonal trees all year round – pretty spring blossom colors mixed with bright green, fall colors, or all white for a snow covered winter tree! What season’s tree will you button up?

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Tis the Season to make a Christmas Cat Card!

We’re cat owners at our house, and as anyone who owns a cat knows…it makes Christmas decorating extra, well, interesting. We decorate, the cat un-decorates. So today, my project is a Merry Christmas cat card that celebrates that annual feline-human war of December!

Christmas Cat Card by Nancy Nally for Buttons Galore

Supplies:

  • Buttons Galore “Tis the Season” Button Bonanza
  • PPA Matte Adhesive
  • watercolor paper
  • Tim Holtz for Stamper’s Anonymous “Crazy Cats” stamps
  • Tim Holtz for Stamper’s Anonymous “Simple Sayings” stamps
  • Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
  • Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Crayon in Vintage Photo
  • Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Vintage Photo
  • Water brush
  • Black Pen
  • Tim Holtz idea-ology “Yuletide” paper
  • 26 gauge German style wire (antique brass)
  • Cream colored cardstock

This Christmas cat card has a very simple design. It’s featured embellishments are Christmas ornaments made from buttons from the “Tis the Season” Button Bonanza that is brand new for this holiday season. Featuring deep red and green tones that are accented by a light sage green shade, “Tis the Season” is a versatile button mix for almost any holiday craft project.

Tis the Season Button Bonanza by Buttons Galore

Instructions: 

Cut a piece of watercolor paper to 4.5″ by 6.5″. Use Archival ink to stamp the Crazy Cat.

Use a ruler and the black pen to draw the line across the bottom underneath the cat. Don’t draw through the cat’s paws!

Scribble on a scrap piece of watercolor paper with the Distress Crayon. Using your waterbrush, pick up some of the color and use it to watercolor the cat.

Cut a piece of patterned paper to 5″ by 7″ and ink the edges. Adhere the watercolor paper centered on it. Cut a piece of cardstock to 7″ by 10″. Fold in half to make a 5″ by 7″ card, and adhere card front to it.

Cut a strip of patterned paper 1/2″ wide. Stamp the sentiment on it, and trim the ends. Adhere to bottom right of card.

Select three buttons to serve as your “ornaments”. Thread the holes on the buttons with German style wire. Use the tail of the wire to create a loop for the ornament’s “hanger” before snipping off the excess wire.

Use liquid glue like PPA Matte Adhesive to glue the button ornaments in place.

Since it mostly relies on bulk supplies like buttons and tools like stamps to make, this Christmas cat card could easily be made in quantity. Simply substitute cardstock or a variety of patterned paper for the paper used for the matted background and the sentiment strip. and you can make this card over and over with a Button Bonanza and your stamp! And since it is fast and easy to make, your cards will be done in no time!

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Send a Retro Merry Christmas Card Wish!

Tis the season to be jolly! Today I’m here to show you how to combine two of our holiday products that have a turquoise toned blue in their palette to make a fun retro Merry Christmas card!

Retro Merry Christmas Card by Nancy Nally for Buttons Galore

Supplies Needed:

  • patterned paper
  • washi tape (or patterned paper)
  • red ink
  • Merry Christmas stamp
  • white cardstock
  • clear drying glue (such as PPA Matte Adhesive)

This project pairs seed beads from our beloved 28 Lilac Lane “Let It Snow” embellishment kit with buttons from our new “Cool Winters” Button Basics. With similar tones of blue, these two coordinate together beautifully to add a pop of trendy color to holiday projects of all kinds.

Winter Flurries Button Basics

This card is 5″ by 7″, so to start my retro Merry Christmas card I cut the snowflake background paper to that size.

Next, I cut a 5″ wide strip of white cardstock that was a few inches tall. I stamped “Merry Christmas” on it with red ink, centering the image near the bottom. Then I used scissors to cut the top of the sentiment block into a wavy design.

To create the beaded edge, I started by spreading a bead a white glue along the edge. Then I sprinkled seed beads over the glue until it was covered, and set the sentiment block aside to dry.

Cutting the trees is easy! I simply used three scraps of paper and cut them into various sizes of triangles. The tree “trunks” are made from washi tape (but could also be made from strips of paper). Some of the tree triangles hung over the edge, so I just snipped them off. Once those elements were adhered in place, then I used liquid glue to adhere three buttons as toppers for the trees.

Once the glue holding the seed beads was dry, then I adhered the sentiment block across the bottom.

To finish my card, I used white cardstock to make a blank card and then adhered the finished card front onto it.

Retro Merry Christmas Card by Nancy Nally for Buttons Galore

I hope this cheery little retro Merry Christmas card greeting will help you brighten the holidays of someone special!

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Make a Watercolor Card with new Coral Reef embellishments!

A few weeks ago we introduced you to our six new 28 Lilac Lane embellishment bottles. Candy Corn, Winter Wonderland, Yuletide Greetings, Savannah Stroll, Through the Woods, and Coral Reef embellishments bottles are currently shipping, just in time for holiday projects and stocking stuffers!

new 28 Lilac Lane embellishment bottles for fall 2016 from Buttons Galore & More!

Today, I’m here to show you an up close look at a project by 28 Lilac Lane designer May Flaum! This project uses the gorgeous and versatile 28 Lilac Lane Coral Reef embellishment bottle, a blend of coral pink and shades of green that is seasonal year round.

28 Lilac Lane Coral Reef embellishments

The delicate tones of Coral Reef are perfect for using with watercolors. With its natural floral color palette, Coral Reef works beautifully for watercolor floral cards! In the video below, designer May Flaum shows how she paired her 28 Lilac Lane Coral Reef embellishment bottle with a stamp to create a quick and easy floral greeting!

Here’s a closer look at May’s finished card…just a sprinkling of Coral Reef embellishments takes this card from simple to simply fabulous! It’s simple, quick, and easy to do, but makes all the difference in the finished card.

Watercolor Flower Card by May Flaum for 28 Lilac Lane

Check with your Buttons Galore local retailer or visit our online store to get your 28 Lilac Lane Coral Reef embellishments today!

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Make an Adorable Layout with Guest Laura Vegas!

Today Buttons Galore is excited to welcome guest blogger Laura Vegas, who is sharing with us an adorable layout and also a card. These fun projects are made with our Button Basics in Sky Blue, Candy Apple Green, Cotton Candy, and Lemon Yellow.
lauravegas_bg_sheisadorable
Hey everyone, it’s Laura Vegas here. I’m so excited to be here guesting on the Buttons Galore blog, and have created two projects to share with you all today. Buttons are one of my absolute favorite embellishments! I have a massive button collection, and yet I can never pass up adding more colorful buttons to my stash. They just speak to me!
lauravegas_bg_sheisadorable_detail1
One of my favorite ways to incorporate buttons onto my projects is to add them to the centers of shapes. I tend to use a lot of flowers, circles, and stars on my layouts, and buttons are the perfect addition to any of those shapes. For this layout, I started by die cutting a floral background piece from white cardstock, using my Silhouette Cameo die cut machine. I love that it had lots and lots of flowers to embellish with my buttons!
lauravegas_bg_sheisadorable_detail2
I wanted to add some subtle interest to some of the flowers on the background piece, and vellum came to mind. I was able to find an individual flower cut file that matched one of the flowers on the background piece. I sized the flower numerous times to match up with the flowers on the background piece, and then cut them all from a sheet of vellum. To add some texture, I ran each vellum flower thru a dotted embossing folder before layering them over the background flowers.
lauravegas_bg_sheisadorable_detail3
Personally, I always thread my buttons when using them on layouts and cards. I don’t like to have any “naked” buttons on my projects ;) My go-to way to adhere my buttons, is to thread my string through the button holes, and then laying the string ends flat against the button, I add a glue dot (or sometimes two if it’s a larger button) right over the string. This holds the ends in place, and I can them simply adhere my button to where it needs to go.
lauravegas_bg_sheisadorable_detail4
The exception to this rule, is when I’m working with clear buttons. I don’t want those strings and glue dot to show through the clear button. So for those buttons, I will take the extra time to use a needle and stitch my button directly onto the page.
lauravegas_bg_sheisadorable_detail5
I tend to be a more simpler scrapper, in that I keep my embellishments more on the simpler side. So I am always turning to buttons, as well as basics like brads and enamels. Oftentimes, they are all I need to finish off a project mostly made up of photos, cardstock, and patterned paper.
lauravegas_bg_itsyourbirthdaycard
I wanted to whip up a quick card to share with you as well, using the same idea of adding buttons to the center of flowers. This time I fussy cut some flowers from a sheet of patterned paper to create this easy birthday card.
lauravegas_bg_itsyourbirthdaycard2
A fun, and super simple, way to add texture to paper flowers (whether die cuts or fussy cut from patterned paper), is to crumble them up really good. You can even lightly mist the paper with water to make it easier to work with. Then you simply un-crumble your flower, flattening it out as much or as little as you like. Add a threaded button to the center of each flower, and you’ve got the most adorable little flowers to add to your projects!
I’ve had so much fun creating these projects, and I hope you enjoyed them too! Thanks Buttons Galore for the opportunity to guest design for you and create with your colorful buttons!
laura vegas headshot
Learn more about today’s guest blogger, Laura Vegas: Hi there! I’m Laura Vegas, from Northern California, where I live with my husband Joe, and my two daughters, Alyssa (20) and Sarah (17). I have been scrapbooking for well over 22 years now. I scrapbook mostly about my girls and our family, but like to mix it up now and then by scrapping photos and stories about my daycare kids and family friends as well. I have been fortunate enough to design for some amazing manufacturers in the industry over the last 11 years, and have also had my work published in a variety of publications for the last 10 years. I was honored to be a member of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Creating Keepsakes Dream Team and the 2013, 2014 and 2015 Scrapbook & Cards Today design team. I just recently left my position as Creative Team Coordinator for Bella Blvd after 5 years, and am currently designing for Kerri Bradford Studio.
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Bling up a Holiday Gift Tag with Buttons and 28 Lilac Lane!

It’s November and that means…the leftover trick or treat candy has been eaten (at least at our house)…and it’s time to jump full on into Christmas trees and snowflakes and all things Christmas! For our readers that like to personalize their gifts, today I’ve got a holiday gift tag that will be remembered long after the holiday is over!

DIY Holiday Gift Tag

Supplies:

The background on this tag was created by inking a craft mat with the four shades of blue Distress Ink, spritzing it with water, and then dragging the tag through it. A heat gun helped to speed the drying process. The nice thing about this technique is that if you don’t like the effect that you get, you can add and remove color by spritzing the tag with water, or adding another layer of color, until you get just the effect that you are happy with.

DIY Holiday Gift Tag close-up

Once the background was thoroughly dry, I stamped the snowflake stamp with clear embossing ink and heat embossed it with white embossing powder. Since the stamp was not as tall as the tag, I made sure that I started the stamp at the bottom of the tag. Using the PPA Matte Adhesive to glue a line of buttons across the area where the snowflakes stop disguised the transition area from snowflakes to plain background.

Next, I stamped the poinsettia stamp in Archival ink on watercolor paper,  and colored it in with watercolors and a waterbrush. Finally, I trimmed it to a size that would work on the tag.

It’s not very visible in the photos, but I used Stickles to create a border around the outside edge of the poinsettia square to add a little extra glint of sparkle to the tag. I also used various colors of seed beads from both of the embellishment kits to create some dimension in some areas and create the flower’s center. (The seed beads in our kits adhere beautifully with the PPA Matte Adhesive, which is what I used here.)

DIY Holiday Gift Tag close-up

The trickiest part of assembling this holiday gift tag is getting the loops of silver string and the poinsettia layered and adhered. I laid down a pool PPA Matte Adhesive in the middle of the tag, and created my string loops by passing the string through the glue area repeatedly. Then I pressed the poinsettia block down on top of it and when it dried, everything was adhered together!

At first glance, it looks like the snowflake charm is looped through the string but if you look closer…it is not. I simply glued it on with the loop laying over the string. This helps everything lay a little more flat and stay adhered better.

The final touch on my holiday gift tag are the two phrase stickers I added in the bottom corner. If you didn’t want to put the to and from information on the reverse side, these strips could have it instead.

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Embellish Your December Album of the Holidays with Buttons!

In only a few weeks, December will be upon us! For many scrapbookers, that means recording our December holiday celebrations in special page-a-day pocket scrapbooks. Our 3D buttons are a fun and simple way to add embellishment to your December album!

December Album Cards

Most of us using pocket scrapbooks for our December album will have at least a few 4×6 cards in our album to highlight important topics or days. This journaling card could hold very large number stickers to put focus on a special date (such as #25) or the kraft colored tag could be used for journaling space!

December Album 4x6 card

Supplies:

To make this card, I cut a 4″ x 6″ piece of patterned paper. Then I stamped “Merry Christmas” on the bottom right and embossed it with clear embossing powder. After I die cut the tag from cardstock, I looped ribbon through the hole, and secured it with a staple. I adhered the tag in place and laid the sticker in place on top of it.

The buttons were the final touch. These buttons are shank buttons, so I had to use button shank removers to give them a flat back. Before gluing them down, I used a pen to draw “strings” from the top of the card to the locations of the baubles that I wanted hanging. Then I glued all three buttons down on top of the drawn strings, and also added the Christmas tree in the bottom left corner.

December Album 3x4 card

Supplies:

I also started this 3×4 card by stamping the sentiment in the upper part of the white box. Then I added the washi strips in the bottom part of the box, trimming them so they fit the decorative shape of the bottom corner. I die cut the small holly leaves and adhered them, adding small red buttons as berries. Finally, I cut the shanks off of two 3D present buttons and glued them down in the bottom right corner using PPA Matte adhesive.

Whether you are using a kit or doing it yourself, we’ve got the perfect buttons for your December album. Visit the Christmas category on our website, or our new section to see our latest releases to find great options for your album!

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Make a Scaredy Cat Halloween Tag with a Beaded Twist Tie!

Halloween is coming fast! But there’s still time to make a few more Halloween projects – like this fun scaredy cat halloween tag! It makes a great decoration on a spooky tree or a fun goody bag attachment.

Scaredy Cat Halloween Tag by Nancy Nally for Buttons Galore

To make my scaredy cat halloween tag, I started with the middle tag below. This is a set of three tags that I made using Distress Spray Stain. I sprayed the three colors of stain on my craft mat in a triangle arrangement, and pressed the first tag into them. That created the tag on the left below. Then I added some water to the mat using my Distress Sprayer, and swiped a tag across my mat again, which got me the tag in the middle that I used for this project. Finally, I took a third tag and swiped it through the color mix that remained on the mat. By that time, the three colors were mixed together enough on the mat that it produced a more brown color, giving me the tag on the right.

Fall Tag Backgrounds

Decorating this tag started with a lot of stamping! I stamped the cat in black and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder. Then I stamped the pumpkin in brown, coloring in the part of the blueprint stamp that I wanted to use and stamping it. To make them look wispy, I used silver ink to stamp the spider webs to fill the top of the tag area.

Once the stamping was done, I stuck down the phrase stickers and the letters to spell “Boo!”

Scaredy Cat Tag close-up by Nancy Nally for www.buttonsgaloreandmore.com

Next I got my PPA Matte Adhesive liquid glue to start adding some beautiful embellishments! Well, first I added a scary one…I cut the shank off of a spider button using button shank removers and glued it onto the spider web on the upper left of the tag. In that spot it looks like the cat is looking at it!

To make the cat’s eyes look really bugged out, I selected two dark colored seed beads from the 28 Lilac Lane “Paws & Pets” embellishment kit and glued them on top of the stamped dots in the cat’s eyes. It makes the cat look even more scared!

28 Lilac Lane candy corn embellishment bottle by Buttons Galore

Finally, I dumped the new 28 Lilac Lane “Candy Corn” embellishment bottle (pictured above) into a craft tray, which is a great way to contain all of the small embellishments while you are looking for just what you need.  With it all spread out I selected several small sequins to glue on to the spider webs, and glued some small seed beads, sequins, and a button onto the bottom of the pumpkin to give it some orange coloring.

Beaded Wire Tie using 28 Lilac Lane embellishments

To really look finished, my tag needed some ribbon through the hole. I selected some gray and some black and strung them through the hole. But instead of tying them off, I made a seed bead “twist tie” to fasten it. I cut a piece of wire several inches long. To start, I looped the wire through and around a pair of beads and twisted it together, clipping one of the ends off. then I began threading seed beads onto the wire in a random pattern until the tie was the length I wanted. To finish the wire off, I once again created a loop with two beads in it and twisted the wire together below that loop. I made sure to cut off the ends very close to the twist and turn them under so no sharp points stick out!

The seed bead twist tie was then wrapped around my ribbon to cinch it tight (similar to a ponytail holder). It brightens up the ribbon and brings something shiny to the top of my scaredy cat halloween tag.

And now my scaredy cat halloween tag was ready to hang on my halloween tree with my other tags! (To see the other tags in the collection, check out the Spooky Halloween Tag and the Fall Pumpkin Tag).

Supplies:

Do you make tags? What occasions do you make them for? Tell us in the comments! 

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Oh Sweet Autumn with 28 Lilac Lane Autumn Afternoon!

I’m dreaming of shorter days and weather cool enough to wear sweaters! This summer has been so hot and rough – I’m ready to be done with it! Oh, and it probably has something to do with fall being my favorite season as well.

Today I’ve got a card to share that features my fall inspired Autumn Afternoon embellishment kit from my 28 Lilac Lane line. Here is a look at the finished card:

sweet-autumn-card-by-may-flaum

The process to make this card is simple!

  1. Place a stencil on white cardstock and use assorted colors of dye ink with a chevron stencil, skipping some parts and going lighter in some areas.
  2. Use embossing ink to stamp the sentiment, and then coat it in black embossing powder and heat set.
  3. Stitch the background to a blank card, and then embellish! I used the stencil design and a general sweep across the card to find places for the leaves and details.

It is really that easy!

sweet-autumn-card-close-up

Now I’m back to dreaming of autumn, cocoa, and ending these triple digit days!

Autumn Afternoon isn’t the only fall-themed 28 Lilac Lane kit…don’t miss out on the 28 Lilac Lane Limited Edition Fall Mix that is only available in the Buttons Galore online store!  Looking for some inspiration of what to do with my fall limited edition mix? Check out these bloggers! Ashli Oliver, Libby Hickson, Maura Hibbitts, and Rebecca Vick all have outstanding posts up. Enjoy!

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Tis the Season to Embellish Some Christmas Cards!

We’ve got Christmas cards on the brain here at Buttons Galore! Since World Cardmaking Day the first weekend of October is the unofficial launch of the holiday card making season, we’re sharing another card idea today to help your Christmas card planning. Our buttons, sequins, and beads are the perfect easy and affordable embellishment to use for making loads of Christmas cards.

Christmas cards with buttons

Supplies:

Creating this Christmas card is quick and easy with buttons, and pre-coordinated paper and embellishments.

Start by cutting a piece of plaid paper that is 5″ by 3.75″. Ink the edges with the green Fluid Chalk and adhere it in the center of the front of the card base.

Cut a triangle from the gold paper, and adhere it in the upper left corner of the plaid paper block.

Adhere the large chipboard piece in the upper right corner of the card. Adhere the “Tis the Season” tag layered on top of it, using foam adhesive dots for the end not on top of the chipboard.

To create the bottom text strip, cut a 1/2″ strip of cream cardstock. Use the Shimmer ink to stamp the sentiment twice across it, leaving room in the middle for a button. Adhere across the bottom of the card.

Christmas cards with buttons

Using the PPA Matte Adhesive, place small dots of adhesive on the stamped strip and the sentiment tag. Press sequins into them and allow to dry. Also use the Matte Adhesive to adhere the buttons on the corner frame and the chipboard embellishment, and allow to dry.

Tis The Season Button Bonanza by Buttons Galore - Perfect for vintage Christmas Cards!

Tis the Season” Button Bonanza is perfect for vintage color schemes, and if brighter is more your style, don’t miss “The Merriest” Button Bonanza, with bright green, bright red, and pastel pink & blue! We’ve got your Christmas cards buttoned up!

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Use 3D Buttons for a Quick Snowflake Card!

World Cardmaking Day is coming soon, and that means lots of crafters will be starting to think about making Christmas cards! Today’s holiday card idea uses 3D buttons to create dimension on a snowflake card that only takes minutes to make!

Snowflake holiday card

Supplies:

The key elements of this card’s design are very simple – a snowflake background stamp, stamped with acrylic paint, and 3D snowflake buttons. Layered together, these elements create a design this is simple, elegant, and dimensional.

To begin your card, cut a 5.5″ x 4.25″ background for the card from dark blue cardstock. Then cut a 5″ by 3.75″ layer of the light blue cardstock. Paint the snowflake stamp with the acrylic paint dabber, and stamp it onto the light blue cardstock. One dry, adhere the light blue cardstock layer on top of the dark blue layer.

Snowflake card layersFor the sentiment strip, cut a 3/4″ strip of white paper. If you stamp in the middle of that strip and then adhere it before snipping off the ends, it is easy to get your sentiment perfectly centered on the card front. Then you can arrange the red accent buttons around the edges of the sentiment strip and they will also be perfectly spaced!

assembling snowflake card

For the final touches on your card, remove the shanks from the 3D buttons using a button shank remover. Then adhere the the snowflakes with liquid glue in random places on the card front. You can choose to place them to accent a specific stamped snowflake (as I did in the upper right of my card) or randomly in open areas between the stamped designs.

Snowflake Card

This holiday snowflake card is quick and easy to make. If you’d like to produce this card in volume for your holiday card list, these pearl snowflake buttons are also available in bulk via custom order from our customer service department.

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Create an Easy & Fun Button Title with Becki Adams!

Buttons Galore is delighted today to welcome blogger and designer Becki Adams to share her tutorial for a button title using some of her favorite Buttons Galore products! Becki’s impressive resume of design teams includes work with Carta Bella Paper, American Crafts, Bella Blvd, Elle’s Studio, Imaginisce, Pebbles, and many others. To learn more about her, visit her blog.
becki-adams-profile
Hey Buttons Galore friends and fans, I’m Becki. I’m thrilled to be here on the Buttons Galore blog today. I’ve been a crafter for years. And through those years many supplies have come and gone. Buttons, however, have always remained a staple in my stash. I always keep buttons! I am a scrapbooker/memory keeper. I chose to use lots of these buttons and sequins to create a scrapbook layout with a button title.

becki-adams_read-to-me_5

 When I sat down to create with such an awesome array of primary colored buttons and sequins, I wanted them to make a big impact on my layout. I chose to make a button title “read to me” with a huge emphasis on the word “read”.
becki-adams_read-to-me_4I started by cutting my title with an electronic die cut machine. I cut the “read” portion of the title out of white cardstock with large block letters. Using a pencil, I traced the cut portion of the title onto another piece of white cardstock. I used this as a template for adhering the buttons and sequins.

Becki Adams button title

For this portion of the project, I turned on Netflix and started gluing buttons and sequins in place. I started adhering the larger buttons first and then filling in the gaps with smaller buttons and sequins. I would recommend using a strong adhesive for this technique as the cardstock can buckle under the weight of the buttons.

Becki Adams button title

When I had all the buttons and sequins adhered to the background cardstock I used foam pop dots to adhere the die cut “read” on top of the button/sequin layer to create this awesome button title.
becki adams button titleI finished the layout by adding my photo, journaling, and a few more sequins on the top layer.

Read to Me scrapbook layout by Becki Adams featuring a button title for www.buttonsgaloreandmore.net

The buttons and sequins made this layout stand out with TONS of bright colors and textures. I can’t wait to use this button title technique again! Thank you for stopping by the Buttons Galore blog today! I’ll see you again soon!

white cardstock
black and white patterned paper
glue dots
liquid adhesive
dimensional foam adhesive
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Make a Spooky Halloween Tag with Trick or Treat Button Basics!

Today we’re taking a walk on the creepy side of Halloween, with a spooky Halloween tag that makes a great attachment for a treat bag or can be a unique holiday greeting by itself!

Spooky Halloween Tag by Nancy Nally for Buttons Galore

Supplies:

1. Create the background of the Halloween tag by spraying the three colors of Distress Spray Stain in a triangle arrangement on a craft mat and then dragging the tag across the ink. Allow to air dry, or dry with a heat gun.

2. Ink the edges of the paper elements with matching ink to hide the white edges, and glue them in place.

3. Using Archival ink, stamp the creepy cat on top of the background and paper elements.

Tip: If the stamp image is incomplete where the paper layers meet, use the fine point end of the Distress Marker to fill it in!

4. Draw a line for the spider web in the upper right corner using the brush end of the Distress Marker and a ruler.

Spooky Halloween Tag close-up

5. Thread black embroidery floss through the green button and tie off.

6. Use a button shank remover to cut the shank off from the back of a spider button.

7. Glue all of the buttons into place using the PPA Matte Adhesive. (Make sure to center the orange one over the hole in the tag.) Let dry.

8. Thread twine from the back through the button and ending at the back again, to tie off the tag.

9. Enjoy your Halloween tag!

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Make a Halloween Card with Fall Festival Button Basics!

This week, we’re introducing you to six new Button Basics assortments! One of the new assortments is a vintage fall palette called Fall Festival, perfect for making fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving projects.

Fall Festival Button Basics by Buttons Galore

Fall Festival is a mix of brown-tinged tones of green, orange, and yellow, along with coffee shades of brown.

I decided to pair Fall Festival with Graphic 45’s new Halloween in Wonderland collection to make a retro fun Halloween card!

Trick or Treat halloween card by Nancy Nally for Buttons Galore

Supplies Used:

trick or treat halloween card close-up

I used tiny orange buttons from Fall Festival, to visually “attach” the faux bookplate that is printed on the label from one of the cut out sheets in the Graphic 45 “Halloween in Wonderland” collection.  The buttons highlight it as the sentiment block for my card, and Fall Festival’s color tones coordinate beautifully with the paper collection.

All of my buttons on this card are attached with PPA Matte adhesive, my favorite liquid adhesive for working with buttons and embellishments. It’s just the right consistency – thick enough to hold an embellishment in place, but not so thick that you can’t move it around to get it where you want it. It holds securely, and dries perfectly clear so there’s no need for anxious moments it a little spreads out from underneath your embellishment!

trick or treat halloween card construction

When making a project like a card, I frequently like to start with the most important elements of the design first, and then build around them. That means that I often am starting with elements that will be on top – like this sentiment block – and then working down in my design as I fill in around it. To do this, I lay pieces out without adhering them as I work.

I started by creating my background, and then putting in place the sentiment and the border that I wanted to anchor it. This of course, left me with a lot of open area made up of that super busy tiny checkerboard pattern. It overwhelmed my sentiment so I needed to tone it down.

trick or treat halloween card 2

To fix this, I cut a block of a lighter, larger pattern and inserted it behind the sentiment block. Then I used a piece of decorative chipboard from the “Halloween in Wonderland” collection to fill a bit more of the space and add some color. A purple striped corner frame sticker completed the design.

I did all of that without adhering anything except for the purple sticker! So what do you do when you have everything arranged just how you want – but nothing is adhered? I grab my phone and just snap a picture like the one above. Then I can take the design apart to glue everything down, and use the photo as a guide to get everything back how I wanted it! It’s just another way we can turn the camera that is always in our pocket into a creative tool.

Halloween card with Fall Festival buttons and Graphic 45 papers | by Nancy Nally for Buttons Galore

 

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Make A Thank You Card with new 28 Lilac Lane Fall Mix!

This week, we’re introducing a special Limited Edition 28 Lilac Lane “Fall Mix” embellishment kit by May Flaum! This kit is only available from the Buttons Galore online store – and stay tuned to the end to learn how to get a special introductory discount!

28 Lilac Lane Limited Edition Fall Mix

With jewel tones, soft green, brown – and gold! – this color mix by 28 Lilac Lane designer May Flaum is perfect for embellishing gorgeous fall projects that aren’t quite right for the traditional rust and orange tones of fall.

Here’s a peek of a thank you card that May created with the new 28 Lilac Lane Limited Edition Fall Mix, using a stamp from Tammy Tutterow:

Thank you card by May Flaum using 28 Lilac Lane Limited Edition "Fall Mix" from Buttons Galore & MoreFor the full how to tutorial about the card, check out the video below!

And finally, here’s May’s finished thank you card. The stamp is pretty by itself, but embellished with a few sequins, buttons and charms, it is extra special! This beautiful card makes the perfect thank you for any occasion.

Thank you card by May Flaum using 28 Lilac Lane Limited Edition Fall Mix from Buttons Galore & More

The new 28 Lilac Lane “Fall Mix” designed by May Flaum is a limited edition, so make sure to get it while it lasts! Use coupon code “LL400” until 11:59pm eastern time on Friday to get $1.00 off. Better yet, this coupon can be stacked with the Beat the Clock sale going on sitewide now through Saturday. The sooner you order, the more you save!

And don’t forget that orders over $30 get free U.S. shipping! We’ve got the entire collection of 28 Lilac Lane embellishments in stock, as well as six fabulous new Button Bonanza collections (including seasonal blends for Halloween and Christmas) as well as our perennial favorites like our Button Basics, 3D buttons, and Haberdashery collections. Stock up now for Halloween and Christmas projects and save!

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Send an Extra Big Thank You Card!

It’s always a good idea to have some thank you cards on hand to share your gratitude with others. This big thank you card featuring 28 Lilac Lane products will make an impact at a full 6″ by 6″ in size!

Big Thank You Card

Supplies Needed:

When I was making this, I knew that I wanted a button to decorate the center of this design but wasn’t sure what until I saw this rosette button in the “A New Leaf” kit while I was creating my card. It’s very ornate, but it matches almost perfectly the mum design! The visual repetition that it creates is perfect. I could also have taken a regular button and tied it on with contrasting thread for some pizzaz.

I also like using sequins that are the same color as the background that I place them on as an embellishment! This technique adds a bit of shine and dimension to the design without the sequins being too garish. On this card, I used the sequins to create a sun kissed circle of highlight around the center of the flower.

To begin making your extra big thank you card, cut a piece of white smooth cardstock that is 6″ x 6″. Center the stencil on the cardstock. Holding firmly, begin to scrub the lighter color of ink (squeezed lemonade) into the design with the ink blending tool. A circular motion blends best.

Work the Squeezed Lemonade into the center half of the design and then switch to the darker color (Mustard Seed) for the outer half of the design. Once all of the design has been inked, switch to a clean blending foam and begin to rub in a circular motion to blend the colors together where they meet.

Once the ink is dry, trim the white cardstock so that it is just slightly larger than the stenciled mum design. Cut a piece of matching patterned paper that is 6″ x 6″ in size. Adhere the stenciled design on top of the patterned paper and attach them both on top of a card base. (The card base can be made by folding a 6″ x 12″ piece of paper in half.)

Stamp the sentiment in the bottom corner of the card. Cut the shank off of the featured button and glue it into the center of the stenciled design with PPA Matte adhesive. This adhesive is great for working with our buttons – it will hold the button in place but will dry clear and invisible if it leaks out around the edges of the button or through the holes in the button!

For the finishing touch on your big thank you card, select a few yellow sequins from the assortment in the 28 Lilac Lane “A New Leaf” embellishment kit, and glue them onto the design around the center of the flower using PPA Matte.

Floral design cards are great for many occasions. Instead of “thank you” consider substituting sentiments for birthdays, housewarming, or other occasions. This easy card will bring a smile to someone’s face!

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Make a Lemonade Button Shaker Card

Shaker cards are a fun and easy way to make fast cards that look way more complex than they are. They pack a big visual punch, but are surprisingly simple to make!

Lemonade Shaker CardSupplies:

This shaker card is based around Jillibean Soup’s matching dies, stamp sets and shaker box inserts that make mason jar shakers. They are a great size for filling with buttons, sequins, and seed beads – the contents of our 28 Lilac Lane embellishment bottles!

For this card, I used the “Hello, Sunshine” bottle to make it look like this jar shaker was filled with lemonade. The sequins in the mix add a nice extra bit of sparkle to the shaker!

Filling this mason jar with a rainbow assortment of buttons would turn it into grandma’s button jar for a more generic sentiment like “thank you” or a new home welcome card.

Shaker Card with Buttons

Don’t forget that if you are giving this card to a crafter, our 28 Lilac Lane embellishments aren’t just functional – they also make the card a fun little bonus gift! After the party is over, the recipient can recycle the card, open the shaker box, and save the embellishments for using on a project of their own!

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Clean & Simple Baby Boy Card

A handmade card is the perfect finishing touch to a gift for a new baby. With the Buttons Galore 3D “Baby Hugs” collection of buttons by Vicki Schreiner, it’s fast and easy to make cards like this simple baby boy card! The only supplies needed are paper and buttons and a pen.

Supplies for Baby Boy Card

Supplies Needed:

That looks like a long list, but it’s really just a package of buttons, two sheets of cardstock, and some glue. I used a sentiment stamp for adding “it’s a boy” but it could easily be added with just a marker.

Simple Baby Boy Card

Assembling this card is simple – and fast! Just cut a piece of white cardstock sized 8.5″ x 5.5″ and fold it in half to make a card base. Cut a piece of yellow patterned paper that is 4.25″ x 5.5″ and glue it to the front of the card base.

Cut a 3/4″ strip on the leftover white cardstock to make the sentiment strip. Use scissors to snip the ends of it to create a banner. Write or stamp the sentiment on it, and glue it about 2/3 of the way down the front of the card.

Simple Baby Boy Card

For the final step, use scissors or a shank remover to cut the shanks off of the 3D buttons. Glue the buttons down with a white glue like PPA Matte Adhesive or Aleene’s Tacky Glue.

This quick and simple baby card can be make in less than 10 minutes. This simple design can be adapted to many other occasions (like birthdays and weddings) as well with the help of our other 3D button collections such as Sweet Delights or our wedding collection.

Simple Baby Boy Card using 3D buttons by Nancy Nally for ButtonsGaloreAndMore.com - great quick baby shower card or to welcome baby!

 

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Simple Mixed Media Tag with 28 Lilac Lane

Our 28 Lilac Lane embellishment kits designed by May Flaum make the perfect finishing touch for projects like this mixed media tag! This tag thinks “outside the box” with our Paws & Pets kit, using its lovely brown tones as the perfect partner for some vintage style Tim Holtz products.

Mixed Media Tag by Nancy Nally featuring 28 Lilac Lane embellishment kits

Supplies:

To make this tag, begin by cutting the dapper man out of the patterned paper sheet. Then flip the sheet over and cut the tag base out of the Tim Holtz paper and glue down the hole reinforcer.

Paint and stamping on mixed media tag

Using the Distress Paint dabber, stencil the harlequin design across the middle of the tag. Once dry, glue the dapper man on top of it. Stamp the clock image with Ground Espresso ink, allowing it to bleed off the edge of the tag.

Mixed Media Tag detail

Lay down an area of glue in the bottom right corner of the tag and spread a random assortment of buttons and seed beeds throughout the area. (In addition to the Paws & Pets kit, I used one ivory button from the Vintage Findings kit.)

Mixed Media Tag close-up

Lay down another area of glue in the upper left corner and spread another assortment of seed beads in that area. Loop a short length of the Melissa Frances ribbon through the tag’s hole, and stitch a button through it to keep it in place.

To finish off the mixed media tag, select some phrase stickers from the Small Talk set and place them over the dapper man. I selected phrases that reflected the man’s confidence and effortless sense of personal style.

Our pre-coordinated 28 Lilac Lane kits are the perfect quick & easy embellishment for all your mixed media projects. Don’t forget to look past the name to the color scheme, and “think outside the box” about all the wonderful things that they can do!

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Send an Easy Quilt Thank You Card!

This quick and easy quilt thank you card is perfect to send to your favorite quilter, or create a set to give as a gift!

Quilt Thank You Card

Supplies:

To make this card, first cut a 3″ x 4″ piece of white cardstock. Cut 1″ squares out of two different patterned papers for the quilt squares. Arrange and glue them to cover the white cardstock backing.

Attach the quilted piece on top of the light pink patterned paper and trim to mat it with a small border.

Cut a 4.25″ by 5.5″ sized piece from the dark pink patterned paper. to use as the background of the card front. Attach the quilted piece to the card background, leaving a slightly wider border at the bottom.

Stamp the sentiment across the bottom of the card front. Fold a piece of cardstock to make a card base (or use a pre-made card). Attach the card front to the card base.

Select six small buttons from the “Summertime” Button Bonanza. Tie embroidery floss through the buttons, and adhere with glue.

This card design could easily be adapted to a variety of occasions. Change out the color scheme for blue and yellow, or pink and yellow, and you have a “welcome baby” card. And quilts go great with a fall chill in the air…made in browns and oranges, your quilt could wish someone a “Happy Fall!”

What occasion will you make a quilt card for?

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Inspirational Mixed Media Canvas with 28 Lilac Lane

This time of year sees a lot of people we love embarking on new adventures, headed off soon to new schools, or new jobs. Wouldn’t it be nice to send a piece of ourselves, and a positive message, along with them? This inspirational mixed media canvas using 28 Lilac Lane products will remind them to reach for their dreams!

Inspirational Mixed Media Canvas by Nancy Nally using 28 Lilac Lane

Supplies from Buttons Galore:

Other Supplies:

  • Blank 8″x10″ canvas
  • Plaid Milk Paint (Lexington Blue)
  • Quick Quotes “Farmhouse” Paper Collection
  • Plaid FolkArt Stencil (Single Rose)
  • Plaid FolkArt Sencil Creme (Rainbow)
  • Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Antique Linen, Broken China, Ground Espresso)
  • Stamper’s Anonymous Rubber Stamp “Always Move…”
  • Prima “Say It In Crystals” embellishments
  • Wilton Doilies (4″)
  • Tim Holtz idea-ology Small Talk Stickers
  • Tim Holtz idea-0logy Jute String
  • Embroidery Floss
  • Manila Tag
  • Sizzix Big Shot Machine
  • Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations “Tiny Tabs & Tags” Die

To get started on your inspirational mixed media canvas project, paint the front and edges of the canvas with the blue Milk Paint. Let the paint dry.

Tear the floral “Farmhouse” paper and adhere it to the front of the canvas using the PPA Matte Adhesive. Use a baby wipe or damp paper towel to smooth down the edges of the paper and adhere them firmly. (This will have the effect of also distressing the milk paint finish on the canvas.)

Once the paint and glue is dried well, use the stencil and stencil creme (in orange) to apply a rose design to the lower right hand corner of the canvas, over the paper.

Stenciled Rose on Mixed Media Canvas

In the upper left hand corner, glue down a doilie on top of the patterned paper. When the glue is dry, smudge some Antique Linen Distress Ink on top of the cut outs in the doilie to highlight the design in them. Next, apply the twill ribbon from the “A New Leaf” kit across the top of the canvas.

To make the tag, die cut the tag shape out of a larger manila tag. Ink the edges with Broken China and Ground Espresso Distress Ink, and stamp the sentiment in Ground Espresso. Tie the charm from the “A New Leaf” kit onto the tag with some jute string, and glue some seed beads from the kit to the tag’s corners to finish it off. Glue the tag down.

quote tag on mixed media canvas

Apply some PPA Matte Adhesive in the corners of the canvas and embed some seed beads from the “A New Leaf” embellishment kit in it. Once that is dry, you can begin building the stickers, rhinestone and button elements in the rest of the canvas. Don’t forget to thread your buttons before adhering them so they look finished!

Mixed media canvas embellishments

mixed media canvas embellishments

This inspirational mixed media canvas is fun and simple to make…and will let someone you care about know how much you believe in them. Who will you give it to?

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Make a Quick Card with Buttons & Pocket Cards!

Looking for an easy quick card idea? Look no further than your Project Life cards and your buttons and embellishments from 28 Lilac Lane!

Creating this quick card is simple – and fast. It takes only five minutes! This project uses leftover Project Life cards as a shortcut to creating a beautiful color blocked card. Depending on the style of the kit you are using, the design could be graphic, shabby, or cute in style.

Quick Card with Buttons

Supplies:

The key to this card’s fun design is to think in threes. All of the major design elements are arranged in threes, creating repetition and harmony in the design.

Start by folding a letter sized piece of cardstock in half for the base. Then select 3 project life cards and arrange them layered, as shown in the photo above. Select three sequins that match each of the top two cards, and arrange them in a triangle on the card. (Since my cards were very geometric, I chose to place the sequins centered on design elements.)

For the final touch, choose three buttons that match the cards. I chose three that matched the circles on the top card, to repeat the design element visually and bring that color down closer to the bottom for balance in the design. Tie embroidery floss through the holes of the buttons to make them feel more finished. Adhere in a row.

Variation: If you don’t find a card in your stash that contains an appropriate greeting or sentiment for your occasion, you can substitute a strip of paper with a stamped or handwritten sentiment. Just place it on top of the pocket card in the location where my card says “hooray”.

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Embellish an Artist Trading Card with Buttons

Artist Trading Cards are a fun way to experiment with colors and techniques. They are also a great way to use up random leftovers from other projects, like I did on this Artist Trading Card wth buttons and trim!

For those unfamiliar with the concept, an ATC (Artist Trading Card) is a 2.5″ by 3.5″ piece of art that is intended to be traded with other artists. The rear of an ATC is usually signed by the artist and indicates if the card is part of a series. A wide variety of substrates are used as bases for ATC’s but popular ones include manila, watercolor paper, mat board, and ephemera like old book pages.

Feminine Artist Trading Card with Buttons

Supplies:

This ATC card was created from manila cardstock, cut from a #8 manila tag. I actually stamped the trading card background stamp on the tag first, and then cut out my card base, to make sure that I got perfect placement of the stamp on my card.

Once the base was created, I used a tag stencil with some texture paste to create a flower in the corner of the card on top of the stamped design. Rubbing some Distress Ink on top of the flower gave it a nice pink shade, and I also colored in the image that I wanted to highlight with markers.

Artist Trading Card close up

I used a scrap of crochet trim from the 28 Lilac Lane “Attic Findings” embellishment kit to fill in the area in the upper left of the card. Then I opened up the “On Lilac Lane” bottle and went to town! The pretty lady got some embellishment for her outfit (see how shiny her buttons are?) from some of the small beads and sequins in the bottle. Then I placed buttons and pearls around the card for pops of color. Some of these elements highlight certain design elements like lines in the stamp or the flower. I purposely varied the size and color shade of the embellishments that I chose to create a more random, artsy effect in the design.

The final step was to use the Archival ink pad that I had stamped with to edge the card and give it some extra “pop”.

Our embellishment kits and bottles are perfect for making Artist Trading Cards with buttons, trim, sequins, beads, and pearls. Their great assortment of embellishments will help you create a one of a kind work of art! Try one today!

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Make a Fun Thank You Shaker Card!

