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Make a fun DIY Sequin Coaster Set with the Kids

By on July 14, 2017 in Home Decor, Kids Crafts

Hello everyone! This is Katie from the Buttons Galore & More Design Team, and today I have a super fun DIY Sequin Coaster Set that you can make with your kids!

DIY Sequin Coasters

The project I will be showing you how to make today is a DIY Sequin Coaster Set! Now, you may be thinking that sequins and coasters don’t belong together. However, this DIY Sequin Coaster Set has a protective coating on top which seals in all the sequins and creates a barrier between your drinks and the actual coasters. In addition, this project is kid friendly and can be completed in just 3 easy steps!

To decorate my sequin coasters, I decided to use the brand new 28 Lilac Lane Sequin Tin in Haunted House. Now, even though the haunted house name sounds like it’s made for Halloween, these sequins have a more holographic look to them. For example, the tin contains silver, purple, black, white, and hologram colored sequins. In addition, the sequins are round, hexagon, and star shaped.  For this particular project, I paired the sequins up with some purple paint. However, I think with the holographic look that they have could be paired with a variety of paint colors.

So, to find out how to make your own Sequin Coaster Set, keep reading below!

Supplies Needed:

DIY Sequin Coaster Set

Step 1: Paint your wooden coasters on the front and back. Then set each one aside to dry.

DIY Sequin Coaster Set

Step 2: Apply a layer of Mod Podge onto your coaster then begin adding sequins from the 28 Lilac Lane Haunted House Sequin Tin. While doing this step, you could add your sequins to your coasters in one of two ways. The first way would be to sprinkle the sequins onto the coaster and then spread the sequins out with a toothpick. The second way would be to add each sequin on by hand.

With that being said, no matter what method you use, you want to make sure that your sequins are lying flat on your coaster. This means that sequins should not be glued on top of each other and that each sequin should be lying flat by itself. Also, when making these coasters, I felt that that less was more. For example, I found that using a smaller amount of sequins (in a particular pattern) really gave the coaster a finished look. However, you can do whatever floats your crafty boat.

Once you are done adding your sequins, apply another thin layer of Mod Podge and set the coasters aside to dry.

DIY Sequin Coaster Set

Step 3: Now apply a thin coat of Dimensional Magic to the top of your coaster. When applying the Dimensional Magic you may want to have a tooth pick handy so you can pop any air bubbles. At first the top of your coaster may look ”cloudy” but that’s ok because it will dry completely clear. After you finish applying the Dimensional Magic set your coaster aside to dry for 24 hours.

Keep repeating this process with your other coasters.

When the Dimensional Magic is completely dry, you are ready to start using your new coaster set!

DIY Sequin Coaster Set

DIY Sequin Coaster Set

I loved how this DIY Sequin Coaster Set turned out! Now, I want to make a bunch of different coaster sets in different patterns and colors.

With that being said, this sequin coaster set would be a great summer project to make over the weekend with your kids. Personally, I made these coasters in the afternoon and was able to use them (after the Dimensional Magic had dried) the next day. Also, as coasters, they have held up really nicely with both hot and cold drinks.

This project could be customized with any color scheme that you’d like, of course. If you made this DIY Sequin Coaster Set, what new 28 Lilac Lane Premium Sequin Tin would you use?

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DIY Paper Clip & Button Bookmarks

By on April 27, 2015 in Kids Crafts

Secret Garden Bookmarks

It’s almost time for summer reading. These quick and easy Paper Clip and Button Bookmarks are a great kids project. With our selection of unique buttons, you can make bookmarks to match your child’s interests. Does your child love the book, The Secret Garden? How about creating a collection of garden themed bookmarks? A gift of the book and the garden bookmarks would also make a darling gift!

These would also be great teacher’s gifts. Give your favorite teacher a stack of books, some beach-themed bookmarks the kids made, and they will  be ready to hit the beach and rest up after a long school year!

Seaside Bookmarks

Flip Flop Bookmark Close-Up

Sea Bookmarks with Shell

The possibilities for these are endless! Here’s how to create your own Paper Clip and Button Bookmarks:

Supplies:

Instructions:

Slide the button onto the paper clip. Place a small drop of glue to hold the button in place. You can make dozens of these in only minutes!

