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Fun button art with scraps from your stash

By on March 23, 2012 in Mixed Media

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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Start Ups Design Team Challenge Winners!!

By on September 30, 2011 in Announcements

Congratulations Elise!! Your Halloween card won the reader vote!!

And the winning reader is #14!! June Gibbs

June, send your address to buttonsgaloreteam (at) yahoo (dot) com and we’ll get a goody package out to you!!

Have a great weekend everyone! :)

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Inspiration Journal

By on September 26, 2011 in Paper Crafts

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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Start Ups: Mixed Media Necklaces

By on September 16, 2011 in Jewelry
Start Ups Mixed Media Charms

Start Ups Mixed Media Charms

I loved playing with the Start Ups that I received recently.  I started with the Large Tags because I thought they were the perfect size for a necklace pendant.  I haven’t used my Alcohol Inks in a while, so I pulled those out and decided on Greens, Blues and Purples.

The first background I created was a tie dye effect – the alcohol ink has a fluid movement on the Start Ups surface and I almost couldn’t stop layering the colors and watching them blend together!

Tie Dye Butterfly Necklace

I added a chipboard butterfly from K & Company and Making Memories letter stickers to spell the word FLY.

Stamped Mixed Media Charm

For the next background, I dropped Alcohol Ink on the surface of the Start Ups, then blotted off with a paper towel to create a watercolor effect.  I stamped over the background with StazOn Jet Black Ink and set the ink with my Heat Tool.  I added a touch of Starlight Stickles on the dragonfly, the word sticker COURAGE, a flower with gem and a black gingham ribbon compete this mixed media necklace.

Glossy Monogram Charm

The third background was similar to the second, but I sanded the dry alcohol ink to distress the finish.  I then stamped with musical notes and finished with a large monogram M that was painted black and topped with a thick coat of Glossy Accents.

I inked around the edge of each of my Start Ups mixed media charms with black StazOn ink and then set it with my Heat Tool.

Add a jump ring and some ball chain and you are ready to wear your mixed media necklaces – or give them as gifts!

Thanks for stopping by!  -Beth Watson

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Cute button and bead embellished headband

By on September 12, 2011 in Wearable

I love doodling on all types of objects, so when I was sent some of the Start Ups buttons, I was excited to see what I could come up with. I decided to use my Marvy Uchida alcohol based markers to color the flower Start Ups and make a headband for my daughter. The Start Ups are great for adding your own personal touch to a fun button project!

Button and bead embellished headbad by Jen Goode

Button and bead embellished headband by Jen Goode

Materials you’ll need:

Button and bead embellished headbad steps to make

Button and bead embellished headbad steps to make

Here’s how to make a button and bead embellished headband:

  1. Color the Start Ups however you like. I chose the alcohol based markers because they blend nicely and the colors are vibrant. They have an almost hand-painted look when finished. If you’d like, add a light layer of clear spray varnish after you color. However, it’s not necessary, the color stays put on the Start Ups nicely.
  2. String embroidery thread through the Start Up and through a bead and then back through the Start Up. Then attach by wrapping the thread around the headband.
  3. Repeat as necessary for the number of beads and Start Ups you’d like to include in your design.
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Start Ups: Faux Cloisonne

By on September 10, 2011 in Jewelry

Start Ups from Buttons Galore and More might just be my favorite product from the site! I love their smooth, white surface….. like a canvas just begging to be painted upon.  I rifled through my sticker stash in order to come up with this easy-peasy faux cloisonne technique.

Faux Cloisonne

Faux Cloisonne


You’ll need:

  • Start Ups- I used tags and circles
  • Peel-Off type stickers- I used Magenta brand
  • Alcohol-based markers- I used Letraset ProMarkers
  • Mod Podge Dimensional Magic
  • Krylon Spray Sealer
  • Earring findings, jump rings, connectors.

To make these, I simply peeled a sticker off of the sheet and applied it to the Start-Ups, burnishing it down a bit with a fingernail. Then I colored in the lines using my alcohol based markers.

When the ink was dry I added a coat of Mod Podge Dimensional Magic over the whole thing to pull off the Cloisonne effect. Or, like in this example, you can choose to do only one area to add “pop” to your piece.

Once the Mod Podge Dimensional Magic is all dry, add jump rings and earring findings and you are ready to roll. (If you leave some areas without the Dimensional Magic, I’d suggest spraying the pieces with a coat or two of Krylon Triple Thick in order to keep the ink from scratching off in the future.

No one needs to know you raided your paper crafting stash to make your jewelry!

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Start Ups: Metal Look ID Tag

By on July 7, 2011 in Card Making

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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