Shaker cards are super trendy right now, so next time you want to want to express your gratitude…why not send a thank you shaker card? This quick and easy thank you shaker card uses our “New Leaf” embellishment kit from 28 Lilac Lane to add a touch of sparkle to its shake!

thank you shaker card with 28 Lilac Lane embellishments

 

Supplies:

The base of this thank you card is created from a “thank you” card cutting file from the Cricut Design Space library. I modified the cut file by duplicating the card and using squares to slice sections of it out to create layers in different colors. When I assembled the pieces, I had the base for a colorful shaker card. The scalloped edge is actually on the back edge of the card, so it is still visible when you open the card up to read what is written inside!

Thank You Shaker Card base

The front panel of the shaker box is easy to make. I just grabbed a spare page protector and cut a piece out of it big enough to cover the window. I attached it to the back of the card front using red liner adhesive tape.

Rear of Shaker Card Window

To create the box part of the thank you shaker box, I layered a double layer of foam adhesive tape on top of the area where the red liner adhesive was used. This created a box to put the shaker embellishments into. I filled the box up with sequins, seed beeds, and buttons from the New Leaf kit. Then I peeled the backing from the foam tape and attached a cardstock “lid” to the shaker box.

thank you shaker card close-up

 

If you give this card to a crafter, this card is an extra special treat! The recipient can simply open up the shaker box and empty the contents into a small container or zip bag to use on their own papercrafting, sewing, or mixed media projects.

thank you shaker card

Thank You Shaker Card with 28 Lilac Lane embellishments

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Batter Up for a Baseball Father’s Day Card!

Is the dad in your life a sports fan? This baseball Father’s Day card may be the perfect way to send your love on Father’s Day!

Baseball Father's Day card

This simple Father’s Day card is based on only two main elements: a die cut and some of our fun 3D buttons!

A plain blank card takes on a baseball pinstripe look with the help of a background stamp. The texture of the blank card keeps it from stamping completely perfectly, giving it a vintage distressed look. A strip of patterned paper also helps to create a vintage vibe, which is perfect since baseball is a sport with such a strong sense of history. The die cut is cut from a red cardstock that matches to stitching on the baseball, and which creates a nice contrast to the blue. Once that is done, all that is needed is to attach the buttons. (The bat is attached with some embroidery floss, and the ball is glued.)

This baseball father’s day card could easily be themed for another sport with only a few changes. Simply change out the baseball buttons for other Buttons Galore sports themed ones such as basketball, soccer, or football, and then change the background stripes for stars!

Supplies:

  • Buttons Galore #4065 Baseball 3D buttons
  • Hero Arts Large Canvas Stripes Background stamp
  • Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Faded Jeans
  • Cricut Explore machine & cut file
  • Bazzill cardstock (red)
  • Blank card (blue)
  • Tim Holtz “Crowded Attic” Paper Stash
  • embroidery floss (brown)

 

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Dress Up A Button Dress Form

Today Buttons Galore is pleased to be welcoming guest artist Candy Rosenberg to share her beautiful button dress form project.

Vintage craft designer Candy Rosenberg

Going out on the town always requires a fancy dress, and this occasion is no different – 0nly this girl is dolled up with buttons from Buttons Galore! Buttons are so fun and versatile in crafting and I am really excited to show off this project.

Button Decorated Dress Form

My button fetish is no secret to those who know me so I am always looking for ways to use them in unique ways. I’d had this bare “girl” laying around for awhile when I got this invitation to guest post for Buttons Galore. Buttons…dress form…The lightbulb went off and I thought that I could make a dress from buttons for my girl!

Button collage on dress formCovering an item like a dress form with buttons is not much different than covering a canvas or other flat surface. The major difference is that you have to consider three dimensions instead of two when placing a button in your collage. I poured out my bags of buttons and adhered them one at a time, seeing which ones worked best especially around her curves.

Button collage dress form close-up

This button dress form is super easy and such a great project to give as a gift or to use to decorate a studio!
finished button dress form - rear
 Buttons Galore Supplies:

If you like Candy’s mixed media creations like this button dress form, don’t miss her previous guest post for Buttons Galore that featured Artist Trading Cards!

Candy Rosenberg resides in beautiful Southern Oregon and has been crafting since she was a little girl. Known for her vintage steam punk style and beautifully crafted dress forms, she still likes to color outside the lines so to speak. Keep tabs on her latest creations at her blog, A Vintage Girl, or follow her on Facebook,Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and Google+.

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Send a Happy Button Rainbow Card!

I spent the weekend creating new storage for my buttons that has them arranged in rainbow order. After playing with a giant rainbow of buttons for hours, it left me in the mood to create a button rainbow card for my project today!

This happy button rainbow card is perfect to bring cheer for any occasion.

A rainbow like this is just a simple button collage. The trick is to get the curves lined up and space correctly. I made that simple for this project by using a die cut as a basis for the collage. Because I cut the die cut from cardstock that matched my buttons as closely as possible, the cardstock background will “fill in” visually between the buttons.

rainbow

Assembling the button collage is simple. Working one row at a time, I placed a line of glue along the row for each color. Then I selected small buttons to place along the row. It helped if the buttons were somewhat alternated in position from the previous row, since then I could put a slightly larger button into the gap created by the curves. I let each row dry until it was adhered firmly before beginning the next row to make sure that I didn’t accidentally displace the previous row adhering the new one.

button rainbow in progress

Once the rainbow was completed and dry, I adhered it to a blank card after first stamping the sentiment on the card. It was important to do the stamping first since the thickness of the button rainbow could make it difficult to get the stamp in position after it is adhered.

attaching adhesive to clouds

The final step was to adhere the clouds using 3D foam squares. I lined the squares up along the bottom of the clouds so they created a line across the center of the clouds. This edge butted right against the bottom edge of the rainbow when I adhered it. The top of the cloud doesn’t need adhesive because it is supported by the rainbow.

Supplies:

I hope you enjoy my button rainbow card! It’s an easy way to send some cheer to someone you care about!

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5 Ways to Use Buttons for Scrapbooking + NSD Sale!

Happy (Inter)National Scrapbook Day! Buttons are a perfect match for scrapbooking. They are a quick and easy way to add a pop of color and dimension to any layout design!

Five ways to scrapbook with buttons

 

Today, in honor of scrapbooking’s special day, we’re going to share with you our favorite examples of the wide variety of ways that buttons can be used on layouts.

Buttons & Burlap

Buttons and burlap are always a good pair, especially on a scrapbook layout. Keri Lee Sereika paired them with bright red and crisp turquoise for this brilliant summer layout of her son.

Buttons & Burlap Scrapbook Page - Keri Lee Sereika

Brown & Blue

If you like the combination of turquoise and brown, but burlap isn’t your thing…try using brown buttons! Designer May Flaum used her 28 Lilac Lane Paws & Pets kit to make some brown elements pop out of a solid turquoise background to highlight her Scrappy pup!

Scrappy layout by May Flaum using 28 Lilac Lane

Handmade

Natural materials (like the cork letters above) are a great combination with buttons. Ashli Oliver decided to extend the natural and handmade look to the paper on her layout, pairing her 28 Lilac Lane buttons with a rustic handmade paper. The contrast between the smooth, hard buttons and the rough, wild paper is perfect!

Handmade paper and buttons layout by Ashli Oliver

My Girls

We’ve seen lots of button clusters so far, but May Flaum showed us in her My Girls layout how to use buttons scattered as 3D trinkets alongside ephemera as well. She scattered some of her 28 Lilac Lane Attic Findings and Just Peachy buttons – as well as the coordinating sequins and pearls – to prove that a few buttons can pack a design punch as well.

28 Lilac Lane with Crate Paper

Good Morning Sunshine

Guest blogger Karla Yungwirth took the scattering to a new level of delicacy! Her gorgeous pastel layout, with just a touch of one or two buttons dabbed here and there for a spot of color, shows how buttons (and sequins and pearls) can have an impact while still being subtle.

Sunshine scrapbook layout using 28 Lilac Lane embellishment by Karla Yungwirth

But wait, there’s more…a sale! We’ve got 20% off on our entire website to celebrate National Scrapbook Day! So you can save while stocking up on all the buttons and embellishments that you need to put the perfect finishing touches on your scrapbook layouts! Use code NSD20 at checkout and save now!

NSD20 FACEBOOK

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Good Morning Sunshine Layout with 28 Lilac Lane

Today, the Buttons Galore blog is pleased to welcome Karla Yungwirth as guest blogger to share this beautiful scrapbook layout with us.

Sunshine scrapbook layout using 28 Lilac Lane embellishment by Karla Yungwirth
I am so excited to share a layout with you today that I’ve created with the new collection from 28 Lilac Lane by May Flaum! I am so in love with these amazing embellishments – the kits are full of beautiful sequins and lovely buttons, along with an amazing assortment of goodies that just make you need to create something gorgeous with them!
Title with 28 Lilac Lane embellishmentsI wanted to create a light, spring-like look to my page, so I started off by using some of the white and yellow beads over my Sunshine title sticker, gluing them on with matte medium liquid adhesive. They give such a cool effect over the sticker!
Scrapbook layout embellishment close-up
 I layered my photo and some coordinating papers over a diagonal paper arrangement, which I stitched on using my sewing machine. The pretty buttons, beads, sequins and pearls created lovely clusters on each side of my photo. The pink and white bakers twine, included in the Tropical Twist Embellishment kit, was perfect to tie through a pink button and my Love tag. I even added some of the lovely lace, which you can find in the Attic Findings kit, on the bottom of the tag along with the golden sun charm from the Tropical Twist kit!
Scrapbook layout embellishmentI scattered sequins around my page and near my title and stitched paper strips at the top of my page, along with another pretty pearl. It’s amazing how the embellishments in these kits can really make a layout pop! I had so much fun creating this layout, and I have so many more ideas that I can use these pretty embellishments kits on! Wishing you a happy, crafty and creative day!

Supplies used:

 

Karla YungwirthAbout Karla: I’m Karla Yungwirth, a Canadian mom to 3 beautiful girls, a wife of an amazing man, a scrapbooker, a card maker, a lover of gorgeous paper, a boo-boo kisser, a master Lego builder, a baker of lopsided birthday cakes. I have been crafting for as long as I can remember. My grandmothers taught me to sew, knit and crochet, and my mom was always repurposing to create something wonderful and magical – before recycling was even cool! I love being creative – it’s what makes my soul sing and my heart happy. You can find me on my blog at http://creative-love-affair.blogspot.ca//, on Facebook, and on Instagram.

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Buzzing into Spring with a 28 Lilac Lane Card

Hello there!

Ashli Oliver here with you today to share a super easy mixed media card with big impact!

After swiping on white acrylic paint and drizzling liquid glue on top, I simply stuck lots of little goodies in. The key to making this work is sticking your buttons, sequins, and pearls into your painty goodness while everything is still wet!

Mixed Media Spring Bee Card by Ashli Oliver for Buttons Galore

Don’t be afraid to get paint on your embellishments… that is half the fun, after all!

Mixed Media spring card with 3D bee button and 28 Lilac Lane embellishments

I used a three dimensional Bee Button, goodies from the Antique Tin set, and plenty of the amazing 28 Lilac Lane Collection!

TIP: Did you know that many buttons can be cut in half? That’s right! Using my Tim Holtz scissors, I cut one of the gold Antique Buttons right in half so that I could add it to the edge of my card and tuck the other piece behind my bee!

What a great way to stretch the stash too!

Oh, and of course… I also used those same scissors to cut the backs off of any buttons so I could adhere them to my card.

Once my embellishments were set in, I simply let the paint dry overnight. Then, I added in some watercolor and mist droplets. A piece of patterned paper layered behind the card front finishes this card off!

Mixed Media spring card by Ashli Oliver for Buttons Galore

Super fun and a great card for spring! In fact, I think this will serve as a Mother’s Day card around here as my mother loves bees!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies Used:

Ashli OliverAshli Oliver (aka soapHOUSEmama) lives with her husband and four girls, age 10 and under, in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. Ashli is a recovering graphic designer and when she is not busy homeschooling her kiddos, you can find her drinking copious amounts of coffee while playing with paint and pretty paper in her studio. Not only does Ashli love documenting her family’s memories, but she finds great joy in the creative process… which, in her case, usually involves lots of messy, painty fun!

You can find Ashli, and her work, at her Website,  YouTubeInstagram, and Classes.

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ATC Cards with Button Flowers

Today Buttons Galore is pleased to be welcoming guest artist Candy Rosenberg.

Vintage craft designer Candy Rosenberg

Artist Trading Cards (ATCS) are miniature artworks about the same size as modern trading cards or baseball cards at 2.5 x 3.5 inches. They were popularized in 1996 from the mail art movement and have their origins in Switzerland. They are produced in various media, including dry media (pencils, pens, markers), wet media (watercolor, acrylic paints), paper media (collage, die cuts, found objects) or even metals, fibers and now buttons!
I love clear acrylic and mix it with an Artist Trading Card and buttons…and I am in heaven.
ATC cards with fun button flowers by Candy Rosenberg on acrylic ATC cards
 I used Prima stencils andStazOn ink to create the background right on the acrylic of each card using two different colors.
Stinking on Acrylic ATC card base
I then added the Black & White assortment from the Buttons Galore Haberdashery collection on one and the Natural assortment on the other to create button flowers using Beacon 3 in 1, a great adhesive for attaching buttons to acrylic. Note that most paper-only adhesives will not hold to the acrylic.
Beacon 3 in 1 adhesive for acrylic and buttons
A little snippet of pearl string and a leaf and you have beautiful button flowers!
Close-up of black and white button flower ATC on a fun acrylic base.
Close-up of wood button flower ATC with acrylic base.
Candy Rosenberg resides in beautiful Southern Oregon and has been crafting since she was a little girl. Known for her vintage steam punk style and beautifully crafted dress forms, she still likes to color outside the lines so to speak. Keep tabs on her latest creations at her blog, A Vintage Girl, or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and Google+.
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A 28 Lilac Lane Card with Watercolor!

I could not be more excited that 28 Lilac Lane is now shipping to stores! I can’t wait to see what everyone creates – there is a whole world of crafty possibilities awaiting inside each and every kit. One of my favorite ways to play with the line is to accent a single stamped and colored image on a card, tag, or small canvas décor piece.

28 Lilac Lane card with watercolor

Today I have a video tutorial for a 28 Lilac Lane card featuring some lilac coloring and one of my favorite 28 Lilac Lane kits, French Quarter. My tip for keeping your embellishments in a tight cluster is to begin with the largest elements, and work smaller. This lets me fill in the gaps and create clusters almost effortlessly! Thanks to the variety of sizes in the kits from bigger buttons down to tiny seed beads, I’ve always got something that works!

I hope that you’ve enjoyed this 28 Lilac Lane card video tutorial and that I’ve inspired you to do a bit of coloring as well as some fun embellishing. Happy Crafting!

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Send a Sweet Greeting with a Donut Card!

Sometimes you just want to send a card to say “hi” to someone special. This adorable donut card is a sweet way to do the job!

The new 28 Lilac Lane embellishment kits are now shipping, and they are perfect for cardmakers: buttons, sequins, trim and charms. They also contain seed beads, something unfamiliar to some cardmakers. In addition to making great shaker boxes, seed beads can be combined with glue to make great shiny embellishments. On this donut card, they give the appearance of sprinkles (or nuts).

donut card

Supplies:

Instructions

Cut pink striped paper to fit card front. Adhere. Cut 1″ strip of yellow stripe and attach along fold of card.

Cut a strip of water color paper that is 1 7/8″ wide and the same height as the card front.

Using Archival ink, stamp three donuts on the watercolor paper.

Paint the donuts with the watercolors.

Donut Card gluing

Spread a thin layer of white glue (I use Artquest PPA Matte) on the donut frosting. Scatter yellow seed beads from the Tropical Twist kit in the glue. Add a second layer of glue on top of the beads (above).

donut card close-up

When dry, the glue will largely disappear. Any remnants that remain visible (as around some of the beads in the photo above) will just look like donut glaze!

Adhere the donut strip over the seam between the two patterned papers on the card front.

Stamp the sentiment in the lower right corner of the donut card front.

The new 28 Lilac Lane products are now shipping to stores! Look for them in a store near you! 

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Button Flowers Make a Cute Thank You Card!

Thank you cards are one of the most commonly used cards that we reach for, so we can never have too many on hand for when we need them! This fun and simple project combines Sakura watercolors with our bright “Fiesta” Button Bonanza bag to create a bouquet of button flowers for you to send to someone special.

Cute thank you card with button flowers

Supplies:

Our Buttons Galore “Fiesta” Button Bonanza bag is full of bright colors that are perfect for making little flowers! To start your card, pick three buttons in different colors and sizes for making your button flowers. Then set the bag aside.

Buttons Galore Fiesta Button Bonanza

Next, cut a 4.25″ x 5.5″ piece of the yellow striped paper. Adhere to front of card blank.

Cut a 3.75″ x 5″ piece of Ocean Breeze cardstock.

Using watercolors & a water brush, paint green grass and three flower stems on the cardstock. Vary the heights of the stems, but make sure to leave enough room between the tallest one and the top for adding the buttons and the sentiment!

Stamp the sentiment across the top of the card.

To make the flowers, sew the buttons on to the ends of the stems with embroidery floss. Tie the knot in the front and snip ends so they will fray a bit to make a center for the flower.

Adhere the blue cardstock on top of the yellow striped paper.

Your card is done! Now it’s time to write a message of thanks inside and deliver a bit of sunshine and gratitude to someone special!

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A Sunny Sequin Card with 28 Lilac Lane

As a northerner transplanted to the south, I remember all too well the dark days of February in the cold part of the country. This time of year it seemed that winter would never end! So today, I’m here to bring a blast of sunshine to February, with some help from the new sequin tins from 28 Lilac Lane.

This mixed-media inspired sequin card is very simple to make. By simply changing up the sentiment stickers, it can be perfect for providing cheer on a variety of occasions.

Bright Side Card

Supplies:

  • Blank Card
  • Cardstock (yellow, orange, blue)
  • Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Cardstock
  • 28 Lilac Lane by Buttons Galore Yellow and Orange sequin tin
  • Tim Holtz idea-ology Small Talk stickers
  • Cricut Explore machine
  • Cricut Design Space cutting file
  • Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Carved Pumpkin)
  • Ranger Dylusions Spray Ink (Vibrant Turquoise, London Blue)
  • Ranger Dylusions Mica Spray (Vibrant Turquoise)
  • Sewing Machine

Instructions:

  1. Spray the two spray inks randomly on a sheet of the watercolor cardstock. Spritz with water and blot to blend. Repeat until satisfied with color blend. (Check out this video for tips.)
  2. Trim a half inch off of each direction of the cardstock. Stitch cardstock down to the front of the blank card.
  3. Spray the card front with Mica Spray.
  4. Cut the sun element from yellow and orange cardstock on the die cutting machine.
  5. Ink the edges of the sun element with the Carved Pumpkin ink.
  6. Spread white glue on the center of the die cut, and place sequins. Let dry.
  7. Assemble two parts of sun die cut together. Adhere die cut to front of card.
  8. Adhere phrase stickers to card.

Bright Side Sequin Card

The sequins will shine on their own in this sequin card, of course, but the Mica Spray enhances the card’s overall shine and brings out the sequins’ shine. And the orange ink will make the darker toned sequins in the yellow sequin blend really pop!

The 28 Lilac Lane sequin tins will be shipping soon – don’t miss out on the entire collection of all six color blends!

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Thankful Card

Utilizing basic supplies and everyday items in my crafting, and finding usefulness in even the simplest things is something I enjoy tremendously. With a few beautiful caramel buttons, some ink, and a little creativity I quickly came up with a fun card design that is perfect for any season.

thankful card by May Flaum

Supplies:

  • Buttons Galore Caramel Button Basics (also available at AC Moore stores)
  • green cardstock
  • watercolor paper
  • green watercolor or paint
  • black ink
  • brown ink
  • brown pen
  • gold paint pen or dimensional paint

How-to:

Thankful card by May Flaum step 1

Step 1: Take a circle object such as a cookie cutter or cup and tap with black ink. “stamp” onto your paper several times, creating a wreath shape. Repeat with brown ink.

Tip: Roll the cookie cutter or disposable cup around instead of stamping flat. This will give you more control of your lines.

Thankful Card by May Flaum step 2Step 2: Use scissors to cut out leaf shapes and color with green watercolor or ink. Place these in three spots along your wreath, and add small caramel buttons as well. At this time you should also cut out a ½” high strip of cardstock for your sentiment, and notch the ends to fit.

Tip: instead of handwriting you could use a computer font or alphabet stamps.

Thankful card by May Flaum for Buttons Galore

Step 3: Add the finishing touches to your card. Ink the edges of the sentiment banner, add some gold paint or ink to highlight the circle shape and around your buttons, and add any other details you would like.

Tip: Want even more: Use a pen to add flourishes and dots, as I did here with a brown pen.

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Felt and Fabric Thanksgiving Card

When it comes to Thanksgiving I don’t do a lot of home decorating, but I do enjoy creating cards for a few special people. This card is a lot of fun to make with fabric scraps, though using patterned paper would work just as well. The harvest Button Bonanza bag is perfect for all your fall crafting needs and just screams Thanksgiving to me.

Thanksgiving card

Supplies Needed: Felt, fabric with iron-on backing, word stickers, thread (hand or machine stitch), liquid adhesive, and harvest Button Bonanza bag

Steps:

Felt Heart

  1. Stitch a scrap of fabric, white trim, and felt heart onto a piece of white cardstockSewing Felt Heart
  2. Cut out hearts from a fabric scrap that have adhesive backing and iron them onto the card. Ironing fabric hearts
  3. Ink around edges of white cardstock if desired
  4. The final and fun part – adhere down buttons as desired and add word strips as well.

Beyond Thanksgiving, this simple card would be great for any holiday or occasion – and is a lot of fun to make! Don’t forget that you can create this design with either fabric or patterned paper.

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Stampendous and Buttons Galore are Blog Hopping!

Welcome to the Stampendous and Buttons Galore blog hop!

stampendous blog hop

Our contribution today is a fun card with some great Stampendous stamps, Cling Daisy Mix, and their matching dies. They pair perfectly with buttons!

stampedous flower card

Supplies:

This card is super simple to create!

First, splatter some of the gold spray ink on one corner of the blank card.

Stamp the flower on watercolor cardstock. Stamp the leaves on green cardstock. Use the matching dies to cut out all of the stamped pieces. Using scissors, cut a stem for the flower from the remaining green cardstock. Ink the edges of the stem.

Scribble some Gelato on a scrap of watercolor cardstock. Use the water brush to transfer it to the stamped flower and color it in, shading as you go.

Stamp the sentiment phrase on orange paper. Use scissors to trim around it, extending the piece on the end of the sentiment. Ink the edge of the completed piece.

Adhere all paper pieces to background. Thread buttons with embroidery floss and tie. Adhere to card with adhesive dots.

If you’d like to see more ideas on how to use Buttons Galore and Stampendous together, be sure to visit the blog hop at Stampendous!

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Have a Happy Fall with a Button Card!

Even thought it’s still hitting temperatures close to 90 degrees at blog central here in Florida, Labor Day passing means fall will rapidly be settling in at Buttons Galore headquarters in New Jersey. And fall means a chance to pull out some colors and designs that many of us haven’t used all summer!

How about the Buttons Basics in Caramel and Outlandish Orange?

Caramel and Outlandish Orange by Buttons Galore

Add a nice holdover from summer – some deep pink from the “Summertime” Button Bonanza – and you’ve got a great mix of fall leaf colors!

Fall leaf button mix

Fall brings many occasions that call for dashing off a quick note to someone. Let’s make them pretty – and festive!

Happy Fall card by Nancy Nally for Buttons Galore

Look for Outlandish Orange, Caramel, and the Summertime mix at AC Moore!

Supplies:

  • Pink & Main stamps: Directional Borders, Tab Alpha
  • Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Brushed Corduroy, Spiced Marmalade & Worn Lipstick
  • 8.5″ x 11″ Cream Colored Smooth Cardstock
  • Embroidery floss and needle
  • Adhesive dots
  • Buttons Galore Button Basics in Caramel & Outlandish Orange
  • Buttons Galore Button Bonanza in Summertime

Instructions:

1. Cut paper in half longwise and fold to make a card base.

2. Starting near the fold, use the stamp set to stamp the arrow border once from each side, leaving a gap in the middle to place a button. Work your way down the card, changing colors as you get closer to the bottom.

3. Use the alphabet stamps to create the phrase “Happy Fall,” aligned with the right edge.

4. Thread buttons and tie them using embroidery floss and needle.

5.  Attach buttons in border gaps with adhesive dots.

This versatile button card design could work for any season or holiday, simply by changing up the color scheme and the sentiment that is stamped. Try the bright primary colors in our Primary Button Bonanza (also available at AC Moore) for a birthday card, or red, white, and blue for a patriotic theme!

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Send Some Halloween Love with Buttons

Even though summer is in full swing, Halloween is sneaking up on us (boo!). Today’s project will show you how to use some Halloween products without having to wait for Halloween – and how to kick it up a notch with buttons!

Halloween love card

You won’t have to wait until Halloween to give someone this card! With it’s message of love, it can be delivered anytime during the Halloween season.

The buttons are a critical element in this design. They add a pop of color that breaks up the dark purple, but more importantly they add dimension to a design that would otherwise be entirely flat.

Supplies:

  • Patterned Paper (all patterned paper from Graphic 45’s “Rare Oddities” collection – 6×6 & 8×8 pads)
  • Cricut Explore machine & Cutting Files
  • Inkpads in black, purple, green and brown
  • Adhesive dots
  • Black thread & needle
  • cream cardstock
  • Buttons Galore “Vacation” button pack

1. Cut a 3.5″ by 8″ piece of background paper for the card base. Ink edges. (While this is a non-standard card size, it will fill in a standard business sized envelope.)

2. Use die cut machine to cut out vine and flowers. Ink edges of all pieces.

3. Cut sentiment block from patterned paper. Ink edges and mat on patterned paper.

4. Adhere all pieces to background.

button flower centers

5. Sew thread through buttons and tie off. Adhere buttons on the center of the flowers.

6. Cut an 8″ x 7″ piece of cream cardstock to use as cardbase and fold. Adhere card front to base.

Who would you like to send a bewitching message of Halloween love to this season?

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Make a Thank You Card with Tutti Fruity Buttons!

When I got my hands on this gorgeous Tutti Fruity Button Bonanza pack, it just called out for some card making. The beautiful yellow, orange, pink and mint green palette is so summer-y and happy!

Tutti Fruity Button Bonanza

Probably the most frequent card I reach for out of my card stash is a thank you card. Paired with some burlap and a few other supplies, some orange buttons from the assortment give me a thank you card that is perfect for just about any occasion: baby, wedding, or everyday. It’s bright, a bit rustic, and very on trend with the burlap!

Thank You CardSupplies:

  • Tutti Fruity Button Bonanza
  • Burlap Sheet
  • Flower Die
  • Patterned Paper
  • Cardstock Scraps
  • Card Base
  • Brown Baker’s Twine
  • Brown Thread
  • Sentiment Stamp (sample is from Pink & Main)
  • Brown Ink Pad
  • Green Pen

A button makes a great cheat to perfectly finish off a wrap of baker’s twine – no more messy bows that just aren’t quite right, or knots that look messy! And a button is always a great substitute for the center piece of a flower.

The tiny square button on the sentiment block actually serves two purposes. It completes a visual triangle of orange highlights that lead the eye across the card, and it also “anchors” the text block to the background visually.

What kind of card are you inspired to make by Tutti Fruity Button Bonanza?

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Ladybug Button Card

Yay for Fifteen MINUTE Friday!  The weeks just go by so quickly.  Katie from A Sweet Berry’s Blog created this adorable springtime Ladybug Button Card.  She is one of my best friends and super creative and fun.

ladybug card

It looks like creating this masterpiece was a lot of fun!

ladybugs

If you want more information about how she created this card, you can hop over to her blog here and find out.

The ladybug buttons are super cute to use while paper crafting and also adorable when sewn on to projects.  You can buy there HERE or by clicking on the photo below.

4247-2T

 

Happy Springtime and Happy Crafting,

Laura

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A Noteworthy St. Patrick’s Day Card

Sending cards for the little holidays is not only fun but also very special.  I mean come on, who doesn’t LOVE to get a note in the mailbox these days.  This hand made card is not only adorbale but sure to spread luck and friendship for St. Patrick’s Day.  Three cheers for Fifteen MINUTE Friday!

Label Card

You will need the following:

Supplies

Cut a fold over card to fit your envelope.  This one is 8.5 x 4.25 to fit in an A2 sized envelope.  Cut your other decorative papers to add color to your card front.  Stitch your buttons to a piece of pre-cut card stock to form a shamrock.  Knot it in the back.

Stitch

Adhere your pieces to the front of the card with Aleene’s Always Ready.  Add a sticker message if you would like.  You can also write your message with a marker or a pen.

Message

I hand-stamped the back of my card too with my self-inking stamp from Expressionery.Com.  I think this makes it a little more special.

Stamp

And now you are ready to write a for real, noteworthy, hand written letter to a friend!

SHamrock Button Card Final

Happy Creating,

Laura

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Button Up a Decorative Pinwheel

Pinwheels are so much fun for adding pizzazz and energy to decorating for parties and events.  Here are the directions to make them using just a few simple materials.  You will need the following:

  • Decorative Paper Squares (6 inches)
  • Scissors
  • Brads
  • Paper Straws
  • Aleene’s Always Ready Fast Grab Tacky Glue
  • Laura Kelly BUTTONS for Buttons Galore and More

Pinwheel_Supplies

The first step is to cut from the four corners in towards the centers, stopping to leave a one inch square center that is uncut.  Then using your brad fold the first point of each corner in poking a hole through them as you go then through the center and securing with the brad in the back.

PinwheelOne_Two

Add your straw to the back and buttons to the front with the tacky glue.  The Fast Grab is great because is holds them right away.  Then allow time to dry before using them.

PinwheelThree_Four

They are so bright and cheery and simply fun.

Pinwheel_Single

Cheers,

Laura

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Winter Hat Ornament

I love this little paper crafted winter hat ornament.  It would be great to use for decorating a tree or adding to a gift as a card or a tag.

Winter Hat Ornament 1

I created it using one of the new dies that will launch in January 2015 with Ellison Education and Sizzix as part of the calendar set.  Aren’t the little buttons from my Laura Kelly buttons line super cute on the ball of the hat?

Winter Hat Ornament 3

There are lots of great projects being shared using this hat today and I would love for you to hop around and see them all.

You can enter to win this fabulous prize too!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Paper Crafting with Buttons,

Laura

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Little Pumpkin Button Cards for Fifteen MINUTE Friday

Halloween is absolutely one of my FAVORITE holidays and to celebrate I pulled together the creative minds of some of my talented blogging friends to bring you over 110 fabulous Halloween ideas! From costumes to parties, crafts and home decor, recipes and free printables, we have so many fun ideas to share! I guarantee you’ll find a project (or 10!) that you would love to incorporate into your Halloween festivities. All week (Monday through Saturday) myself and my blogging friends will be sharing our fun creations with all of you. Each day will include approximately 20 Halloween projects and you can “hop” from one blog to another to check them all out.

It’s Friday and day 5 of our Halloween Bash blog hop! Glad you could join us on this fabulous Friday for more Halloween ideas from me and my talented blogging friends!

These are so super cute and easy peasy to create!

Pumpkin Card

You will need just a few things…paper, Outrageous Orange buttons and Aleene’s Tacky Glue.

Supplies

Cut out your decorative paper and attach it to your card with Aleene’s then add a BIG orange button for a pumpkin.  I added a little brown button for a stem and green ribbon for the vine.

TA DA!  So adorable and simple and fun!

But the fun ideas don’t stop here! Continue checking out the creative Halloween projects my blogging friends have created for our blog hop by clicking on each of the links below, for the Halloween projects you’d like to see in more detail and it’ll take you right to that post with additional information and photos on how to create it. Have fun and pin away!

Over 110 fun & fabulous Halloween projects & ideas! #halloweenprojects #halloween #diyhalloweenideas

1. Happy Halloween Treat Bucket
2. Beware of the Bam-BOO
3. Halloween Beeswax Candles
4. Caramel Apple Cupcakes
5. Halloween Treat Bag Tags – Free Printable
6. Halloween Cookie Pops ~ Nutter Butter Bats & Mummies
7. Halloween Photo Booth Props
8. Halloween Candle Jars
9. Ghost Candles
10. Dollar Store Spider Halloween Wreath
11. Healthy Halloween Class Treat
12. Little Pumpkin Button Cards
13. Pumpkin Playdough Mats
14. Craft for Kids: Finger Puppet Monsters
15. Creepy Halloween Jar Labels
16. Halloween Party Favor and Printable
17. Kids Halloween Lanterns
18. Candy Box Head Skeletons
19. Sweet & Salty Halloween Treat

Follow our Fabulous Halloween Ideas Pinterest board for even more inspiration!

Follow Design Dazzle’s board Fabulous Halloween Ideas on Pinterest.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for another 20 awesome Halloween ideas!

Thanks to all 110+ fabulous bloggers participating! We’d love for you to visit their blogs and see what else they’re up to!

100 Directions || 365daysofcrafts || a girl and a glue gun || A Prudent Life || Addicted 2 DIY || Albion Gould || Ashlee Marie || Atta Girl Says || Bakerette || BD Design || BellaGrey Designs || Black and White Obsession || Bloom Designs Online || Blue i Style || Bombshell Bling || bumblebreeblog || C.R.A.F.T. || Celebration Lane || Clean and Scentsible || Clearsnap || Confetti Sunshine || Crafts by Courtney || Creations by Kara || Creative Juice || Cutesy Crafts || Design Dazzle || Dress It Up Crafts || Echoes of Laughter || Everyday Party Magazine || Eye Candy Creative Studio || Fairfield World || Fearlessly Creative Mammas || Five Heart Home || Fizzy Party || Free Time Frolics || Frenchie || FrugElegance || Glued To My Crafts || GreatStitch || Happiness is Homemade || Here Comes the Sun || Home Maid Simple || Honeybear Lane || hoopla palooza || Hydrangea Hippo || I Dig Pinterest || ICE Resin || inkhappi || Insitefull Living || It’s Sew Lorine || Jaco’lyn Murphy || Jen A. Street || Just My Little Mess || Just Us Four || Katarina’s Paperie || Kiki and Company || Laura Kelly’s INKlings || Let’s Eat Grandpa || Let’s Go Junking || Liz on Call || Love The Day || Made by a Princess || Made From Pinterest || Made to be a Momma || Major Hoff Takes A Wife || Make Life Lovely || My Craftily Ever After || My Daylights Blog || My Insanity || Nature’s Knockout || Not Just A Mommy || One Creative Mommy || Organize & Decorate Everything || Our Thrifty Ideas || Paleo Priests || Persia Lou || Pink Cake Plate || PinkWhen || Play. Party. Pin. || Practical Parenting || Reclaim Yourself Retreat || See Vanessa Craft || She’s Crafty || Simple Sojourns || Simply Designing || Soiree Event Design || Sowdering About || Splendid Design || Stuffed Suitcase || Super Simple with Terri O || Suzys Sitcom || Sweet and Simple Magazine || Swish Printables || Sypsie Designs || That’s What Che Said || The Benson Street || The Cards We Drew || The Gunny Sack || The Happy Scraps || The Life of Jennifer Dawn || The Scrap Shoppe || The Things I Love Most || Tikkido || Two Thirty~Five Designs || Wait ‘Til Your Father Gets Home || Walnut Hollow Blog

Happy Crafting,

Laura

Over 110 fabulous Halloween Ideas shared by bloggers. #halloweenideas #halloween

 

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Personalized Family Magnets

Holly here from Ribbons & Glue sharing with you a lil’ sneak  of Laura Kelly‘s  Me and My Peeps, Personalized Family Magnets made from Expressionery  Stationary and Buttons Galore buttons.

Peep Mom BGM

Personalized Family Magnets

 

Head over to my  Blog to see the full tutorial on how I made these Personalized Family Magnets and enter into the Rafflecopter for a chance to win a $200 Expressionery Gift Set.  

                                                                      Stay connected with Expressionary.com

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Fathers Day with Buttons and Glue

Create dear old DADDY an adorable card or even gift wrap to celebrate his special day. This Father’s Day, get out your buttons and glue and make him a card he will want to keep forever.

BGM Fathers Day Card

To make this, you will need a few things:

Download the free printable of the ‘Me and My Peeps’ Daddy or draw your own then color it to match your daddy’s skin tone and hair color.

Dad Color

Use Aleene’s Tacky Glue to add buttons to the daddy shirt.  The cut it out and add it to a card.

Dad Card Buttons Aleenes

Write a message inside and you are all done!

Dad Card Buttons

For another great  buttons and glue Daddy Card, visit my blog!

DAD Wrap Buttons

Happy Glueing and Celebrating Daddies, Step Daddies, Grand Daddies and Special Men,

Laura

 

 

 

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Doodle Button Easter Eggs – Fifteen MINUTE Friday

These little  Doodle Button Easter Egg are quick and fun to create.  You can use them to decorate cards, place cards, wreaths and so many other fun holiday things.  You will only need a few materials…Laura Kelly Buttons, Paper, Embroidery Floss and Aleene’s Tacky Tape Runner Adhesive.

SharpieDoodleEgg

The first step is to doodle your eggs and cut them out, mount them on decorative paper and then cut again.

EggSharpieDoodles

Next, tie embroidery floss through buttons to create little color stacks.

DoodleEggButtons

Add the color stacks to your eggs with a strong adhesive.  I used hot glue.

DoodleEggHotGlue

Then add them to card to create a fun way to send a holiday message!  Ta Da.  That is it.  You can do this in fifteen minutes and create some Easter fun.

Happy Creating,

Laura

 

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Altered Tea Box

Warm up someone specials day with this Altered Tea Box.

It’s something that many of you out there may see everyday, a simple tea box filled with that glorious beverage that soothes as you drink it. Why not take this simple drinkable pleasure and make it into a pretty and inexpensive gift to brighten someone’s day.

Altered Tea Box

I covered this Altered Tea Box with patterned papers and embellishments by JilliBean Soup, Cold Avocado Soup Collection.

The beautiful gold button is from the Vintage Gold Button pack by Buttons Galore & More.

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Covering the Altered Tea Box was fairly simple, just use a ruler to measure all dimensions and cut accordingly.

Altered Tea Box Project Recipe:

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An Altered Tea Box would make a brilliant gift for so many occasions. Get Well, Just to Brighten Your Day, Missing You, Mother’s/Father’s Day, House Warming, or a Hostess Gift.

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Thank you so very much for stopping by and checking out my Altered Tea Box, check out some more great gift ideas while you’re here.

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Button Ladybug Valentine

Holly here from Ribbons & Glue sharing with you a 3D Button Ladybug Valentine that is sure to make the “Love Bug” come out of you.

Button Ladybug Valentine

I’ve has this wood ladybug for a while now and always thought it would look really cute with Buttons Galore black  Haberdashery Buttons on it.  I finally busted her out of hiding and did just that.

How to make a Button Ladybug Valentine:

Wood Ladybug dyed with RIt Dye

I dyed the Ladybug Cherry Red using Rit Dye.

DecoArt painted Ladybug

Then, painted the body of the ladybug with  DecoArt Glamour Dust paint

Ladybug with black buttons

and adhered black Haberdashery Buttons from Buttons Galore.

button ladybug

I hot glued the pretty lil’ Lady on a wood block to make it into a 3D Valentine and added a few embellishments from the Pebbles Inc Yours Truly collection.

Supplies Used to make a Button Ladybug Valentine:

For more Valentine’s Day inspiration check out my blog Ribbons & Glue.

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“Hello” Scrapbook Layout

This adorable photo was the inspiration for this “Hello” Scrapbook Layout.

When I sit down to craft, I let the subject be my inspiration. Who wouldn’t want to showcase this handsome little fellow on a Scrapbook Layout. Once I have chosen a photo, then I choose the papers and embellishments accordingly. Some find it a little harder to embellish a little boy or more masculine page, buttons are where I ALWAYS turn. They add texture and dimension without being feminine or too distracting.

Hello Scrapbook Layout

The patterned papers and embellishments are from JilliBean Soup were the perfect match for the photo on this project. The blue buttons from the Nautical button value pack and the bling from Want2Scrap finished it up nicely.

Hello Scrapbook Layout Close Up

Scrapbook Layout Project Recipe:

Hello Scrapbook Layout

Thank you so much for stopping by to check out my “Hello” Scrapbook Layout. Take a peek at some more of our crafty inspiration while you’re here!

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Mason Jar Valentines

Give the gift of handmade Valentines this year with these super simple mason jar Valentines.  The perfect way to bottle up your heart and give it to someone you love.  Grab a few supplies and your buttons from Buttons Galore and More to get started.

Fun mason jar valentines to make for someone you love!

Mason Jar Valentines Supplies:

Fun mason jar valentines to make for someone you love!

Paint both sides of the mason jar chipboard embellishment with the white paint.  It will take 2 – 3 light coats of paint to completely cover the embellishment.

Fun mason jar valentines to make for someone you love!

Allow your mason jar to dry completely.  Then wrap the top with baker’s twine.  Tie and leave your ends loose as shown below for now.

Fun mason jar valentines to make for someone you love!

Play with your buttons until you get a heart like shape.  Hot glue the first layer of buttons to your mason jar.

Fun mason jar valentines to make for someone you love!

Add a second layer of buttons with hot glue.  Write a sentiment on your tag and punch a hole.  Tie your tag to the mason jar.  Tie the baker’s twine in a bow and trim any excess.  Apply a rhinestone to the center of the bow again using hot glue.

Fun mason jar valentines to make for someone you love!

Slip your mason jar Valentines inside an envelope for delivery to that special someone.  Who will you give your heart to this Valentine’s Day?

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Winter Button Layout

A Winter Button Layout to get your crafty juices flowing for 2014.

Now that the hustle and bustle of the holiday season has gone for another year, it might be time to get a start on scrapbooking your holiday photos. My photo was the inspiration for this layout. Taken during our 2013 Christmas break while visiting family in PEI. A winter wonderland this time of year, begging for lots of cozy, bundled up photos to be taken. That is what inspired this Winter Button Layout.

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I used a variety of sizes of white and blue buttons that coordinated with this winter collection of papers by SEI.

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I created a look of strung buttons for my border on the Winter Button Layout. I attached a piece of embroidery floss the full length of the layout. Then added the separate pieces all the way down. Each piece is a little different consisting of buttons, flowers, chipboard snowflakes and clear plastic snowflakes. I tied floss through some of the buttons.

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The title is created using Thickers stickers and a coordinating die cut from SEI. The buttons become the perfect accent for the title of this Winter Button Layout.