Summer Reading Bookmarks

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Sweet Rubber Band Bracelets

By on September 23, 2013 in Jewelry, Kids Crafts, Wearable

Rubber band bracelets are all the rage with kids these days.  Some crafters use a special loom to create the bracelets, but you can also use your fingers and  some super cute novelty buttons to create a closure for your bracelet. This is definitely a kid-approved project as my daughter was wildly impressed that she could now make rubber band bracelets that stood out from the crowd.

Make a Sweet RUbber Band Bracelet with Buttons Galore & Laura Bray

Supplies for Rubber Band Bracelets:

  • Bands in colors of your choice.  You can buy packs of the bands at your local craft store, or just use hair bands.
  • Novelty buttons.  For my sweet set, I used the Sweet Delights collection.

Rubber Band Bracelet

Instructions:

1.  With your fingers, squeeze one of the bands in half and thread it through the shank of your button.

 

2. Squeeze another band in half and weave it through the loops of the band that you pushed through your button.

Make a Sweet RUbber Band Bracelet with Buttons Galore & Laura Bray

3. Continue weaving your bands together until you get the length you want.  Don’t forget the bands stretch!

4. When you get to the end of your band, take the two last two loops and wrap it over the button.

Step 3

Thanks for crafting with me today!  For more crafts, lifestyle tips, and button projects, visit me on my blog at Laura Bray Designs.

 

Visit Laura Bray Designs at www.laurabraydesigns.com

 

 

 

5

Treasures and Trinkets Boxes for Kids

By on March 29, 2013 in Kids Crafts

ButtonsFlowerPotandBox

Creating keepsake boxes to hold treasures and trinkets is fun for kids of all ages. Whether using a shoe box or a box purchased from a craft store (they have them in all sizes and shapes with lids ready to be embellished), it is a project that is simple, quick and fun.

You will need the box (of course) along with buttons and other small objects to glue to the outside of the box. You can also add ribbons and paper memorabilia like ticket stubs or photographs.  These are also nice additions to adhere to the inside of the box lid. This project works great with hot glue for instant bonding but if working with small children, Beacon Tacky Glue or PPA Matte Adhesive works great.

Once completed, the box is great for storing notes from friends, shells, report cards, jewelry, photographs or even more craft supplies.

Happy Making Memories and Places to Store Them Too!

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Tic Tac Toe with Buttons

By on October 28, 2012 in Kids Crafts

I love playing board games and discovered the VELCRO® Brand Memo Board was the perfect base to create a board game.  I decided on a Tic-Tac-Toe Board that would use Buttons as the game pieces….this was quick and easy to make, now when the grand kids come over we can sit down to a fun game of Tic-Tac-Toe; the added bonus they can also count all the buttons on each game piece to help them with their counting.

Here’s how you can create Tic Tac Toe with Buttons:

Cut out 5 circle and 5 X shapes, I did this with mat board, Sizzix Serif Alphabet and Big Shot….

Use Beacon Felt Glue to cover each game piece with buttons; I did two layers to completely cover the mat board; let dry.   I use BB84 Brilliant Pink Buttons for the circles and Latte Buttons for the X’s.

I used my KellyCraft Get-It-Straight Laser Square to perfectly align my Metallic Krenick  Thread onto the VELCRO® Brand Memo Board so that I had 9 squares the same size.

Use Westcott Non-Stick Scissor to cut small pieces of Sticky Back Velcro.

Place these onto the back of each game piece.

Now your game pieces are ready to use….Have Fun playing Tic Tac Toe with Buttons!

1

DIY No-Sew Fleece Pillow -Fall Themed

By on October 23, 2012 in Holidays, Home Decor, Kids Crafts, Occasions

Hi there!  I have a quick no-sew fleece pillow idea for you.  It’s quick it’s easy and so festive! You will want to make a  no-sew fleece pillow  for each season

Supplies for a no-sew fleece pillow :

Directions for a no-sew fleece pillow :

Cut two layers of polar fleece material approximately 3-4″ wider then the pillow you plan to cover.  No need to be exact, this project is really forgiving

Cut away the corners of the fabric and cut strips all the way round the outside edge approximately one inch thick.

