Tag Archives | Niki Meiners

Movember Mustache Craft for guys

By Admin on November 4, 2013 in Back to School, Paper Crafts

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:

Laura Kelly Mixed Buttons
Clearsnap Black Ink & Rollagraph
Kraft paper
Sharpie Markers
Glue Dots
Black Ribbon

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.

National Scrapbook Day -Button giveaway alert

By Admin on May 5, 2012 in Paper Crafts, Scrapbooking

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.

Super Simple – Super Chic Napkin Rings

By Admin on February 17, 2012 in Occasions, Paper Crafts

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

Add a glue dot to one end

Wrap around napkin

Add buttons with a glue dot and VIOLA!

Gusseted Girly Messenger Bag – Great Valentine Gift

By Admin on January 11, 2012 in Wearable

Yo-yos on Girly Messenger bag by Niki Meiners

This feminine messenger style tote is perfect for a Valentine’s Day gift. It is soft and girly and it can be carried long after. Plus the flowers on this bag will last a lot longer than a dozen roses.

Gusseted Messenger Style Tote

Tools:

Scissors, Cutting matt, needle, thread, pins, Clover Yo Yo Maker in extra small, small, medium, large, extra large circle, small and medium heart and the small and medium flower.

Materials:

Confection Button Collection and FabriTacCream canvas, cream burlap small dark pink rick rack, large light pink rick rack, various scraps of coordinating fabric. Two strips of 6×24”, burlap, Velcro ®

Directions:

1. Cut burlap to 36″ by 22″ to make a bag about the same size as a grocery bag. So if you buy 44″ wide fabric, you can make two bags with a yard. Cut in half. to measure &&& Cut canvas to $x#. Sew the burlap to the canvas. Fold the top edge down 1/2 inch. Then stitch ¼” from edge. Place wrong sides together and sew on the three remaining sides.

2. To make a gusset, flatten the bag with the bottom seam on top. (It looks like an odd triangular shape, but makes more sense when you actually do it). Then sew across the triangle so that your seam is about 3-4″ long (mark it by sliding a ruler down until it reads 3″). When you turn the bag right-side-out, it will stand up like a paper grocery bag just not as deep.

Gusset on Messenger Style Tote

3. Cut striped fabric for handles to 6×24. Fold in one inch on each side finger press. Then stitch ¼” from edge. Fold ends of each tip to form a diagonal and sew along edges. Sew the other end inside the bag. Straps can be made of self-fabric, very sturdy ribbon, matching fabric remnants, nylon webbing, or whatever else seems you have handy. I tied the fabric strips into a knot for a decorative effect.

Knot at the top of the straps

4. To embellish the tote use Fabri-tac to adhere various lengths of rick rack. The rick rack mimics flower stems. Mine vary from 4-10″.

5. Follow manufacturers directions to make the yo-yos. I used a variety of the sizes listed above. Hand sew buttons in the center of each yo-yo. You can either adhere the yo-yos with a quick stitch or you can use the Fabri-Tac.

Yo-yos flowers with button center

How to Make a Button Closure for Card Makers

By Admin on January 2, 2012 in Card Making, Occasions

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

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

Concentric Circle Button Pillow

By Admin on December 14, 2011 in Home Decor

Concentric Circle Button Pillow

This modern pillow was created by die cutting leather flowers and adorning the center with buttons. The finished size is 12×18”- perfect to tuck into a corner of the sofa or on a small chair.

Materials

Avacado Satin fabric
Sea Glass buttons
Leather
Sizzix 3-d Flower die cut
The Warm Company: Soft & Bright polyester batting

Tools

Sizzix Big Shot
Sewing Machine
Thread and needle

Other Supplies

Covered Work surface
Paintbrush for each color
Scissors
White fabric pencil
Circles in various sizes,
Straight pins
Needle

Directions

1. Cut fabric for front and back of pillow to 12.5 x 18.5. Die cut leather flowers 18 times. Add a dab of glue to secure layers. Sew button into center.

4. Place wrong side of fabric together. Secure with straight pins. Sew closed with a sewing machine leaving an opening large enough to fill interior with batting. Turn pillow right side out and fill cavity with batting.

5. Sew the opening closed with either a machine stitch or by hand.

by Niki Meiners www.365daysofcrafts.com

Button and Rosette Frame

By Admin on November 21, 2011 in Home Decor

Button and rosette frame by Niki Meiners

Looking for a holiday gift or a for a fun decoration? Why not make a frame embellished with buttons and rosettes? I love the blank wood frames from Michael’s. I usually purchase a dozen or so when they go on sale for $1. They are great, low cost homemade gifts. To make this project:

Tools and Materials:

Blank wood frame, paint brushes, 3 colors of paint ( similar colors work best), glue, floral decoration and buttons green, waterfall, and bittersweet.

Directions:

Paint wood frame with paint color of choice. Dry brush on other colors. Glue on rosettes and buttons as shown.

Toodles,

Niki

Make a Button Snowman Ornament

By Admin on October 24, 2011 in Holidays, Occasions

Button Snowman Ornament

Need and ornament for a gift, package topper or an ornament exchange? Why not make your own this year. Button Ornaments are a great and inexpensive solution. I made a few dozen while catching up on my favorite tv shows. The buttons I used come in a great storage jar that also makes it easy to craft on the go. For me on the go is not in my crafting cave. I also made a cute wreath using green and red buttons. Stop by http://365daysofcrafts.com after Halloween to check it out.

To make this cute and simple snowman you will need:

a wire cutter

14-20 guage wire. approx. 24 inches

one orange bead ( barrel or bicone)

two brown or black beads for mittens

Various size black buttons (5- 8)

White buttons ( 18-26)

I used buttons from a jar in the Portrait Collection

Directions

Cut a 12 in piece of wire. Make a loop or add a crimp bead at the bottom. Stack white buttons on to desired height. Wrap a six inch piece of wire around to form arms. Attach beads for mittens and cut off any excess. Cut off a3 inch piece of wire and attach orange bead as the nose. Stack on more white buttons and then add largest black button to form brim of hat. Stack on more black buttons to make hat. Use the remaining wire to form a loop as shown.

Tada! A snowman button ornament. If you would like to see more of my work please visit http://365daysofcrafts.com

Toodles, Niki

Inspiration Journal

By Admin on September 26, 2011 in Paper Crafts

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

Country Chic

By Admin on July 1, 2011 in Home Decor

Country Chic

Burlap has been one of my “old favorites” and I am so pleased that it is back en vogue in the crafting world. To create this chic candle holder I used a glass container that I purchased from the dollar store.

Button Detail

Tools:

Scissors, Embossing stylus

Materials:

Wood buttons, Blue and green burlap, Beacon Adhesive Fabri-Tac, Rusted Heart, Bo-Bunny Rub ons, glass marbles and a candle.

Directions:

Cut blue burlap into a 3×9 strip and fray edges. Cut green burlap into a 2×9 strip and fray edges. Adhere strips to container. Adhere buttons randomly around the center.

For a variation add rub-ons to rusted metal heart. Trim heart with the tiniest buttons. Add butterfly rub on to glass exterior.