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For the largest snowflake, I layered 2 buttons on top of the chipboard snowflake. Tied together with white embroidery floss from Plaid.

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Thank you so much for stopping by to check out my Winter Button Layout. I hope that your 2014 is a crafty one!

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BeBunni Blue Birthday Card

Hello. Allie here with a BeBunni Blue Birthday card. Some of Button Galore’s shaped buttons are just perfect for card making, and the colored ones make perfect accents too.


Bebunni Blue Birthday buttons and flowers
Bebunni Blue Birthday

Bebunni Blue Birthday front

Buttons Galore Supplies Used for Blue Birthday Card

The cute package shaped button comes from our Wedding Collection. The shiny silver buttons are from this Black and Silver set.

Additional Supplies

Patterned Paper, Cardstock, Stamps (BeBunni – Crafter’s Companion), Spectrum Noir Markers, Glitter, Adhesive

Thanks for dropping by today. See more of my cards and projects here at Buttons Galore.
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Button Christmas Card

Holly here from Ribbons & Glue sharing a Button Christmas Card with you today to show you how easy it is to embellish your Christmas cards this year with Buttons Galore buttons.

Mistletoe Card

To make this Button Christmas Card,  I used a Pebbles in My Pocket Mistletoe cut file, Pearl Buttons for berries and gorgeous May Arts Ribbons.

button card2

It really is easy to a add dimension on to your cards with simple buttons.

Supplies Used to Make Button Christmas Card:

  • Buttons Galore Pearl Buttons
  • Kraft Paper
  • Pebbles From Me to You
  • May Arts Stitched Ribbon
  • May Arts Ribbon Pom Poms
  • Mistletoe Stamp
  • White Gel Pen
  • Memento Ink

For more Christmas Inspiration, check out  my blog Ribbons & Glue.

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Simple Christmas Cards with Buttons

Do you need some Quick and Simple Christmas Cards to finish your Holiday To Do List? Well as luck has it, I am sharing some Quick and Simple Christmas Cards with Buttons.
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These first few Simple Christmas Cards were created with a very simple concept. My thumbprint using brown ink. I then added some simple doodles to create them into cute little reindeer. Once I added a single button for the nose, it was complete.

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The images on these Simple Christmas Cards could also easily be Christmas Tags for someone special.

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If you thought the little reindeer was cute, how about this sweet little bear? I added a plain cream button for his little bear belly. My sentiments are handwritten. “Wishing You a Beary Merry Christmas”

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Project Materials for Simple Christmas Cards with Buttons:

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This final card of my Simple Cards started with a doodle of a car. I just added buttons for tires, and one of the tree shaped buttons from the Noel Button Mix on the top.

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Thank you so very much for stopping by, and all the best in your Holiday crafting!

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Buttons Clay Scrapbook page idea

Buttons Clay Paper?

Who says you can’t use Buttons and Clay on a scrapbook layout?  I was up for the challenge and decided to create this holiday themed layout that features buttons and clay as embellishments.

I have LOVED creating with Sculpey clay the last few weeks, and creating this Buttons and Clay embellishment for this layout was fun and easy. My embellishments were created by hand and the use of my Sculpey Essential Tool Kit.


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I created the “F” and the holly leaves and baked the Sculpey clay as per the instructions. I added the buttons once cooled with some Mini Glue Dots. I did the same with the holly and scrolls. The buttons were all from a nice red mix from Buttons Galore.

scrapbook page ideas with buttons

Button Clay Paper Project Recipe:

sweet, simple embellishments using buttons and clay. DIY embellishments with red buttons.

Thanks for stopping by to check out this Buttons and Clay Layout and I hope you have a Happy Crafty Holiday Season!

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Buttoned Up Gift Box

Create a Buttoned Up Gift Box with paper, ribbon and buttons. A gift is much more special when presented in a handmade Gift Box.
Buttoned Up Gift Bag

 

Supplies for Buttoned Up Gift Box:

  • Buttons – Teal Ice
  • Cardstock – Discount Cardstock
  • Template – Lori Whitlock
  • Ribbon – American Crafts
  • Snowflakes – Silhouette
  • Glitz Gel – Close To My Heart
  • Twine – Doodlebug Design

Instructions for gift box:

  1. Cut pieces and assemble box.
  2. Accent box with Glitz Gel.
  3. Cut several snowflakes and fold in half. Use three snowflakes for each embellishment and adhere the halves together to create dimension. Accent with Glitz Gel.
  4. Create a small bow and attach button with twine. Adhere to box.
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Winter Card Boy

This is a fun Winter Card for a Boy.

Little girls are easy to make cards for, as anything goes – pink, flowers, sparkles … but boys are a little more picky. Spray and an inky grunge stamp add to the details that make this card perfect for a boy.

Winter Card for a Boy

 

Decorative papers with gears, camouflage and other gender neutral shapes also help make this card for boys.

 

Supplies for Winter Card Boy

  • Buttons Galore – Cookies & Cream
  • Cardstock
  • Ink
  • Spray
  • Twine
  • Punch
  • Mitton Die Cuts

Directions

  1. Spritz cardstock.
  2. Stamp splotches in a complementary ink.
  3. Ink edges of cardstock.
  4. Punch pennants and adhere to mat.
  5. Wrap twine and tie button.
  6. Cut mittens, apply ink and add to card.
  7. Attach mat to orange card base.
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Snowman handmade gift packaging -Anna Wight

handmade, rubber stamped
Handmade gift packaging created with with love from you.  Let your friends and family know how much you care by creating unique packaging.  Our guest designer Anna Wight was inspired to create a charming, little bit country, holiday gift tag.snowflake, snowman button

Materials to make handmade gift packaging:

  • Buttons: Snowflake Charm and Red Haberdashery 
  • Stamp: High Hopes Rubber Stamps
  • Ink: Memento Black, Ranger Distress Antique Linen
  • Paper: Neenah, Paper Accents
  • Other: ShinHan Touch Twin markers, Creative Impressions felt leaves, Studio G glitter glue, Spellbinders Circle Dies, PTI tag die, The Ribbon Boutique red gingham ribbon, Creative Impressions natural twine, FloraCraft Spray Glitter, string
Snowman snowflake card
Anna Wight

A little bit about Anna-

I was born and raised in northeastern Washington where my family still lives. Growing up I had a love for horses, nature, and anything artsy … especially coloring! I can remember being a very young girl lying on the living room floor at my Grandma’s house (that horrible bumpy brown carpet numbing my elbows) coloring with my Mom. We were always doing something crafty as a family. We’d make Christmas ornaments, plastic sun catchers, paint-by-number masterpieces, design and build birdhouses, etc. It didn’t matter what we did, as long as it was crafty! After high school I completed a Bachelors degree in Art at an Oregon university. I now live in Texas with my fiance on a small farm, and a whole lotta animals.We hope you enjoyed the handmade gift packaging created by Anna.  Please stop by the website and check out the new buttons.
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Simple Thanksgiving Centerpiece

A simple  Thanksgiving Centerpiece  – I made up in about 15 minutes using  Buttons Galore Carved Wood Buttons and supplies I already had stashed.  It seriously does pay off to hoard craft supplies.

This centerpiece happens to coordinate nicely with my Thanksgiving Dessert Table Decor that was featured on the  Buttons Galore Blog recently too.

 

BGMturkeycenterpiece

 

If I need to make up some quick and simple centerpieces, I always turn to making rosettes or finding something fun that can be stuck on a stick.

 

BGMturkeycenterpiece2

 

For this simple Thanksgiving Centerpiece, I added pines cones to a dollar store vase,  made a 3″ rosette, added a BGM Carved Wood Button to the center then used my Silhouette to cut out a  Turkey cut file.

If you don’t have access to die cutting machine,  you could easily add more Fall rosettes in various sizes to your centerpiece along with Fall leaves or any other festive decor you like.

 

BGMturkeycentepiece3

 

Everything just looks better on a stick right, right?  Plus, Buttons Galore Carved Wood Buttons ties the Fall decor  together  nicely.

 

Supplies Used to Make a Simple Thanksgiving Centerpiece:

For more Fall inspiration head over to my blog Ribbons & Glue.

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1

Thanksgiving Place Cards

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  Not only is the ultimate holiday for foodies, but it’s also a time to gather with loved ones and enjoy each other’s company without the distraction of gift giving.  I host 12-14 people at my house every year.  I love preparing the meal, but I also love coming up with a great table setting.  The easiest way to set a table is to come up with a theme and then build on it.  This year, I’m thinking Feathers and Buttons just might be my theme for 2013.  Here are two Thanksgiving place card ideas for your table.

Nature Specimen Place Card

Feathers and Buttons Place Card

This place card idea reminds me of childhood trips to the Natural History Museum.  I loved to peer into the glass cases and see the natural collections.  These simple place cards bring back those special memories of learning about nature.

Supplies:

Instructions:

  1. Glue buttons and natural items onto the tag.
  2. Using a gold leaf pen, write your guest’s name onto the tag.

Stamped Feather Place Card

Stamped Feather and Button Placecard

Supplies:

Instructions:

  1. Stamp an image of feather onto cardstock.
  2. Run twine through buttons holes and tie the ends.
  3. Glue the button onto the paper feather.
  4. Write guest’s name on feather.
  5. Lay on top of place setting.

Thanks for joining me today.  If you would like to get a free printable, Thanksgiving planner, come and visit me on my blog, Laura Bray Designs.

Business Card Logo in Black copy

 

 

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Moustache Card

Me with a stash button mustacheMoustache for men birthday card and fun photo prop

Today’s Fifteen MINUTE Friday, Moustache for men birthday card and fun photo prop is extra special.    Woo Hoo!!!  I created a project that can be completed in 15 minutes (or less) that can be used in many way.  I think you will love this one.  I do!

In honor of Movember, I thought I would whip-up a really quick moustache card.  Moustaches are still all the rage and I don’t see the trend ending anytime soon.

Movember Moustache Card with buttons

It’s super easy to make this cute card!

Supplies:

Instructions:

1. Print out a moustache shape onto cardstock.

Step One Print out a mustache

2. Glue buttons onto the shape.

Glue buttons on mustache

3. Create a “Happy Birthday” sentiment with your printer or stamps.

Moustache Card

Another option is to cut out your buttoned moustache, glue it to the end of a wooden dowel and support a ‘stache.  Totally up to you though!

Come and visit me on my blog at Laura Bray Designs .  You will find tons of fun craft projects and some delicious recipes too!

Logo copy

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Thanksgiving Dessert Table Decor

Holly here from Ribbons & Glue sharing a simple  Thanksgiving Dessert Table Decor using  Tiny Buttons from Buttons Galore that’ll add some glitz and sophistication to your Holiday table this year.

button thanks banner

Thanksgiving Dessert Table Decor

When I think of Holiday gatherings, the first thing  I think of is food and of course the yummy, rich desserts are the most important part.  Show off those yummy desserts you’ve slaved over by creating this simple dessert table decor.

Supplies used to make Thanksgiving Dessert Table Decor:

BGMproducts

How to make Thanksgiving Dessert Table Decor:

 

decoartpaint

  • Paint chipboard banner with DecoArt  Metallics Paint.  Let Dry.

BGMtinybuttons

 

BGMtbuttonbanner3

 

  • String banner with raffia and add your favorite dessert.

 

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 For more Fall inspired crafts, visit my blog  www.ribbonsandglue.com

 

 

2

Autumn Button Border Layout

This Autumn Button Border Layout shows so vibrantly exactly why I love the season….the stunning colors! I knew from the start of this creation that I wanted the embellishment focal point to be the Autumn Button Border.

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Here is what you will need to create this Autumn Button Border layout.

Project Recipe:

  • DoodleBug Designs- Happy Harvest Collection

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I wanted a true mixture of all of the rich colors of this paper collection, when creating this Autumn Button Border. I think the combination of the buttons and the coordinating embellishments from the paper collection were a perfect match.

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Thank you so much for stopping by. If you would like to check out more of my button and paper crafting creations, please check out my blog Scrappy Chick Designs.

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Fall Button Serving Tray

My fall button serving tray is one of my favorite buttons projects I have ever made.  Plus it is easy to make which is a win win right?  Grab your buttons and a thrift store tray to get started making your own version.  Don’t need a serving tray for fall?  Maybe use this same idea with a button ornament in the center for Christmas?  Or a heart in the center for Valentine’s Day?  I can think of all sorts of different tray designs for all seasons of the year.

Fall Button Serving Tray -- an idea to spruce up a plain thrift store serving tray for all of your fall parties.

I started with a tray from the thrift store for 99 cents and a bottle of Americana gloss enamels in Antique Gold.

Fall Button Serving Tray -- an idea to spruce up a plain thrift store serving tray for all of your fall parties.

I painted my entire tray with 2 coats of the paint then grabbed some fall themed buttons from Buttons Galore and More.

Fall Button Serving Tray -- an idea to spruce up a plain thrift store serving tray for all of your fall parties.

I laid the buttons out on my tray until I was happy with the arrangement.  I then used my 3 in 1 Beacon adhesive to glue them directly to the tray.

Fall Button Serving Tray -- an idea to spruce up a plain thrift store serving tray for all of your fall parties.

Once the glue was completely dry, I mixed a two coat epoxy to make my tray nice and smooth.  Don’t be afraid of epoxy!  Just mix and pour according to the package directions.  I spent quite a bit of time using a flame to pop bubbles that come up from the epoxy itself and the buttons.  Yes my finished project still has a few bubbles but overall it looks amazing.  The buttons seem to create more bubbles than is normal with an epoxy project.

Fall Button Serving Tray -- an idea to spruce up a plain thrift store serving tray for all of your fall parties.

Allow your epoxy to dry for a nice long time before you touch it (don’t be tempted to touch!!).  You will be left with a glossy flat serving tray with buttons in it!  Now some of my buttons stick up just slightly out of the epoxy (there is a slight hump in the epoxy).  This can easily be fixed with a second epoxy pour however the bumps do not really bother me for my needs so I am leaving them.  You could also be extra careful when choosing buttons for your design and choose only the flattest buttons to include.

Fall Button Serving Tray -- an idea to spruce up a plain thrift store serving tray for all of your fall parties.

Just so you can see my entire button fall scene here is a picture of the entire tray.

Fall Button Serving Tray -- an idea to spruce up a plain thrift store serving tray for all of your fall parties.

It is so darn cute I could eat it up.  Speaking of eat it up, use your fall tray to serve snacks to the kids or for a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving and fall themed parties.  Want more buttons on your Thanksgiving table?  Be sure to check out my rustic burlap napkin rings as well.

Fall Button Serving Tray -- an idea to spruce up a plain thrift store serving tray for all of your fall parties.

Will you be adding buttons to a tray anytime soon?  Don’t let that epoxy pour scare ya!  My fall button serving tray will make an appearance at our Thanksgiving meal and many snacks in the meantime.

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thankful Cards

Wishing you a day stuffed with reasons to be Thankful … with this set of Thankful Cards.  Create clean and simple Thank you cards with a stamped sentiment, two colors of card stock and the lovely leaf buttons from the Autumn Value pack. Adhere everything together with Mini Glued dots and you have a wonderful set of thankful cards to use this holiday season.

thanksgiving paper crafts, thankful cards, cards with buttons, a jillian vance design

Supplies for Thankful Cards:

autumn buttons

Autumn Value Pack

  • Buttons – Autumn Collection
  • Adhesive –  Mini Glue Dots
  • Ink – Rich Cocoa – Tsukineko
  • Cardstock – DiscountCardstock.com
  • Stamp – Jillian Vance Design

 

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Movember Mustache Craft for guys

mustache notebook craft idea movember

Movember is here again,  and it is a great  time to make crafts for guys.  Former Designer for Buttons Galore and More designer friend Jen Goode of  http://www.100directions.com designed a mustache stamp wheel from Clearsnap so you can get your mustache creativity going all over the place. AND, she has  asked a group of designers to create whatever they’d like to make, showcasing this fun craft tool and her stamp.  One of my favorite things to do with the rollagraph is to make my own pattern paper.  I used a piece of kraft card stock to make the cover or this journal.  My son is in 5th grade and they have to keep a reading journal.  I thought this would be perfect for him.  Man was I right.  He took it to school last week and I have a request for 4 more.

Materials to make Movember mustache craft:

 

Movember mustache craft idea supplies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I used the Sharpie markers to make my own name plate, The thin Glue dots to adhere the buttons, and the name plate.  The rollagraph to create the pattern paper for the cover and scissors to trim the edges.  You can use a craft knife too.

Mustache craft with name plate

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Thanks a Bunch Card

Tis the season to say Thanks a Bunch … so glad you’re here today.

handmade card, fall thank you card, thanks a bunch card

Supplies for Thanks a Bunch Card:

autumn buttons

Autumn Value Pack

Create simple and elegant cards with card stock and button embellishments.  Buttons Galore and more carries novelty buttons in almost any theme imaginable.  Many buttons are available in both small variety packs and in large bulk packaging.  Adhesives are also carried in the store.

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Acorn Place Cards

Wishing you a day stuffed with reasons to be Thankful … with this set of Thankful Cards.

Acorn Place Markers, Fall Paper Crafts

Supplies for Acorn Place Cards:

autumn buttons

Autumn Value Pack

  • Buttons – Autumn Collection
  • Adhesive –  Mini Glue Dots
  • Ink – Peanut Brittle – Tsukineko
  • Cardstock – DiscountCardstock.com
  • Ribbon – May Arts
  • Stamps – A Jillian Vance Design
  • Tag Die – Lifestyle Crafts, Acorn – Silhouette – Allie Gower “Acorn Set”

 

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Beautiful Button Butterfly

This Beautiful Button Butterfly is the perfect accent on this sweet and whimsical scrapbook layout.

When I create a scrapbook layout I always try and keep the photo as the main focus of the page. This stays true when I choose embellishments. The buttons that I chose for the Button Butterfly were shades of colors already in the layout. That way they do not stand out or take away from the photos that I was showcasing. The Button Butterfly is then a true accent.

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The buttons that I used for the Button Butterfly layout all came from a Spring Mix by Buttons Galore & More.

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Beautiful Button Butterfly Materials:

The punches that I used are all by EK Success:

  • 2″ Scallop Circle
  • 1.5″ Scallop Circle
  • Oval
  • Scallop Oval
  • 1″ Circle
  • 2″ Heart

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Thank you so much for stopping by and a hope a sweet little Button Butterfly makes it to a layout of yours very soon.

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Hello Button Birdie

Who wouldn’t love to receive a sweet little Button Birdie note card in the mail like this one? In this post you will learn just how simple it is to create this little Button Birdie.

One of the best things about this card is, that you probably have everything you need to create the Button Birdie in your paper crafting stash. So gather some patterned scraps of your choice and some coordinating cardstock and don’t forget your button collection.

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From your bag, can, jar or jug of buttons you will need one very large button and one very small button. The large will act as the Button Birdie’s body and the very small button will be the Button Birdie’s eye.

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This is the simple backdrop I create for the Button Birdie. A neutral background and a nice little hillside for him to sit.

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I then hand cut the Button Birdie accents from patterned paper. You will need a beak, a tail and a wing. I also added a sweet little cloud and the sun using a 1″ circle punch. I used a black fine tipped pen to add the Button Birdie’s legs and to accent the sun.

Products Used:

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Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope that a sweet little Button Birdie will make it’s way to a loved one of yours some day soon.

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Spooky Halloween Card

I like Halloween, but I’m not super into the really frightful stuff, I’m more into delightful – so this is about as creepy as I get with this Spooky Halloween Card!

I’ve stamped my batty background and the Happy Halloween sentiment using Happy {OWL}oween Stamps from A Jillian Vance Design. I inked my stamp with a Tombow Marker in sort of an Olive Green, which went well with the Kraft Cardstock. I colored each bat with a few shades of Copic Gray Markers – T1, T4 and W3.

I cut my Ghost and lightly sponged Toffee Crunch Memento ink around the edges, leaving the parts that overlap plain.

The focal word on my Spooky Halloween Card was created using Lavanderia Script from from LOST TYPE. I have a tutorial on my blog if you have a Silhouette and haven’t made fun focal words like this. “Make Pretty Words on the Silhouette” – it’s easier than you think! Once the word was cut out, I lightly inked it with Cloud White VersaMagic Ink.

To bring a little attention to the gorgeous Tangerine Button, I tied some waxed linen thread through it. This thread is thick but not super bulky, and it holds its shape perfectly!

halloween card, card making, fall crafts

Tangerine Tango Buttons are perfect for Halloween. You get about 125 buttons in a reusable Pillow Box, and it’s such a fun assortment. They stay down well with Ultra Thin Glue Dots, also available from Buttons Galore & More.

tangerine button, waxed linen, card making

I save a lot of money using Craft Glue to adhere all my paper. I find for the detailed titles, that painting the adhesive with a foam brush or a foam applicator works really well. It dries clear, without leaving a shiny finish, just in case I get a little sloppy.

Supplies for Spooky Halloween Card

  • ButtonTangerine Tango Assortment – Buttons Galore and More
  • Cardstock – DiscountCardstock.com
  • Stamps – A Jillian Vance Design
  • Ink – Tombow Markers; Cloud White VersaMagic Ink, Toffee Crunch Memento (Imagine Crafts)
  • Spooky – created using the Lavanderia Script font ( for a tutorial on creating your own cuttable words – please see my tutorial “Make Pretty Words on the Silhouette
  • Ghost – Silhouette Online Store
  • OtherSilhouette Cameo, Silhouette Designer Software, Waxed Linen – Beadniks

 

 

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Decorative Photo Tray

This Decorative Photo Tray has had a bit of a transformation from it’s original state.

I started with a plain pine serving tray from Walnut Hollow. I knew from the time I got the serving tray, that I was not going to be using it to serve anything. I wanted to decorate it more like a shadow box frame to showcase a very special photo.

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I started by painting the pine serving tray with a white acrylic paint. I chose not to seal mine, but if you think your tray may get a little wear and tear, then perhaps a coat of matte finish Modge Podge would do the trick.

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I used a regular metal clip that I picked up at my local stationary store to actually hold the photo within my Decorative Photo Tray.

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All of the patterned papers and coordinating embellishments are from the Teresa Collins, Memorabilia Collection.In order to adhere the papers to the wood, you will want to make sure that you use an adhesive that will withstand some wear and tear. I used Mini Glue Dots to attach all of those black and grey buttons to the Decorative Photo Tray.

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Thank you so much for stopping by and I I would love to see you crete some spectacular photo displays like this Decorative Photo Tray.

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Spooky Button Eye Treat Bags


Lots Trick-or-Treaters will visit our house during Halloween and I like to give special treats to a few of my kids friends that come by.   Something special and fun like these Spooky Button Eye Treat Bags.

Kids could easily make these spooky treat bags for there friends too.

 

BGM ghost bags

How to make Spooky Button Eye Treat Bags

 

BGM ghost tutorial

  • Use DecoArt  paint and a dry brush technique to paint  the front of your bag.

BGM ghost tutorial 2

  • Adhere Haberdashery Buttons using Mini Glue Dots.
  • Adhere Googly Eyes to center of black button.
  • Use a Sharpie to make a funny face.
  • Fill with yummy treats
  • Fold top of bag over, adhere a piece of  Halloween Washi tape to keep bag closed.

 

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Supplies Used to make Spooky Button Eye Treat Bags:

 

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Fall Thank You Card

I have had a lot of fun playing with my Silhouette, and I came up with this fun design for a Fall Thank You Card.

Fall Thank You Card #buttonsgalore #silhouette

 

 

Fall is a wonderful time of the year to remember to say thank you.  I’m surprised at the number of people I know that enjoy making cards, but don’t send them to anyone. I challenge you to send a thank you card to someone this week. It feels good to be appreciated. Thank a mail man, a coach, the girl that bags your groceries, someone at church, anyone!

Don’t let me forget to thank you, for stopping by, and for being a part of my journey.

thank you words

“Hem your blessings with thankfulness, so they don’t unravel.”

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Supplies to create Fall Thank You Card

rustic coconut shell buttons, buttons galore and more

Rustic Coconut Shell Buttons

One large Rustic Coconut Shell Button
Baby Bling – Want2Scrap
Patterned Paper – Doodlebug Design; Cardstock – DiscountCardstock.com
Twine – My Mind’s Eye
Adhesive – Tacky Glue, Ultra Thin Glue Dot

Other – Silhouette Cameo, Design Studio Software, Font – PtSans

If you would like the file to cut your own card, please contact me through the contact form on my blog at My Card Party. Sorry, but this file is ONLY for the Silhouette.

Thanks again for joining me today,

Allie

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Buttons and Brads Layout

It’s hard to pinpoint where my inspiration for this sweet and pretty Buttons and Brads layout started. It could have been the sweet smile from my niece in the photo. It could have been the bubbles and Rit Dyes background that I created. It could have been how well the patterned papers and the Buttons and Brads coordinated together. Either way this Buttons and Brads layout is just too cute!

In this post I will give you some tips and tricks on how to create one for yourself.

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I started with a plain piece of white cardstock. I actually had 4 sheets of white cardstock out on my back deck. I added liquid dyes by Rit to regular bubbles. It’s trial and error to find the perfect mixture. Too little and the color won’t be dark enough. Too much and the bubbles will no longer form correctly.

Then I just blew bubbles and tried my best to have them land on the white cardstock I had spread out. When they land and burst, they created a really great splatter design.

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I had chosen dye colors to match the patterns I wanted to use. The patterns were chosen for how well they coordinated with the photo that I wanted to use.

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Here is what I used to create the Buttons and Brads layout:

  • Simple Stories Patterned Papers
  • 1″, 1&3/4″, and 3″ Circle Punch by EK Success
  • Rit Liquid Dyes and bubbles
  • Silver Brads
  • Amy Tangerine Teal Letter Stickers
  • Pearl Embellishments

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I simply added the pearls, Buttons and Brads around the large circles.

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Thank you for stopping by and I hope you’ve been inspired to get out some Buttons and Brads and get crafty.
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BIG HALLOWEEN EMBELLISHMENT SALE!!!
 

 

 

FREE SHIPPING TO USA!!! ( On Orders Over $30 )

 

BRAND NEW 3D HALLOWEEN BUTTONS

 

This button line is HOT!!!. Add a special touch to your Halloween cards, crafts, decorations or clothing by simply embellishing with these unique 3D Halloween buttons. Best of all, you can save 20% for a very limited time. EnterCode 20HAL. Offer ends October 11, 2013.

 www.buttonsgaloreandmore.com

 

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Missing You Card

Summer is full of friends and fun, and I already miss mine, so I made a clean and simple Missing You Card. I can’t believe that Fall is here, and I’m missing Summer well … like crazy!

Missing You Card

 

Supplies for Missing You Card:

Instructions:

  1. Cut a 4.25 x 11″ piece from Colonial White Cardstock and fold from top to bottom. Round bottom corners with Corner Rounder
  2. Stamp desired sentiment using Coffee House ink.
  3. Cut Leaning Sunflowers pieces in appropriate colors and assemble using Premium Craft Glue. Adhere to card base.
  4. Add buttons to the centers of each sunflower using Glue Dots.

 

 

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Button Bats

Bats are definitely not cute in my opinion but Button Bats are!  Especially when there made “spooky cute” using Buttons Galore Haberdashery Buttons.

button bats

 

These bats are simple to make and can be a fun addition to any Halloween decor.

 

how to make button bats

How to make button bats:

  1. Cut Bat using a template or cut file.
  2. Thread black and white twine through Haberdashery buttons.
  3. Adhere various buttons to center of bat using Ultra Thin Glue Dots.
  4.  Add faux stitching around bat using white gel pen.

 

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Supplies Used to Make Button Bats:

 

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A BOOtiful Halloween Banner

Do you have an upcoming Halloween Party that could use a BOOtiful Halloween Banner?

Or maybe you would just like to add some flair to your home for all those cute little Trick or Treaters. A Halloween Banner is easy to make and can make all the difference in your holiday decor. This BOOtiful Halloween Banner is created using paper crafting supplies that you probably already have.

I generally start with a solid base for my banners. This BOOtiful Halloween Banner has a chipboard base that is covered in white cardstock.

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Here is what I used to create this BOOtiful Halloween Banner:

 

When I create anything that may have some wear and tear. I make sure that I use the proper adhesives. For projects like this BOOtiful Halloween Banner, there is nothing better than Glue Dots to keep everything exactly where you want it.


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Thank you for stopping by and I hope your Halloween is filled with fun, candy and maybe even a BOOtiful Halloween Banner.

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Button Pumpkin

How about a Button Pumpkin for your door? This will be fun to do with the kids.

I used Hot Glue, but the kids could easily use a Craft Glue or Glue Dots.

Button Pumpkin

Supplies for Making Button Pumpkin:

Instructions:

  1. Cut paper pieces for pumpkin. Lightly trace center of pumpkin as a guideline. 
  2. Place buttons on bottom half – the outer edges, and glue into place. Add small buttons on top of other buttons for added interest and to hide some of the paper.
  3. Create the center panel. Adhere buttons. Attach to pumpkin using dimensional foam tape – you may need a few layers.
  4. Add stem and leaf. Draw “veins” on leaf and shade to add interest.

Project Note:

If you do use hot glue and you have a lot of strands of glue and messy areas, just hit them with a hair dryer or heat embossing tool – they’ll melt away – easy peasy. If you do not have an electronic cutter, print one offline onto cardstock or trace, or be brave and draw one by hand.

Enjoy. Happy Fall Y’all!

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Monster Mash Halloween Card

Paper crafting can be fun and easy with novelty buttons.  A few pieces of paper and a sentiment to convey your message, ribbon, a touch of buttons and VIOLA!  A quick, cute and simple card you made yourselfHalloween button card

Material for Monster Mash Halloween Card:

Stay tuned for the next card in this series.  It is equally as cute and just as simple as this one to make.  Check out the website for sales on the buttons.

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Rustic Pallet Wall Art

Completed project (873x1024)The Autumnal Equinox officially starts September 22nd, 2013. It’s time to start thinking of all of the decorative projects you will be making to usher in this transitional season. How about making some Rustic Pallet Wall Art?

Materials for Rustic Pallet Wall Art

Walnut Hollow’s 14″ x 12″ Rustic Pallet

DecoArt Americana Acrylics in Espresso and Buttermilk

Fabric Scraps, wool felt scraps

Buttons Galore and More Laura Kelly Hand Dyed Buttons

Rub on sentiment

Wax candle, sanding block, sewing machine and thread, hand sewing needle and thread, tacky glue

Taking notice of the recycled wood pallet craze, Walnut Hollow recently introduced their new line of rustic pallets. I have to honestly say that I am super excited about all the cool possibilities for this line. Walnut Hollow came up all kinds of fun ideas for this line. These products can be ordered directly from Walnut Hollow’s website. By the end of December, you will be able to purchase them in Joann’s Fabrics and Crafts and in AC Moore in January.

24" x 12" Pallet

24″ x 12″ Pallet

 

Rustic Arrow Pallet

Rustic Arrow Pallet

 

Paneled Wood Clock

Paneled Wood Clock

 

These are just a few examples of the yummy surfaces offered in this product line. For this Rustic Pallet Wall Art project, I used the 14″ x 11″ rustic pallet.

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First I used DecoArt’s Americana Acrylics in Espresso to paint the front this brown shade. I waxed the surface once the pallet was dry in random areas and painted the surface Buttermilk.

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Once I painted the entire surface of the pallet, I sanded the surface to reveal the distressed finish. Areas where the wax was applied will rub away easily resulting in a chippy looking finish. This technique also works well with Vaseline but the effect is a little more dramatic.

Fabric Scrap circles and buttons

One of my favorite things to do with my leftover fabric and felt scraps is to create different sized circles and fuse the fabric circles to the wool felt circles. I use my sewing machine to play with the various stitches by sewing around the edge of the fabric to hold it in place on the felt. A button, sewn  in the center makes the look complete. These are some of my favorite. I love the Laura Kelly Hand Dyed Buttons from Buttons Galore and More!

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Use tacky glue to adhere the circles to the rustic pallet. Arrange an outer circle first, leaving a gap at the bottom so you can paint on a simple tree truck with the espresso brown paint.

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I finished the rustic pallet wall art with a couple of rub on sentiments to celebrate Autumn. This is wall art that you can display from the end of September into Thanksgiving before the holiday decorations go up! If you are not a huge fan of inside seasonal décor, use colors to coordinate with your home décor and a general sentiment instead. Then you can display it all year long!

Completed project (873x1024)Happy Autumn (soon),

Live Life Creatively,

Melony

 

 

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Fall Bear Card

I have had such fun looking at Fall papers and designs, and fell in love with this Fall Bear and decided to paper piece with buttons to make a Fall Bear Card.

Fall Bear Card

 

 

Supplies for making Fall Bear card:

 Instructions:

  1. Prepare a card base – 4.25×5.5 from Green Cardstock.
  2. Create a panel with patterned paper from Doodlebug Design. Wrap Bo Bunny dotted ribbon around this panel and attach panel to card base.
  3. Cut and prepare pieces. Assemble and adhere to card.
  4. Add Apple from “Off to School” assortment, “Micro Buttons” for the Eyes and tie some twine through the  “Heart of Color” button for the Bow.

 

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ScrapFest – Welcome Baby Girl Purse Card

Allie Gower has created a Welcome Baby Girl Purse Card using the It’s a Girl Button Assortment, an Archiver’s Exclusive.

ScrapFest – Welcome Baby Girl Purse Card

Archivers Logo

Buttons Galore is heading to Archivers Mall of America for ScrapFest 2013.

Join us for fun make and takes each day of ScrapFest.

Use It's a Girl Buttons to create a Welcome Baby Girl Purse Card.

Supplies for  Welcome Baby Girl Purse Card

  • It’s a Girl Buttons, Archiver’s Exclusive
  • Fl0wer – K & Company
  • Cardstock – Bazzill
  • Patterned Paper – Doodlebug Design
  • Lori Whitlock’s Purse Card – Silhouette Online Store
  • Adhesive – Scott Craft Glue, Glue Dots

Instructions

  1. Die cut card parts from cardstock and Doodlebug Design Paper (Sugar & Spice) and assemble using Scott Craft Glue.
  2. Add K & Company Flower.
  3. Adhere It’s a Girl Buttons with Glue Dots.

Please note that all of these supplies used to make the ScrapFest projects are readily available in your local Archivers, and many of them are available in the Archiver’s Annex Online. Projects will be on display in the Archiver’s at the Mall of America.

See more of Allie’s work at her blog, My Card Party.

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ScrapFest Samples – Creating a fun Birthday Card

Allie Gower has created a fun and happy Birthday Card using the Birthday Button Assortment, an Archiver’s Exclusive.

ScrapFest – Birthday Card Sample

Archivers Logo

Buttons Galore is heading to Archivers Mall of America for ScrapFest 2013.

Join us for fun make and takes each day of ScrapFest.

Create a Birthday Card using the Birthday Button Assortment.

 Supplies for ScrapFest – Birthday Card

  • Birthday Assortment – an Archiver’s Exclusive
  • Cardstock – Bazzill
  • Embossing Folder – Cuttlebug
  • Embroidery Thread – We R Memory Keepers
  • Sketch SentimentsHippo – Silhouette Online Store
  • Tim Holtz Tumbled Glass Distress ink
  • Inkessentials Blending Foam Tool
  • Adhesive – iCraft Adhesive Tape, Scotch Dimensional Foam Adhesive, Scotch Craft Glue, Glue Dots

Directions for Creating Card

  1. Create a card base, 4.25×5.5.
  2. Cut a mat 4×5.25″ from light blue cardstock. Emboss using Cuttlebug Folder. Ink lightly using Tim Holtz Tumbled Glass Distress ink and an Inkessentials Blending Foam Tool. Adhere to card.
  3. Create Happy Birthday using Lori Whitlock 3D Sketch Sentiments. Simple replace your blade with a Blue Silhouette Pen. Adhere to card. Cut pennant and nested pennant. Ink nested pennant with Tim Holtz Tumbled Glass Distress ink. Adhere nested pennant to card with iCraft Adhesive Tape. Attach sentiment pennant with Scotch Dimensional Foam Tape.
  4. Cut Hippo. Assemble using Scotch Craft Glue and adhere to card.
  5. Create a slip knot using embroidery thread and attach to each of the balloons. Gather together with additional thread and tie a bow. To adhere to card, place a Glue Dot behind each balloon and the bow.

(Project Note – if you are using Glitter Pens, allow time for Sentiment to dry, as some smearing may occur if the ink is not dry.)

Please note that many of these supplies used to make the ScrapFest projects are readily available in your local Archivers, and many of them are available in the Archiver’s Annex Online.

Projects will be on display in the Archiver’s at the Mall of America.

See more of Allie’s work at her blog, My Card Party.

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ScrapFest – Boy Candy Bar Congratulations

Allie Gower has created a Boy Candy Bar Congratulations using the It’s a Boy Button Assortment, an Archiver’s Exclusive.

ScrapFest – Boy Candy Bar Congratulations Sample

Buttons Galore is heading to Archivers Mall of America for ScrapFest 2013.

Join us for fun make and takes each day of ScrapFest.

Candy Bar Wrapper, Paper Crafts, Baby Boy Congratulations

Supplies for Boy Candy Bar Congratulations

  • It’s a Boy Buttons, Archivers Exclusive
  • Paper – Doodlebug Design
  • 3 Sketch Sentiments – Pens, Lori Whitlock Sketch Font and Banners
  • Copic Markers
  • Adhesive – AdTech Hot Glue and Thermoweb iCraft Tape, Dimensional Foam Tape
  • Other – candy bar (candy bar used was a Heath Bar)

Instructions

  1. Cut patterned paper to fit around candy bar. Wrap candy bar in chosen Doodlebug Design patterned paper. Adhere with iCraft Tape.
  2. Die cut pennants and assemble, placing top layer on nested pennant with dimensional foam tape.
  3. Hot glue It’s a Boy Buttons.

Project Note – 3 Sketch Sentiments was edited to read CONGRATS. Bottom pennant was hand colored to match using Copic Markers.

Please note that all of these supplies used to make the ScrapFest projects are readily available in your local Archivers, and many of them are available in the Archiver’s Annex Online. Projects will be on display in the Archiver’s at the Mall of America.

See more of Allie’s work at her blog, My Card Party.

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ScrapFest Samples – Create a Disney Style Embellishment

Allie Gower has created a fun and happy Disney Style Embellishment using the Vacation Button Assortment, an Archiver’s Exclusive.

ScrapFest – Disney Style Embellishment Sample

Archivers Logo

Buttons Galore is heading to Archivers Mall of America for ScrapFest 2013.

Join us for fun make and takes each day of ScrapFest.

Create a Disney Style Embellishment for your Scrapbook page with Vacation Buttons.

Supplies for ScrapFest – Disney Style Embellishment

  • Vacation Assortment – Archiver’s Exclusive
  • Cardstock  – Archiver’s
  • Wish Ticket – Silhouette Online Store – adapted to include a mat and mouse ears
  • Adhesive – Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive

Directions for Creating Card

  1. Modify Wish Ticket and cut all appropriate pieces. Assemble.
  2. Add Vacation Assortment buttons.

Please note that all of these supplies used to make the ScrapFest projects are readily available in your local Archivers, and many of them are available in the Archiver’s Annex Online. Projects will be on display in the Archiver’s at the Mall of America.

See more of Allie’s work at her blog, My Card Party.

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Gift Packaging Idea

Completed Box 1 (1024x768)

 Are you looking for a creative gift packaging idea? A fantastic gift packaging idea can be very important because the recipient often judges the inside of the gift packaging but what he/she sees on the outside!

I love buttons. I love to create with them and I love to give a little of my excess stash away as gifts. I have used mason jars, baby food jars and other containers to give a gift of buttons. Searching for yet other ways for gift packaging ideas, I ran across this cute sliding drawer box from Sizzix. Used with their Little Sizzles Matboard, the die creates a sturdy little box to present a gift of buttons.

Materials for gift packaging idea:

Sizzix Sliding Candy Jar Gift Box

Sizzix BigShot Die Cutting Machine

Sizzix Little Sizzles Matboard

Sizzix Bigz Die Tattered Florals

Susiebee Studios Patterned Papers

DecoArt Americana Acrylics in Tuscan Red and Boysenberry Pink

Beacon Adhesives Fast Finish Decoupage and Premium Tacky Glue

Buttons Galore and More Assorted Buttons

Sizzix products (768x1024)

To create this gift packaging idea, I used my Sizzix BigShot die cut machine to cut the box pieces from the matboard. There are visual instructions included with the die but the box was very easy to construct.

die cut peices and instructions (1024x768)

The matboard is great because it accepts paint very well. I painted this box using DecoArt’s Americana Acrylics in Tuscan Red.

DecoArt Tuscan Red (1024x768)

cut papers susiebee studios (768x1024)

I also cut patterned papers from SusieBee Studios to fit the sides and top of the box.

decoupage box (1024x734)

Patterned papers can be decoupaged using Fast Finish decoupage from Beacon Adhesives. I used a foam brush for this step. I chose to paint a blank craft shape from Buttons Galore and More in DecoArt’s Boysenberry Pink.

stamp blank craft shape (1024x768)After I painted my blank craft shape, I sanded it to lightly distress and stamped buttons with Clearsnap’s Colorbox pigment ink.

felt flower die cut with button (1024x768)I topped off my die cut button box with a die cut felt flower with a button sewn in the center.

button feet (1024x768)Create these little cute button feet for your box by stacking buttons together starting with the largest on the bottom and working towards the top with the smaller buttons. Getting the button feet to be even can be tricky but well worth the effort!

completed box 3 (1024x768)Glue the button feet to the bottom corners of the box. Super cute gift packaging idea! Especially when filled with buttons.

completed box 4 (1024x768)

Hope this inspires you to create your own creative gift packaging version of this die cut button box.

Live Life Creatively,

Signature

 

 

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Dog Treat Jar

Your dog is an important part of your family so why not make a Dog Treat Jar?  If you’re a dog lover,  you’re gonna love the Buttons Galore  Dog Gone It buttons.

Dog Treat Jar

Ya know anything looks great in displayed in a Mason Jar.  Even plain ole’ Milk Bones.

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To embellish the jar lid, I adhered a piece of patterned paper on the lid then used Ultra Thin Glue Dots to adhere  various Buttons Galore Dog Gone It buttons.

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Buttons Galore makel  Blank Craft Shapes that are perfect to use if you want to customize a tag.

1. Choose a Blank Shape

2. Ink with color

3. Set the ink with a heat gun. 

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Taa Daa-There you have it, a cute Dog Treat Jar tag!

 

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My dog has no interest in eating plain Milk Bones.  She’s only interested in the  gravy covered Milk Bones like the  in the jar.  When I was done taking the photos of this project, I came back in the room a few hours later and noticed my dog bone props were missing off the table.    Hmmm…I wonder who might of snatched them??