Once everything is cut, tie the top and bottom matching strips together in a double knot creating the fun fringe look.  Don’t forget to insert your pillow before you tie your pillowcase closed.

Embellish your pillow front with fleece scraps cut into shapes representing your theme.  I free-handed a maple leaf shape for fall.  Glue on fleece shapes and other embellishments like ribbon and buttons to complete the no-sew fleece pillow.

Enjoy your new festive pillow!  Not only is it fun to look at but it’s cozy too!

This is a great project for kids!

Thanks for stopping by!

2

Use Theme Buttons to Customize a Photo Clip!

By on September 10, 2012 in Home Decor, Kids Crafts

Who doesn’t love the dollar aisle? I picked up some simple photo clips the other day that I knew I could dress up with theme buttons to customize them for my daughters. It’s so quick and easy!

IMG_2852

Supplies needed to customize a photo holder with theme buttons:

IMG_2844

 

 

IMG_2845

Directions to customize a photo holder with theme buttons:

Start by removing the shanks from buttons.

IMG_2847

If the theme button has layers, glue them back together with a dot of glue.

IMG_2851

Adhere the chosen buttons to the four sides of the photo clip cubes.

IMG_2849

The sunglasses are a fun moving element by just clipping one side of the button shank and snapping in on the wire .

customize a photo holder with theme buttons

Final step…add cute pictures of fun times!  This is a fast and easy way to customize a photo holder with theme buttons.  Less than a half an hour including dry time and you have a great project.

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Quick pony tail holder with buttons

By on April 30, 2012 in Jewelry, Kids Crafts, Wearable

We have a ton of plain colored pony tale holders around the house. This is fine for me, but for my little princess, sometimes a plain ponytail just isn’t enough. Instead of buying a ton of different decorated rubber bands, make them yourself using buttons with the loophole in the back. It’s easy, quick and gives you the opportunity to customize the look of your little hair pieces. (This would even be great for grown up princesses, using some pretty shiny or elegant buttons ~ wink).

Ponytail holder made with a button

Ponytail holder made with a button

Make a ponytail holder using buttons

Make a ponytail holder using buttons

Pink flower button ponytail holder

Pink flower button ponytail holder

The best part about these button ponytail holders is that I can change the buttons to make a whole new look at any time. There’s no glue or cutting… just pulling the rubber band through the button back and voila! You could add more than one button if you’d like, but I think you’d need a little bigger rubber band. I used a small 1.5″ diameter rubber band for this example. This would also be a fun project for kids to make!

What quick and fun projects do you like to use buttons for?

1

Pin It to Win It – Contest Reminder- Closed

By on April 25, 2012 in Announcements

Pin-it-to-win-it-The pin it to Win It Contest ends on Friday and we would not want you to miss out on great inspiration, and a chance at being a GUEST DESIGNER or winning a prize.

We are celebrating spring and what better way to do it than with Pinterest.  The site makes our hearts swoon— we use it as a creative kick-start, to figure out what’s for dinner, and to get inspired by gorgeous color combinations for our own projects.

Now we’d like to turn the spotlight on YOU & your creativity. Show us your BUTTON-inspired pinboards!!  At the end of the contest we will send the Pinterest user with our favorite pin collection a tote bag filled with fabulous & inspiring crafting supplies. If you are the creator of our very favorite button project, you will receive an invitation to be a guest designer for a mutually agreed upon month at Buttons Galore & More and receive $25 worth of products of your own choosing from the Buttons Galore & More site. In addition, your creation will be featured on our website and in our newsletter — reaching thousands of crafters around the world who will turn your idea for a fabulous project into reality.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

Be sure you follow Buttons Galore and More on Pinterest.  Create a new Pinterest board entitledButtons Galore Pin It To Win It Party.

Fill that board with at least 4 pins (feel free to add more!).