Supplies Used for Dog Treat Jar:

 

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1

Pumpkin Spice Latte Card

I wanted a cute Pumpkin Spice Latte Card to go with a batch of syrup I was making for a friend. I’ve included links to the recipes for a Latte that tastes just like Starbuck’s, and a recipe on making the syrup yourself.

pumpkin spice latte

Here’s a close up on the details.

Pumpkin Spice Latte details

Recipe to Make the Latte. Recipe to Make the Syrup.

Supplies for Pumpkin Spice Latte Card

  • Buttons – Latte Mix, of course!
  • Cardstock – Close To My Heart
  • Inks – Peanut Brittle Memento and Copic Markers (for shading on cup, pumpkins and foliage)
  • Twine – the Twinery
  • Stamp and matching Charming Circle Die – A Jillian Vance Design
  • Adhesive – Mini Glue Dots
  • Other – Pumpkins and Coffee Cup are svgs from the Silhouette Online Store – both files were modified to create the card using Silhouette Designer Software

 

 

 

Thanks for dropping by. Happy Fall, Y’all. See more of my projects at My Card Party.

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Quilting Arts Bookmarks

Bookmarks up close (1024x768)

Quilting Arts Bookmarks – A recent post on Facebook asked “do you give teacher appreciation gifts for teachers at the beginning of the new school year?” While completing a quilted inspired pillow recently, it occurred to me that I could use the scraps to create a fun bookmark that any teacher would love and appreciate.

Quilted Arts Pillow 1 (2)

I am seriously loving the Dresden applique look that I am seeing on so many inspirational blogs and Pinterest.  Some inexpensive fabrics sold by the fat quarter caught my eye at Walmart the other day and I knew they would be perfect for this Dresden pillow project. I cut lots of Dresden shapes using a pattern and had several leftover.

Leftover Dresden shapes

How to make Quilting Arts Bookmarks:

So, what to do with these fused pieces of shaped fabric? Quilting Arts Bookmarks, that is what.  How about creating a row of houses on a burlap bookmark? (I had this out already too since I created the pillow back and front from burlap).

Cut house shapes from fabric

Trace a rectangular shape onto burlap using a cardstock rectangle pattern (mine were approximately 2 1/2″ x 9.” Leave some room on both the short and long edges for fraying. I used a permanent black marker to trace my shapes. You can also use a rotary cutter and self healing mat in lieu of the cardstock pattern if you wish.

Traced burlap (1024x746)

Cut the shapes out and zig zag stitch the edges approximately 1/4″ from edge to leave some room for fraying. once you fray the edges, the stitches will stop further fraying.

Sewn burlap edges

Now you can use your iron and pressing surface to fuse the house shapes to the burlap. Peel off the paper backing and fuse in place.

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Now its time to back to the sewing machine and free motion stitch the house details. Often, you will notice that artists who free motion stitch intricate details such as text, intricate shapes (think animals, arm-chairs,etc) will use a free motion foot. But I have discovered that you can stitch simple free motion shapes with your regular sewing foot. After you have stitched your details, its time to sew on your inkjet fabric sentiment.

Inkjet fabric quote

You can purchase specialty inkjet fabric that is paper backed so it’s easy to use with most inkjet printers. I love this sentiment because its so basic, but I also found another great one that would be perfect for educators. “If you can read this, thank a teacher.” How true!!

Buttons Galore and More (1024x768)

Last but certainly not least and once again the perfect finishing touch, add buttons from a variety of the wide selection from Buttons Galore and More with a hand sewing needle and thread.

Sew on Buttons (1024x768)

Make the Quilting Arts Bookmarks in multiples using your fabric scraps, burlap and buttons to thank those  teachers for all the hard work they do!

Live Life Creatively,

Melony

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Follow Your Heart

If you are lost, you must quiet your mind, and follow your heart.


Follow Your Heart

 

Follow Your Heart

This card style is called a Stretch Card. I added a decorative band, because I plan on placing a gift card inside and I want it to stay hidden until the right time.

I used Lori Whitlock’s Reflections Papers from Echo Park, and some Kraft Paper from Close To My Heart.

Supplies for Follow Your Heart Card:

  • buttons: Nautical Value Pack 
  • paper: Lori Whitlock’s Reflections (Echo Park), Kraft (Close To My Heart)
  • stamps – Unity
  • ink – Versamark Gold Dazzle, Rhubarb Stalk Memento and Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukineko), clear embossing powder
  • embellishments: ribbon (Bo Bunny), bling (Want2Scrap), twine (My Mind’s Eye), corrugated tag (Close To My Heart)
  • adhesive: Scor-Tape, Adtech Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks, Dimensional Foam Tape, Glue Dots
  • other: Heat Embossing Tool, Corner Rounder, Silhouette Cameo, Scissors (Westcott)

Instructions:

  1. Cut basic card pieces and layered pieces and assemble. Lori Whitlock has a great video here: http://youtu.be/KaDIpjGL4zk
  2. Create a sleeve – 1.5×10″ and secure at the back of the card.
  3. Stamp heart on Kraft paper with Versamark Gold Dazzle Ink and sprinkle with clear embossing powder – heat to melt. Dab Rhubarb Stalk Memento Ink on heart and cut out. Add a rhinestone to the center with a Glue Dot.
  4. Stamp sentiment with Tuxedo Black Memento. Round Corners.
  5. Tie ribbon to Corrugated Tag. Tie twine through a button. Hot glue Nautical Buttons to the tag. Adhere tag to band with Dimensional Foam Tape.
  6. Add heart and sentiment to band with Scor-Tape.
  7. Slide band onto card.

 

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Button Balloon Layout

Who doesn’t love a hand made Button Balloon as an accent for a layout?

I adore the whimsical look of a hot air balloon. I think everyone at some point has pictured themselves taking a hot air balloon ride. From the freedom of the open air to the romance that is normally associated with a sunset balloon ride. Recently in the paper crafting world I have noticed hot air balloons popping up in design. So I thought I would create my own using pretty patterned paper and some fantastic coordinating buttons. This is my Button Balloon Layout.

The button balloon is created using a large circle punch and some 3D foam dots for dimension. The punched shape and single button turns out to be the perfect accent for my Button Balloon Layout.
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I hand cut the clouds for this Button Balloon Layout.

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I used a variety of buttons to coordinate with my patterned paper to create the Button Balloon Layout.

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Thank you for stopping by

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Simple Thank You Card

I ran out of thank you cards. I needed to replenish my stash! So … time for a quick …

SIMPLE THANK YOU CARD

 

 


A Simple Thank You Card

 

 

Top of the card – I used a Scor-Board to make lines on my cardstock, and then I sanded it.

Middle of the card – the strip is a cut from the Silhouette Online store that I sized to fit a standard A2 Card. The sentiment is stamped and colored, and I rounded just two of the corners. I added an adhesive backed pearl and some rhinestones.

Bottom of the card – just some simple card stock that I sanded the edges of, and added a Heart Button tied with some Twine and embroidery thread.

It’s kind of a running joke when it comes time to request more buttons for projects, that I ask for Heart Buttons! I love to accent my cards and projects with HEART BUTTONS.

This is my stash. It makes me happy. I am out of the large RED buttons that I used. Guess what I’ll be asking for …

 

Hearts Hearts and more Hearts

 

Supplies for a Simple Thank You Card

 

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Buttons and Back Packs

Instead of jewelry this week, I’m playing with paper and buttons. I must say, buttons and back packs go together pretty well!

Buttons and Back Packs

Buttons and Back Packs

Buttons and Back Packs

I created the backpack and inked the edges with Tea Bag ink. I dyed a wooden button and cut the shank off. The bag was then decorated with patterned papers and fun embellishments. To lift the bag up a little, I created little feet by gluing Coffee and Rustic Coconut Shell buttons together.

Now, it’s time to fill it with goodies for the teacher!

Buttons for Back Pack

HAB701-2

Hand Carved Wood Buttons

Additional Supplies

Canvas Shapes, Wood Shapes and Cork Tags (Little Yellow Bicycle), Champagne Cardstock, Tea Bag Ink, Patterned Paper (Close To My Heart), Brads (Creative Impressions), Twine – My Mind’s Eye), Letters (EK Success), Flower (Petaloo), Back Pack Template (SVGCUTS.COM)

Adhesive – Scor-Tape and AdTech Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks

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Prima Doll Tag

I wanted to try something different. So … I hope you like this

PRIMA DOLL TAG

My daughter and I saw the Script in concert recently, and one of the songs has the line “The Good Old Days” over and over and it was just stuck in my head.

I love these Prima Dolls from Julie Nutting, and this particular one reminds me of my daughter!

The Vacation mix of buttons is really fun and had this enormous green button, along with some flower buttons.


Prima Doll Tag featuring Vacation Buttons.

 

I don’t do much of the Mixed Media, but I really had fun with this. I stitched together some pennant strips. I decorated the Prima Doll with Washi Tape. I colored the rest of her with Copic Markers.

The background is just some torn papers that are layered together.

 

Prima Doll Tag featuring Vacation Buttons.

 

I highlighted the letters and outlined the Good Old Days.

Prima Doll Tag featuring Vacation Buttons.

 

I tied a twine bow through the smaller flower button, and tied it to the large green button from the Vacation mix.

Supplies for Prima Doll Tag:

  • Buttons – Vacation mix
  • Patterned Papers, Burlap Ribbon – Close To My Heart
  • Stamps – Prima
  • Adhesive – Thermoweb iCraft Adhesive 3mm, Mini Glue Dots
  • SVG – The Good Old Days (this is just words welded)
  • Washi Tape – DowntownTape.com
  • Twine
  • Other – ink (Tsukineko / Imagine Crafts) and Copic Markers

 

 

Thanks for joining me today. To see more creative ideas, I’d love for you to join me at My Card Party!

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Encouraging Card

Sometimes, a friend needs to hear they are fabulous, thus the need for an …

ENCOURAGING CARD

An Encouraging Card featuring buttons, Close To My Heart embellishments and papers, along with Close To My Heart bling.

I cut the card base and flowers using the Silhouette. I cut an extra set in green to add some more leaves. Laura Kelly’s Sweet Blush Buttons dot the centers of the flowers, and these are accented with pink rhinestones. I punched some Martha Stewart butterflies from matching card stock to give a little more dimension to the butterflies on the card, and those are accented with rhinestones as well.

An Encouraging Card featuring buttons, Close To My Heart embellishments and papers, along with Close To My Heart bling.

Buttons are always a fun and inexpensive embellishment!

Supplies for an Encouraging Card:

Thanks for stopping by today. To see more cards and creative ideas, please visit me at My Card Party.

 

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Button Grapes

When I received my package of Laura Kelly’s pretty Purple Possibilities buttons (say that 3 times), I knew instantly, I was gonna create a card with a cluster of button grapes.

 

Button Grape Card

 Cluster of Button Grapes Card

 

To make my grape card, I used a Sarah Bailey Grape cut file then adhered Laura Kelly’s Purple Possibilities buttons over the grape die cuts.   Aren’t those grapes just poppin’ out at ya now?

 

Button Grapes

Add buttons to cards for dimension

Adding buttons to a card really is an easy way to provide that fun pop of dimension.

Buttons Galore Supplies:

Supplies Used to make Button Grapes Card:

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2

Button and Twine Medallion Tutorial

Join me for a step by step tutorial where we will make Button and Twine Medallions to use as embellishments for a seaside themed scrapbook layout. Nothing says seaside or nautical like red, white and blue with the texture of rope incorporated.

Products used to create this layout with Button and Twine Medallions:

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You want to start with cutting out circles from cardstock. This is going to be what you create your Button and Twine Medallions on. So make sure you use a punch that is the size you would like the embellishment to be.

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I then used hot glue to start adhering the twine to the outside of your cardstock circle.

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I left a small space in the middle of each of my medallions. That way if you have chosen buttons that have shanks, then you should be able to still just hot glue the buttons to the medallions.

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Here are the buttons that I chose from the Nautical Value Pack for my Button and Twine Medallions.

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I added my Button and Twine Medallions to the border of my scrapbook layout.

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I added a few more buttons from the Nautical Value Pack along with some canvas stickers to the top of one of my photos.

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Here is my completed scrapbook layout with the Button and Twine Medallions as the perfect accent to my photos from the stunning Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope these Button and Twine Medallions make it to your next nautical themed craft project.IMG_5720

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Keepsake Frame

Create a Keepsake Frame for someone special in your life.

I had a special little person come into my life recently and I wanted to create something special, a Keepsake Frame, for he and his family. Something that they could keep for years to come. A Keepsake Frame can incorporate as much or as little information as you would like. It could even accommodate memorabilia you may have as well. This is the Keepsake Frame that I created for handsome little Grady.

To start with you need a frame that is large enough to hold all of the information that you would like to include. My Keepsake Frame is an 8×10.

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A closer look at the details of Grady’s Keepsake Frame.

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I used a mixture of my own writing and an assortment of letter stickers throughout the project. The mixture of fonts makes the project interesting to the eye.

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I used a large heart punch, and cut out the place where Grady was born from a map I had laying around.

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Products Used for the Keepsake Frame:

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Thank you for stopping by and I hope we have inspired you to create a Keepsake Frame for someone special in your life very soon.

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Distressed Serving Tray embellished with Buttons

So, you’ve been eyeballing a distressed serving tray in a home decor store that you’re  totally in love with but can’t seem to justify spending the money.

Well, no worries ’cause here is a simple tutorial on how to make your own distressed  serving tray by using a  Walnut Hollow Serving Tray  and Buttons Galore buttons that will make the perfect {inexpensive} addition to your home decor.

 

 Distressed Walnut Hollow Serving Tray

 

Supplies Used to Make Serving Tray:

 

1. Paint  2. Sand 3. Stain

 How to create a distressed look

 

 To give this tray a distressed look,  I painted it white,  used an electric sander to randomly distress areas and then applied a light coat of stain. ** Tip…A little stain goes a long way**

I applied the stain with a sponge brush then used a paper towel to quickly wipe off the excess.  As you apply and wipe off the stain, you’ll begin to see the distressed areas become darker in appearance developing into your aged look.   Just like magic!

 

tray2

Use Mod Podge to adhere patterned paper on tray

 

While I was waiting for the stain to dry,  I tore the edges off a piece of patterned paper and inked them with Colorbox ink  to create a distressed look.   When the stain was dry, I adhered the paper onto the tray using Mod Podge Matte.

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Add buttons to wood projects

To complete my serving tray,  I added some buttons from Buttons Galore  Vacation &  Zesty Lemon  packs on to the four corners and tied the handles up with Hemptique Natural Cord.   Adding simple buttons on  to your projects can be an inexpensive way make them  beautiful.

 

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Use buttons as Home Decor accents

 

I’m totally in love with this tray.  I even like how it’s displayed with a vase full of buttons.  Buttons just make everything look better!

 

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2

Inspirational Card

When your friend needs a pick me up, it’s time for an Inspirational Card.

Make some quick and easy cards. I like to make a bunch and leave the insides blank, so I have them ready when a friend needs a quick pick me up.

Inspirational Card

I love finding new ways to use buttons in my card making, and it was fun to make a border with the buttons. This was really easy to do, and would look fun with different kinds of buttons. I’m not great with bows, but this … I can do!

Supplies for making an Inspirational Card

  • Buttons – White Buttons by the Pound
  • Twine
  • Stamps – Gina K Designs
  • Cardstock – Discount Cardstock
  • Patterned Paper – Authentique
  • Ink – Tsukineko, Copic Markers
  • Bling – Want2Scrap
  • Adhesive – Scor-Tape and Dimensional Foam

Directions

  1. Cut and score cardstock to create a standard A2 Card (4.25 x 5.5″)
  2. Cut a 3.5 x 5″ black mat.
  3. Add a 3.25″ square of patterned paper mat and a white strip (1 x 3.25″) at the bottom.
  4. Cut a 2.5″ square black mat. Cut a 2.25″ square white mat.
  5. Stamp and color image, mat and adhere with dimensional foam. Stamp sentiment on white strip (1 x 3.25″) at the bottom.
  6. Cut a piece of twin four times the width of your card. Wrap around the back of the patterned paper. String buttons on both ends of the twine and tie a bow. Trim excess.
  7. Embellish butterfly and sentiment with bling.
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Red White and Blue Button Flower Vase

I love decorating empty cans and turning them into something fun and useful again. All those canned beans and soup can really be a DIY project waiting to happen. Add some fabric, ribbon and brightly colored buttons and you have yourself a whole slew of possibilities. For today’s project I decorated a can with patriotic colors and turned it into a pretty little flower vase, perfect for adding to the table for July 4th.

Red White and Blue flower vase

Red White and Blue flower vase

Materials:

  • Empty aluminum can, washed and dried
  • Blue fabric
  • Red ribbon
  • White card stock
  • White and Blue embroidery thread
  • Red, white and blue buttons
  • Red eyelet and eyelet tool
  • Glue
Patriotic flower vase DIY

Patriotic flower vase DIY

Instructions to make your own patriotic flower vase decor

  1. Cut fabric and wrap around the outside of the can. Glue in place.
  2. Wrap ribbon around the can, tie in a knot, trim edges. Tie a red and blue ribbon together using white embroidery thread. Tie to center of ribbon covering the knot.
  3. Make a mini gift tag using the white card stock. Apply ribbon, wrap with blue embroidery thread and attach a white button. Add an eyelet with eyelet tool and then attach the tag to the button/ribbon on the can.
Recycled can to patriotic vase

Recycled can to patriotic vase

Simple patriotic flower vase

Simple patriotic flower vase

 

You can make a bunch of these patriotic flower vases to decorate for your July 4th festivities. I use these same kind of decorated cans as utensil holders and pencil/marker holders for parties. You can add a little sparkle by using glitter or rhinstones to the tag and ribbon wrap. You can even add buttons all around the can. Get creative and make your own fun patriotic decorations!

 

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My Little Cowboy Card – Mixed Buttons

Hi Ladies, today I would like to share with you a My Little Cowboy Card – Laura Kelly’s Mixed Buttons from Buttons Galore & More.   I live in Western Wyoming and we have lots of Cowboy’s running around here, but this card is perfect for any young man that at one time or other was running around the house in their cowboy boots and hat.  The fun thing about Laura Kelly’s Mixed buttons is that I could go either country or patriotic, because the colors are very versatile.

I personally think all little boys look cute in western cowboy wear, but for this project I used La-La Land Crafts Cowboy Luka digi.

 cowboy card3

 I accented My Little Cowboy Card by using Laura Kelly’s Mixed Buttons and finished off with some hemp to give it a more Western look.

cowboy

I’m not the best in coloring, but I tried using Prisma Color – Watercolor pencils to color Cowboy Luka here.

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Now to create my envelope I cut my kraft cardstock 5 x 6″ and then another piece at 4 1/2 x 5 1/2″ and score at a 1/4″ on three sides, which is used to create the pocket.  Once I scored and I applied the score tape and adhered to the main piece of the envelope.  Now you have a pocket for your envelope.  Now you can punch out a semi circle before adhering the pocket to the envelope, which is what I did.

For the card itself I used Authentique Curiosity Paper & Strong Components  Kraft Paper, and Teresa Collins Now & Then paper pad.  I rounded the corners, used a Spellbinder’s Floral Ovals.

Supplies Used to Create My Little Cowboy Card:

 

 

 

 

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Bugs and Kisses

Bugs and Kisses. What’s cuter than that?

Sharing a fun and easy summer card. Do you have paper that you love, that you’ve used and used til you just have scraps, and none of the fun embellishments left to go with it? When you have buttons in every color, you don’t have to be afraid of not having anything to match! I love kitschy old retro papers. This is paper from my “retro” stash, and of course, I was able to find matching embellies, and make a few too!

Bugs and Kisses

 

Supplies for Bugs and Kisses Card

Buttons Galore – Satin Finish buttons from Orange, Blue and Fire Engine Red Bulk Collections

Other – Papers – Cosmo Cricket, Dies – Spellbinders Paper Arts, Ink and Glitter Glue – Ranger, Bling – Want2Scrap

Notes and Tips

  • Use Spellbinders dies to cut, emboss and stencil. Tape dies in place with repositionable tape and run through machine, repeat and emboss, then daub on ink. This is done on the butterflies and the sentiment circle.

Thanks for stopping by. See more of my creations at My Card Party.

Keep celebrating your sweet life with creativity.

Allie Blog Signature

 

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Snap Happy

It’s Red, White & Blue season, the perfect colors for this Snap Happy Card. Will you be taking lots of pictures on the 4th?

Every week we share fresh card making ideas using buttons. This week we’re using my absolute favorite Heart Novelty Buttons. I made a card with a gift card inside that’s good for some prints at one of our local stores. What family doesn’t print a ton of pictures?

Snap Happy

Supplies for creating Snap Happy Card

Buttons – two Heart Novelty Buttons – Buttons Galore and More

Stamps  – Gina K Designs

Cardstock – DiscountCardstock.com

Embellishments – Turquoise Rhinestones – Want2Scrap; Twine – Doodlebug Design; Stickers – SRM

Tools: Dies (Inverted Scalloped Circles, Star, Circles – Spellbinders Paper Arts; Labels – My Favorite Things) ; Embossing – Sizzix

Adhesive: Hot Glue – Adtech; Dimensional Foam Tape – 3M; Scor-Tape – Scor-Pal

Other: Ink – Tsukineko; Markers – Copic; Flashing Tape – available at most Home Improvement Stores

Directions

  1. Create a Neenah Solar White cardstock base 4.25 x 11″. Score and fold in half.
  2. Cut your mats: Neenah Solar White mat 4 x 5.25″ – Black Licorice mat 3.5 x 3.5″ – Currant Red mat 3.25 x 3.25″ – Emboss Currant Red mat.
  3. Adhere mats to card with Scor-Tape.
  4. Die cut pieces: inverted circle from Lunar Blue Cardstock, a Black Licorice circle, and slightly smaller Neenah Solar White circle and label shape.
  5. Stamp and color image on Neenah Solar White circle. Stamp sentiment on label shape and attach to card.
  6. Embellish with Turquoise Rhinestones. Tie black and white twine through one Heart Novelty Button and glue to stamped image.
  7. Layer round pieces with Dimensional Foam Tape.
  8. Adhere Flashing Tape to scrap paper and die cut and emboss star. Adhere to card with Dimensional Foam Tape
  9. Wrap aqua and white twine around card and secure with second Heart Novelty Button.
  10. Add sticker sentiment to bottom of card.

Thanks for stopping by today. To see more of my art, please visit me at My Card Party. I’ll see you on Thursday with some new Button Jewelry.

Until then, keep creating!

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Red White and Blue Card

Create a quick Red White and Blue card to celebrate Summer

Hi, it’s Allie here from My Card Party. I had some extra patriotic stickers from Authentique, and lots of patriotic cardstock from DiscountCardstock.com so I thought I’d make a summery card.

Red, White, and Blue

Happy Summer to you!

Red White and Blue Happy Summer to You

 

Shopping at Buttons Galore is always fun. There are so many categories and styles. My favorite thing to do is Shop by Color. I had so much red, white and blue going on in this card that black buttons seemed to be the way to go. There are many choices in the Black and White category.  I settled on a package of Cookies and Cream Buttons.

Supplies for creating Red White and Blue Card

  • Cookies and Cream Buttons
  • Ivory Smooth Cardstock #80 and Currant Red Cardstock (Discount Cardstock)
  • Bulk Bling (Want2Scrap)
  • Stickers (Authentique, Sentiment – SRM)
  • Twine and Baker’s Floss (Jo-Anne’s Fabrics)

Tools

  • Other – Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, Martha Stewart Score Board
  • Hot Glue (AdTech)
  • Scissors (Westcott Brand)
  • Desert Sand Ink and Ink Sponge (Tsukineko)

Instructions

  1. Create a card base 4.25 x 11 and fold in half.
  2. Ink edges of card front with Tsukineko Desert Sand Memento Dew Drop.
  3. Tie multiple colors of floss through Cookies and Cream Button.
  4. Add twine and embellishments. Finish with sentiment and bling.

Thanks for joining me today. I’ll see you next Sunday.

See more of my creations at My Card Party.

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A Criss Cross Card for the Man in your Life

Do you ever get stumped trying to come up with an idea on how to make a masculine card for the man in your life?  Have you thought of making him a Criss Cross Card? A  Criss… what???

Well, here’s a Criss Cross Card tutorial to make for that special man in your life embellished with a Haberdashery carved wood button.

fathersdaycard

Criss Cross Father’s Day Card

Most of us females would choose pretty flowers, glitter and anything cutesy before a brown and boring card.   But brown, especially brown wood can be fun!

I actually like brown.  I totally heart Kraft paper and when I received my Buttons Galore design team goodies, these Haberdashery wooden buttons totally caught my eye.

 Supplies needed to make Criss Cross Card

How to make a Criss Cross Card

Criss Cross Card

  • Cut a 8 1/2 x 11 piece of card stock in half, lengthwise.
  • Score each piece at 5 1/2 inches.

Criss Cross Card

  • Over lap the two pieces of card stock.
  • Adhere together with Glue Dots®.
  • Your card will now be 16 1/2 inches long.

Criss Cross Card

  • Using your paper trimmer, trim off the top corner of each end diagonally.

Criss Cross Card

  • Now, you have a naked Criss Cross card all ready to get manly.

<insert a manly grunt here>

  • To keep your card close, cut a 1 x 12 inch Belly Band to wrap around card.

<insert “belly size” pun here>

Criss Cross Card

  • Measure and trim out paper to embellish your card with.
  • Ink the edges of the paper with  Colorbox ink.
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Inside of Criss Cross Father’s Day Card

Even without flowers and glitter, a masculine card can still be fun to decorate.  I chose to go for an “Old World” feel.

To embellish this Criss Cross card, I used paper from DCWV Industrial Chic  line, added some zig zag stitching inside and a Father’s Day die cut from a Loni Harris cut file.  Then, I embossed the belly band with a burlap folder and completed the masculine Criss Cross card with a Haberdashery wood button.

See, brown can be fun!

 

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3

Patriotic Button Card

Let’s make another easy Patriotic Button Card.

This is simply stickers and a cluster of Patriotic buttons. I used hot glue which allows me to put buttons where I want, and cluster them together. I finished off the card with some simple doodling.

Let the kids loose with buttons and stickers, and have them make some cards for friends and neighbors.

Patriotic Button Card

Supplies

  • Buttons – Patriotic
  • Stickers – Authentique
  • Cardstock – Discount Cardstock
  • Twine, Embroidery Thread
  • Adhesive – Hot Glue by Adtech
  • Copic Multiliner

How to Make a Patriotic Button Card

  1. Create a card base 4.25 x 11″ and fold in half.
  2. Apply stickers.
  3. Tie twine and embroidery thread to buttons and glue to card.
  4. Doodle edges.

 

Thanks for joining me today.

See more of my creations at MyCardParty.

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A Patriotic Craft Party – the I Love the USA Blog Hop

It’s going to be a Patriotic Craft Party of epic proportions…

You’re invited to join us for the I Love the USA Blog Hop!

I Love the USA Patriotic Party Crafts - I Love the USA Blog Hop

 Cupcakes say PARTY! You’re invited to a Patriotic Craft Party!

28 Fabulous Artists – scrapbookers, cardmakers, seamstresses and more joining forces to take your patriotic crafts soaring to new heights. Join our Hostess Artist Laura Kelly Walters and Jen Goode and a parade of sponsors including Laura Kelly “America the Beautiful” General Fabric for Jo-Ann’s Craft Stores, Coats & Clark, Plaid, Fiskars, and Buttons Galore.

A Patriotic Craft Party – the I Love the USA Blog Hop

Check out this ALL STAR Line Up for the Blog Hop!

Our Hostesses

The Button Bevy

And Lots of Honored Guests

 

Join us!  If you want to follow along with hashtags and share your projects with us on our Facebook, Pinterest or even Twitter use hashtags #ilovetheusabloghop  #craftpatriotic #laurakellyart  

 

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Take a Doodle Picnic and Create Some Button Fun Cards

DoodlePicnicPacking

It summertime…a great time to picnic…creative style.  I packed up my bag and headed to the nearby creek to create.  This is what I came up with.

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I doodles a few flowers and the framed them in and colored them with my Tombow markers and cut them out.I used Power Adhesive Tabs to mount them to pre-cut note cards with envelopes then added buttons from the Laura Kelly collection of bright colors to make them “pop”!

TombowDoodleFlowerCards

If you want to know what goes in a Doodle Picnic Bag to ensure the most successful outing, visit Laura’s blog for those details!

Happy SUMMER!

1

Patriotic Cards with Buttons

This month I’ll share several Patriotic Cards with Buttons. These would all be fun to do with the kids for friends and neighbors. Now that the kids are out of school, it’s fun to do crafts with them, right?

I’ve been creating several fun projects for an upcoming blog hop, the I LOVE THE USA Blog Hop. I had some embroidery thread left, and thought it would be fun to jazz up some buttons. 

 

Patriotic Cards with Buttons

 

Supplies

  • Buttons – Laura Kelly Patriotic Mix
  • Neenah White #110 Cardstock (DiscountCardstock.com)
  • SRM Stickers
  • Ribbon – Michael’s
  • Embroidery Thread – Coats & Clark, Twine – Doodlebug Design
  • Tools – Scor-Board, Floss Threader
  • Adhesive – Hot Glue from Adtech, Redliner Tape

How to Create Patriotic Cards with Buttons

  1. Cut a piece of Neenah Solar White #110 4.25×11 and score in half. On the front of the card, score some additional lines above and below where you would like your ribbon placed.
  2. Adhere ribbon on card with Redliner Tape.
  3. Add stickers.
  4. Tie several strands of embroidery thread with twine to Patriotic buttons as shown below.  Trim ends.
  5. Hot Glue buttons to ribbon on card.

Patriotic Cards with Buttons

 

Thanks for joining me today.

See more of my creations at MyCardParty.

1

Mixed Media Necklace

I created a mixed media necklace to share with you today. Mixed media to me means having fun. It’s more about the journey, and not so much about the results.

I like to incorporate elements that have meaning to me, or to the person I’m creating for. I love butterflies. They are all about change.

Mixed Media Necklace

Supplies for creating a mixed media necklace

Note – this is what I used – use what YOU love. But of course, include some fun buttons! You don’t need everything on this list – you could play with paint, beads, remake an old necklace… The sky is the limit. Enjoy the journey!

  • buttons – Shop by color at Buttons Galore
  • chain and jump rings (Fire Mountain Gems)
  • shrinky dinks
  • napkin
  • dies (Spellbinders)
  • craft metal (Ten Seconds Studio)
  • glitter and liquid adhesive (Art Glitter)
  • copic markers and an ABS (air brushing system)

Here’s a fun little video showing some close ups and tips.

animoto_high_res

Thanks for joining me today. Please share something you make with buttons, I’d LOVE to see it.

You can find me at My Card Party.

0

Get Well Card

Make a simple Get Well Card.

A Get Well Card is always a good card to have in your stash, because injury and illness never arrive at a convenient time.

I randomly stamped flowers and accented with Bling. At the bottom of the card, I’ve cinched some ribbon with a Teal Ice button and some orange floss.

Get Well Card from BUTTONSGALOREANDMORE

Supplies Used to make Get Well Card

  • Buttons – Teal Ice
  • Stamps and Cardstock – Gina K Designs
  • Sticker Sentiment – SRM Sticker
  • Bling – Want2Scrap
  • Trim – Berwick, We R Memory Keepers
  • Ink – Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts

Thanks for joining me today. I hope you don’t NEED a card wishing you well, but if you do, I hope you get well soon!

1

Make a Card for Dad

Let’s make a Card for Dad, shall we?

Just for Father’s Day, let’s step away from the flowers, the ribbons, the lace. Let’s go all MANLY! Blues, browns, etc. – safe color choices. I’m going for a mannish, woodsy feel here. My kids will give this to their dad with a gift card inside.

Make A Card for Dad

Instructions for a Card for Dad

  1. Score lines on cardstock.
  2. Ink mat with Donna Salazar inks from Clearsnap.
  3. Add small holes with hole punches and sand a bit to distress it.
  4. Add paper wire.
  5. Adhere mat.
  6. Place sticker on button, sand or cut off excess and attach to paper wire.
  7. Attach button, add finishing sentiments.
  8. Complete card.

Supplies to Make a Card for Dad

Thanks for joining me today. I hope the men in your life have a day they deserve.

2

Graduation Card

Here’s a simple Graduation Card inspired by Dr. Seuss.

graduation card

Congratulations!
Today is your day,
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

 

I hope this simple card inspires you!

I cut my letters on the Silhouette. The font is called Apple Gothic, and came with my Mac. The size is 72 point.

I used Glue Dots to adhere these adorable Buttons.

Supplies used to make Graduation Card:

1

Quick and Simple Money Holder Envelope

Money Holder Envelopes can only mean one thing … It’s Graduation time again and maybe you want to show those special Grads some love.   Cash love that is!

Here’s how to make a quick and simple money holder envelope that can be stuffed full of congrats cash and gift cards for that starving ex-student.

Money Holder Envelope for Buttons Galore and More

Money Holder for the Graduate

 

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Supplies Needed to Make a Money Holder:

 

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8 x 7 inch piece of cardstock scored at 2″ and 6″

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1. Trim out sentiment and adhere. 2. Peel off backing and sprinkle glitter 3. Remove excess glitter. 4. Done!

 Use Clearsnap Design Adhesives

To quickly add a Congratulations sentiment on to the money holder,  I used these convenient  Design Adhesives from Clear Snap.  Really neat product and sooo easy to use!

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You could use any choice of adhesive to make your money holder but I choose to stitch mine together using a sewing machine, added a clear Velcro coin to keep the envelope closed (don’t wanna lose any of that congrats cash now) and added a ribbon bow and  Haberdashery button for some sophistication.

I love how the black and white stitching contrast together,  adds a ‘lil sophistication on the envelope.  Now that they’re a graduate,  they should be a little more sophisticated, right?

newsignature

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1

Birthday Card Ideas -DIY a Make a Wish Birthday Card

Today, I’m sharing Birthday Card Ideas.  I’ve made an easy Make a Wish Birthday Card. It is great for almost anyone.

You just need some stickers, buttons and cardstock. Cards like this can easily be remade in a variety of colors, to bundle up and present as a gift.

I embossed some cardstock and cut it into strips. I matted the strip and added some Cupcake Buttons and some sentiment stickers. I like to make sets of birthday cards to give as gifts, so being able to create a bunch easily is a bonus.

Birthday Card Ideas Make a Wish Card

 

Supplies Used to Create Make a Wish Birthday Card

  • Buttons – Cupcake Buttons
  • Sticker Borders – SRM Stickers
  • Cardstock – Gina K Designs
  • Other – Cuttlebug Folder (Provo Craft)

More Birthday Card Ideas

Card bundles are a great gift, especially for the elderly. Create several cards using different combinations of card stock and buttons and include stamped envelopes. These bundles are always a great hit.

0

Wedding Card

Wedding Card

Make a lovely wedding card. Wedding season is upon us!

I love to use the colors chosen by the wedding party. By stamping and adding matching buttons, any card can become extra special to the bride and groom.

Wedding Easel Card

This is a simple easel card with a little bit of stamping with die cuts. It’s not difficult. The background is embossed panels – the folder is Swiss Dots. The swirls are die cut from the Belle Rose set from Heartfelt Creations. The sprigs are from a Spellbinders set called Foliage. When some were too big, I just cut them down. Make your dies work.

Button Embellishments

I stamped my bird cage and fussy cut it. I also cut a mat for it, so it would stand out in the business of the flowers. The buttons help the card stay open. To one I added a bling center, and then I took two buttons and tied them together with twine. The larger white button is actually upside down, so that the twine doesn’t touch the card.

Wedding Embellishments

I stamped and cut out the label. My sentiment was a tad too big, so I just matted it and accented it with some fancy bling.

The buttons are from the Valentino Collection, the flower buttons are blank Flower Shapes, and I added some bling to the centers. The flowers came with bling already attached.

Supplies Used:

Tool Used:

1

Make a Ribbon and buttons masculine scrapbook page layout

 

Ribbon and buttons are something that all scrapbookers should have on hand. The simple combination of the two can add so much texture and dimension to an otherwise simple layout.

One of the things I hear most often from other scrapbookers, is how hard they find it to scrapbook their more masculine photos. Whether it is little boy layouts or those of grown men. Adding flowers, gems or anything that glitters often comes easier to us. Making embellishing a masculine layout often a little harder to do. Adding ribbon and buttons is one of those easy ways to add dimension and texture.

This is a simple layout that I created using the Fancy Pants collection called Swagger, a great masculine line.

Ribbon and Buttons Scrapbook Page Layout

Directions to make a Ribbon & buttons masculine scrapbook page layout:

Here are a few of the patterns and embellishments from the collection and the buttons and ribbon I chose to use with it.IMG_4714

I decided on the patterns and cardstock that I wanted to use as the base of my layout and cut them accordingly.IMG_4717

At the bottom of my layout I have 3 layered squares. The largest layer is 4″. I inked and adhered all my layers together.IMG_4718

Then I punched small holes in each of the 4 corners of all of your squares.

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I cut 6 pieces of ribbon, all about 7 inches long. Start by feeding one piece through 2 opposite holes in your button.IMG_4728

Take a second piece of ribbon and feed it through the other 2 holes in your button. Repeat this for the other 2 squares.IMG_4730

Then you’re going to feed the ends of the ribbon through the holes in your squares. You want to keep the button as close to the middle as possible. I then just taped the ragged ends of ribbon in behind the squares.

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At this point you are ready to assemble your layout. Add a few more DIY embellishments and a few more small buttons. Plus a triple matted photo and you’re done.
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Products use to create this ribbon and buttons layout:

  • Brown Buttons
  • Patterned Paper and Coordinating Embellishments: Swagger by Fancy Pants
  • Dark brown, light brown and cream cardstock
  • Yellow ribbon
  • 1/8″ hand punch
  • Mini Glue Dots

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1

Buttons and birdhouse – Designer Challenge

 

 

Buttons Birdhouse Blog Party

Buttons and birdhouse Spring Design Team Challenge is on!

Each of the designers were sent buttons and birdhouse.  We  asked them to decorate them in any manner they desired.  Any theme, any materials and any colors could be used on the birdhouses.

Niki our DT Coordinator created the pieces below.  She is ever the overachiever and decorated a trio. But, since she is in charge of the team she does not get a chance at the prize.  PRIZE?  Yes a prize.  Vote on this post at the bottom.  Vote for your favorite designers project.  Her projects were inspired by a cool and relaxing color combination of coral, poppy, grey, brown, aqua and cream.

                           *****WIN A PRIZE!*****

How to win a Buttons and Birdhouse Prize:

  •  The designer with the most votes at the bottom of this post will win a $10 Starbucks Gift Card
  •  A commenter on this blogpost will win a $10 Starbucks Gift Card, a $10 pair of FISKARS scissors
  •  Two commenters on the DT blogs will get a package of buttons.

We would love new follower in Facebook and on Pinterest

buttonsbirdhouses uncropped

The designer with the most votes at the bottom of this post will win a $10 Starbucks Gift Card and one commenter on one of the DT members blog will also win a $10 Starbucks Gift Card, a $10 pair of FISKARS scissors and a button assortment.  Total value of prize is $25.

The blogs are listed bellow – visit them and then come back here and let us know your favorite.  You could win a prize

Allie

http://wp.me/p2Ys5f-gj

Tracy

http://scrappychick101.blogspot.com/2013/04/its-for-birds.html

Angie

http://www.thecountrychiccottage.net/2013/04/barn-button-birdhouse-and-designer.html

Mai

http://creandocondetalles.blogspot.com/2013/04/totally-shabby-rose-garden-birdhouse.html

Holly

http://www.ribbonsandglue.com/2013/04/shabby-chic-birdhouse.html

Jen

http://www.100directions.com/birdhouses-are-better-embellished-with-buttons

Laura Bray
http://laurabraydesigns.com/button-birdhouse-pincushion

Laura Kelly

http://www.laurakellydesigns.com/laurakellydesignsblog/index.php/2013/04/25/attention-little-birdies-these-houses-are-all-buttoned-up-for-the-fairies/

Carla

 http://carlaschauer.com/painted-floral-spring-birdhouse/

How to win a Buttons and Birdhouse Prize:

  •   The designer with the most votes at the bottom of this post will win a $10 Starbucks Gift Card
  •  A commenter on this blogpost will win a $10 Starbucks Gift Card, a $10 pair of FISKARS scissors
  •  Two commenters on the DT blogs will get a package of buttons.

Upcyle Recycle Repurpose Mel Designs – Featured Designer

Upcyle Recycle Repurpose savant queen, Mel Designs – Melony Bradley has a way with truly turning trash into treasure.  Her creativity never ceases to amaze me. If you would like see other projects that she has created you can check out her blog.  She does fantastic tutorials and almost every post has one. She accents many pieces with sewing, ink, buttons paint and sew much more

 

I love the little tid bits she adds to every  project.  This is a cool desk set.

Upcycle recycle repurpose cool desk set with buttons Upcyle Recycle Repurpose

A fantastic laundry room organizer.

Upcyle Recycle Repurpose laundry-room-organizer

 

2

Scrap Paper & Button Gift Tag

Some times it is so much fun to create ways to use scrap paper and miscellaneous bright buttons.  This project is one that is worth “picking”, kind of like a pretty flower.

FlowerTag1

Materials for the scrap paper gift tag:

You will need scrap paper , Mod Podge (I used the washable kind for kids), a brush, black Sharpie marker, Laura Kelly buttons and ad-tech hot glue to create the flower.  You can buy a tag already to go or make one yourself.

Directions for the scrap paper gift tag:

Cut your paper into petals of any size and shape, whatever works for the tag size you are making.  Mine are about 2 inches long.  Cut another piece into a circle about an inch in diameter.  Using Mod Podge, brush a heavy coat on the circle then add the petals, brushing new layers of Mod Podge liberally between each petal.  Apply a final coat over the entire flower.  Set it aside to dry.  Cut a stem and leaves from your scraps and use the Mod Podge to apply them to your tag using the same technique.  Add the flower with Mod Podge and let it all dry.  To finish your project, use your ad-tech hot glue to apply several buttons in a stack in the center of the petals.  If you want to add the black decorations around the outside, you can’t beat the black Sharpie permanent marker.

PaperFlowerTag5

There are lots and lots of ways to use these paper flowers to create masterpieces.  You can visit Laura’s blog to find more ideas if you have more than fifteen minutes to create!