-2 of the pins must be of your favorite projects from the Buttons Galore blog

-2 pins must be of your own creations featuring buttons of any kind.

 

All the pins (even those not from ButtonsGaloreandMore.com) must have a caption explaining the pin’s relation to the party.Is it your favorite color mix? An awesome project? A card created by you? Your favorite scrapbook page? Tabletop decor?

All the pins (even those not from ButtonsGaloreandMore.com) must be hashtagged with both #buttons and #pinitparty.

Once your party pinboard is complete, enter the contest by posting a link to the pinboard in the comments section of April 2nds post Titled Pin it to win it starts TODAY.

This contest launches on April 2, 2012, and will run through 5 p.m. April 27, 2012. The Pinboards will be judged on originality, creativity, adherence to the contest rules, and a general sense of style, appreciation for all things interesting, authentic, and fun.

Note: You must be a member of Pinterest.com to enter, and you must be following ButtonsGalore. If you do not have a Pinterest account, you can sign up for one here or request an invitation in the comments section.

The Buttons Galore Party Pinboard Contest (the “Contest”) is sponsored by Buttons Galore and More (“Sponsor”).

ONE (1) GRAND PRIZE:  A gift bag filled with craft supplies approx. retail value $75.

ONE (1) FIRST-PLACE PRIZE:  approx. retail value $25

All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply; void where prohibited.  PRIZES MAY BE SUBJECT TO TAX; ALL APPLICABLE TAXES ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WINNER.

ELIGIBILITY: The Contest is open only to individuals, eighteen (18) years or older at time of entry, who are legal residents of the United States and Canada, excluding the Province of Quebec. Employees and Creative Team Members of Buttons Galore and More, their immediate families (defined as parents, children, siblings, spouse and grandparents), and those domiciled with any of the foregoing are not eligible.

ENTRY:  All entrants must submit a Pinterest board entitled Buttons Galore Pin It Party, containing at least 4 pins, 2 of the pins must be of your favorite projects from the Buttons Galore blog and 2 pins must be of your creations featuring buttons of any kind.

Submissions to the Contest must be received by April 27 2012 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (“ET”) in order to be eligible; entries received after that date will be deemed ineligible to win.  Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, inaccurate, incomplete, damaged, illegible, or misdirected entries.

Each entry must be submitted on an individual basis (i.e., no team, joint, or corporate entries) the entries created by the contestan must be the original creation of the submitting participant.

Entries may not contain profanity, nudity, pornographic images, violent images, anti-competition messages, illegal material, or material that violates the rights of third parties. Entries may not include confidential information, trade secrets, trademarks or copyrighted material belonging to any person or entity other than the entrant absent a suitable license or permission agreement, proof of which is required. Entries containing any forbidden matter or material otherwise deemed by Sponsor to be inappropriate will be disqualified.  Online entries will be deemed submitted by the authorized account holder of the email address submitted at time of entry.  One entry per person; multiple entries will be disqualified.

JUDGING:  The Creative Team members and editors will select the winning entry based equally upon the criteria of originality, creativity, adherence to the contest rules, and a general sense of style appreciation for all things interesting, authentic, and fun.

By entering, you agree to be bound by these Official Rules, and that the decisions of the judges are final and binding in all respects.  Judging will be completed by April 30, 2012, and potential winners will be notified by Pinterest comment on or before May 1, 2012.  Sponsor reserves the right not to select any winning submissions based upon the quantity or content of submissions.

If required winner announcement is not in contact with Buttons Galore within seven (7) business days of notification, or if notification is returned as undeliverable, any prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner will be selected.

PRIZE AWARDS:  Prizes will be awarded within sixty (60) days after winner verification.  No prize substitution or transfer is permitted, except that Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value for any reason.  Sponsor is required by law to report prize values to taxing authorities; all taxes and any other incidental expenses on prizes are the sole responsibility of each winner.

For GENERAL RULES & LIMITATIONS please read this post.