 

2

Ivory Pearl Haberdashery Wedding Favor Sachet

With Spring just around the corner, many young couples are planning their weddings. What better gift than a Ivory Pearl Haberdashery Wedding Favor Sachet Set.  Buttons Galore & More offer more than just buttons they offer young couples the ability to create lovely wedding invitations and favors with their lovely line of buttons.

For my project today I used one that I have totally fallen in love with.  The  Ivory Pearl Haberdashery.  The ivory pearl finished buttons come in a variety of sizes and its truly something that can be used over and over again regardless of what the occasion is.

Now who wouldn’t want a scented wedding favor? Especially one with lovely buttons such as the Ivory Pearl Haberdashery?  These favors  can be used to provide scent to any room in your home  after the wedding is over.

wedding set

wedding card to make the  Ivory Pearl Haberdashery wedding favors:

Wedding favor sacket

These Ivory Pearl Haberdashery Wedding Favor Set can be created for any occasion it doesn’t necessary have to be done for weddings, but I think that anyone attending a wedding would truly love receiving such a lovely favor.

MATERIALS to make the  Ivory Pearl Haberdashery wedding favors:

 BUTTONS GALORE & MORE:

Cross Promotional Supplies:

  • Fiskar Scissors
  • Jacquard – Velcro Press & Close Fasteners

Additional Materials:

  • Hot Glue
  • Glass Beads
  • Fabric of choice
  • Trim
  • Potpourri – Cinnamon
  • Seam Binding Ribbon
  • Canson – Tracing Paper
  • Canvas Corp – Heavy White Cardstock
  • BoBunny – Back to Basic Paper collection
  • Sewing Machine
  • White Floral Wire
  • Black Staz On Ink
  • Teresa Collins Stamp – Vintage Finds Acrylic Stamps

How to make the  Ivory Pearl Haberdashery wedding favors:

Now I know it may seem like a lot of materials.  Trust me it makes a lovely  Wedding Favor Sachet.  I started out by cutting my fabric that I picked up at my local fabric store.  I cut the fabric 4 1/2″ x 5″ and sewing the edges leaving an opening.  Now, I’m not that great at sewing.   So I glued my ivory trim with Beacon adhesive Fabri-Tac.  Wow this glue is amazing.  I was really amazed on how quick it dried up and how well it glued the trim to the fabric.  Once you have this all done you can begin beading the flowers by using a floral wire.  I twisted the wire once all the glass beads were on the fabric wire to create a flower.  To make the swirls on the side of the flower I did the same thing.

I applied the flowers to the fabric using Beach Adhesive  Fabric-Tac.  It was just that easy to adhere to the sachet bags.  Next  I applied my buttons from Ivory Pearl Haberdashery collection and Sunny.  They are on  Buttons Galore & More website.  I placed a piece of Velcro Press and Close Fastener to the inside of the sachet bags. This will allow you to refresh or replace your potpourri bags anytime you want.

The potpourri is something I picked up at my local Walmart.   I used Canson Tracing Paper to hold my potpourri.  I cut about 3 3/4″ x 4″ tracing paper.  I hot glued the edges leaving an opening and then placed my potpourri inside and sealed the top with more hot glue.   I placed it  inside of my Wedding Favor Sachet and sealed with the Velcro Press & Close Fasteners.

I couldn’t stop just here I had to make a card to accommodate this lovely Wedding Favor Sachet Bags.  The card is 5 x 5 1/2″ and I used the same technique to create the flower.   I added the Ivory Pearl Haberdashery buttons to the flower petals which I glued using hot glue.  I  also saved a piece of the fabric that I used for the bags and applied it my card and to top this card off I used Teresa Collins Vintage Find Acrylic Stamp, Staz On and Buttons Galore & More Sm. Rectangle Sliders .  I stamped the word “LOVE” using Black Staz On Ink and stamped it directly to the Sm. Rectangle Sliders.  I used Glue Dots to attach my seam binding ribbon to the card and finished my card up.

I hope this inspires you to create something lovely and amazing for your Wedding using Buttons Galore & More buttons for your wedding favors.

4

Yellow and Grey Baby Shower Decor

handmade yellow and grey baby shower decor

A Baby Shower was the most recent of events for my group of close friends. Between us we have had wedding showers, weddings, big birthdays and other baby showers. I was more than excited to be in charge of the decor. For this baby shower, mommy and daddy-to-be did not find out the sex of the baby. I wanted to stay away from the traditional yellow and green combination. Instead I chose yellow and grey with hints of silver. Here are some photos of the decor from our little event.

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The cupcake skewers are just simply layered circles and scalloped circles of yellow grey and white cardstock and patterned papers. Then I used my heart punch with the glitter paper. An adorable yellow button finished it perfectly.

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I also made the cupcake stand from a couple of dollar store plates and a silver candle holder.

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The “Welcome Baby Gibbs” banner was probably the most work. It includes layers of patterned paper and coordinating cardstock. The letters are cut from glitter paper. I also added a tissue paper ruffle to the top of each banner section, then added a little sparkle using Smooch Glitz.

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At the very top of the banner is a strip of washi tape and a yellow button at the top and the bottom of each section. Each section of the banner is strung on 3/4″ grey and white ribbon.

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I even covered the inside of the glass panels of the hutch to coordinate with the yellow and grey theme.

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The final piece to the decor was the diaper cake I constructed. I continued with the same patterns as the rest of the decor. Layering grey and yellow cardstock and patterns.

handmade yellow and grey baby shower decor

Each tier of the diaper cake had a accent piece rimmed with a tissue paper ruffle and a yellow button in the middle. The little yellow rubber ducky just finished it off.

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At the very top were the 3 yellow and grey pinwheels, attached to wooden skewers and stuck into the diaper cake.IMG_4330B

Materials to make the handmade yellow and grey baby shower decor:

  • Yellow Buttons
  • Smooch Glitz (Starlight)
  • 2 3/4″ Circle Punch
  • Martha Stewart Crafts Scallop Border Punch
  • Streamers/Tissue Paper
  • Recollections Yellow and Grey Polka Dot Patterned Paper
  • 1 1/2″ Scallop Circle Punch
  • 1 1/8″  Circle Punch
  • 1 1/4″ Circle Punch
  • American Crafts Glitter Paper (Silver)
  • Martha Stewart Crafts Heart Punch
  • Yellow and Grey Ribbon
3

Create a Springtime Flutterbug Medley Wall Plaque

I love April for many reasons! April is when you start seeing the signs of spring, but it also reminds me of the day I welcomed my oldest and youngest daughters to this world. So I created this springtime Flutterbug Medley Wall Plaque with them in mind. April is when we start to see the beautiful flowers start to bloom and when we start to see the birds chirping and singing. My oldest is always a reminder that she was born in April, because she is always singing up a tune, so that is why I created this Flutterbug Medley Wall Plaque using Buttons Galore and More Flutterbug Medley buttons. It’s a reminder of some of the things that as mothers we enjoy and at times we tend to forget.

My baby girl will be turning 17 here in a few days. I wanted to give her something that will inspire her to always believe in herself and – just like the birds and the butterflies – to sing her heart away. It’s a daily reminder of what really matters most in life, but it also reminds me of why I love April so much!

As I was walking down the Scrapbook Expo in Utah two weeks ago, I couldn’t help but notice that there were a lot of wood projects. At the time I went in with the idea that I wanted to buy something to create a wedding theme for this project. I walked past the ADORNit booth and saw these scalloped wood frames. I thought I could make a wedding theme out of that, so I picked up the two wood frames!  I really didn’t expect to bring them home and create something completely different, but that is what I did!  First I thought wedding, then I thought Mother’s Day, and finally I thought Spring since April is one of my favorite months!

My Springtime Flutterbug Medley Wall plaque is cute for any young lady and very easy to make!

April

april2

April4

Materials used:

  • Flutterbug Medley buttons
  • Rose Garden buttons
  • Beacon Adhesive – Tacky Glue
  • Zip Dry Glue Adhesive
  • Fiskars Scissors
  • Adtech Hot glue gun and glue
  • My Mind’s Eye – Follow Your Heart by Rhonna Farrer Paper Collection
  • ADORNit Scalloped Large Wood Frame
  • ADORNit Scalloped Small Wood Frame
  • Tim Holtz Vintage Photo Distress Ink
  • Want2Scrap – 3D Chipboard Frame
  • Want2Scrap – Music Note Charm
  • Want2Scrap – Wonderful Wings by Donna Salazar
  • Dimensionals
  • Acrylic Paint
  • Seam Binding
  • Doodlebug Glitter
  • Sand block
  • Pencil
  • X-acto knife

Directions:

Once  you have gathered all your supplies, you can begin to transform the scalloped frames into something totally cute and ready for spring.

April instructional material

STEP ONE:

Start by tracing the large scalloped wood frame onto your paper of choice. Be sure to trace on  the back side of the paper.

instructional material3

Once you have both the large and the small scalloped frames traced like you see above you can begin to cut.

STEP TWO:

Cut the frames that you just traced. You can use an X-acto knife for the harder to cut places, or your Fiskars scissors.

Instructional Material 4

STEP THREE:

Apply Beacon 3 – in -1 adhesive or Zip Dry (they both work just as well) to your decorative paper and adhere to the scalloped frames. A good tip is to use a sanding block to sand off the edges of the paper that may hang from the edges. This also gives it a more distressed look!  Once you have distressed with the sanding block, use a Distressing Ink like Tim Holtz’s to distress the edges of the frames/paper.

STEP FOUR:

Now that the edges are distressed and the paper adhered, you can begin to add some dimension to the back of your smaller frame. This will give it the popup look that you see. Adhere the smaller frame to the center of the larger frame.

STEP FIVE:

Start decorating your frame. I used Want2Scrap’s chipboard frame, which I painted with pink Acrylic paint, and then added some Zip Dry and dusted that with Doodlebug Glitter. I set that aside to dry. I selected a verse from the same paper collection by Rhonda Farrer. I cut out the verse to fit the frame from Want2Scrap, and glued that to the frame.

Instructional material 5

I used my Fiskars scissors to cut out another piece similar to the one above to give it the dimensional look.

Finally, to finish this project I added a few of my favorite things, which are buttons, bling, and seam binding. I threaded the Flutterbug Medley buttons through the seam binding and tied it up with a bow.  I gathered a few buttons that I had laying around and added that along with Want2Scrap charm.

I hope you enjoyed my Springtime Flutterbug Medley Wall Plaque that I created for you today!

4

Altering Buttons

Altering Buttons

There are lots of ways of altering buttons. Today, we cut off shanks and paint.

Altering Buttons to match a Poppy Card


Altering buttons to match a butterfly card.

I’m back with more buttons from the Butterfly Kisses collection. I needed to do something to make these butterflies match the cards I was wanting to make.

Butterfly Kisses

Butterfly Kisses Collection

Here’s how to get started.

Altering Buttons - Start by removing the shank

Gesso is like paint, but different – it’s almost like a crafty primer coat.
Altering Buttons - Apply Gesso to your Button

Once your button is primed, you can try lots of products.
Here, I use Smooch in a couple of colors.

Smooch comes in a nail polish style bottle with it’s own brush. So convenient. It’s made by ClearSnap.

Altering Buttons

To finish off this card, I added some ribbons from May Arts. As a kid, I grew up watching my mom sew. When she passed away, I received her sewing basket, and inside were her orange handled Fiskars scissors. Her scissors were carefully hand labeled – for sewing, for ribbons, and for paper. I still have them all.

You can also ink your primed buttons.

Altering Buttons

No button should ever go to waste!

Alter buttons to match your next project.

Supplies Used:

  • Butterfly Kisses buttons
  • Gesso – Claudine Hellmuth
  • Ink, Spritz and Smooch – Clearsnap
  • Ribbon – May Arts
  • Images – Gina K Designs
  • Paper – Cosmo Cricket
  • Other – Copic Markers

Tools Used:

  • Fiskars scissors
  • Toe nail clippers

 

1

Button Flower Table Decor for a Bridal Luncheon

Your Wedding Day is coming up.  Now, it’s time to throw a thank you Bridal Luncheon for the gals who’ve been helping you make your big day special.

Previously this month, I posted a tutorial on the Buttons Galore & More blog on how to make a Bridesmaid Gift Box.  So, to continue with my bridesmaid theme, I’m sharing coordinating Button Flower table decor that can be an easy way decorate your Bridal Luncheon table.

 purple button flower tutorial

Button Flower Table Decor for a Bridal Luncheon

To coordinate with the Bridesmaid gift box,  I made some button flower table decor using a Fiskars punch and adhered them on to  C.U.T.E drinking straws.  I love how these straws come in a variety of colors.  There so cute that it’s almost hard to put them in to a drink.

purpleflower

Button Embellished Flowers using a Fiskars Flower Punch

  • Punch flower petals using Fiskars punch.
  • Ink Edges of Flower using Colorbox ink
  • Assemble petals together with adhesive of choice
  • Curl edges of petals to make into flower shape
  • Apply Smooch Glitz to flower petals
  • Add a Button Galore & More button to center of flower

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Simple Bridal Luncheon Table Decor Using Buttons

 

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Wedding Decorations – DIY Candle Wraps Two Ways

Looking for DIY wedding decorations for your wedding?  These candle wraps with buttons are perfect for your ceremony.  Plus there are two different looks to choose from.  These wedding decorations can be modified to work with any style.

Wedding Decorations Wedding Candle Wraps

Materials needed for candle wrap wedding decorations:

Wedding Decorations Wedding Candle Wraps

 Directions for making candle wrap wedding decorations:

For the blue candle wrap, cut a sheet of paper so that it fits your candle.  Punch out a pattern of windows in your scrapbook paper with the Fiskars Everywhere Punch.

Wedding Decorations Wedding Candle Wraps

Cut a sheet of tissue paper slightly smaller than your paper and tape to the back.

Wedding Decorations Wedding Candle Wraps

Use various stamps to decorate each window of your candle wrap.

Wedding Decorations Wedding Candle Wraps

Wrap the candle and secure with tape in the back.  The candles I am using are wax sleeves that accept battery power tea lights.  There is no threat of fire when using these types of candles.  Add random buttons from the Something New button pack around your candle wrap.  Use hot glue to secure your buttons.

Wedding Decorations Wedding Candle Wraps

Add this one to the center of your wedding table for a beautiful centerpiece.  A collection of these would look great at your wedding reception.

Wedding Decorations Wedding Candle Wraps

Now for the second version just to show that these can be customized to any wedding theme.  For this version, again I cut the paper to size.  This time I used my Fiskars Everywhere Punch to make an elongated hole.

Wedding Decorations Wedding Candle Wraps

I cut some sheet music to size and taped it to the back of the paper over the window.

Wedding Decorations Wedding Candle Wraps

Stamp the blank shape with the monogram of your choice.  Then thread through some ribbon.  Glue the shape and the buttons to the ribbon ONLY.  Do not adhere to your wrap in this step.

Wedding Decorations Wedding Candle Wraps

Wrap the paper only around your candle first and secure with tape.  Then add your ribbon and secure with hot glue.

Wedding Decorations Wedding Candle Wraps

You can change up the paper and buttons on your candle wraps to match your wedding theme.  These are a quick and easy addition to any wedding decor.  Not getting married anytime soon?  These could also be customized for any season or home decor.  Grab your buttons and get started on your wedding decorations today.

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Handmade Wedding: Doily Pinwheels

I am in love with doilies.  Seriously, I think everything looks better with a doily.  And, as Spring and Summer approach, I’ve also got pinwheels on my mind.  So, when I was brainstorming some wedding ideas to share with you, I decided to combine my two loves.  Of course I threw in a button for good measure too!  These doily pinwheels would be great wedding favors or, if you want to give your wedding a whimsical touch, why not line the ceremony aisle with them? I can’t imagine a better way to walk into life as a newlywed than between pinwheels.  After all, doesn’t your groom make your heart spin?

Doily Pinwheels Beauty Shop

Supplies for Doily Pinwheels:

Doily Pinwheels Handmade Wedding: Doily Pinwheels

Instructions for Doily Pinwheels:

  1. Fold the paper doily in half. Open it and fold it in half the other way. Open it up and lay it flat.
  2. Cut along the fold marks, stopping 1″ from the center of the doily.
  3. Take one corner of each cut edge and fold it towards the center of the doily.  Attach it with a dab of glue. Continue folding other three cuts.
  4. Glue the pinwheel onto one end of the straw.
  5. Glue a button into the center of the pinwheel.

Tip: Match the button and the stripes of the straw to your wedding colors.  If you can’t find straws to match, use wood sticks and paint them to match!

www.laurabraydesigns.com

 

 

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Brown Button Border Layout

I have always loved to use buttons on my layouts as the perfect accent or as part of a border, like in this layout. But my process doesn’t start there. When I create a layout I always start with the photo. Everything from that point on should accentuate your photo. In this tutorial you will see step by step, the process that I go through when I create a layout.

The photo is of my husband and I, taken in Point Aconi Nova Scotia. When you look at a photo to scrapbook, you must choose what it is that you want to bring out. In this case I wanted to bring out he and I. So when I chose the patterned papers I made sure I have something that pulled the green in my shirt, and the his dark jacket. Black was a little too harsh to add to this layout, so I chose a chocolate brown instead. The other colors in the pattern also bring out the background.

scrapbook page idea with button border

So here is a look at the papers I chose for the background, all cut and ready to go. Another trick that you may notice in the photo below, is that when I can, I will cut the middle out of the large pieces of paper. I like such a layered look, that I felt like I was wasting paper all the time. Paper that can be used for matting photos, titles or journal blocks.

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In this next photo you will see that I have adhered some of the layers together, but not all of them. I have also cut my pieces of ribbon that are going to be used to create your button border. You will need 3 strips that are about 14″ long, and 3 shorts pieces that are about 4″ long.

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You are going to adhere the 3 long pieces of ribbon in back of your layout. I tried to get them an equal distance apart. Then you are going to string your chosen buttons, one on each ribbon.

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Here is a close up image of the ribbon strung through the button. Bring the button to the approximate area that you would like it to end up when you are finished. As in the photo, leave the ribbon loose in the front.

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Take one of your smaller pieces of ribbon and tie it in a knot to keep it in place. This can be done without tying the small piece in a knot. I did end up untying the knot in the end before trimming so that the green ribbon showed over top of the yellow.

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Pull the ribbon tight, untie if you’d like and I also adhered the back of the button to the layout to keep it in place. Repeat this for the other 2 ribbons and buttons.

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Once you have your ribbon and buttons in place you can add that back layer of cardstock. I also trimmed the small pieces of ribbon to clean them up a bit.

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In my next step, I added some more pattern accents. I added the layered strip border up the same side as the ribbons. I also added simple flag accents to the bottom of the layout and the top right hand corner. I used a 1.75″ circle punch for the half circle at the top of the polka dot flag. I also added one more chocolate button with just a simple twine tied through it.

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Now to add the final elements. My photo is matted 3 times, in cream, green and brown. I used 3D pop dots to adhere the photo to the layout. I then added the title, which happened to be a coordinating stick embellishment. I matted it in brown cardstock and adhered it to the layout, slightly overlapping onto the photo. I also added a couple of tiny journal strips and the heart embellishment.

scrapbook page idea with button border

The patterned papers and coordinating embellishments I used are by Fancy Pants, the Summer’s End Collection.

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Sunday Cardmaking: Make an Easter Magnet

Make an Easter Magnet.

Do you keep a calendar on the fridge? When my kids were little we would keep our calendar on the fridge and mark special days with a holiday magnet.

I used an Inky Antics stamp set to make my ears and face for this project, but you could EASILY cut some and draw your own face! This is a fun magnet that can be used on the fridge. You could easily swap the magnet for a pin back and have a holiday pin.

Happy Easter Magnet

How to Make an Easter Magnet:

  1. Stamp or draw and cut out ears. Stamp or draw a face and cut out with a circle punch.
  2. Sponge on pink ink on ears.
  3. Stack two Big Ol Buttons, nestling ears between them.
  4. Adhere a magnet to the back of the button bunny. I use Beacon’s Adhesive
  5. Die cut and emboss scalloped squares and classic squares.
  6. Stamp sentiment and assemble card.

I slid a small disc of metal under the top square, so that the magnet could stay in place and be removed easily. This is also how I wear the magnet.

Buttons Galore Supplies Used to make an Easter Magnet:

Cross Promotional Products Used to make an Easter Magnet:

Additional Supplies Used to make an Easter Magnet:

  • Sponge – Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts
  • Cardstock – Bazzill

 

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Butterfly and Flower Die Cuts Embellished with Spring Buttons

When you think of spring what comes to mind?  Butterflies, flowers, beautiful weather, allergies?   Well, here in southern Nevada,  spring doesn’t seem to stay very long ’cause it jumps from like cold to hot in a snap…Ack!

Despite the limited spring weather here in the desert,  I can always resort to creating cards using spring die cut shapes that are embellished with Spring Buttons.

 Butterflies and Flowers Embellished with Spring Buttons

To make this spring card I resorted to my trusty old kraft paper as the base {I heart Kraft}, matted it with some American Crafts chevron paper and used my Silhouette to cut out the butterfly and flower die cuts from a Lori Whitlock file.

butterfly die cut embellished with spring buttons

I embellished the card with green & pink twine, green wire, a stamped sentiment, faux stitching and used some cheery Spring Color Blend buttons to make my butterfly and flower die cuts pop. I can’t forget to mention the whole Glue Dots family was basically included too. Ultra Thin, Mini, Glue Lines and Pop Up Glue Dots were all used as adhesive on this Spring card.

Supplies Used:

  • BGM Spring Buttons
  • Butterfly and Flower Die Cuts
  • Pastel Cardstock and American Crafts Paper
  • 20 gauge Green Wire
  • Twine
  • White, Pink and Yellow Fine Tip Markers

Cross Promotional Products Used:

 

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Rose Garden Buttons Love U Card

Hi everyone, here is a fun and easy to make card using Buttons Galore Rose Garden buttons.  The card itself is 5 1/2 ” x 6″ and I was thinking of colors that blended well with my Buttons Galore and More Rose Garden buttons.  As, I was shopping at Hobby Lobby two weeks ago, I went on a paper matching mission and the mission was to buy paper that would blend well with my gorgeous buttons from Buttons Galore and More.  Well, I think I succeed, because the Authenique’s Collections matched up very well.

As, I created my card this past week, I wanted something that was going to say I love you whether it was Easter, Valentine’s or whatever holiday it was!  I wanted colors that were springy.  The paper collection I chose for this card is from Authenique Anthologie  collection and it blended extremely well with my Rose Garden buttons.

Regardless of what holiday it maybe, a simple card could warm up anyone’s day.

Love u card rose garden buttons

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I used several things to create this lovely card, and if you like to play with different materials this card will be a perfect card to create.  I love distressing things, now I’m not saying that you have to distress everything you create, but I generally do.  Whether you are using lace, ribbon, or bling no card can’t be complete unless you have your Buttons Galore & More buttons.  The buttons are just so darn cute that you can’t help yourself!

Materials used to make this Rose Garden Buttons Card:

Cross Promotional Supplies Used to make Rose Garden Buttons Card:

Additional Materials used to make this Rose Garden Buttons Card:

  • Want2Scrap Bling Pearl Swirl bling
  • Want2Scrap Charms
  • Authenique Antologie Paper Collection
  • Lace
  • Seam Binding Ribbon
  • Canvas Corp Mixed Media Pack
  • Wild Orchard Paper Roses
  • Hemp
  • Hot Glue
  • Glue Dots

Thank you for stopping by today, I hope you enjoyed this Rose Garden Buttons Love U Card that is perfect for any occasion.

 

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Sunday Cardmaking: Create an Easy Ombre Easter Card

Let’s Create an EASY Ombre Easter Card. Ombre is a Spanish word that simply means graduated colors. I really wanted to make a simple, sweet Easter card, and I did not want to use traditional colors. These blues are calm and happy to me. I like the tone on tone bunnies on the blue strips, and the bunnies and button eggs add a little bit of fun. I used a paint sample as my inspiration. This simple construction allows you to make a lot of cards, without a lot of work.

Easter Card

Material used to create an EASY Ombre Easter card:

Buttons Galore Product used:

I also used:

  • Dies – Quickutz
  • Embossing Folder – Sizzix
  • Cardstock – Bazzill
  • Dimensional Adhesive

Directions for making the EASY Ombre Easter Card:

  1. Create a 5×7″ card base.
  2. Cut four pieces of graduated blue cardstock 4 3/4 x 1.5″ and emboss. Place on card, leaving room in between each strip. Adhere to card base.
  3. Die cut four bunnies from same graduated card stock. Adhere to graduated blue rectangles with dimensional adhesive.
  4. Add buttons.

I hope you enjoyed this Ombre Easter card. When I’m making a lot of cards, I love to do something simple, but different. You can get a lot of strips out of each piece of blue card stock, and cut all your bunnies out of the scraps. When my kids were little we used to have their friends over and make fun cards for friends and family.

Thanks for stopping by.

Allie

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button scrapbook page layout – cute as a button

 

 

Button scrapbook page layout is well, “Cute as a Button” and it doesn’t even start to describe how sweet and adorable little Miss Emma is.  Yes, I am a little biased.   I love the happy expression on her sweet face.  To accent the sweet little face I chose the soft muted tones of the patterned papers and button embellishments made the photo pop. My scrapbook style often is defined by many layers, mixing patterns and texture.

Cute as a Button Layout

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The patterned papers are from the Dear Lizzy Collection by American Crafts. The perfect accent to the papers are  Nana’s Curtains buttons , some simple brown and white twine and brown ribbon. I also added some chocolate colored Liquid Pearls.

IMG_4271 button scrapbook page idea

Products Used for Cute as a button scrapbook page:

  • Orange Buttons
  • 1 3/4″ Circle Punch
  • 1″ Circle Punch
  • Martha Stewart Crafts Heart Punch
  • Corner Rounder

I hope you enjoyed the ideas in this button scrapbook page layout.  Scrapbooking lets me be very creative and also preserve out families memories.  If you are interested in seeing more button scrapbook page ideas, you should check out my blog too.

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Hand Stitched Birds – Button Embellished

You can create these adorable hand stitched little birds using a wide array of materials. Use your mixed-media mojo to create birdies with your own unique look and then embellish with pretty buttons to add color, sparkle and dimension. I absolutely love the new wedding buttons, so I had to use these little glittery hearts for my bird ornaments. Today I’ll share with you how you can make them too.

Button Embellished hand stitched birdies

Materials to make the hand stitched birdies:

From the Buttons Galore and More Store:

Other materials used:

  • Neutral colored fabric
  • Coordinating brightly colored fabric
  • Scissors
  • Needle and thread (white and black)
  • Polyfil
  • DecoArt SoSoft® Fine Glitter fabric paint (Ice Crystal) and paint brush
  • Twine or ribbon

Colorful buttons

How to make button embellished hand stitched birds

  1. Cut 2 identical bird shaped pieces of fabric
  2. Stitch both pieces of fabric together, 1/4″ from the edge leaving a 1″ opening. Do not cut thread. Stuff with polyfil. Stitch closed and tie off.
  3. Cut 1 wing shape from colored fabric. Adhere in place (stitch or glue).
  4. Cut a small triangle for the beak and glue in place.
  5. Paint accents using sparkly fabric paint. Allow to dry.
  6. Stitch buttons in place as desired. For buttons that do not lay flat, snip off the button hole ring and glue button in place.
  7. Using black thread, stitch a small eye.
  8. If you’d like your bird to be able to hang to display, stitch a small twine or ribbon loop at the top.
Sparkly wedding buttons

Sparkly wedding buttons

 

Cut off button back before gluing

Cut off button back before gluing

 

Pretty button embellished birds by Jen Goode

Pretty button embellished hand stitched birds by Jen Goode

These hand stitched birdies make a great decoration you can add to any centerpiece, accent other key piece or even include as a gift tag accessory. Mix and match the colors of fabric and buttons to create pretty handmade pieces you can include in any occasion.

 

 

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Make an embellished tote with Hand Dyed Buttons

embellished tote

An embellished tote

Hand journaling is becoming more and more popular in mixed media crafts these days. This tote is a basic pre-made black tote I ordered online and embellished with hand journaled muslin, Jacquard Products paints and dyes (for the hand dyed fabric) and finally, fun buttons!

Jacquard products makes a wonderful product called IDye. It comes in both liquid form and powered packets. I used the powdered packets to machine dye white cotton muslin. Once the muslin was dry, I created happy bright colored fabric flowers using various techniques. Instructions for making flowers by hand from fabric can be found in abundance these days. Search for a myriad of techniques on sites like Pinterest.  You can find other ideas for an embellished tote there, too.

How to make an Embellished Tote:

I started with creating a dry brushed background using Jacquard’s Neopaque and Lumiere paints. Starting with one color, I waited for the colors to dry in between coats before adding the next to create an interesting canvas.

Believing that I have the absolute worst hand writing on earth, I was very timid about hand journaling on these muslin strips. I took on the challenge anyway and pinned and sewed them to the front of the bag. Swiping a coat or two of the paints allows them to blend in nicely with the background while standing out at the same time.

An Embellished Tote bag with hand dyed buttons and fabric

Bright, fun, hand dyed buttons  add the final touch to the flowers. They are perfect for this project since the fabric is hand dyed as well. I used three strands of six ply embroidery floss to sew through the holes of each button. I wanted to create the impression that the buttons were sewn to the bright flowers but in reality, I knotted off the threads in the back and glued them on with Beacon Adhesives Fabri-Tac.

The message of the sentiment speaks well to me. Instead of constantly complaining about how things should be, or how they are not what we envision as “right,” we should lead by example. Show the world what a better place it could be by being just that – better.

Live Life Creatively,

Melony

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Giveaway Winners and other fun stuff

The Giveaway winner was chosen via computer and she chose the green container.  Congratulations Barb  please contact us with your shipping information by 3-28-13.   Congratulations to our Designer Craft Connection members for a beautiful button inspired hop.  Also please congratulate Sue Eldred she won the other Viewtainer filled with buttons and ribbons.

Giveaway Winner:

Author: Barb Wagar
Comment: permalink
I forgot to add that if I win I’d like the green container. Thanks so much.

As an added bonus we have another beautiful card creation by Allie Gower of My Card Party to share with you.  Be sure to check back soon for other giveaways.


CAS After WM

 

Allie writes … “My favorite technique lately is using Avery Labels in my crafting. I have a tutorial on making faux Washi Tape here on my blog.”

Products Used – Stamps (Unity), Button (Buttons Galore, Bling (Want2Scrap), Ink (Close to My Heart), Accents – Smooch (Clearsnap)

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Sunday Cardmaking: Making an Easy Easter Card and Treat Containers

Making an EASY Easter Card and Treat Containers to match.

Easter is so much fun for the kids, but it doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult to make treats. I love to make these little treat containers for the children at Sunday School, along with friends’ children. They are EASY PEASY to make. The card couldn’t be easier. With a sticker sheet, you can quickly make 8 cards out of one sheet of 12×12″ paper and some scraps.

It’s so easy, and I’ll walk you through it!

BGM Carrot Easter Bunny 2013-02-27 11.55.51

Directions for making Easy Easter Card

  1. Cut a card base 3 x 6 and fold in half.
  2. Create a green mat 2.75″ square and adhere to card base.
  3. Add a small strip of patterned paper 2.75 x 1″ and adhere near bottom of  green mat.
  4. Tie a bow through a white button and adhere to card.
  5. Place dimensional foam on back of bunny sticker. Leaving release paper in place, dust the back of the sticker with baby powder. This deactivates the adhesive. Tap off excess. Remove release tape and adhere bunny to card.

Directions for making Treat Containers:

  1. Cut a piece of patterned paper in a square – I made small containers – they are 4 x4″.
  2. Roll patterned paper into a tube and seal edges with redline tape.
  3. Squeeze at one end – seal with tape. Fill with treats. Squeeze at the other end, being sure to squeeze the tube “perpendicular” to your other end. These will look like Minute Maid popsicles or those old fashioned tubes of sour cream.
  4. Die cut circle and doodle around edges. Die cut green inverted circle. Fold in half and adhere to tubes.
  5. Add some Laura Kelly buttons with Beacon’s Adhesive and let dry.

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Buttons Galore Materials used to create EASY Easter Card and Treat Containers:

Cross Promotional Materials used:

Additional Items Needed:

  • Paper, Sticker, Twine – Doodlebug Design
  • Ink – Copic Multiliner
  • Dimensional foam adhesive
  • Baby powder and a small brush

Thanks for joining me today. These are super simple craft ideas that would be fun to do with the kids.

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Paper Flower tutorial – Pretty Flower Pick-Me-Up

 

Check out my paper flower tutorial and create a pretty paper flower Pick me up- The winter months can be long, dreary and very cold depending on where you live. Here on the east coast of Canada it has been one wicked winter so far. Sometimes you just want to create something to brighten someone’s day, or even your own day. So that is what I did one afternoon. I created this sweet and simple little bouquet of paper flowers in quirky and bright tones. Sure to brighten anyone’s spirits. Try this one for someone special or for yourself. It’s amazing what a simple crafted surprise can do a person in the hectic world that we live in.

 

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Materials used to make this paper flower project:

 

Instructions for paper flower craft:

First you are going to select your pattern paper. Using the XXL flower punch, you are going to cut out 4 flowers from each pattern you would like to use. Once you have all your flowers punched, you are going to cut them accordingly. Two of the flowers remain as they are with just a simple cut up the to middle of the flower between 2 of the petals. One flower is going to have one petal removed completely. The remaining flower will be cut so that you have a section with 2 petals and a section with 3 petals. The image below shows what your pieces should look like for each of the flowers you want to create.

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Next, you are going to take these pieces and glue them into shape using Fabri-Tac adhesive. Starting with the 5 petal flowers, you are going to put adhesive on one of the petals next to where you have cut. Then you are going to pull the petal on the other side of the cut, on top of the one you just added glue to. This creates sort of cone shape. You are going to repeat this with your remaining pieces. Treating the missing petals as your cut. For these flowers I actually did not end up using the 2 petal piece, as the buttons I chose to use were larger. However if you have a small button in mind, you will want to keep the 2 petal piece. The photo below now shows the shape of all the pieces.

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For the next step you will need something to roll your petal around to shape them. This can be a multitude of things. I use a BBQ skewer, it seems to give the the amount of curl that I like. Some other objects that could work would be a pencil or pen, an actual paper shaping tool, a nail or even just rolling the paper in your fingers can work. The image below shows some of the pieces after they have been rolled and shaped. They are now ready to assemble.

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For assembly I used hot glue, as always just be careful. You are simply going to layer your flower gluing from largest to smallest. However if you would like your flowers to be on craft wire like mine, it starts with the first 4 petal flower. I poked the wire through the bottom of the flower and then looped the end of the wire so that it would not go back through the hole. Add a generous amount of hot glue and adhere the other 4 petal flower on top. Once all your layers are secured, you are free to add your gorgeous vintage button to the middle of your flower. These vintage buttons can add flare to any project, I thought they added such pizzazz to these funky little flowers.

I used a small unwanted empty crafting flower jar as my vase. I put a small amount of craft clay in the bottom for the wire to stick into and stay in place. Then I added strips of coordinating paper around the bottle to hide all the goings on inside. Then I added a bit of coordinating ribbon. I also made a tag  from a coordinating cardstock sticker. Tie your tag around the top of your vase and your beautiful little bouquet is complete.

Thank you so much for crafting along

 

 

 

 

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Napkin Rings with buttons – A Mixed Media Masterpieces Shabby Chic Style

 

Mixed Media Napkin Ring Ideas

Mixed media shabby chin napkin rings with buttons

My love of mixed media runs deep. Very deep. Seldom is there a project that I complete without adding paint, sewn elements, stamped components and especially glitter. When I opened up a delightful assortment of buttons from an ordinary corrugated shipping box last week. my heart leapt when I discovered these fantastic carved wooden buttons from Buttons Galore and More from the Haberdashery line. I immediately started rifling through the remainder of my goodies and discovered these fabric covered Cozy Brads and these amazing camoes.

productsI grabbed some wooden napkin rings, some Gem-Tac Glue by Beacon Adhesives, some art glitter and some Neopaque paints from Jacquard Products so that I could make these fantastic wooden napkin rings.

Directions to make the napkin rings:

I played with the arrangement several times before coming up with one that suited me. I used the button shank remover to remove the wood shank from the wood carved buttons and the cameos. I also discovered that is could be used to remove the flange from the fabric covered brad.

sand wood pieces

I carefully sanded the pieces before setting about painting them. I nail file works well with wood napkin rings since it allows you to get inside the ring in order to sand away the rough areas.

stamped piecesOnce the front of the wood disks are dry enough and while you are waiting to add additional coats to the napkin rings, use an ornate motif and solvent ink to stamp the front of the napkin rings.

add glitter to edges

Coat the edges of the disk with some of the gem-tac glue and sprinkle on glitter to give your napkin rings some extra sparkle.

arrange buttonsNext arrange your buttons as before and glue down using the gem-tac. I also added an appetizing sentiment stamped with alphabet stamped and solvent ink. I placed the de-flanged cozy brad in the center of the carved wooden brad.

gem tacSewn elements were added in the form of small scraps of hand dyed fabric that were gently stitched and then glued to the rings.

sewn elementsUse Neopaque in black to add a very heavy dry brushed coat to the napkin rings.

dry bushed ringsFinally, use a generous amount of gem-tac to glue the embellished disk to the napkin ring.

gluing rings to disksEnjoy your artfully buttoned embellished shabby chic napkin rings!!

finished rings 2Live Life Creatively,

Melony

www.mel-designss.typepad.com

3

Easter Table Decor — Handmade Utensil Pouch

Today I am going to show you some Easter table decor in the form of a handmade utensil pouch.  Your Easter table will never look better once you make this table decor.  These utensil pouches are perfect for your Easter celebration.  Plus they are easy to make and will really impress your guests.  Learn the basic technique of creating these then put your own spin on the front for a personalized table for any holiday.

Easter Table Decor Utensil Pouch

For this Easter Table Decor you will need:

Directions to make this Easter Table Decor:

I used a cookie bag that I purchase in bulk for the base of my utensil pouch.  You should be able to find something similar in a party supply store or online.  I ran it through with the Spellbinders embossing folder and was happy to see that the embossing looked wonderful!  I wanted a punch of color on the plain white bag however so I went over lightly with the chalk ink from Clearsnap in Yellow Citrus.  Just allowing the embossing to really come to life.

Easter Table Decor Utensil Pouch

The cookie bags are actually a little wide to be used for a utensil pouch.  I used the utensils as a guide and then folded over the excess on both sides.  I used Mod Podge to adhere the excess on the back of the pouch.

Easter Table Decor Utensil Pouch

Now let’s work on the decoration for the front.  I cut a shape from card stock using the Spellbinders dies.  I then used some flower stamps to add two flowers.  I used fine line craft markers to color in the stamps then added the button brads to the center of both flowers.

Easter Table Decor Utensil Pouch

I then drew stems and leaves on my flowers using the same set of fine line craft markers.  I stamped “Happy Easter” onto a small oval slider using the Colorbox Ink.

Easter Table Decor Utensil Pouch

The cardstock shape was applied to the bag using Mod Podge.  I then used hot glue to attach the slider to the front.  I tied baker’s twine to one side of the slider, ran it around the back, and tied the other end to the opposite side of the slider.  Make the twine taught but don’t cinch your pouch.

Easter Table Decor Utensil Pouch

Add a napkin and your utensils for a festive addition to your Easter table.  I think the basket weave emboss is perfect for spring but you could incorporate other emboss folders you have to put your own unique spin on this idea.

Easter Table Decor Utensil Pouch

Make your Easter table decor extra special with the addition of personalized utensil pouches.  A perfect way to set your table in style.

Easter Table Decor Utensil Pouch

 

8

Sunday Cardmaking: Make a St. Patrick’s Day Card

Let’s make a FUN St. Patrick’s Day Card.

As an Irish lass, I just HAVE to share another St. Patrick’s Day Card.

Sometimes I like to make easy cards. Other times, I like to pull out lots of toys and tools, and for this card, I got out sandpaper, my scor-board and all kinds of goodies.

Let’s get started!

Happy St Patricks Day

How to make this FUN St. Patrick’s Day Card.

  1. The base is a standard A2 size (4.25 x 5.5″) and opens at the bottom. The dark green mat is 4 x 5.25″ and the white mat it 3.75 x 5″. The light green strip is 1.75 x 5″.
  2. Score light green strip at every quarter inch. Turn over and sand score lines.
  3. Stamp sentiment. Assemble card.
  4. Die cut three clovers and sand around the edges. Tie twine through assorted Orange Buttons and adhere to clovers with Beacon’s.
  5. Add ribbon. I like to fold over the top edge and use Red Liner Tape to hold it down. Add bling to ribbon and dot i in St. Patrick’s.

We had a lot of fun using tools, but it wasn’t hard… Was it? Grammar Note – the plural of clover really is clovers, I researched it. It sounds wrong, doesn’t it?

Buttons Galore Supplies Used to make this FUN St. Patrick’s Day Card.

Cross Promotional Supplies Used to make this FUN St. Patrick’s Day Card.

Additional Supplies Used to make this FUN St. Patrick’s Day Card.

  • Sentiment, Twine, and Cardstock – Close To My Heart (I like to use this cardstock because it has a fun white core.)
  • Clover die cuts – Sizzix
  • Sandpaper – Bazzill Sanding tool
  • Ribbon – American Crafts
  • Bling – Want2Scrap
  • Dimensional Foam Adhesive

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope your St. Patrick’s Day is filled with luck to last you through the year.

2

Mini Easter Egg Art – make your own art

Mini Easter Egg Art is fun to make.  Combine paint and buttons to create a pretty vintage look when decorating this Easter. Create your own mini Easter egg art in just a few steps. You can make a whole pile of these cute little art canvases and use them to accent your Easter decor throughout the house, just change the design and alternate the colors and you’ve got a new art piece.

Easter Egg canvas art by Jen Goode

Easter Egg canvas art by Jen Goode

Easter Egg canvas art with buttons

Easter Egg canvas art with buttons

Materials you need for Mini Easter Egg Art:

  • Small brown buttons
  • Mini canvas
  • Twine
  • DecoArt Americana Craft Paint – tan, white, pink, purple and yellow
  • DecoArt One Step Crackle
  • DecoArt Gel Stain
  • Liquid glue
  • Cardstock
  • Scissors
  • Paint brushes
  • Black fine tip marker

Steps to make mini Easter Art

Allow materials to dry between applications.

  1. Paint each canvas tan.
  2. Dry brush paint over tan with white.
  3. Create an egg shape stencil using the cardstock.
  4. paint the egg art on each canvas. Alternating tan and white, create an egg shape on each canvas with the stencil. Layer color until you get the look and texture you’d like. Lightly paint color on each egg. Create a pattern or apply in various areas for each piece. Coat with One Step Crackle. Using a cloth, rub on gell stain. Immediately wipe off.
  5. Using black marker, doodle outlines and patterns on each egg design.
  6. Tie twine through each button. Glue buttons in place as desired.
paint canvases

paint canvases

 

close up of Easter Egg art

close up of Easter Egg art

 

Easter egg button art by Jen Goode

Easter egg button art by Jen Goode

 

Tip: Use colorful Spring buttons in mini Easter baskets to accent your Easter decor instead of jelly beans. Just make sure not to leave the buttons where young children can reach them. Have a Happy Easter!

Basket with spring buttons

Basket with spring buttons

4

Create an Antique Chic Cameo Button Envelope and Card

Create an Antique Chic Cameo Button Envelope and Card with a few easy steps.

Hi everyone, I’m Mai Larsen new Design Team member for Buttons Galore & More.  I’m very excited to be a part Buttons Galore & More 2013 Design Team and even more excited to share with you  my first project as a Design Team member.

Cameo Buttons are one of my favorite graphic image to work with.

There is so much you can create with Cameo Buttons.  Honestly, the sky is the limit when it comes to buttons.  The project that I created for you today is an envelope and card using Cameo Buttons as closures.  Buttons Galore & More made this project super fun for me, because the Cameo Buttons and  Haberdashery Buttons were gorgeous and I found the perfect paper to go with it from We R Memory Keepers “Antique Chic”.  This paper collection went very well with the buttons.

 Cameo button1

 

Antique Chic Cameo button

Material used to make Cameo Button Envelope & Card:

Buttons Galore & More Products used:

Cross Promotional Products Used:

I also used:

  • Kraft Paper
  • We R Memory Keepers Antique Chic Paper Collection
  • Hot Glue
  • Maya Road Black Twine
  • Tim Holtz Vintage Photo Distress Ink
  • Scor Tape
  • Want2Scrap Fancy Frame
  • Want2Scrap Black Rhinestone Swirl
  • Ad Tech Glue Runner adhesive
  • Paper Studio Fibers
  • Karlas001 Rosette Ribbon
  • Sewing Machine

The envelope itself is 4 x 5″ and the card is 3 1/2 x 4 1/2″.  To give it a more elegant look I used a sewing machine and stitched the layers.  I hope you enjoy the video I created showing you how to create this beautiful envelope and card using Buttons Galore & More Cameo  & Haberdashery Buttons.  Be sure to visit Buttons Galore & More website for your buttons at www.buttonsgaloreandmore.com.

Directions for creating the Envelope and Card:

Step One:

Envelope measurements

 

Step Two:

envelope measurement2

 

Step Three:

envelopement measurement3

Here is a link to my video tutorial check it out:

Buttons Galore & More Envelope & Card

Visit my blog and let me know what you thing at www.creandocondetalles.blogspot.com.  I hope you enjoyed my first project!

 

14

Sunday Card Making: Make a St. Patrick’s Day Card

Make a St. Patrick’s Day Card with hearts. I found that I did not have many St. Patrick’s Day themed stamps and embellishments in my stash. I decided on an Irish styled saying and a clover made of stamped hearts. You can make a card any size you like. My card is 4×4″.

Buttons Galore celebrates St. Patrick's Day with Allie Gower

Material used to create St. Patrick’s Day card:

Buttons Galore Product used:

I also used:

In addition you will need:

  • Post-it Note
  • Circle punch or die
  • Finger Dauber or Sponge
  • Copic Multiliner ( for drawing stem )

Directions for making the St. Patrick’s Day Card:

  1. Create a card base by cutting a piece of cardstock 4×8″ and fold in half.
  2. Cut a mat – 3 3/4×3 3/4″ and adhered to card base.
  3. Tie ribbon around card base and attach button using twine.
  4. Die cut scalloped square and adhere to card.
  5. Die cut a classic square.
  6. Stamp sentiment on classic square. Stamp heart four times to create a shamrock, and hand draw a stem.
  7. To create the cloud around the sentiment, you can make your own stencil, as shown below. Attach a Post-it Note to some scrap paper and punch a circle out – near the sticky edge of the Post-it note. Remove sticky circle and place on card and gently sponge around it, moving as needed, to create a cloud shape.
  8. Adhere classic square to card and add bling.

create a cloud step onecreate a cloud step two create a cloud step three create a cloud

I hope you enjoyed this St. Patrick’s Day card and the quick cloud tutorial. May the wind be ever at your back!

Thanks for stopping by.

Allie

5

Sunday Card Tutorial: Make a Window Card

Window Cards are cool.  Have you ever wanted to make a window card? Have you ever had to make a BUNCH and wanted them all to be the same?

Window Card by Allie Gower

 

Materials to make Window card:

I have a Grand Calibur from Spellbinders, but this should work in any machine. You need repositionable tape – I use Tissue Tape – as you can see! You will also need two post it notes.

Start by making an outline of your card, so that you know where to place each card front.

Making the Perfect Cut

 

You also want to tape down the die. You will cut through the tape – no worries, just put tape all over it and really rub it down. Then, you are ready to die cut your panels. Use some post it notes to hold it in place. These will really stick after running through your machine, but won’t leave any residue.

Making the Perfect Cut

 

Rinse. Lather. Repeat. Just kidding. Keep going, just line up your panel  and secure with post – its. Before you know it, you’ll have a nice neat stack of card fronts.

Making the Perfect Cut

 

My card fronts were created with an arrow stencil. This is a new stencil that Donna Salazar designed for Want2Scrap. It worked great. I used my trust post its to hold it in place, and airbrushed some black ink. Afterwards, I sprayed on a little red ink, and outlined the card.

I finished the card off with ribbon, a Red Heart Button and some twine, and a rhinestone flourish.

Behind the opening is some cardstock. I raised up the card front with some dimensional adhesive. The card front is matted on black, and then adhered to the card base.

If you have to make several cards, or even just one – this easy technique will help you get it right – the first time, and every time.

Buttons Galore Supplies Used to Make the Window Card:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Supplies Used to Make the Window Card:

  • Cardstock – My Favorite Things Replenishments
  • Patterned Paper – Canvas Corp.
  • Stencil and Flourish – Want2Scrap
  • Die – Classic Heart from Spellbinders
  • Ink and Airbrush System – Copic
  • Ribbon – American Crafts
  • Twine – Doodlebug Design

Would you like me to send this card to you? I will be sending it to one lucky winner.

Simply leave a comment and Pin this card!

 

Thanks for joining me, I’ll be back next Sunday with a fun Card Making Tutorial for you featuring, of course, fabulous BUTTONS!

 

 

 

Mixed Media Canvas by StudioBeeCreations – Guest Designer

Mixed Media Canvas by StudioBeeCreations

Mixed media Canvas

OH ME…OH MY!!!….I am soooo “over the top” excited about my guest designer post here at Buttons Galore & More!
Buttons have ALWAYS been a passion of mine…one of my favorite “collections”.
I have been crafting some way or another most of my life….Recently I have been drawn to mixed-media….because I can use bits & bobs of all my “stuff” to make ART!
I also enjoy music…and wordage….so, here I have encorporated my “loves” into this canvas.

Mixed Media Canvas – “Sunshine on a Cloudy Day”

Mixed media Canvas

Directions and materials to make a Mixed Media Canvas:

 

I have taken an 8×10 canvas….added loads of texture….vintage music pages,along with (believe it or not) babywipes that I used to wipe up some inks and paints from a previous project…..some inks, rubber stamps,rub-ons, great alpha stickers from my stash and an ANTIQUE quilt piece “rescued” from a dresden plate quilt piece….it realy looks like sunshine…doesn’t it?…..and to top it all off….a YUMMY assortment of buttons from ButtonsGalore&More….these just make me HAPPY!
With my favorite medium Mod Podge, it all comes together in a fun piece of art…..Each time I create these canvases…even tho the same products are used, they all come out uniquely OOAK!(one-of-a-kind)
I currently have my wares for sale at my etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/Studiobeecreations
..more items being added this week!
Loveeeeeeeeeeee all of the assortments BG&M offer for my creative pleasure!
creative blessings, Debbie

Mixed media Canvas

3

Sunday Card Making: Make an OWL LOVE YOU Valentine Card

Do you like puns?  There is nothing cuter than OWL LOVE. I think this card would work well for Valentine’s Day, or any day with the simple HELLO!

This card is not difficult, but it’s got a little cutting and some die cutting and punching.

I started with Spellbinders Labels 20 and cut two green shapes and embossed them. I though these worked well for bushy foliage. I also die cut a branch from the Spellbinders BUGS set, and I also embossed it and added some ink for added contrast.

I stamped the Owl with some Crystal Blue ink from Close To My Heart – the owl is a Stamp of the Week from Unity Stamp Company. I have a love for owls, and some of my close friends call me Owlie – it’s even the name of my character on the Wii. It’s okay to laugh! I fussy cut the owl – not as hard as SOME shapes. I doodled around his feet and gave him some eyelashes with a Copic multiliner. I stencilled on his nose – I stamped a second owl and cut out the nose. I colored and outlined. An owl can be blue and sit in a tree, but a blue nose – never! I added some metal brads for his eyes.

I punched a heart using a Fiskars punch. The paper is from Canvas Corp and has all kinds of love words on it. I added a Red Heart Button. I tied a little bow with some Doodlebug Design Twine. At the bottom, I stamped “hello” from the same stamp set. I colored in the heart with a Copic Marker and added some Turquoise Rhinestones from Want2Scrap.

I did a little rounding at the bottom of the card and on the sentiment.

That’s it!

I hope you will love this card.

 

 

Hello by Allie Gower

Buttons Galore Supplies used to make the OWL LOVE YOU Card:

Additional supplies used to make the OWL LOVE YOU Card:

  • Cardstock – My Favorite Things Replenishments
  • Stamps – Unity Stamp Company (Stamp of the Week Program)
  • Dies – Spellbinders Labels 20 and Bugs
  • Punches – Scalloped Heart and Corner Punch from Fiskars
  • Twine – Doodlebug Design
  • Ink – Close To My Heart and Copic
  • Bling – Want2Scrap

Do you want this OWL to love you forever?

I will send him to a lucky winner.

Leave a comment and PIN him. I know, you were going to do that anyway. Good luck and I’ll see you all next week.

Sunday Card Making: A Valentine that Holds a Gift Card

Are you giving a Gift Card to your Valentine this year? Gift cards are great, but they rarely come in a cute package. Am I right?

This is easy peasy. You will be ready to present those gift cards in style, for every occasion.

Ready? Here we go!

Valentine for Gift Card

 

I’ve mad a standard card. A2 – 4.25 x 5.5 – inside though, I added a flap. Above, I’ve stamped and cut and matted, and added a row of glorious Buttons in Laura Kelly Walters fabulously bright colors. Easy peasy, right?

I like to stamp a lot of images and keep them in a baggy so when I’m bored, yes, like that ever happens. What I mean is when I have time, I can sit down and color. Then, when I need a card, I already have images ready to go. This cute set of stringing hearts is from the Unity Stamp Company’s Kit of the Month. I stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink from Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts and colored with a few Copic Markers.

Shall we head inside?

Below, I added the flap. I stamped and fussy cut my hot cup of steamy cocoa and the sweet sentiment sentiment. Inside the flap, I stick on my cards with a Glue Dot. If you prefer, you can tape up the sides and make a pocket.

 

Valentine Gift Card Flap

 

 

 

Buttons Galore and More Supplies Used to Make This Valentine Gift Card:

Additional Supplies Used to Make This Valentine Gift Card:

  • Cardstock – My Favorite Things Replenishments
  • Ink – Tsukineko Memento in Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers
  • Stamps – Unity Stamp Company Kit of the Month Set.

 

I hope you enjoyed this EASY PEASY Gift Card lesson.

This card could be for you! Leave a comment and Pin the card and a lucky winner will be chosen.

Join me again next week – hope you like OWLS!

 

4

Sunday Cardmaking: Making a Valentine that Hides a Sweet Surprise

Have you ever wanted to hide a sweet surprise in a Valentine card?

Sweet Surprise Card by Allie Gower

This is a standard Easel Card Valentine with a sweet surprise.

If you’ve never created an Easel Card, here is a very easy tutorial. On my Valentine, I’ve made the size a little larger – the card is 6×6.

The sweet surprise is that in the bottom half of this Valentine, I’ve wrapped a Hershey Bar.

I added a panel of black cardstock, and scored it to make a little sleeve for the candy bar. I didn’t glue it, so the card doesn’t have to be destroyed to enjoy the candy. Apparently, no one wants to rip up the card to get to the goods! Nothing stops me from getting to chocolate.

Hershey Valentine

Sometimes people ask about the buttons and other dimensional items, and if it makes the cards hard to mail, or expensive.

Once you get a certain size, you’re paying a premium anyway, so I just pop my cards in a bubble mailer or a small box, and grin and bear the cost of mailing. My only other option is to hand deliver, which I love to do! I don’t want to hold back on my creativity – so I say layer it on, and on, and on.

Buttons Galore and More Supplies Used to Create this Valentine:

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Strawberries

Mini Glue Dots

Beacon’s 3-in-1 Glue

Additional Supplies Used to Create this Valentine:

Paper – Authentique

Stamps – Gina K Designs

Ink – Close to My Heart

Dies – Spellbinders

Bling – Want2Scrap

Thanks for checking out my Valentine.

If you have any questions, just leave me a comment below.

I’d like to send this card to someone! Leave a comment here, and PIN the photo for a chance to win.

15

Winter Card: Sunday Cardmaking

 

I’m back with another winter card for Sunday Cardmaking here at Buttons Galore. I had some holiday pictures to mail off, and I thought this was a fun winter card to create, to accompany those pictures.

Do you love a winter card that’s easy to make? I used all scraps!

Directions for making Winter Card

I started with an 8.5 x 11″ sheet of cardstock from  My Favorite Things and cut a piece 4 x 8″ and folded it in half. Yes, I like to make cards in all shapes and sizes.

I cut a piece of patterned Authentique paper sized 3.5″ square. I also cut a 1 x 4.5″ strip of the same paper, and flipped it over. I stamped snowflakes on this piece, and accented it with Dimensional Pearls Paint and bling and pearls from Want2Scrap. I colored the pearls with a Copic marker to get a matching shade. I stamped the sentiment on a scrap of white cardstock and trimmed it into strips. The edges were lined with a Copic marker, and then colored with a lighter shade to match the patterned papers.

The sentiment reads …

In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me was an invincible summer.

I promise, Spring is coming. The trees will soon be singing again.

To finish off the winter card, I punched some snowflakes from the matching patterned paper and painted them with some glossy accents and sprinkled Sugar Shimmer. These are adhered with dimensional foam dots. I then chose three matching Clear Round Buttons and punched out small circles of a coordinating Authentique patterned paper. I adhered the paper to the buttons with Glossy Accents then I attached the Clear Round Buttons and two Rustic Coconut Shell Buttons using Memory Book Dot ‘n Go glue dots.

Buttons Galore Products Used 

 Promotional Products Used

Additional Products 

  • Bling – Want2Scrap
  • Glossy Accents, Dimensional Pearls Paint – Ranger Ink
  • Snowflakes – Punch
  • Ink – Copic, Memento
  • Stamp – Close To My Heart

 

 Thank you for joining us this Sunday. I’ll be back next Sunday with another project idea.
0

Fun Snowman Treat Bags: Sunday Cardmaking

I’m back with a Sunday Cardmaking project.  This week we’re making Snowman Treat Bags. I made a couple of quick, simple snowman thank you cards, and wanted something nice to put them in. Snowman Treat Bags are perfect!

Let me walk you through the process. It’s not hard at all!

Directions for making Snowman Treat Bags

I started with two 8.5 x 11″ sheets of cardstock from  My Favorite Things and cut a piece 6 x 11″. I scored from left to right at 1″, 6″, and 7″ and folded them, and then adhered them together. For the bottom of the bag I used a piece of cardstock that was 3 x 6″ and I scored it to create three one inch folds. I attached that at the bottom. The handle at the top is 1 x 11″ and it’s held in place with two brads and some adhesive.

I stamped my image on cardstock and colored with Copics, and stamped again on patterned Authentique paper – cutting out the scarf and part of the hat. I used a Copic Marker to highlight some of the shadows. I cut a panel out of the same patterned Authentique paper sized 5.25″ square. I colored the edges of the bag and the mat with a Copic marker to match the patterned paper. The paper edges are inked in the same color using the broad tip. I embellished the stamped image with Polar White Flower Soft and some red pearls from Want2Scrap. I painted the snowman with Smooch. He doesn’t sparkle much in the photo, but after a few coats, he was twinkling in person.

I tied a bow around the bag to hold the cards in place and cinched the bow with some Doodlebug twine and a Wild White Button topped with a Brilliant Blue Button anchored by a snowflake brad. I placed the stamped image on the bag with some dimensional foam tape. Five holes were punched at the top, and I placed five Wild White Buttons held in place by brads. You can simple spread the “legs” on the brads a little to go through the holes, then squeeze them back together to attach to the paper. I used 3 in 1 Craft Glue just to help them stay put.

Buttons Galore Products Used 

 Promotional Products Used

Additional Products 

  • Snowflake Brads and Red crepe ribbon – Creative Impressions
  • Ivory Flowers – Petaloo
  • Bling – Want2Scrap
  • Snowflakes – Punch
  • Ink – Copic, Memento
  • Stamp – unknown
  • Twine – Doodlebug Designs
  • Fluff – Polar White Flower Soft

 

 Thank you for joining us for Snowman Treat Bags: Sunday Cardmaking. I’ll be back next Sunday with another project for you.
2

Winter Card Ideas: Sunday Cardmaking

I’m back with more winter card ideas. I had some holiday pictures to mail off, and I thought this was a fun card to create, to accompany those pictures.

Let me walk you through the process. It’s not hard at all!

WINTER CARD IDEAS

Directions for making Winter card

I started with an 8.5 x 11″ sheet of cardstock from  My Favorite Things and cut a piece 6″ square and folded it in half. I chose this size, because inside, I added a Caribou gift card, just a little after the holidays treat! I just stuck it on with a Memory Book Dot ‘n Go glue dot.

A piece of patterned Authentique paper sized 2.75 x 5.75″ was added. I colored the edges of the card with a Copic marker to match the patterned paper. The paper edges are inked in the same color using the broad tip. I stamped the image on cardstock with Memento ink and then taped my die in place using Washi tape to hold it in place. When I removed the die and paper, I left the tape, and sponged on some Close to My Heart ink to distress it.

I placed some white chipboard on a Wacky Tape Sheet and die cut a bird and wing. The bird was then glittered with some Clearsnap Sugar Shimmer.

I bent the vine in the shape I wanted and adhered it with 3 in 1 Craft Glue. I threaded some Rustic Coconut Shell Buttons using some twine, and adhered the buttons using Memory Book Dot ‘n Go glue dots and a few foam squares for added dimension. I added the rest of the embellishments using 3 in 1 Craft Glue and Memory Book Dot ‘n Go glue dots.

Buttons Galore Products Used 

 Promotional Products Used

Additional Products 

  • Sizzix – Bird Die
  • Ivory Flowers – Petaloo
  • Vine – Prima
  • Bling – Want2Scrap
  • Snowflakes – Punch
  • Ink – Copic, Memento
  • Stamp – Close To My Heart
  • Twine – Doodlebug Designs

 

I am glad you joined us for Sunday Cardmaking. I hope you are enjoying the Winter Card Ideas. I’ll be back next Sunday with another project idea.
4

Shabby Chic Card: Sunday Cardmaking

Cardmaking - Winter I

I’ve got a shabby chic card for today’s Sunday Cardmaking post – and it is very easy. It’s for a friend that loves all things shabby chic.

Let me walk you through the process. It’s not hard at all!

Directions for a shabby chic card:

I started with an 8.5 x 11″ sheet of cardstock from  My Favorite Things and cut a strip 5.5 x 11″ and folded it in half. A piece of patterned Authentique paper sized 5.25″ square was added. I placed some plain cardstock on a Wacky Tape Sheet and die cut a star. The star was then glittered with some Clearsnap gold glitter. I adhered the large snowflake and glittered star and button with 3 in 1 Craft Glue.

I gathered the fibers and ribbons. I cinched them together with Wild White Buttons and Rustic Coconut Shell Buttons using some twine. I punched two small holes in the cardstock behind each button, and tied the ribbon to the card. The rest of the embellishments were adhered using 3 in 1 Craft Glue and Memory Book Dot ‘n Go glue dots.

Once everything was dry, I placed the card, along with a few small gifts, in a bubble mailer. It’s a little late for Christmas, but it’s a nice winter card, too. Don’t you think?

Buttons Galore Products Used for the shabby chic card:

 Promotional Products Used

Additional Products 

Large White Glittered Snowflake and Christmas Tree – Michael’s, Poinsettia and Gold Leaves – Prima, Assorted Fibers – Basic Grey, White Flowers – unknown

 

Thank you for joining us this Sunday and my shabby chic card. I’ll be back next Sunday with another winter card idea.

3

Make a Vintage Button Card Journal and GIVEAWAY

I decided to make a vintage button card journal because I love to make lists.  With the new year here I find I’m making lists every day.  Goals for the year, things to do, crafts to make.  They all go onto lists.  Then I lose the lists.  In order to stop this vicious cycle, I’ve started keeping my lists in journals. The thing is, I come up with some of my best ideas on the go so I need something compact, hence the birth of my Button Card Journals.

Vintage Button Card Journals:Buttons Galore

All the vintage button cards I owned had some buttons that were hideous.  The buttons were odd colors and looked damaged, so I pulled off the old buttons and glued on new ones!  Presto!  A little bit vintage, a little bit modern.  Perfect!

Vintage Button Card Journals:Buttons Galore

Supplies to make a vintage button card:

Instructions to make a vintage button card:

  1. Measure your button card and multiple the width by 2 and cut a rectangle from your cardstock and copier paper.  For example, if your button card measures 3″ tall by 2″ wide, you cut your rectangles to be 3″ x 4″.  Lay the cardstock down, then pile up a few rectangles (maybe four or five) of your cut copier paper down on top of it.  Fold it all in half and then staple along the fold.  Your journal is done.
  2. Cut the old buttons off the vintage button card.   Glue new, colorful buttons onto the card.  Allow to dry.
  3. Glue your modernized button card onto the front of your journal.

Vintage Button Card Journals:Buttons Galore

Tip

Instead of gluing your new buttons onto the vintage button card, you can also sew them on, then you can clip them off later and use them in a project, which would make the journal a darling gift for the seamstress in your life!

 

Post this project to PINTEREST  with #vintagebuttoncard in the description and be entered to win $25 in buttons and glue.

Contest closes January 10,2013 at midnight.  Winner will be posted on Facebook and on this post.

www.laurabraydesigns.com

 

 

 

8

DIY recipe book – holiday favorite Recipes

Holiday Album

 

Recipe books make great gifts.  They are fun to create and pass down to younger generations.  I created a fun Holiday recipe book using a Blank Board 7″ Circle Book from the Altered Arts Section at C&T Publishing.

Every year, we try new recipes or crafty tricks, or a new tradition. This year, we’ll be keeping track by making notes and taking clippings to add to this fun book. C&T Publishing was kind enough to provide us with a sample of their products, and I had a lot of fun playing.

Materials used in the DIY recipe book:

This book is covered with paper from October Afternoon, then embellished with matching journaling cards, a die cut scalloped border from My Favorite Things and a bling border from Want2Scrap. A glittered snowflake ornament was adorned with some buttons from Laura Kelly tied together with some Baker’s Twine.  When height doesn’t matter, I love to layer buttons! In the bottom right corner, there is a cluster of buttons from the Clear Button Grab Bag, a bulk package of Ivory Buttons, and Valentine Hearts. A small circle was punched from matching patterned paper and placed behind the clear button. It’s fun to match clear buttons to your project!

I found that Beacon’s 3-1 Adhesive worked best to hold on the elements. I also used some Glue Dots.

Thanks for looking, I hope your holidays are filled with lots of favorites and yummy goodness you’ll also want to cherish.  Make your own holiday recipe book

 

2

Twine-Tied Button Holiday Card idea

Button Holiday Card

Buttons holiday cards tied with twine are the perfect embellishment.  The buttons give the card some dimension, while the twine adds a natural element.  I used bright red buttons from the Christmas Button Bonanza pack, green twine, and other partner products to give a festive look to this card.

 

Button embellished holiday card

 Supplies for Button Holiday Card:

Buttons Galore & More

 

Partner Products:

  • “Gifts Galore” Jumbo Rollograph Wheel, Watermark ink, embossing powder (Sterling Silver), Smooch, white ink–Clearsnap
  • Green Twine–The Twinery
  • “Wrapped in Love” stamps–My Favorite Things

Other Supplies:

  • cardstock (red and green)

I used the “Gifts Galore” Jumbo Rollagraph Wheel, Watermark ink, and Sterling Silver embossing powder  to create the line of gifts on white cardstock, then colored in some of the designs using Smooch. The white cardstock strip was matted on a slightly larger strip of green cardstock and layered over a large scalloped circle of dotted green paper.

I tied each of the red Button Bonanza buttons with green twine and glued them in place under the “Gifts Galore” design.  A sentiment stamped in white pigment ink (heat dried) on green cardstock was glued under the tied buttons to add to the gift theme.

 

Twine-tied buttons on holiday card

 

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the Twine-Tied Button Holiday Card

Carla Schauer

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Christmas button craft ideas – Easy and simple DIY

Christmas button crafts ideas!

Christmas button craft ideas have been overflowing from my mind lately.  I love so many of the buttons from the Christmas Holiday section at Buttons Galore and More that I had a difficult time deciding which to use first.

 button crafts ideas materials:

I used a Christmas Tree from this fun set and a gift button from this set.

 

 

 

 

 

Directions to easy Christmas button ornament:

I made a quick and cute ornament using paper scraps. I think this would be fun to hang on a Kraft bag, place on top of a box, or hang on your Christmas Tree. I simply took strips of scrapbook paper and made a simple design, adding a button from the Star of Wonder set.

 

Directions for an easy  button craft ideas:

Here I took some more scraps and created a bow and box, embellished with a button from the Christmas Presents set in the center. I took two additional strips and glued them to the scalloped circles to create the tiny gift box. I would love to make lots of these, attach some magnets and use them on my fridge to create an Advent Calendar – I have such fun crafting with the little ones I babysit.

My preferred adhesive is Beacon’s 3-1 Adhesive, available on the Buttons Galore & More site. It sets quickly, but gives you time to reposition, and it dries clear. Buttons Galore & More has many additional adhesives to choose from. Additional supplies used include Paper – October Afternoon, Scalloped Circle Die – Spellbinders Paper Arts, Circle Punch – Marvy Uchida

Thanks for joining me today. use up your stash and add some fun new elements.  Please use these Christmas button craft ideas.  I hope you enjoyed these simple, inexpensive ideas for the Holidays.

1

Quick and Easy Gifts – Make a handmade note card set

It’s that time of year where we all start looking for quick and easy gifts. Being able to make them homemade is a bonus!!! Why not make a handmade note card set? Mine is not Christmas themed, or Fall themed…I like generic…it works well when I am in a pinch! I can just grab & go! BUT I do like to make my gifts in good seasonal colors. So for this set I thought I would show you my “thought process” on how to make a set of cards in a quick and easy assembly fashion. :) Just add in your papers, matching buttons, ribbon and bling of your choice and you are all set and ready to get creating your very own quick and easy gifts!

 

 

Gather up supplies. I generally like to pick my papers first, then cardstock, ribbon and embellishments. As you can see, I have chosen three different colors of Button Bonanza Bags just to be sure I have the perfect color when the time comes for embellishing. You can also see I have printed out my sentiments panels using Duetica Lettering Arts Studio’s Mandolyn Font in the Outline feature then colored it in using my Copic markers. Another neat trick to PERFECTLY matched sentiments that say JUST what you want in just the perfect size for your project. :) Once I was done coloring them in I die cut each sentiment panel using Spellbinders Nestabilities and I was all set!

Using a Bow Easy Ribbon Tool REALLY helps make the set look polished, all of my bows look exactly alike!

Add an extra touch by outlining the first letter using a glue pen then shake on a bit of coordinating glitter.

Another great touch that really doesn’t take too long is to embellish the embellishments! I love to add a bit of bling to the center of my buttons.

 

And here you have it! A cute set that took less than an hour start to finish! Not bad….

 

 

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mini composition notebook with buttons

Personalize a mini-composition notebook with buttons.  With the recent beginning of the school year, composition notebooks are featured prominently in grocery and office supply stores.   After the first few weeks of school they are often deeply discounted.  It is a great time to stock up on these notebooks, which make a great surface for embellishing with buttons.

 

Button-embellished mini-composition notebook

This button covered mini composition notebook happens to be one of the mini-sized versions.  This size is fun for kids to pop into backpacks without a lot of extra weight to carry around.  My daughter likes to use them as entertainment on her bus ride.

Covered mini-composition book

Directions for a Personalize a mini-composition notebook with buttons

First, cover the notebook with patterned paper, including a contrasting border along the side next to the binding.

Button border on embellished composition notebook

Then, use an all-purpose thick glue to attach small coordinating buttons in a pattern to cover the seam.  I used buttons from the Citrus Splash Grab Bag and Juke Box Button Bonanza from Buttons Galore and More.

Button Monogram on Embellished Composition book

I added a fabric sticker letter to the top of a 7/8″  red button, and accented the monogram with a flower button from the Juke Box Button Bonanza (shank removed).

Button clip bookmark for mini-composition book

I created a fun bookmark using a premade felt flower and pink button glued to a metal, pinch-style hair clip.  The clips are easily moved, and don’t easily slip out of the book, making them easy for littler hands to use.

Bookmark for a mini-composition notebook with buttonsButton-embellished mini-composition notebook

Altered Composition notebook with buttons

Small and easily portable, button-embellished composition notebooks are a wonderful way to encourage writing and imagination in children, and are also easy to place in a purse or diaper bag for parents.  Personalize one for someone you know!

Thanks for stopping by!
Carla

1

Make a checkbook cover – Button up your Checkbook –

A creative checkbook cover has never been easier when using Eileen Hull’s “Checkbook Scoreboard Die” from Sizzix.   Combine the die cut with Buttons makes a perfect combination.  While narrowing down your button choices is the hard part….but then again it is a die so you can make several in no time at all.

I chose novelty buttons from the BaZooples Collection for this checkbook cover as I knew I wanted shades of green for the cover and the flowers in this collection matched perfectly and will remind me of beautiful springtime flowers in the chilly months ahead here in Minnesota.

Materials to make a creative checkbook cover

2 Packages Buttons Galore & More BZ108 Multi Flowers

Checkbook Scoreboard Die by Sizzix

Earth Safe Finishes Shimmers

Quick Grip Adhesive by Beacon

Mat Board

Paper Towel Flowers

Shank Remover

Paintbursh

Die cut the checkbook cover, painted with different shades of shimmers.  Let the pieces dry and chose  the buttons.

I removed the shanks from the buttons.

Used Quick Grip to assemble the checkbook cover and to attach the buttons to the top edge.

I knew it needed a little something to make it complete.

I cut some scallop circles from paper towels.  I then used a paint brush to add some shimmers on them. I stacked the flowers and created a big layered flower.  For the center I placed an additional flower button.  It made the perfect  finishing touch!  Quick and Easy that’s what I like to do make a creative checkbook cover.

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altered buttons make great embellishments!

Today I thought I would bring you an Autumn themed card and share a few tips on how to alter buttons for embellishments. I know it is hard to  believe Summer is passing and we are moving into the Autumn season?  Creating distressed or altered buttons is not a new concept, that I know. But sometimes being reminded that creating handmade embellishments isn’t feasible and that altering embellishments is the next best thing! Here I will share with you one way I like to alter my button embellishments that takes just a few quick strokes of sandpaper in two different grits and you have an entirely new and interesting look to your buttons! I started with two buttons of the same size and color from the Gingerbread Assortment and then went to town!

 

 

 

 The buttons I chose to use from the Gingerbread Assortment matched perfectly with my color palette however,

I thought they’d look good with a little “character”.

 

 

 Starting with a rough grit side of the sanding block, sand the edges.

 

 

 Next using a less rough grit, sand the surface of the face of the button to lightly distress it.

 

 Notice the difference? It’s just a few simple steps to really personalize your button embellishments.

 

 

And the finished result!

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Cozy Brads + 15 minutes = cute handmade card!

Good Morning! It’s a great day to encourage someone to reach up and go for their dreams….what better way to do that than with a handmade card??? And this one can be created in less than 15 minutes! I know for a fact because…..
Confession time: I should have had it done and up on the Card Positioning Systems blog, ready to run first thing on Tuesday morning, but totally spaced it and didn’t create it or load it!!! So I had to whip it up first thing and it took less than 15 mins start to finish. I just used the weekly sketch, threw in a mix of fun patterned papers, some ribbon and two fabulous Cozy Brads and BAM!!! Done! Enjoy!!

 

 

Supplies:

Stamps: Hero Arts – Anytime Messages
Ink: Tsukineko Memento Dye Ink – Tuxedo Black
Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants Designs – Childish 6×6 Paper Pad
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics
Brads: Buttons Galore & More – Cozy Brads: All Boy
Dies: Spellbinders Paper Arts
Ribbon: Generic Grosgrain
Punch: Fiskars Scalloped Punch

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Using brads to make paper flowers

You can make paper flowers using just pretty paper and brads.  Add layers of paper or fabric to make a more complex flower or you can even add in some floral wire to make petals that are bendable. For this tutorial I want to focus just on using brads to make paper flowers. Once you know this skill, you’ll be able to make a whole array of different kinds of flowers to use in your craft projects.

Paper flower with brads

Paper flower with brads

Supplies you need to make paper flowers with brads

  • Brads – I used the Cozy Brads
  • Paper – any kind of scrap paper will work well
  • Scissors
  • Small hole punch
Cozy Brads

Cozy Brads

Steps to make your own brad and paper flowers

  1. Cut out the petal shapes. I folded a 4×6″ piece of scrapbook paper. Cut out the tear drop shaped petal.
  2. Layer 6 petals on top of each other, face up.
  3. Punch a hole at the pointed end of the petals, about 1/4″ from the end.
  4. Put the brad through the hole, corduroy top up.
  5. Bend the ends of the brad toward the paper and flatten as much as possible.
  6. Spread out the petals as desired.
steps to make a paper flower with a brad

steps to make a paper flower with a brad

Voila! You now should have a 6 petal flower you can use for whatever you’d like!

You don’t always need to use a hole punch when using brads, however, I find it much easier because the points on a brad are ment to bend. Sometimes the paper or fabric you want to push the brad through is so thick, the brad bends before it punctures the material. For this project I used a super small hole punch, a stand punch would be too large and the petals would slip around. So go grab a stash of your pretty paper scraps and make paper flowers.

 

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paper craft flower idea – a brad for the center

A quick paper craft flower idea

I love brads and I love flowers.  I have also been creating a lot of things with flowers recently and thought combining brads and flowers together would work for so many creative projects and have a great look. There are so many creative paper craft flower ideas out there.   I wanted to show you how to make an easy center for your flower.   I chose a quick and easy one, BRADS!  Buttons Galore & More has a great selection of brads.  They carry  are metal brads, pattern fabric covered and corduroy and many more.

 

I created this little post-it-note magnet for the fridge and adding the brad to the center of the craft flower.  I think it is just the right finishing touch!

I started out with a great selection of Brads from Buttons Galore and More which included Men’s Closet # CZ101 and Pretty Girl #CZ103 (I just love the names of the brads….)

I gathered up some of my die cut, silk, mat board and fabric flowers to see what would work.  I have a stash of paper craft flowers.  They are one of my favorite staples right now.

I pierced the center of each flower and started adding the brads, they looked so great as the large brads really gave the flowers some substance.

Once my flowers were ready I got out some square coasters and covered them with old dictionary pages using Zip Dry Adhesive by Beacon and inked up the edges.

I added a stamped oval saying “notes” and a binder clip to hold the post-it-notes….then glued the flower into place….

Then I added a magnet to the back and it is all ready to place on the fringe!  There you have it a simple paper craft flower idea – using brads for the center.

 

4

DIY crepe paper flowers with Stickles glitter

Pretty Crepe Paper Flowers

Who says that crepe paper is for parties only?  Not me.  Crepe paper flowers made out of party streamers are so pretty and super easy to make!   The flowers are a great way to use up the left overs after the party.  Flowers brighten a room any time of the year.  Crepe paper flowers can be used for almost anything and crepe paper comes in a wide variety of colors.  You can make one as an accent for a decoration, as a topper on a bag or to wear in your hair.  Make a whole bouquet of crepe paper flowers for those days when fresh flowers are not available.

Supplies to make crepe paper flowers:

These pretty crepe paper flowers are easily finished by using big designer brads from Buttons Galore and More.  The brads are available in many colors sizes and textures.  They have metal brads too.

See how simple the crepe paper flowers are to assemble…

Accordion fold a streamer for several layers stacked on top of each other.   Freehand cut a petal shape and keep them in a stack.  Micro tipped scissors work great for this.

Punch a small hole using a hole punch through all of the petals and insert the brad.

Distribute the petals into an open flower shape and then open the prongs of the brad to fix them into place.

Wrap and shape petals around the cozy brad to give them a more realistic shape.

Leave petals plain or fancy them up with a bit of glitter glue like I did here.

Once the glitter dries, the fragile crepe paper flower petals have a gorgeous sparkle and shine.  I hope this inspires you to give it a try!

2

Personalize Lunch Bags for back to school and de-stash too!

It’s almost time to go back to school.   We all know what that means…packing lunches!  My daughter loves it when I personalize lunch bags.  No boring brown lunch bags for her, but some mornings it’s tough to feel inspired.  That’s where my craft stash comes in!  Use your scrapbook embellishments to create a designer style, personalized lunch bag in minutes!  Here’s how:

Supplies needed to personalize lunch bags:

Instructions to personalize lunch bags:

  1. Using a border punch, punch a decorative edge along the top of the bag.
  2. Using a white-out pen or a Sharpie Marker, write the lunch bag owner’s name or a sweet message on the front of the bag.
  3. Put lunch inside!
  4. Fold the top of the bag over towards the FRONT of the bag.
  5. Punch a hole in the top middle of the bag.
  6. Punch holes through ribbon and tulle and layer them under the brad. (This is optional.  If you are having a busy morning, just use a brad by itself.  It’s still cute!)
  7. Push a brad through the layers and secure the bag closed.

See?  I told you it was easy.  Quick personalized lunch bags.  I think these would also be great for gift or party treat bags.  You could personalize lunch bags to fit the theme or with a guest name.  Also, the would be easy to make ahead for classroom parties.  Another fun idea would be to gather some friends, get out all your scraps an have a party.  Everyone could personalize lunch bags for a few weeks and you can get rid of your leftovers.

 

4

Handmade ‘i love you’ Card Idea with flowers

I can’t believe it’s August! I feel like the summer has really flown by. I haven’t had time to enjoy any summer festivities this year being in school the whole time, but it’s finally coming to an end. I can’t wait to get a few days off before the next semester starts. I don’t know about you, but I love it when all the kiddos go back to school. My tot is only two, but I do love those rare days when I get the house all to myself. I can actually make something! Today was one of those days, so let me take you through my design process…

As usual, the first thing I do when I start a project is to create a palette. This is what I laid out…

…and here’s what I ended up using on my project:

  • Studio Calico Take Note 6×6 Paper Pad
  • Jazzy Brads
  • Alphabet Stickers
  • Aqua Striped Ribbon
  • Baker’s Twine
  • Cardstock
  • Flower Stickers
  • Foam Adhesive Dots
  • Baby Powder
  • Small Brush
  • Sewing Machine & Thread
  • Westcott Paper Trimmer
  • Adhesive 

Assembly Instructions:

1. Trim Caterpillar green cardstock to 8.5″x4.25″ and fold in half for card base. Trim Kraft cardstock to 4″x5.25″.

2. Trim Grey floral patterned paper to 3.75″ square and scantly secure to upper portion of Kraft piece. Trim blue/white quatrefoil tp 3.75″ x 2.75″ and use border punch along the bottom edge before securing to bottom edge of Kraft cardstock. Use sewing machine for decorative edge.

2. Next, trim a 2.25″ wide strip of Kraft and layer on top of it a 2
wide strip of green stripe paper. Wrap a strip of ribbon around this piece before securing to card front.

3. At this point I decided to leave out the punched flowers and go with some cardstock stickers I found in my stash. I wanted them to pop off the card, so I put foam adhesive on the back.

I left on the second sticker backing, so that I could then brush baby powder on the back of the sticker without getting powder on my foam dots. I still want to use that part of the adhesive to stick the flowers to my card, but I didn’t want the actual sticker to be sticky, so it wouldn’t catch stuff and end up looking weird.

4. I poked a hole in my flowers here with a sharp point and added brads. The brads will push through most paper alright, but to keep the cardstock from buckling and wrinkling, you should always use a small hole punch, paper piercer, or even a tack or needle.

5. The final step is to assemble all of your embellishements and sentiment where you like it. I hope you enjoyed this project today.

Here’s the finished card all ready to give to your special loved one… 

1

Create Personalized Monogram Home Decor using Buttons, Brads & Beads

It’s time to get busy making something to freshen up the house! We have been busy all summer and as the Autumn season fast approaches having a few handy tutorials on how to make personalized gifts and hand made home decor just seems fitting. So today I have a Personalized Monogram Home Dec project to share with you. Enjoy!

Supplies Needed: Buttons, Brads, Micro Beads, Gem Tac (R), Scrapbook Paper, Hot Glue Gun, Scissors, Frame

 

 

Print letter of your choice as large as you would like finished monogram to be. Place beneath paper and put against a well lit window to serve as a light box. Then trace onto scrapbook paper.

 

Outline one third of the traced letter with Gem Tac.

Fill in the area fully with Gem Tac.

 

Place as many buttons as fit onto the glue covered area.

 

 

Quickly cover the entire surface with micro beads.

 

Remove excess beads before moving onto next step.

 

Continue covering the entire traced area a bit at a time following the steps above.

 

Cut the prongs off of the brads using strong sharp scissors.

 

See how much flatter brads lie once the prongs have been removed?

 

Hot glue the altered brads to the surface of the monogram randomly. Here I chose to hide "barren spots" with the brads. :)

Once your piece has fully dried, place in a frame and you are ready to enjoy your brand new PERSONALIZED home decor!!!

 

I would love to see what you make! Please leave a comment with a link to your personalized home decor projects! :) I will be sure to pop over and leave you some love on your project!! :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

My Favorite Things Stamps and Buttons Galore Winners

 Blog Hop Winners!

 

Hand stamped card ideas and mixed media projects by the MFT stamps team and the Buttons Galore team lead to an overwhelming amount of comments.  We appreciate each and every one.  The designers especially send their  THANKS  for all of the wonderful comments that you left  on their Buttons Galore and More and My Favorite Things Blog Hop Projects.

We hope that you had as much fun visiting with all of the designers as they had working on their projects.  If you missed the blog hop for any reason, you can find all the participants here. We’re pleased to announce the two winners of the MFT Gift Certificates.

MFT winners, be sure to check your email boxes, MFT  sent vouchers today via email!

From Laura Evangeline’s Blog Sue Ann said…

“MY DEAR is right ~ this is BEAUTIFUL!! All the elements are pulled together SO beautifully. What a way to wake up with such a beautiful card on this blog hop!!!”

From Jessie’s Blog  Thelma said…

“I absolutely love your coloring, your cards are always so much fun with your signature silver embellishments…LOVE it!!”
Winners of the $25 button assortments are:
liz aka javagirl

Great hop excited to glance at your buttons Who doesnt love buttons

megan mcdonald

“I love all the projects I saw I dont think I could pick a favorite… but I can say that I have add a few more people to my favorites list on the computer.” 

 The Card set winner from www.365DaysOfCrafts.com Blog is
Clare Dempsey

Oh, I started paper crafting as a scrapbooker and now make my own cards. Still not sure of my skills with card layouts. So, I love these ideas to use my MFS and buttons galore! thanks for the chance to win!

Please send and email to buttonsgaloreteam@yahoo.com with your mailing address.  Please allow 2 weeks for shipping.
Now that you have seen many creative ideas how well the products work together we hope you will make some  soon and share them with us.

 

 

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Stamps, Die Cuts and Buttons – A natural Pairing for a blog hop

My Favorite Things and Buttons Galore Blog Hop

Buttons Galore and My Favorite Things have teamed up to bring you an inspiration filled blog hop.  You’ll want to leave a comment on EACH designer’s blog because there is $100 in prizes up for grabs. MFT will give away 2 MFT Gift Certificates for the blog hop.  One $25 gift certificate to one randomly chosen winner from commenters on the MFT Designers’ blogs and one $25 gift certificate to one randomly chosen winner from the commenters on the Buttons Galore Designers’ blogs.  We will give two $25 button assortments the same way. We will take care of choosing the winners and sending the prizes and will announce it on the BGM Blog on July 30.  Deadline to comment will be on July 29.  Same for MFT.

Design Team Blogs:

 

Link to the MFT Blog:

Grab a cup of coffee, sit back and relax and enjoy the inspiration that is being brought to you by the many talented designers from both Buttons Galore and More and My Favorite Things.

Don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered to win one of 4 great prizes!

Tell us which project you like best. What products you like from My Favorite Things, what your favorite button set is… whatever you like. Then make sure to leave a comment on each designer project page for another chance to win!

 

 

Creative card Ideas from Guest Designer Becky Thompson

Greetings!

The three cards on the blog today are handmade by our featured guest designer Beck Thompson.  Becky is and artist, a photographer and an all around great soul.  I have admired Becky’s work for as long as I have been in the creative industry.  At various Scrapbooking shows I was lucky enough to be her assistant and I even worked with a product line she designed.  She is a joy to be around and and she puts lots of details in her pieces.

Trio of  Stamped Cards

Products used:

  • Blank Card:
  • Seaside Big Ole Button
  • Fashion front Brads
  • Stamp  – Stampabilities
  • Ink – Tim Holtz for Ranger
  • Kraft card blank – Stampabilities

 

Joy Card:

  • Kraft Card Blank – Stampabilities
  • Stamp: Papertrey Ink (background), Stampendous (sentiment)
  • Ink: Stampin’ Up
  • Flower: Start Up Retro Flower
  • Mini Brad

 

Thinking of You Card:

  • Background Paper: KI Memories
  • Kraft Card Blank:P Stampabilities
  • Flowers: Cha Cha Felt Flowers
  • Sequin: Memory Grab Bag
  • Sentiment: KC& Company

 

Becky’s Bio

 photography page: www.beckythompsonphotography.com

Becky Thompson has been scrapbooking and paper crafting for over 20 years. Her work has been featured in numerous magazines and books, as well as on television and at many trade shows in the crafting industry. She has taught classes for Big Picture Classes as well as for local stores and various manufacturers. She describes her style as clean and classic.
Becky currently lives in Western Oregon with her husband Brad and their three children. She owns Becky Thompson Photography, specializing in seascape and nature photography of the Pacific Northwest. Her photographs can be found on her website and for sale  in local shops on the Oregon Coast.
0

Make a DIY Gift bag rosettes…

dress up that kraft bag with burlap and buttons!

I love the blank canvas of a brown kraft gift bag!  While keeping it simple is a great way to go with the brown bag, going a little fancy and fabulous is pretty fun too!  Follow me as I upcycle a brown gift bag by adding a fun handmade rosette to add a punch of color to this gift wrapping staple!

Nothing like the summer skies to inspire a bright pop of yellow and blue!  Today’s project uses the following supplies:

Let’s get started!

I began with a piece of burlap, approximately 5×10 inches.

Cut burlap with a metal ruler and rotary cutter into 1×5 inch strips.

Loop and glue strips of burlap around a scrap of paper that will serve as the base for our rosette.  Continue gluing and layering paper strip, doily, flowers, ric rac and buttons until you get a fun rosette that can be added to your brown bag like this….

Hello sunshine!  We just went from drab to fab with a very simple addition to this bag!

Thanks so much for joining me!  I hope you’ll try fancy-ing up your gift bags with burlap, buttons and other craft supplies!

2

Button-embellished ~ GLAMOUR~ Keepsake Frame

Taking a little break from our “Christmas in July” theme we have a delightful project of Mixed Media Art in this great Keepsake Frame by Elise! :)

Glamor, art and intrigue – a perfect recipe to play with buttons!

Teaming up with some HEAVENLY materials, including burlap, Lumiere Dimensional Paint by Jacquard, Glitter, Ink and Smooch Accent ink by Clearsnap, MICRO PEARLS {Yes!  Micro pearls!} and a whole lot of GORGEOUS buttons form Buttons Galore and More, I was COMPLETELY inspired to alter this simple “value” artist canvas to become “priceless” in no time!

Supplies:

Button Tote Bag Assortment – Cornucopia

Mixed Rectangular Sliders

Lumiere 3D Metallic Paint and Adhesive

Glitter, Smooch and Ink – Clearsnap

Trimmer, Knife, Ruler & Mat – Westcott

Adhesive – Beacon via Buttons Galore and More

Acrylic Paint – Eco Green Crafts

Burlap

Micro pearls

Tissue Tape

Faux Wood Grain tool (Local Hardware supply)

Other – Vintage light bulbs, twigs and fabric flowers (Misc. stash)

 

To begin, select a glamor shot of your choosing, to feature in finished frame. {I chose a cool, black and white shot of my sweet Mama at the wee-age of 17!  Wasn’t SHE a dish!}

By accessing the back side of a traditional canvas, there is a whole wealth of crafty potential to play with.  To customize the “frame” of this look, I created faux wood grain with a simple wood grain tool (available at most hardware stores!), Lumiere 3D paint, as well as regular acrylic paint and some strips of chipboard, cut and sized to metier together to match the stretcher bar framework of the canvas.  Start by applying an acrylic base to the chipboard.

For rich wood grain effect, the MORE color, the better…  I used FOUR different Lumiere colors for this look!  In case you’ve never dabbled in faux wood grain – it’s TOTALLY easy and addicting…  Apply Lumiere on top of dried, painted (with regular acrylic paint) chipboard strips, then pull and rock the tool to create the MOST amazing effects!  If you don’t like how it looks, keep working!  The 3D quality of the Lumiere gives you some decent working time – you’ll see!  (G’head – TRY it!)  Once you get all four strips done, set to the side to dry.

Paint the outside edge of canvas with color of your choosing.

Line the INSIDE of the frame edge with printed tissue tape.

Glue faux wood grain strips to frame.  I love, love, LOVE how beautifully Beacon 3 in 1 works for an assignment like this!

Westcott fabric scissors cut burlap, flawlessly!  Cut burlap to size of your choosing.  I decided to let some canvas frame the edge of the burlap, just because it looked YUMMY!  So many textures!  What’s a girl to DO!?!

Arrange picture and embellishments to your liking.  For this project, I mounted the photograph on chipboard, mixed micropearls and glitter and then adhered with Beacon 3 in 1 adhesive for a luscious, tactile effect.  Having TOO much fun to stop there, I added micro pearls to button centers, as well…  OMG!  {My middle name is DANGER!}

If you’ve never ventured, I can’t recommend HOARDING, uh, I mean, collecting some of our Blank Craft Shapes, in every size!  Love the mood that can be created with theses!  Easy to stamp and beautiful to behold – Je t’aime!  {See what I’m sayin’!}

YOU can get your glamor on, too!  Just pick up a selection (or TWO/FIFTEEN!) of some lovely button assortments from Buttons Galore and More, toss in some HEAVENLY crafty supplies, a canvas and old picture or two…  I guarantee you’ll beat the heat if you spend a few hours crafting away on a cool keepsake, like this!  I hope so!

Thanks for visiting!  Here’s to a glorious, button-craft filled day!  Keep CALM and BUTTON onnnnnnn!

 

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Scrapbook Page with Buttons – Internet Inspiration

One of our  Creative Team member Designs for Duetica.  While I was checking out her work I saw a scrapbook page that was loaded with buttons and wanted to share.  I printed repetitive words using the Duetica Mandolyn font. I love how crisp and clean this font is but still has a flowing feminine feel at the same time. I love how Keri Lee used all the names her mom has answered to in her life time….Marilyn, Mon, Mom, Kiddo, Momma, Mommy, Mother, Mimi etc…

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Buttons & Burlap Summer Scrapbook Page Idea

Summer, when you hear that word what images does it conjure up in your mind? For me I think of the heat, the BRIGHT colors and RELAXING! I love Summer. I know a ton of people who just hate the heat, but being a gal who’s always got cold fingers and toes, I love that during the summer month’s my body feels WARM all over, all day long! Bright colors, well I love those too! Wearing them, creating with them, you name it, I love it! And relaxing…well let’s just say there’s a well loved, well worn hammock in my backyard that my kids and I all enjoy piling into and having a good snuggle time in. I can relax with the best of them, and in STYLE to boot! LOL

For my project today you can see each of these elements we are talking about have been captured perfectly! From the bright sunshine, the bright colors of the porch chair and the slouchy posture of my sweet Elliott, this scrapbook layout just screams SUMMER. Pairing up bright buttons & bright papers with a nice wide swath of burlap helps to give this layout rest amongst the busyness. Now, while I was creating I got to the point where everything was on the layout EXCEPT the title. And I was STUCK…I mean the page was cute, but needed something…but what….that was when I emailed a photo of the layout and then called our DT Lead Niki Meiners and said “What’s wrong with this page..I am stuck” As if on cue she replied “Oh just add a title to the page – SUMMER” “Where??? Where would I even put a title??” I replied. “Ummm right there under the photo overlapping the patterned paper, burlap and above the cluster of red big buttons…” And you know, she hit the nail on the head!!! It was JUST what this layout needed. Talk about a friend being a help just when you need it!!!  So now you tell me…who do you call if you get stuck or just can’t seem to “make it all workout” in your creative process??

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Happy- A Burlap and Button Banner

Hi all!  Ryann here with a quick and easy tutorial to share with you today featuring burlap and buttons.  Making little banners is a great way to use up scraps of paper or fabric because it doesn’t take much of either to put together a great little project to use for family celebrations!  Your banner can be as big or as little as you want it, it all really depends on how large of a word you want to use.  I find it’s best to use an odd number of pennants to achieve the “best” look for a banner.

Supplies Used:

1.  Die cut enough pennants to make your banner.  If you do not have a pennant die cut, trace a triangle shape on a piece of heavy weight cardstock and use it as a template.

2.  Cut out enough scalloped circles to place one on top of each burlap pennant.  Place alphabet stickers onto scalloped circles to create message.

3.  Decorate with buttons.

4.  Thread burlap pennants with twine.

 

The possibilities are truly endless when making pennant banners from burlap and buttons.  If you wanted to make a longer banner such as “Happy Birthday”, you could split your sentiment into two banners and have one hanging below the other.  I’m going to hang my little “Happy” banner in my craft room!  :)  I hope you will give pennant banners a try – they are so simple to make and fun to have!  Thanks for joining me today!

 

1

Guest Designer – Becky Thompson

Handmade cards with an ocean theme:

Becky’s cards are simple and classic with added touches that never cease to inspire the creative individual.

Products used:

Breathe Card:
Lighthouse flat back button
Bazzil Cardstock
Patterned paper (SEI)
Washi Tape – Recollections
Ink – Tim Holtz
Stamp: Stampendous

 

Blank Card:
Seaside Big Ole Button
Fashion front Brads
Stamp – Stampabilities
Ink – Tim Holtz for Ranger
Kraft card blank – Stampabilities

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Buttons and Burlap Love

When I initially started creating a card starting with burlap, I thought I would be creating a very masculine project, but it some morphed into a lovely fun card instead. I absolutely love the way this project turned out, so I hope you do too.

 

Supplies:

Burlap

Jazzy Brads

Paper Flowers

Alphabet stickers

Twine & Ribbon

Patterned Paper

Sewing Machine & Thread

Circle Punch

Cardstock

Paper Trimmer

Adhesive

Assembly Instructions:

1. Attach a piece of burlap to to the upper half of a piece of kraft cardstock cut to 4″x5.25″ and stitch around the border .25″ from the cardstock edge. Trim excess burlap with pinking shears.

2. Attach a piece of patterned paper trimmed to 4″x2.5″ to the lower half of the cardstock, and cover the seam with a strip of ribbon.

3. Layer brads, punched cardstock circles, and flowers together before adhering them through burlap & cardstock.

4. Attach letter stickers for desired sentiment and add baker’s twine.

5. Secure entire card front to an A2 (4.25″x5.5″) card stock base.

(Tip: I always create my card front entirely before attaching it to the card base in order to hide any artistic imperfections.)

Here’s the finished card all cute & ready to give to your special loved one…

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Bulk Buttons: Be Free!

I have been having fun embellishing with buttons from the Color Bulk Button collection. I decorated a fun frame that houses a favorite picture of my son going away on his first fishing trip. This was his first sleep away experience and he had such fun. While he got to get away, and be free, my daughter and I had the first of many mother daughter nights. FUN! June kind of kicks off vacation season for most families.

I started with a simple wood frame and papered it and added a few embellishments. I then set to work on the big embellishment, a jumbo bottle cap from Maya Road. I cut some burlap that I received in my monthly box from Buttons Galore. It was a gift from our DT Coordinator, Niki Meiners. I die cut the burlap and placed it in the bottle cap.

color bulk buttons be free frame close up allie gower

Also in our DT box was some Jacquard products, these wonderful bottles of 3D Lumiere – which is a glue, and a dimensional paint. I painted some Maya chipboard letters. Before they dried, I actually stuck them to some scratch paper and ripped off some of the paint, then went over them with ink and added some copper balls (also in my DT Box). I decorated with some buttons from the Color Bulk Buttons set. This is a great collection of buttons on all colors and sizes. It’s perfect for all projects!

color bulk buttons be free frame allie gower

I finally added a punched butterfly and some beaded letters, and it reads “BE FREE!” At the top it says “The end is nothing, the road is all.” from Willa Cather – this was a rub on from the paper collection – which is from my very old travel stash.

Supplies

  • Buttons – Buttons Galore
  • Bottle Cap and Chipboard Alphas – Maya Road
  • Scrapbook Paper and Die Cuts – unknown
  • Burlap – Niki Meiners
  • Ink – ClearSnap
  • Paint – Jacquard
  • Beacon Adhesive

Thanks for looking today!

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Acrylic Country Style Painted And Stamped Friend Card

Good morning Buttons Galore friends,

Pinky here today with an acrylic card project using the fun Cozy Brads from BG&M, you know sometimes the hand made cards you make really say something special to the recipient. And taking the time for those special touches are key.

This card has a wonderful “country” feel with those special touches.

Card by Pinky

I am going to share how to make this acrylic card step by step.

  • Trim Clear Scraps acrylic piece to 4X6″.
  • Trim wood grain patterned paper to 6X6″
  • Punch out top border of patterned paper with border punch.
  • Using Paint Sharpie, paint edges of acrylic sheet.

Sharpie & Acrylic

 

  • Using scraps of wood grain paper, Sharpie and sentiment stamp, stamp onto paper.
  • Trim out sentiment into pennant shape.

Painted stamp

  • Fold patterned paper to fot over top of acrylic, adhere using Beacon Zip Dry.
  • Punch 3 small holes and insert Cozy Brads.

Cozy Brads

  • Thread vintage lace through brads and knot in between.

Cozy Brads 1

  • Staple sentiment onto acrylic.

Card by Pinky

Now give the card with a hug and smile!

Happy Crafting friends- until next time.

Pinky- Buttons Galore & More Design Team

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Sharpies, Buttons and Bows!

Good morning friends,

Killarney-Not Just For St. Patty’s Day

Pinky here with a post sure to make you smile. Buttons are so versatile, especially the high quality buttons from Buttons Galore & More, today I wanted to share a summer project using the beautiful Killarney Buttons, not just for St. Patrick’s Day! You can use these from everything.

Card By Pinky

  • Trim white card-stock to 9X6″.
  • Using score board, score card in half at 4.5″X6″.
  • Trim patterned paper to 4.5X6″.
  • Adhere patterned paper to card base.

Card with buttons

  • Using green baker’s twine and Killarney buttons, thread each button with twine and tie into a bow.
  • Using hot glue gun, adhere buttons to card base.
  • Using cloud punch and card-stock, punch out 2 clouds.
  • Using Sharpie Paint pen, coat cardstock with paint, making clouds a lime green.

Sharpie with cloud

  • Using SRM sentiment stickers- adhere to cloud shapes.
  • Adhere cloud shapes to card using foam pop dots.
  • Using Jaquard Luminiere Pearl Paint, paint around clouds.

Clouds1

  • Adhere chipboard flower and butterfly sticker.
  • Using Jaquard Luminiere Pearl Paint create butterfly trail.

Pearl1

  • Set aside to dry for 20-30 minutes. (completely dry after 72 hours)
  • Add gemstones.

Card By Pinky
That’s it! Your beautiful “Thank You” card that will make anyone see your appreciate them.

Until next time-

Pinky- Buttons Galore & More Design Team

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Romantic Embellishments for Card Making

Good morning, Pinky here again,

I love making cards and scrapbooking but sometimes they just need a special embellishment to make them POP.

The cards I am sharing today really shine with the beautiful soft Buttons Galore & More buttons.

On this card I used the beautiful Buttons Galore & More Ribbon Heart buttons

First cover white cardstock 6X9″ with patterned paper.

Use alternating colored cardstock to matte dress die cut and patterned paper.

Adhere matted patterned paper as shown.

Using thick pop dots, pop up dress die cut as shown in photo.

Pop up sentiment die cut using foam pop dots.

Using hot glue gun adhere 3 Buttons Galore & More Ribbon Heart buttons as shown above.

For this card:

First cover white cardstock 6X9″ with patterned paper.

Use alternating colored cardstock to matte dress die cut and sentiment.

Using thick pop dots, pop up dress die cut as shown in photo.

Tuck sentiment underneath dress die cut.

Using hot glue gun, adhere Buttons Galore & More Classic Circle buttons as shown.

2 beautiful cards in just 30 minutes!

Pinky: Buttons Galore & More Design Team

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How to Watercolor using Lumiere 3-D, a shimmery way to paint!

Today I thought I would share a quick tutorial on how to use Lumiere 3-D one more way! :) I had used this technique on my “Mother” scrapbook layout earlier this month but didn’t really showcase it so I figured it would be a great way to end the month here… :) I hope you enjoy!

Supplies Needed: Cardstock, Stamps, Ink, Lumiere 3-D in Pink & Pearl, ButtonsPretty Girl Cozy Brads, Ribbon, Watercolor Brush, Small Container of Water, Palette for mixing on

 

 

Dip tip of watercolor brush into water then into Lumiere 3-D to thin.

 

Apply water thinned Rose Lumiere 3-D to each petal individually

 

 

Repeat steps one & two with Pearl colored Lumiere 3-D, Only this time just paint the entire surface of the flower image.

 

 

Before the painted surface has time to dry, apply a light dusting of ultrafine glitter to the surface of the Pearl painted flowers if desired.

 

 

Remove the excess glitter from the surface of the paper and then finish the card using your watercolored panel.

 

 

Here’s the finished card once assembled. The gentle shimmer is so subtle yet so pretty, I only wish I could have caught it in the photo as it really appears in real life.
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Happy Father’s Day Card

Taking time to recognize all the wonderful fathers out there is important & not just once a year, but the entire year through!

For this card I simply wanted to design something that my husband would love. I happen to love the colors kraft, red & blue together, no matter what the shades.

For the sentiment I had the notion to use a chipboard letter from Want2Scrap in place of the printed “F” but still use the fun swirls that come with that uppercase letter. To achieve this I opened a file in Photoshop, created a total of three layers, one for each word I was planning on using. I made the word “Father’s” larger than both of the other words. I then made sure that the “F” was even larger than the rest of the word. Finally, I created another layer. Then using the rectangular selector tool I created a selection over top of the “F” and filled it with white but kept the swirls that were coming off. My last step was to arrange the layers so that the sentiment was placed together so that there would be room to add the chipboard “F” as I had planned. I then printed the sentiment and die cut around it using Spellbinders Labels Four. To finish off my sentiment panel I simply inked the chipboard “F”, applied glue to the entire surface and applied red glitter to really give it “POP!”.

After that it was simply a matter of putting the card all together as you see here. I again used the Lumiere 3-D to adhere the buttons and fill the “naked” button holes, just like I did on my scrapbook layout earlier this month.

What a fun texture the strips of buttons add beneath the main focal image, don’t you think? Enjoy!


Supplies:
Sentiment: Duetica – Woodwynds Font
Cardstock: Bazzill: Red, White & Light Teal
Stamps: Gina K Designs – Vintage Backgrounds
Ink: Clearsnap Fluid Chalk Ink – Creamy Brown, Lipstick Red
Glitter: Clearsnap – Ruby Slippers
Ribbon: Really Reasonable Ribbon – White Seam Binding
Buttons: Buttons Galore & More – Button Tin in Sea Glass, red
Chipboard Letter & Gems: Want2Scrap
Other: Jacquard Lumiere 3D (To adhere buttons and fill button holes)

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How to use Lumiere 3D with buttons in a new and different way

 

I love my mom. She’s a wonderfully fun person who everyone loves! She has a joyful spirit that just oozes to all those around her. This week I decided it would be fun to scrap a layout with her as the subject! :) If any of you have followed my work you know I love stamping, I love paper, I love ink, I love all things “crafty”…and here on this project I went all out and decided to not use any patterned paper but instead to get creative and make my own backgrounds.

I really wanted there to be attention to all the fine details on this layout  so as you can see I used buttons as a border. Nifty Tip: Jacquard Lumiere 3D can be used to adhere buttons to your project AAAAAND it doesn’t leave you with “naked” button holes (personal preference of mine is to NOT have naked buttons!!!). The Lumiere 3D fills in the holes as well as adheres the buttons right where you want them to stay! The Lumiere 3D Turquoise is a dead match for the buttons in our Sea Glass Tin.

I also found that the Pearl Lumiere 3D was just right for holding my little white mother of pearl buttons from the Genuine Vintage Tin right where I needed them for the “buds” on my tree branch as well as for creating perfect domed centers for all my flowers.


As you can see here I have printed repetitive words using the Duetica Mandolyn 1 Font. I love how crisp and clean this font is but still has a flowing feminine feel at the same time. I decided it would be cute to make a list of all the names my mom has answered to in her life time….Marilyn, Mon, Mom, Kiddo, Momma, Mommy, Mother, Mimi etc…I then just repeated the list over and over and printed in a light gray on Kraft cardstock to make the background strip beneath the photo.


Then for my title I again used the Duetica Mandolyn1 Font in a larger point size and a cool teal color. One of the best things I am finding when working with the Duetica fonts is that I can customize EVERYTHING about them, the way they type out, the colors I print in, the size, the layout…you name it, you do it! :) Since we just celebrated Mother’s Day now is a great time to get out that photo of your mother and treasure that memory as you create a keepsake scrapbook layout…

Supplies:

Buttons: Buttons Galore & More – Sea Glass, Genuine Vintage
Jacquard – Lumiere 3D: Pearl & Turquoise
Duetica Font: Mandolyn 1 & Adobe Photoshop
Cardstock: Prismatics & Coredinations
Cricut Electronic Cutting Machine, Serenade & Winter Wonderland Cartridges
Stamp: Layers of Color – Fairy Wishes
Ink: Clearsnap Colorbox Pigment Ink – Glacier Ice
Glitter: Ultrafine Iridescent
Rhinestones: Want2Scrap
Flowers: Prima “e!” line
Die: Spellbinders Labels Four Nestabilities

4

Embellished Scrapbook Album Idea

 

I was scrap-booking the other day, putting my pages away in my plain black album and it occurred to me. If I can scrapbook and embellish all my pages why not do the same thing to my album??!

The first thing I grabbed was from Buttons Galore & More Animal Instincts Pack and went to town.

For this 8X8 Scrap book album I used a basic black 3 ring binder album.

Using sharpie or pen, draw or trace heart in middle of album

Carefully place Buttons Galore & More Animal Instinct Buttons, not adhering yet just placing them.

Using hot glue gun, carefully adhere each button, one at a time, covering any trace of ink on album.

Using hot glue gun and  Buttons Galore & More Animal Instinct Buttons adhere smaller buttons on top in second layer.

Using copper pearl pen, dab small pearls in the middle of 1/4 of the buttons.

Using the ribbon from  Buttons Galore & More Animal Instinct Buttons adhere all the way around the album trimming off excess. It will take 2 packages of buttons and ribbons.

Adhere title using chipboard letters.

 

Fill album with many memories and pages!

Pinky: Buttons Galore & More Design Team

2

Patriotic Scrapbook Layout by Linda Auclair

Linda enjoyed the Collage Trim Kit so much that she couldn’t stop with just the wallhanging! So, she created a layout to share using the same paper collection and leftover buttons from the supply list on the Patriotic Wall Art from last week. She was able to chaperone her youngest daughter’s recent class trip to the NH State House, and took a bazillion photos!

Materials Used –

If you would like to know more about Linda you can read her bio below or check out her blog. I know you will find so much more inspiration there!

About Linda:

Hi! I’m Linda Auclair, and I live in New Hampshire with my husband and daughters, Brigid and Aileen. My son Jonathan is away attending grad school at UPenn this year. I’ve been a papercrafter forever, and in the past decade, I have had the good fortune to work for a variety of companies, such as Fiskars, Creative Imaginations, Epiphany Crafts, and my current Design Team post at Echo Park Paper, as well as a number of online retailers. I have had my work published in magazines and eZines, and have been guest blogger/designer for a number of manufacturers. I am an active blogger, and love to share my designs, along with tips and tricks I have discovered, with my readers at http://elendae.wordpress.com/

3

Mixed media button art with a little love

I really love collage and mixed media. I’m sure I’ve said it before already, but really, I love collage. The idea of mixing textures to create a cohesive piece of fabulousness is a fun challenge I really enjoy. It’s neat to see what you can come up with when you mix odds and ends and some fantastic color. So, today’s project is an example of such fun… button art using Jacquard Lumiere dimensional metallic paint, fabric, old book paper and of course buttons!

Heart and Swirls button art by Jen Goode

Heart and Swirls button art by Jen Goode

Materials you’ll need to make this button art:

steps to make button art

steps to make button art

How to make your own button art

This dimensional paint is also as adhesive, so while you can use it to create pretty pieces, you can also use it to “glue” things in place.

Something to note, The directions I’m sharing are not in the order I did things… I painted the heart and then did the background which turned out to be a bit backwards, so instead, I’m sharing steps in the order I should have done them.

  1. Download and print the heart art onto a piece of book paper or newspaper.
  2. Color the background. Put some paint onto a paper plate for easy use. Using a damp paper towel, rub some Brass paint on to the paper. Add a layer of Copper directly to the edge of the paper and then rub using the damp paper towel. Add dots of Brass paint to create a bit of a pattern inside the heart, then add another line of Brass paint directly to the paper on all 4 sides and let dry as it.
  3. Using a paint brush, paint the heart and flowers first Brass and then add accents of Copper.
  4. Once all paint dries, gently tear both the top and bottom of the art completely off, creating two strips of paper. Tear a bit to trim down the size, adhere extra embellishments as desired.
  5. Cut burlap to fit your frame opening. Adhere heart image in place and then both top and bottom pieces, leaving a bit of space to allow the burlap to show through.
  6. Finish by tying twine through buttons and then adhering in place.
  7. Frame as desired.
Button art and illustration by Jen Goode

Button art and illustration by Jen Goode

Layering buttons creates a more interesting look and compliments the dimensional paint. Choose buttons of different sizes and finishes to create a more interesting art piece. I really like mixing shiny buttons with flat finish buttons to add more dimension between  them. Use buttons in your own decor to add a little fun interest and detail!

Tell me about your favorite button art!

 

3

Friendship Mixed Media Canvas with Jacquard Lumiere

Hi all!  Ryann here with my take on a mixed media canvas piece.  Now I am first and foremost a card maker, but every once in a while I like to stretch my boundaries a bit and try something new. I recently took a paper doll tag class from Julie Nutting and left feeling inspired to create my own paper doll.  After deciding on a mixed media canvas, I began my project!

Supplies used:

Directions:
  1. Tear book pages into small pieces, tearing off any large white spaces (you want to work with just the words).
  2. Adhere onto canvas using Mod Podge.  Cover adhered book page pieces with a layer of Mod Podge and allow to dry.
  3. Lightly paint a layer of light blue acrylic paint.  Let dry completely and follow it up with a lightly painted layer of light green.  Allow to dry.
  4. On a book page, draw out your doll figure and cut out.  Draw doll clothes on patterned paper and cut out.  Adhere onto canvas using Mod Podge.  Apply layer of Mod Podge on top of doll and allow to dry.  Do the same for the flowers.
  5. Lightly go around edges of doll/clothes/flower with white paint and allow to dry.
  6. Draw and then paint doll hair and allow to dry.
  7. Create sentiment in computer and print out.  Cut words out individually and adhere to canvas with Mod Podge.  Apply layer of Mod Podge on top of words and allow to dry.
  8. Stamp large polka dots with white ink onto canvas.  Stamp small polka dots with pink acrylic paint randomly around canvas.  Allow to dry completely.
  9. Adhere buttons onto canvas.
  10. Apply Lumiere 3D paint to doll to create texture on dress, neck and hair.  Allow to dry completely.
Thank you for joining me today.  I hope my story of creating outside my comfort zone inspires you to give it a try it too!  :)
Signing off,
Ryann

 

5

Large Circle Start Ups: Charmed, I’m Sure

Hi y’all! Allie here… I got my hands on some of Button’s Galore’s Start Up craft shapes this week, the Large Circles. I had such fun making some charms with these blank circles. These blank craft shapes are blank poly plastic pieces that you can stamp on, rub on, ink, paint or embellish with anything you desire. I decided to get creative with some napkins and stamps, and some spritz.

I really love these blank craft shapes! They come in lots of shapes and sizes, from flowers to tags, to sliders and frames, and even holiday shapes. There are even start up packs, and collections including a variety of sizes. They are perfect for every project.

 

charms-cropped-edited-300x279

 

This picture shows the separate layers of the napkins I’m using. For my charms, I just used the very top layer.

I decided to collage with napkins. I start by separating the layers of the napkin, so I’m working with the top designer layer. I use Claudine Hellmuth’s Matte Medium from Ranger, with a flat brush. Some people like to use a wet Q-tip to “cut” through the napkin, but I prefer to tear, and sand off any excess.

I used a little round file to clean out the holes in the charms. You can use any decoupage medium, whatever you prefer. I also like to seal the top when I’m done.

 

I skipped a few photos, but this is what happens after the decoupage step. I stamped the Large Circles with an Itty Bitty bicycle stamp from Unity Stamp Company. I used Jet Black Stazon ink from Tsukineko. I also lightly tapped around the edges of the Large Circles with the same black Stazon Ink. Once the ink was set, I gave the Large Circles a light spritz with Mr. Huey’s Gold spray from Studio Calico.

Use your favorite spritz, or you could even make your own.

You can add anything you like to these little charms. I put a jump ring on each of them, and added little trinkets and bling. The metal pieces and the little pearls are from Ideaology, and are designed by Tim Holtz. I added bling to the sprocket, on the second row, the charm on the left. I love a little sparkle, don’t you?

Add some bling, little trinkets or baubles.

You could attach these charms to a chain, a hoodie, or anything you like. You can even keep it simple, and just thread it onto some crepe ribbon, as shown below. This ribbon is from Creative Impressions.

 

SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS

  • Blank Craft Shapes – Large Circles
  • Napkins
  • Decoupage Medium and a Brush for application
  • Stamps and Ink
  • Spritz
  • Trinkets and Jump Rings

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Handmade Cards for All Skill Levels

Hi all!  Ryann here with my first Buttons Galore & More design team post and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be here with you today!  I have a fun handmade card set to share with you today in a weather theme using lots of buttons!  Now I know not everyone makes cards so I thought it would be neat to have a project for each type of card maker.  So whether you are a beginner, intermediate or more seasoned card maker, there is a project here for you!

Supplies used:

Cloud card:  cardstock, ink, stamps, Neutrals buttons

Rainbow card:  cardstock, ink, stamps, sewing machine, thread, Primary buttons

Sun card:  cardstock, ink, stamps, ribbon, marker, circle die, yellow spray mist, Harvest buttons, Tuxedo buttons

Cloud Card Directions:

1.  Sketch out the shape of your card onto a piece of sturdy cardstock and then cut out.  This will be your template to trace onto your gray card base and white mat layer.

2.  Trace the cloud shape onto your card using the template.  The top of the template should match up to the top of your card (at the fold).  Cut out and set aside.  (Note: You’ll notice the template is backwards from the card pictured.  When you turn it around, your trace lines will be on the backside of your card, so they won’t be visible when decorating!)

3.  Trace the cloud shape onto white cardstock using the template.  Draw a cloud just a little bit smaller than the cloud you traced.  Use the traced cloud as your guide.  Cut out the inside cloud.  This piece will be the layer you adhere the buttons to.

4.  Turn over your white cloud so the trace lines are on the back and adhere to your cloud shaped card base.  Adhere buttons onto card.

5.  Cut out three long strips of yellow/orange shades of cardstock.  Notch the ends to look like banners and arrange them how you want them to be placed behind the cloud.  Adhere the three strips together using scotch tape.  Adhere the sun rays behind the card front panel, NOT the backside of the card.

6.  Stamp sentiment onto strip of white cardstock and adhere onto card base.  Notch end of strip hanging off side of card.

Rainbow Card Directions:

1.  Create A2 card from white cardstock.

2.  Cut kraft cardstock to measure 4″ x 5-1/4″.  Sew along edges of kraft panel then adhere onto card base.  (Note: If you don’t have a sewing machine, faux stitching made with a marker will look just as good!)

3.  Stamp sentiment onto card, then adhere buttons in rainbow pattern.

Sun Card Directions:

1.  Cut out two circles.  Place them on top of each other and cut off a small section that will be the bottom of your card.  Set one circle aside.

2.  Stamp sentiment onto circle (card front) and create faux stitching along edges using marker.  Spray with yellow mist.

3.  Turn card front over and begin creating your sun rays from ribbon.  Create a loop from a small length of ribbon with your fingers and secure onto backside of card front.

4.  Alternate ribbons going along the edge of your card front, securing as you go.

5.  When done, use a piece of foam tap at top of your card, on the backside, to adhere your card front and back together.  Turn over and adhere buttons onto the card.

 

I hope this handmade card set has inspired you to get crafting today!  Thanks for joining me in my first post with Buttons Galore and More.  We’ll see you again tomorrow for more crafty button inspiration!!

Signing off,

Ryann

 

8

How to make distressed buttons- Vintage style

Please welcome Teri – A great paper crafter and fantastic card maker.  She is a Go-To Gal For PaperCrafts magazine, and I know why!  She is very talented, creative and never ceases to amaze me with her fresh ideas.  I love her style and I hope you enjoy the card she made to share with you!  It is a fun technique that makes new buttons look like vintage or distressed buttons. She gives them the perfect touch of vintage.Teri_SewNiceCard1_teri

Supplies:

Classic Circles: Simply Pearls

Tangerine Tango: Color Blends

Clear Rounds

Zip Dry

Other:

Patterned papers from Jillibean Soup, Studio Calico, Crate Paper and My Mind’s Eye

Wood clothespin from Darice

“You’re Sew Nice” sentiment stamp from April 2012: Sew Nice stamp set by Avocado Arts

Jute by May Arts

White floss by DMC

 

Dressing Up Buttons for Cards

Hi everyone!

Don’t you just love buttons?

There is just something so fun about them and being able to add them to paper crafting projects.

I get bored using them the same old way they come so often times I’ll alter them up before I use them on a card or scrapbook page.

One of the easiest ways to dress them up is to sand them.

Sand buttons

Take a sanding file or distressing tool. Hold it firmly in your hand and then brush a button over it repeatedly. This will scruff it up so you get something like what I got with this button from the Tangerine Tango: Color Blends (http://www.buttonsgaloreandmore.com/product/CB100.html) pack.

Sand buttons

Take things a step farther by adding a circle from Classic Circles: Simply Pearls (http://www.buttonsgaloreandmore.com/product/4207.html) on top of the distressed button. Just be sure to use a strong glue and let the button sit awhile so the glue has time to dry.

I also like to stack them up.

clear buttons

Take a large button, place a small button on top of it and then tie the two buttons together with floss. When it comes time to use them, use a strong adhesive to put them on your project.

Another thing I like to do is add paper to them.

Thread buttons

Start with a Clear Rounds (http://www.buttonsgaloreandmore.com/product/CF80.html) button. Add clear glue under it and then place it on any patterned paper. Let the glue dry completely and then use your scissors to cut away the excess paper. The end result is a cool patterned button.

Here’s a whole collection of buttons I made with these tricks.  They look pretty spiffy on a card.


The trick to getting them to stay on the card is to use a good strong glue. I prefer Zip Dry (http://www.buttonsgaloreandmore.com/product/ZipDry.html).

Teri Anderson

Bio:

Hi! I am Teri, and I’m just girl who loves to play with all things crafty. I’m card maker and scrapbooker. And I am a Go-to Gal for Paper Crafts magazine and on a number of design teams. When I am not making stuff, I am going to concerts, spending them with my family and friends (and two fluffy dogs) and taking a whole lot of pictures. I blog at terisplace.wordpress.com.

 

 

1

Mother’s Day Canvas With Pinky

Can you believe Mother’s Day is quickly approaching? It is right around the corner and I love to make a handmade gift.

I want to share this artistic canvas made just for “Mom” using vintage doilies from around the house.

For this Canvas use an 8×10 canvas, and paint it with a sand colored acrylic paint.

After allowing the canvas to dry, take a craft spritz and carefully spritz canvas in random places. Set aside to dry for 10 minutes.

Using coordinating ink color, ink edges or canvas.

Take a pencil with eraser and dab into coordinating paint or ink, ink or paint onto canvas as shown in photos.

Adhere vintage doilies.

Grab some packages of beautiful Buttons’ Galore & More Vintage Gold buttons and apply buttons between doily stitches using hot glue.

Mothers Day Canvas

Using rub-ons, carefully apply rub-ons in desired locations.

Mothers Day Canvas

Using shank & pearl keepsake buttons, adhere over rub-on using hot glue gun.

Mothers Day Canvas

Set canvas aside.

Choose a lightly colored patterned paper, using home printer, print quote onto page.

Trim out words and hand cut pennant edging.

Ink edges.

Adhere quote to canvas.

Wrap it up and give with love.

I hope you enjoyed the post today- Pinky: Buttons Galore & More Design Team

 [Note: some products used in this tutorial have been discontinued so we have provided links to similar substitutes.]
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National Scrapbook Day -Button giveaway alert

It is National Scrapbook Day.  In honor of the day, we want to do a giveaway.  Share a scrapbook related project here on this post in the comment section, by Mondayday at midnight and we will do a random drawing for a either a tin of GENUINE VINTAGE buttons or a SPRING BUTTON TOTE.  You can pick which one.

Below is a page that one of our contributors made last year for National Scrapbook Day.  We look forward to seeing what you share.

totally - buttons on a scrapbook page

 

Taking inspiration and making something totally different

A few weeks back I was perusing Pinterest and I saw this totally cute pin idea and instantly thought  “I could make a really cool clean and simple card with this as inspiration”. So I repinned the blog post over at Imparting Grace where she had seen a Pottery Barn Pillow using buttons and was inspired to make it herself.


Image courtesy of Pottery Barn

I in turn was inspired by her post to make the general idea into a card!! Here’s my take on the simple but oh so button savvy design! I started with a 4 1/4 ” x 11 1/2″ strip of cardstock. I scored 5 1/2″ from the end and folded along the score line to make the spine of my card.  I then made and additional two score lines using my Scor-Pal Scoring Tool 1″ from the spine of the card and 1 1/2″  from the spine of the card.  I then folded at the score lines to create the “pleat” that you see on the left side of the card lining up the ends of the cardstock strip.  A little line of 1/4″ Scor-Tape to hold the folds and the base of the card was done. I then used four red buttons from the Girly Button Pack and tied a bit of twine through each before adhering them to the card front just past the “pleat”, stamped the simple sentiment and BAM! Done! :)

Have you ever been inspired by something and gone in a totally different direction with it? For example this was a pillow design and I translated it into a clean and simple card. Share a link! We’d love to see what inspires you and how you translate it into making it your own!

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How to make a statement by using a grouping

A few weeks ago I was stuck. I had to make my weekly card for Card Positioning Systems and I had everything but the finishing touch just wasn’t working. The sentiment I wanted to use was too small for the label die cut I was working with and I really wanted to use THIS SENTIMENT. You know how you can just get stuck with the image in your mind and nothing else works?? Yeah I was there…so I decided to embellish my main image…and not just with one, not two, but THREE fun buttons. Here you can see I chose some buttons from the Girly Button Pack. They were JUST THE RIGHT COLORS to go with my chosen patterned papers. So I kinda played around with the color balance and felt the two reds and one green was just what I needed. To spice things up I decided to use natural colored hemp in the red buttons, tied in a knot and snipped short. For the green button to add balance and interest I tied white twine, tied a big loopy bow and snipped the tails a bit longer. I felt it gave the card fun whimsy! If you’d like more info feel free to pop over to my blog Pink Lemonade. Enjoy!!

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How to Alter Shanked Buttons to Create a Sweet Papercrafted Garden

Have you ever been in the middle of a project and felt you needed just the “right touch” but couldn’t really put your fingers on what that “right touch” was?  Well I thought I would share my card that shows just such a moment.

I had this cute little stamp that was the flowers’ “stems & leaves” and I wanted to go 3-D with the flowers themselves…so I put my thinking cap on~ I sorted through my fun Gold Buttons and found three that were JUST THE RIGHT THING!!! So I snipped the shank off the back using some Hefty Duty Scissors….the shanks are plastic so you will not need wire snips or anything but I certainly recommend that you use a good strong pair of scissors!!! (And eye protection is a good idea too because the shanks can kinda take off on you! LOL)

Anyway, here’s my card…can you spot my BONUS HAPPY FIND? Yep! That is right, the butterfly on the knot of the ribbon is ALSO one of the buttons I found while pecking through my Gold Buttons! If you’d like more details about this card just pop over to my blog Pink Lemonade…enjoy your day!

vintage flower garden card

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Mixed Media Canvas Collage

Today’s Internet Inspiration is from a product partner Helmar.  Their Designer Trudy made a darling mixed media canvas collage.

Mixed Media Collage Canvas

This is a quote from Trudy about our products.

“I love buttons and am excited to share my mixed media canvas with you. I used lots of buttons form our prefered partner company Buttons Galore’s – Candy Apple Green mix and a few from some of their other beautiful assortments.”

You can see the post HERE

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BaZooples Card with hidden gift card holder idea

BZ100

Gertrude and Friends - BZ100

 

Handmade cards are extra special when they contain a gift cardI had some fun with the butterfly from this cute set of BaZooples novelty buttons. I paired it with a BaZooples image from Inky Antics that I colored with pencils and gamsol.

Handmade hippo card

Handmade hippo card

The card is a little larger than usual and has a mini card on top. Notice the “LIFT HERE” pennant? When you lift that, you have a space for a gift card! I didn’t have a gift card,yet.   So I placed a post it note just so you can see where that gift card would go. Inside the main card, there’s a panel of patterned paper, and plenty of room for a nice note. The sentiment reads “Just wanted to let you know… Love you tons!” Isn’t that the perfect sentiment for a Hippo card?

 

close up lift here

close up lift here

 

The gift card portion of the card was created using circle and scalloped circle dies from Spellbinders Paper Arts. The paper is from Authentique, and is accented with bling from Want2Scrap and some flowers from Creative Impressions. I used some additional buttons from my Buttons Galore jar for the flower centers.

inside close up gift card

inside close up gift card

close up flowers and buttons

close up flowers and buttons

I finished off the handmade card with a quick bow using some ribbon from my local craft supply. Sheer ribbon is so pretty and easy to tie.

Thank you for stopping by today!

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Internet Inspiration

Browsing the internet can provide so much inspiration, and when we found this site we hit the jackpot!  The Paper Players blog not only did a challenge using buttons, they also have a section for their readers to share their creations.  Check out their site http://thepaperplayers.blogspot.com/2012/03/challenge-87-cas-with-buttons-from.html . This card below is one of the many fantastic creations they have for your viewing pleasure.

Paper Players Card with Buttons

Paper Players Card with Buttons

The card Annie made is crisp, clean and full of sparkle.  What is not to love?  Check back here again.  There is so much inspiration from crafters who use buttons in their projects.

Don’t forget we are holding a Pin it To Win It Contest too!

 

 

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Sketch Create Share – Sketch 1

Greetings fellow crafters!  A member of our Button Bevy, Carla Schauer has created a sketch to give you a little inspirational kick. I know that my mojo sometimes runs a little low and I look to the internet for help.   Sketches can be a great way to get the mojo flowing.  Save this pin to your PINTEREST account and create a Sketch board.  There will be more inspiration to come.  If pinterest is not you thing, you can save it to your computer or even print it for your sketch note book.  Check out her project with the sketch.

triangle-banner-tag Sketch

triangle-banner-tag Sketch

How you choose to use this sketch is completely up to you.  We would love to see what you create.  We are pretty social and there are so many ways to share your creativity with us.

Share it with us on twitter.  You can start a conversation by including #sketch1

Leave us a link to your blog here in the comments section or even pin it on your pinterest boards and tag us with #buttonsgalore.

Post it on Facebook – tag us in the photo or share a link to your blog on our page.

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Tropical Flowers – Mahalo means Thank You!

Tropical Flower Buttons - item $033

Tropical Flower Btuttons #4033

I played with Tropical Flowers buttons this week. I used them as an accent for my stamped image, and as part of my card’s sentiment, Mahalo. Mahalo means THANK YOU!

Directions:

Make card black card base to 6×6.

Adhere pattern paper from My Little Shoebox to card base.

Begin card by die cutting a two circles using dies from Spellbinders Paper Arts.

Embossed the yellow circle. I added some stripe to make a lantern.

I embellished the flower in the little girl’s hair (Image – Greeting Farm) and on either end of the beaded sentiment, Mahalo.

Mahalo Card.

Mahalo means thank you.

Mahalo means thank you.
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Button Craft Ideas – Internet Inspiration – Ryann Salamon

feeling-better-soon -Ryann Salamon - Fresh Squeezed

feeling-better-soon -Ryann Salamon - Fresh Squeezed

While scouring the internet for Tuesday Internet Inspiration, I cam across Ryann Salamon.  She is not, new to us as an artist.  We noticed her adorable business cards with handmade accents, while at CHA.  They were wrapped with twine and adorned with a button.  What is not to like?   After visiting her blog  a mental note was made, that she must be featured.  So many of her fabulous handmade cards have buttons as accents.  She creates cards with simple embellishments, crisp stamped images and minimal amounts of material and they look stunning.  She makes CAS ( clean and simple) handmade cards that are awesome.

So when you have a moment, please peruse her site.  You will not be disappointed.  For more information about the card above visit this handmade card post.

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Handmade Little Boy Card – Pinterest Inspiration

Pinterest Inspiration

Pinterest Inspiration

Browsing for little boy card ideas is not an easy task.  There are tons of  little girl cards, teen girl cards and feminine cards to be found almost everywhere.  Handmade masculine cards start appearing around graduation and Father’s Day, but handmade little boy cards that are designed well are few and far between.  WeeInklings.blogspot.com has this adorable card pinned on pinterest and I love it.  It is cute, creative and perfect for a little boy.  Her pin board is http://pinterest.com/source/weeinklings.blogspot.com/ and she has some fun stuff.

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Guest Designer – Melony Bradley

Buttons Galore and More is pleased to start a new segment featuring Guest Designers.  Not only do we have a fantastic Creative Team working diligently behind the scenes to bring you fabulous projects, we are bringing in some extra talent too.  I hope you will enjoy their creativity, crafty ideas and be as inspired by them as I am.  Our first Guest Designer is Melony Bradley, her work has graced the covers of many crafting and lifestyle publications.  Please enjoy her post below.   If you would like to check out more of work visit her blog or her etsy shop.

Finished Bracelets

Finished Bracelets

 

 

I am loving all the adorable versions of this throw back craft from my childhood I am seeing all the web these days. When I got a stash of Granny’s Button Box stitched buttons from Buttons Galore and More in the mail last week, I knew I had to give this old craft a new try and incorporate these adorable buttons.

 

Wood sticks and buttons

wood sticks and buttons

The concept is rather simple. Wood can be manipulated when soaked in water since it tears down the wood fibers. So, grab some jumbo craft sticks and lets get started.

Boil craft sticks.jpeg

Boil Craft sticks

First, bring a pot of water to a boil. Turn off the burner, Insert the craft sticks and let them soak for about 10-15 minutes. Put a few more in the water than you will think you need. I broke a few not being patient while trying to bend them.

Broken sticks.jpg

broken sticks

Once the sticks are soaked. Grab some appropriate sized glasses or plastic cups and patiently work them into the glass. Work slowly if you don’t want to end up with a lot of broken sticks like I did. It takes a little patience to get the hang of it

Sticks and glasses.jpg

sticks and glasses

These have to set up for 24 hours to completely dry. While they are drying, go ahead and grab some acrylic paints and pattern papers to coordinate with the buttons. I used Americana Acrylics by DecoArt and some older random simple printed patterned papers.

Paint and buttons,jpg

Paint and Buttons

Here is another step you can do while waiting for the sticks to set up, On the wrong side of the patterned paper, use a pencil and a jumbo craft stick to trace it.

Make a template

Make a template

 

Make a template 2.jpg

cut out the template

Use a pair of scissors to cut the paper out.

Cut out papers.jpg

cut out papers

Once the bracelets have dried, gently remove them from the glasses.

Paint bracelets

paint bracelets

Paint the bracelets in the colors of your choice.

Collage pauge

Collage Pauge

Use a decoupage medium like collage pauge and a foam brush to apply the papers to the front of the bracelets. Allow the medium to dry and gently sand the edges of the papers even with the wood.

Now comes the fun part! Glue some rhinestones in the center of the stitched buttons using a tacky glue like Aleenes Original Tacky Glue.

Glue the buttons to the front of the bracelet and let dry.

Finished Bracelets

Finished Bracelets

My bracelet’s didn’t turn out as snug as I wanted them to be, so I used some chain and jump rings to pull them a little closer in. I can still fit them over my hand without using a closure such as a lobster clasp but that still be another option. Learning from this, make sure you use a glass or cup that is slim enough if you want to skip this step!

Live Life Creatively,

Melony

 

 

3

Welcome Spring with Pastel Button Wall Art

Good morning! It’s official…SPRING HAS SPRUNG!  So why not create a fun wall hanger to match the season?  I don’t know about you, but I could use some spring colors in my house.

SpringHanging2

For this seasonal wall hanging, take a sheet of 12×12 acrylic, and trim it down to 6×8.

Then using your die cut machine or even a good punch, create your border with 2″ strips from patterned paper.

Adhere the border to the acrylic using the Beacon Zip Dry Adhesive (my favorite for acrylic and paper).

Grab a beautiful Buttons Galore & More Button Bonanza Pastel Pack and alternate buttons, complementing the edges of the frame. Then adhere a gemstone to the top of each button using Beacon Gem Tac. (I used pastel blue and purple buttons with pastel green gemstones).

SpringHanging4

After that, hand cut or use your die cut machine to cut 5 flower layers. I used double-sided patterned paper and alternated sides.

Layer flowers using foam pop dots, and then adhere 2 more Bonanza Pastel Buttons and one more gemstone right on top.

SpringHanging3

Adhere flower to corner of frame, and then add Lime Green Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon underneath the flower and also use as hanger behind frame. And that’s it! Beautiful and perfect to bring in spring and lighten your room!

SpringHanging1

I hope you found some inspiration from the post today!

Pinky: Buttons Galore & More Design Team

1

Button Loads of Fun! Spring Gift Basket

With spring in the air and Easter approaching it’s that time of year to make baskets and give sweet little gifts.What crafter would not want a basket filled with Buttons Galore & More buttons!  Forget the candy, give her buttons. I made this basket from cardstock, and found a pattern online. You can find patterns from the simple pattern you hand cut by hand, to the elaborate patternthat you cut with your machine.

Layering Buttons

To layer the buttons take 3 buttons from the Button Bonanza Pastel Pack

Tie twine into the smallest button, then hot glue buttons on top of one another.

With Bonanza logo

After you layer buttons adhere to basket using hot glue again.

Then carefully adhere buttons randomly along bottom edge for added flair.

Pour rest of Pastel Button Bonanza into basket and make someone’s day bright and happy!

I hope you have fun with this project- Pinky- Buttons Galore & More Design Team

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Button Craft Ideas – Internet Inspiration

Tuesdays Button Craft Idea is a handmade card from Made in a Muddle.  When I came across her handmade cards the clean lines, bright colors and placement caught my eye.  Her blog has a nice blend of crafts, food, repurposing and humor  Her cute as a button card and supplies she used can be found here.

 

http://madeinamuddle.blogspot.com/ Cute as Button

http://madeinamuddle.blogspot.com/ Cute as Button

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Fun button art with scraps from your stash

I love to make new fun with old scraps and recycled do-dads. Buttons are a perfect addition to any mix and match project because you can get buttons in a million different colors and sizes so you’re sure to find something that fits what you’re doing. Next time you’re looking for a little creative project that’s quick and easy, pull out your fabric stash and some buttons and make a pile of these mini art pieces.

Mini button art from craft scraps and buttons

Mini button art from craft scraps and buttons

You can either stitch everything together or use fabric glue, whichever you prefer. Mix in some paper, embroidery thread, fabric and whatever else you’d like to add. You can turn these mini button art pieces into pins to wear, keepsake gift tags or even frame them for a truly unique piece of decor.

make cute button art with fabric and buttons

make cute button art with fabric and buttons

The flower button in this project was one of the special crafter buttons called Start Ups. You can color them to make your own unique look so I put mine in some Rit dye along with some fabric scraps to get the vibrant new colors out of old drab fabric. You can also color the Start Ups with alcohol ink markers.

make your own cute button art

make your own cute button art

I used denim, linen and cotton fabric along with a variety of individual buttons, some Start Ups and embroidery thread. Any kind of extras would work. So the next time you find yourself wondering what to do with some of your craft scraps, grab a bag of buttons and make yourself some fabulous mini art pieces. They make great gifts and are simple enough that your kids can help too!

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DIY Sweet Treat Notecards

Sweet treats and tea time come to mind today with this mini notecard set that highlights some adorable themed buttons from Buttons Galore and More!  Perfect for quick birthday notecards, party invitations or a great giftable set for the sweet tooth in your friendship circle!  A few simple ingredients and you have the makings for a sweet greeting!

Buttons Galore and More Product:

With a few simple products from Buttons Galore and More and some other card making items, I was on my way to a stack of cute notecards.

I first paired up my buttons in the Sweet Delights Collection with some stamps that had frame options as well as sentiments if I should choose to add a simple sentiment to the inside of the card.

I stamped out eight frames with chocolate ink on white cardstock and then paired up the buttons with the frames that fit each one the best.

These are “shank” buttons, meaning there is a small loop at the back of the button for sewing/tying onto your project.  In this case, I was going to need a flat back to my buttons so a simple clip of the shank with a pair of pliers was all that was needed.

First a clip just to remove a portion of the shank….

After that first clip, the button layers come apart and you can trim the shank even shorter so it will be flush with the back once reassembled.

Before re-assembling the button layers, apply a bit of craft glue to make the layers stick.

Re-assemble and pinch together so the liquid glue adheres well.

Once all of the buttons are prepared and the stamped frames are trimmed from the cardstock, adhere the buttons to the frames and start matching them with various colorful scrapbooking papers…scraps will work fine.  My papers range in size but are around 3″x4″ each, give or take a slice of the paper trimmer.

I decided these needed some ribbon and pearl pretties.  Tie small satin bows, one for each card and apply a Classic Circle.

Each classic circle has a touch of liquid adhesive on the back and is placed upon the knot of the bow.

Small paper doilies from the bakery section of the craft store have been cut in half to help set a backdrop for the treat-adorned frames.

Anyone hungry for dessert now!???  Thanks so much for checking out my sweet treat notecard idea!

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How I “get set up” to create a scrapbook page

Hi there! As I was trying to think of a good subject to blog about today I realized that people are always asking me “How do you get started? I find it’s hard to just get started!!!” So today I thought I would take a few minutes to share my process in getting started with creating a layout. I also have a super quick tutorial on how to make a button JUST WHAT YOU NEED at the moment. So let’s get started, shall we?

Here’s my completed layout. It is a simple layout, for two reasons. One, I generally am a pretty simple layout maker and two, I find for “teen boys” they would much rather be featured on a “not too over the top” layout! LOL

Baseball buttons and card Layout by Keri Lee Sereika

Baseball buttons and card Layout by Keri Lee Sereika

Supplies needed for this project are:

Photo: of your choice! :)
Buttons: Buttons Galore & More Girly Assortment
Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye: Lime Twist – Out of the Blue
Cardstock: Blue, Cream, Kraft, Red
Trim: Pale Olive Green Crochet Trim
Twine: Red & White
Tools: Paper Cutter, Scissors, Circle Punch, Red Sharpie, Pencil
Adhesives: Tape Runner & 3-D Foam Squares

To get all set up to start creating I like to pic my photo first and work from there. Generally I choose my photo and a coordinating patterned paper or papers that I will base all of the other colors I work with from. :) Takes the guess work out of if colors actually go together…I mean hey if they are on a patterned paper then they MUST go together, RIGHT?


 

Once I have chosen my paper I selected my buttons & embellishments. I don’t always go in this order but since I really wanted to make the buttons a focal of the project I started there. Here you can see I have the MU Matte Round Sports Collection & the Girly Assortment. I wasn’t sure if I was going to need the golden & black buttons from the Sports Collection or not so I threw em into the pile just in case!

 

Once I had my “Focal Parts & Pieces” I decided it was time to draw up a sketch…once I have a sketch I usually have a good idea of what tools I will need to create the sketched project.

Once I had the sketch I done I hopped around the studio picking out anything I thought I might use…it saves me time later not having to go looking for stuff…KWIM? And since I was looking at my sketch and had all my stuff out I saw the big white button from the Girly assortment and I just KNEW I had to make it a BASEBALL BUTTON!!! (hence the red Sharpie!)


To make the Baseball Button, simply draw two opposing arcs onto the face of the white button…be sure your pencil has an eraser…it may take a few tries to get the arcs just the way you want them.

 

Once you are pleased with your arcs, it is time to add the stitching using the red  Sharpie to draw tiny little “v” shapes onto the arcs. Again, you may want to have some rubbing alcohol handy as this took me a few tries to get them just so…Rubbing alcohol will take the majority of the Sharpie off the button and allow you to “fix your mistakes” without having to start with a whole new button.


Simply repeat the “v” shape on the second arc and you are all set to pull it all together to create your layout! I hope you enjoyed a “behind the scenes peek” at how I get set up  and ready to create!

Keri Lee

1

Super Simple – Super Chic Napkin Rings

Button embellished napkin rings

Button embellished napkin rings

 

I am helping a friend plan and prepare for her wedding and all of the events surrounding it.  The project today is one of the napkin ring ideas I proposed to her.  It is simple enough that her kids can help, not expensive, and very pretty all at the same time.  She wants to go with shades of olive ( his favorite color), peach ( her favorite color, coral and turquoise (mine).  Not that my colors matter at all.  By adding shades of the four colors it helps to expand our options and stretches our budget even further.  By limiting the colors it allows us to many things that we already own.

To make the napkin rings I used scrapbooking paper that had all of her colors.  I buttons I used are Avacado and adhered with a glue dot.

 

Cut 1.5 inch strips

Cut 1.5 inch strips

Add a glue dot to one end

Add a glue dot to one end

Wrap around napkin

Wrap around napkin

Viola!  Super Chic Napkin Rings

Add buttons with a glue dot and VIOLA!

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Beautiful Handmade Bridal Shower Invitations

Black and white button bridal shower invitations

Black and white button bridal shower invitations

Hello, Pinky here with hand made Bridal Shower Invitations.

Step 1. Trim Black embossed cardstock to 4X6″ Trim white embossed cardstock to 3.75X5.75″. Layer onto each other.

Step 2. Blank Craft Shape Frames & Glitter It Glue, adhere ultra fine silver glitter to frame. Set aside to dry.

Step 3. Print up BRIDAL SHOWER to fit inside frames on plain white cardstock. Trim and adhere to frames.

Step 4. Adhere 2 LOVE buttons to frame (I used hot glue gun).

Step 5. Using Beacon Zip Dry, adhere white 2.5″ lace

Step 6. Adhere White Pleated Rosettes to corner of cards.

Step 7. Print invitation information (at 3X5″) and adhere to back.

These are going to add that perfect handmade touch to any wedding/bridal shower. It really expresses how much you care and will be a wonderful hit!

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Mixed Media Memories

Button memory quilted art

Button memory quilted art

This is a mixed media piece I made with items I found while cleaning out my Mother in Laws’ home.

The background is created like a Log Cabin Quilt by stitching strips of fabric one to another and around the photo that is printed on printable canvas. The pieces are not the same width or length. It’s more of a free form kind of piecing. I added some top stitches in pink.

I also used buttons from Bubble Gum Button Bonanza,  and added some fabric, buttons, a doily, piece of embroidery iron on, a flash card with the number 18 (which is about how old she was when the photo was taken), part of a greeting card, a key, the address from an old envelope and a small tassel.

Mixed Media Memories

I did a lot of remembering while I was putting this together. My mother in law has always been good to me.

Have you created a piece of art/craft to remember someone you loved?  What did you make?

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Valentine Theme Keepsake Book

 

Supplies from Buttons Galore & More:

Oh, the wonderful things we can do with buttons!  This blog is choc FULL of ideas!  And thanks to the bountiful assortment from Buttons Galore and More – we keep comin’ up with NEW ways, to make amazing crafts with buttons…

Recently, while doodling on my desk blotter, I created some fun characters by sketching around some colorful buttons.  Like seeing circus animals in the clouds, and messages in coffee froth – THIS little book idea, and the characters within, were born.

 

 

I was so taken with the characters, I decided to showcase them by creating a keepsake story, from a re-purposed children’s book.  For YOUR creative consideration, I’m sharing some ideas on how to take your doodles and buttons from desktop to KEEPSAKE – it’s a fun and crafty ride, so I hope you enjoy!

Steps 1 – 4

1.)  Select buttons that inspire you.

2.)  Doodle or sketch as desired.  When satisfied, re-create artwork onto good quality card stock.

3.)  Plan for button holes with a paper piercer, poked through holes and into cards stock.

4.)  Color and ink drawing as desired.

 

 

Steps 5 – 8

5.) Check button placement, then color the rest of the drawing or scene to your liking.  Secure artwork to card board page with adhesive.

6.) Drill holes to correspond with pierced marks, through cardstock and cardboard.

7.) From opposite side, using clear thread and needle with a small knot, and secured with tape, push threaded needle to the front side of the artwork.

8.) Thread button and pull tight to secure the button into place.  Tie off and tape down excess thread on the back side of the card board.

 

 

Take a MOMENT to enjoy the adorableness of your creations and then CARRY on!

 

 

The opposite side of the board, where thread is secured, can be covered with more cardstock and the copy for the story telling, if desired.  This could also be made into a darling scrapbook or memorabilia holder – let your imagination and button characters take you on an adventure and then write about it!

 

 

That’s how these creatures came to be!

 

 

The scene: the BARNYARD.

 

 

The characters: unlikely friends who are moved to acts of generosity and sharing as a magical mood is created, by mysterious sweet treats…

 

 

The most unlikely of friends become the most UNLIKELY VALENTINES, as they share and bond on Valentine’s day.

 

 

And a darling, button filled lesson that life can be so much sweeter, when you share!

 

 

Just ask Mr. Piggles and Chick-a-deedee!

 

 

The MOST unlikely of Valentines!

Super fun!  Super BUTTONS!  The very best store: Buttons Galore and More!

 

 

 

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Haberdashery Heart

Haberdashery Button Heart by Laura Bray

Haberdashery Button Heart by Laura Bray

I love, love, love the Haberdashery Trim Collage Kits by Buttons Galore and More.  Just the word “haberdashery” makes me feel all happy & old-fashioned.  And the goodies included in the kit?  Well, once I started brainstorming for a Valentine project, I couldn’t stop myself.  There are a million ways to use this kit.  You could even buy a few, invite your friends over for a Valentine tea, and make these hearts. They’ll make great Valentine’s Day gifts, but would also be sweet in a baby’s nursery.

Haberdashery Hearts

Supplies:

Instructions:

  1. Paint the wood heart with pink and green paint.  Allow to dry for one hour.
  2. Glue buttons and embellishments from the Trim Collage Kit onto the wood heart.
  3. Glue a length of ribbon to the back of the heart for a hanger.

 

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How to Make a Button Closure for Card Makers

Button Closure

Button Closure

 

Create a cool closure for your handmade cards by sewing on two buttons.  The card above is a a birthday card.  You can use this technique for any occasion.  Very few tools are involved and  little skill is needed.  It is quick and easy yet it makes the card feel extra special.

 

Button closure untied

Button closure untied

Tools:

Needle with large opening

Embroidery floss in color of your choice

Paper cutter

Mouse pad

Material:

Contemporary Christmas Button Jar

 

12 x12 Cardstock of your choice

Pattern Paper of your choice

Rubber stamped sentiment of your choice

Adhesive

Directions:

1.  Cut paper to 6×12.  Make a score line 3 inches from each end.  Fold flaps in so that they meet in the middle.

2.  Trim pattern paper to 5.5 x 11.5 and adhere to card.

3. Stamp sentiment and add to center of card.

4. Measure in one inch on each flap.  Place card open on mouse pad and use needle to make holes for floss.

5. Using floss sew on one button.  Tie knot to secure and trim off excess.

6.  For the second button cut a generous piece of floss.  Sew on button and tie a knot.  Do not trim off excess.  Use it to fasten the card closed

 

Inside of card

Inside of card

 

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New Year Button Journal Cover

Close-up of Laura Bray's Button Journal

Close-up of Laura Bray's Button Journal

I can’t believe another year is winding down.  Time to make your resolutions for the new year!  It’s always easier to do it if you have a cute journal to work in.  Why not make a little felt cover, embroidered with a cute design and embellished with buttons?

Supplies:

  • 5″ X 7″ Journal
  • 5″ x 7″ piece of white felt
  • Embroidery floss and needle
  • Buttons (the ones I used are from the Citrus Splash collection)
  • 1″ x 7″ piece of pink felt
  • Scallop rotary cutter
  • Craft glue

Instructions:

  1. With a pencil, lightly draw your design onto a piece of felt.
  2. Embroider over your pencil lines and stitch buttons onto your design.
  3. Using scallop rotary cutters, cut a “binding” strip from the pink felt.
  4. Glue your embroidered and embellished piece of white felt onto the cover of your journal.
  5. Glue the scalloped binding strip along the edge of the journal cover.
  6. Start writing your resolutions!

 

Button Journal by Laura Bray

 

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Holiday Gift Tags

 

You’ve spent all that time shopping for (or making, I hope) that perfect gift. Then you carefully wrapped it so that it was beautiful. Don’ ruin it by putting on a store-bought gift tag, when you can made one that is lovely and a keepsake in it’s own right in just a few minutes.

It’s really inexpensive to make them, too! The Christmas Themed button packs are only a $1 and you get 10 buttons- so each tag cost me about $.25 to make. I like being thrifty!

You’ll need:

To make the base, I die cut some decorative sparkly paper. I cut smaller tags using a manilla folder (recycling) and then I used the corner of my ink pad to “color” the edges a bit. I also stamped my “to” & “from” before adhering it down with the Craft Dot and Go.

Now, some of the Chrismas Morning buttons really are BUTTONS, so I needed to remove the shanks using the Precision Diagonal Craft Cutters. The shanks are plastic on this set, so it was easy to do. Just make sure you cup your hand around the part you are removing so that it doesn’t fly off and hit you in the eye! (OK, I was channeling “A Christmas Story” there for a minute. But DO protect your eyes, alright?)

Use the Mini Glue Dots to add your embellishments, and then complete with a bit of twine for attaching or hanging. In no time, you’ll have a set of lovely tags that are worthy of your presents!

 

Christmas button gift tags

Christmas button gift tags

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Outside of the Box – Mixed Media Keepsake Box for the Holidays

 

The buttons are OUTSIDE of the box, friends!  {And… inside, too!}  For your creative consideration, I’ve mixed things up with a crafty menagerie of buttons, Start Ups, Ribbon and more!

 

Buttons Galore & More products used:

 

 

Just to help set the Christmas mood, I created a “beyond the box” scrapbook project, within…  {wait for it…!} a darling altered box!  The PERFECT assignment, to help stimulate crafty projects to give this season… {or KEEP for yourself!} Armed with assorted materials from Buttons Galore & More, and miscellaneous extras, just kicking around the craft room…  I made this fun, interactive memorabilia box to share with all of you!

 

 

Spray paint and embellish metal box with color and papers of choice.  Contemplate BUTTONS!

 

 

Reduce and print photos on a small scale to create accordion album to fit into mini canvas.  Choose several photos to highlight your subject and print at normal scale.

 

 

Wrap mini canvas so that the backside is covered completely by the paper. Glue flaps to the front of the canvas, as tightly as possible.  Using a sharp blade, score an “x” across the covered backside of the canvas, exposing the inside.  Fold triangular flaps down and secure with glue to create an open box type of frame.  Cut a piece of chipboard to cover the entire frame and screw two sets of hinges to the front of the chipboard, after it’s been decorated, to create a “lid”.

 

 

Embellish cover of canvas box with a stunning button of your choosing!

 

 

Acclimate small scale pictures to work in an accordion motion.  Secure with glue and tape.  For opening, pull attachment, add button, glued and sewn with clear thread, for strength.

 

 

Customize clear buttons with clear, dimensional glue and decorative paper.  Cover underside of button with glue, place on desired pattern from paper and gently push the excess glue out from under the button, then let dry.  Once dry, cut the excess paper away from the button, re-poke the holes and embellish with baker’s twine.

 

 

Create packing tape transfers with desired printed images to fit onto Start Up shapes.  Apply directly to Start Ups with clear glue and let dry.

 

 

Embellish box, as desired.

 

 

Yes, indeed!  I’ll say the Holidays are off to a mighty happy start!  Let the CRAFTING begin!

 

 

Thanks for letting me share this joyfully button festooned project with you!

 

 

 

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Holiday Gift Tags: Embellish with Buttons

button tree gift tag by Carla Schauer

 

Making holiday gift tags is a great way to personalize gift wrapping using Buttons Galore & More buttons along with leftover bits and pieces from other projects.  I used 2 larger paper scraps, die-cut and misted with Clearsnap Smooch Spritz, as the bases for these tags.

For this tree-themed tag, I used Haberdashery Collection Wood Buttons.  It’s easy to change the color of the wood buttons using dye ink.  I love that the buttons almost have a “stained” look to them.  I just pressed the buttons into the ink pad until I was satisfied with the color and let them dry a few minutes.   After gluing the buttons in a tree shape, I tied a ribbon and an embroidery floss scrap to finish the tag.

 

button snowman gift tag by Carla Schauer

 

I used the Snowman Parts buttons from the Holiday Collection to make the second gift tag.  I edged 3 white circles (1.5, 1, and .75″) in light blue ink and used them to build the snowman base on the left side of the tag.   Then the addition of the hat, black buttons, mittens, and sign Snowman Parts gave him his dimension.  A face and arms drawn with Clearsnap Smooch, and a scrap piece of dotted ribbon completed the scene.

Have fun with your button stash this year and add some whimsy to gift packaging!

Thanks for stopping by!

Carla Schauer

 

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Start Up’s for Mixed Media Projects

Mixed media bracelet tag

Mixed media bracelet tag

 

I cannot help myself when I am given anything flat and white. It’s like a blank canvas to me and I have to doodle! This was so so so much fun to make. I started with the Start Up’s Large Rectangle Slider piece. This would be great on a card, scrapbook page or a mixed media piece. I made this one a ballet style bracelet.

 

 

I love the finished piece on my daughter’s tiny wrist! So, to begin, you want to sand the surface of the Start Up piece just to rough it up a bit and take off the shinny coating. Dust is off and start to doodle.

I used a Faber Castel PITT pen and doodled some different size pumpkins. The coloring was done by using just colored pencils.

Let it dry for a few hours before you coat it. I coated the top with DG3 from Judikins and spinkled in a bit of Ultra Fine Prisma Glitter and went to bed. This is important. The DG3 takes about 4 or 5 hours and I always want to touch it before it’s totally dry. So going to bed helps! I added a two toned piece of satin ribbon and it was all ready to wear.

 

 

The tall pumpkin pendant was done the same way. I used a Large Tag Start Up for my blank canvas on this one. I used some beading cord and a few beads on the ends to finish it off. I am having a great time playing with the new Start Ups… you will too!

 

 

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Inspiration Journal

Inspiration journal with Start Ups

Inspiration journal with Start Ups

Inspiration journal with Start Ups

Inspiration journal with Start Ups

Make a journal to keep handy when inspiration strikes.  The journal is 5×8 and the perfect size to keep bedside or to tote along with you.  I like to use spiral bound notebooks for several reasons.  The spiral binding is a great place to keep the pen handy and it allows you to open the notebook only to the page you need.  To make this inspiration journal follow these simple directions:

Tools and Materials:

Scissors, two pattern papers and a tag,two flowers, paint, paint brush, rub-ons, stylus and Start Ups large tags and Fabri Tac.

Directions:

Cut two coordinating pieces of pattern paper to fit on the front.  Adhere the two papers with Fabri Tac.  Adhere flowers and let dry.

Paint large tag  and let dry.  Apply rub-ons and adhere to pre-cut tag.  Adhere tag as shown.  Embellish with fowers

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Fabulous Fall Clipboard from Spellbinders

Fabulous Fall Clipboard from Spellbinders

Fabulous Fall Clipboard from Spellbinders

The gals over on the Spellbinders blog have been making some very cute projects with Buttons Galore and More buttons.

Please visit the Spellbinders blog to see the instructions.

Oh! There are lots of cream and brown colored buttons for this project in our Confection button jar.

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Start Ups: Some HALLOWEEN Crafting!

Let’s face it, the light is changing, shadows are deeper and FALL is a comin’!

TIME to get your HALLOWEEN on!  And what a send off: HAVE YOU SEEN the START UPS?  NOT even exaggerating – they are AWESOME!

How could I resist these ADORABLE lil’ pumpkins?

Some materials just have PERSONALITY!

It’s up to US crafty folks – to RELEASE it!

Start Ups are stampable, alterable and ADORABLE!    With permanent marker for face accents, some dimensional glaze to preserve the “glow” factor, and some alcohol ink for all over color – THIS darling pumpkin character is ready to greet the world!  Mwah ha ha!

Solvent based inks STAMP like a dream on these babies!

Alcohol ink provides a plethora of crafty magic on Start Up material!  Aren’t these tags darling?  The material for Start Ups is like DOMINO ingredients – BECKONING to become a keepsake!  I could get LOST in these babies!

So, I got busy, creating a LITTLE SCENE!  {I LOVES me a little scene!}

Easy to stamp, but for my detailed ambition, I pressed this tag shape DIRECTLY to a well inked stamp for ultimate control…

If you’re not happy with your results, clean Start Up with alcohol blending solution and PLAY again!  BOTH sides are ready for love, so you REALLY cannot make a mistake!

Bust OUT the candy corn, Pumpkin Spice Lattes and START UPS!

Let the CRAFTY season begin!  THANKS for letting me share the wonders of the season and BUTTONS GALORE AND MORE!

Supplies –

C/S – Stampin’ Up!; D/P – Echo Park & Basic Grey; Stamps – Stampin’ Up!; Ric Rac – Brytex; Die Cut leaves – Sizzix; Ribbon – Stampin’ Up!; Button – Buttons Galore & More; Start Up Shapes – Buttons Galore & More;

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Buttons at CHA Summer Show 2011

Canvas Corp button art

Canvas Corp button art

I spy with my little eye… BUTTONS! Buttons seemed to be everywhere at the CHA Summer Show. I even saw plenty of things that didn’t have buttons that might have been made just a tiny bit better if they had buttons on them. But I won’t show you THOSE photos. ;)

Buttons at CHA Summer Show 2011

Faber-Castell

Several of the CHA designers got into the act when they created their Crafty Couture gowns.

Buttons at CHA Summer Show 2011

Marisa Pawelko

Buttons at CHA Summer Show 2011

Jen Goode, Carla Schauer, Theresa Cifali, Suzann Sladcik-Wilson

Jen Goode and Carla Schauer are members of our own design team AND this dress won an award! :)

Buttons at CHA Summer Show 2011

Cards at the Buttons Galore and More Booth

Buttons at CHA Summer Show 2011

Buttons Galore and More Booth Display

That one bookshelf alone has more button inspiration than most of use would ever know what to do with!

Do YOU have button craft photos from CHA? Care to share a few with our readers? Send them to buttonsgaloreteam (at) yahoo (dot) com and I’ll get some of them up to share with fellow button crafters/lovers! :)

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Mixed Media- Encaustic Art

Encaustic Art mixed media collage with buttons

Encaustic Art mixed media collage with buttons

I wanted to share a piece of Encaustic Art that I made (using beeswax medium, both in natural and pigmented red.) If you’ve ever wondered if you can use three dimensional objects with beeswax collage, I’m here to show you that you can! And buttons make nice embellishments.

I used a kit to make this piece along with some Buttons Galore and More buttons, (you can read more about that on the Craft Test Dummies blog).  I found out that if you want to add heavy bits-like the buttons- you’ll want to build a base of wax where you want them to go, and then keep it warm with a heat tool. Then place your buttons and immediately drop some hot wax on top, so that it drips through the holes and bonds with the wax underneath. Let it cool completely- it’s hard not to keep fussing with it!

Bottom line: don’t be afraid to add your favorite buttons to Encaustic art- they add a wonderful texture and dimension.

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Start Ups – Maple Leaves and Alcohol Ink

Start Ups - Maple Leaves and Alcohol Ink

It may be a little early to start thinking of fall leaves… but maybe not.

Last week I introduced you to Start Ups here and I made an easy “metal” piece to put on all sorts of Mixed Media or Scrapbooking projects.

Start Ups - Maple Leaves and Alcohol Ink

This week I used the Start Up Leaves and my trusty collection of Ranger Alcohol Inks to create multi-colored fall leaves.

Start Ups - Maple Leaves and Alcohol Ink

The colors I used were Oregano, Butterscotch and Red Pepper.

Oh, the possibilities!

What would YOU use Start Up Leaves on?

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Start Ups: Metal Look ID Tag

Start Ups

“Amazing Plastic Crafty Goodness” is what they really ought to be called! :)

What are Start Ups? They are small, white plastic shapes. Perfect blanks for lots of scrapbook, mixed media and even jewelry projects.

Button name plate

Button name plate

My very first Start Ups project. :)

I spray painted the blank silver and let it dry, then I rubbed my thumb over it to take out some of the shine. I stamped VICKI with a small set of alphabet stamps and Staz On ink in black. Finally, I gave it a quick spray with a Matte Sealer and it’s all ready to go on… well, WHATEVER I want to make!  I love that it looks like an old piece of metal. Cool!

Keep checking back as I continue to explore all of the crafty fun to be had with these little gems!

And click HERE to see the available shapes of Start Ups that Buttons Galore and More Carries!

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Envelope Booklet Hostess Gift

Make an Envelope Booklet to hold coupons, photos, or stationery.

I love little gifts that I can make with items that I’ve got on hand and give as hostess gifts, thank you tokens, and teacher’s presents. Usually it’s on short notice- and I can whip up one of these Envelope Booklets in an hour. WIN!

Continue Reading →

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Studio De-Stash – Party Favors

 Studio De-Stash - Party Favors and Gifts

All around the web I’m seeing that fellow crafters, designers and artists seem to be taking time out to clean up their creative spaces.

It’s also a GREAT time to be thinking of little gifties and gift tags that you could use the rest of the year. Don’t think so? Read the rest of this post that was originally published on my blog. (You can visit my NEW blog here: www.vickiodell.com)

Continue Reading →

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Shine On! (A Card of Encouragement)

Recently, my son participated in an Invention Convention- and when he didn’t win a prize, I could tell he took it kinda hard. So I whipped up this little card to encourage him to “Shine On” and not get discouraged.

To make it, I cut 2 circles from Core’Dinations cardstock Gemstones Collection and mounted them at the top of the card. Then I applied a Wacky Tacky Tape star shape and sprinkled silver microbeads on top. I finished it off with a white button threaded with a little embroidery floss, held in place with a mini Glue Dot.

To create the texture at the bottom, I “stacked” three rows of patterned and solid ribbon from the Retro Blue Button & Ribbons collection and adhered it with Zip Dry. I made a text block and brackets with more cardstock and used my trusty Dymo Label Maker to create the words.  A few more coordinating buttons finished off my design.

You could also use the sentiment, "Reach High."

I really love this color scheme, and it would be lovely for either a boy or a girl…and could easily stand in for a graduation card, too! Now wouldn’t it be a lovely card to send to someone who needs a little “pick-me-up?”

To see another card using another color scheme and a flower/ladybug motif, visit my blog, CraftTestDummies.com.

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Reach for the buttons!

And you’ll land amongst the stars!

This time of year, many fine folks are spreading their wings and moving up in the world. This project goes out to all of the graduates out there, large and SMALL!

Here’s a hybrid home dec/scrapbook memorabilia collection to get your buttons sparkling for attention – check out my quickie forgotten fine art canvas makeover!

Old canvas was stripped from this frame.  The frame was then painted with acrylic paint.

Once dry, crackle medium was applied and spread, generously.  Let dry, at least until tacky.

Spread 2nd color over crackle medium.   (The 2nd coat doesn’t have to be perfect.) Let dry for several hours.

Once dry, attach chicken wire to the backside with strong staple gun.

Drape fabric onto the back of chicken wire and attach.

Cut stars from card stock and embellish with baker’s twine embellished buttons from Buttons Galore & More.

Lay out pictures and embellishments, memorabilia, etc.

Secure with glue, tape or clips, as desired.

Give the grad in your world a big hug and blessings to REACH FOR THE STARS!

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Send Cards to the Troops-Patriotic Card

Patriotic Card Idea

Patriotic Card with Burlap

Patriotic Card with Burlap

The traditional patriotic colors on this card get a warm vintage feel with softer colors and the use of burlap. Using wood buttons instead of white buttons also adds to the warm feel.  The micro-beads give it a touch of shimmer.  The card is a 6×6 with a craft card stock base.

Continue Reading →

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Cameo Mother's Day Card

 

Graphics Fairy

Original Image Removed - This Image from The Graphics Fairy

UPDATE: 5/11/11 We are pleased as punch to say that the original photo needed to be removed because our incredibly talented Elise Durenburger will have her card published in Cards Magazine in October 2011. Congrats Elise!

Isn’t this card beautiful? Look at all of the layers and texture. Seriously, click on the photo and see the larger image.

I’ll wait.

If there are two things I love they are texture and layers. And who doesn’t love a beautiful silhouette or cameo? Of course a Buttons Galore and More button is the cherry on top! :)

To learn more about this card and how it’s made please visit Mamacow Creations.

PS. Elise is one of our design team members… aren’t we lucky!?!?

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Nosey?

Isn’t this little bunny simply adorable? This card is by Amy over at Pickled Paper Designs. She has a serious talent for card making. You really should check out her blog. Even if you don’t think you are into card making I’m sure her beautiful work will make you want to make a card or two!

Oh! And to learn more about how to make this card visit Amy here.

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