1

Tween Baking Party Favors with Buttons

By on April 23, 2012 in Kids Crafts, Occasions

While I love throwing birthday parties for my children, I often struggle to think of fun party favors that are also useful.  With the popularity of baking-themed parties for the tween girl set, layered jar mixes are a perfect complement to the theme, and won’t become clutter later.

Layered Jar Baking Party Favors using buttons

I focused on the Ebony & Ivory Trim Collage Kit to create most of this layered cookie jar, along with some bright pink fabric and the cake button from the Sweet Treats collection.  There are 12 yards of ribbon in this collage kit, so I could make several coordinating jars from one kit.

Materials:

Ebony & Ivory Trim Collage Kit
Sweet Treats Buttons
Precision Diagonal Craft Cutters
Pint canning jar with ring & lid, layered cookie mix (instructions found online try www.recipegolmine.com)
Bright pink fabric remnant (approximately 1-4”square and 1-12×1.5” strip for each jar)
Polyester fiberfill (or cotton balls)
Liquid glue
Fabric scissors
Computer printer or white cardstock and black pen
Black and white patterned paper
Black cardstock

  1. Cut circle of fabric approximately 4” diameter.  Place small amount of fiberfill (or 1 slightly pulled apart cotton ball) onto lid, and cover with fabric circle.  Add ring and screw on tightly.  Trim away excess fabric.
  2. Cut 1 length of striped ribbon, approximately 10” and glue around lid ring, trimming away excess.
  3.  Cut 2 pieces of striped ribbon and one piece of stitched ribbon long enough to fit around the jar, approximately 10.5 inches, and glue into place.  Trim excess ribbon.
  4. Accordion-fold and glue a strip of pink fabric in a circle to create 2.5” diameter folded rosette.  Glue striped ribbon and button rosette from kit to center of pink fabric rosette.
    Layered jar cookie mix party favor with button decorations
  5. Remove shank from cake-shaped button using Precision Diagonal Craft Cutters.  Glue black and white pattern kit button to top right, and cake button to bottom right of rosette, and glue embellishment cluster to ribbons on jar base.
  6. Print cookie baking directions onto 1.5” square tag.  Mat directions onto patterned paper (I used my own design) and black cardstock.  Punch hole in tag corner.  Thread ¼” pink ribbon through punched hole, cross through holes of small white button, and thread back through punched hole.  Tie ribbon around jar ring to attach directions.
    Layered jar mix party favor tag with button decorations

These baking jars are easy to make assembly-line fashion, and are a fun way to send an activity home with guests after a party.  Paired with a fun apron party craft, they make wonderful, useful party favors!

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Tropical Flowers – Mahalo means Thank You!

By on April 13, 2012 in Card Making, Paper Crafts
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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Pirates, Princess and Projects…Oh my! Blog Hop

By on April 9, 2012 in Kids Crafts

How is that for a title of a post?  Today we are having a blog hop to showcase the Buttons Galore and More buttons that coordinate with Laura Kelly Pirate Island and Princess fabrics.  The fabric is manufactured by General Fabric and is available through Hancock Fabric both in stores and online.  The Laura Kelly button blends are custom dyed to match the fabric.

What Is A Blog Hop? New to Blog Hops? Here’s the low-down on how they work.  A blog hop is a list of blogs sharing a similar theme.  The blog “host” lists of links to other blogs on their page, along with the Blog Hop rules.  As the reader, you hop from blog to blog looking at fun projects.

Rule to this hop – Visit each blog, leave a comment if you want.  Come back here to the main blog.  Leave a comment on this post saying what is your favorite project and  if you would want the BOY prize or the GIRL prize.  It is that simple.

These are the blogs participating in the hop

Laura Bray www.katydiddys.blogspot.com

Cristal – www.blueyecicle.blogspot.com

Keri Lee – www.pinklemonade.typepad.com

Niki- www.nikimeiners.wordpress.com

Jen- http://www.100directions.com

Allie –http://welltrainedpaper.blogspot.com/

Ann – http://www.creativitystirsthesoul.com/

Elise – http://mamacowcreations.blogspot.com/

Now for a quick project using fun material and Buttons Galore and More  buttons by Laura Kelly

If you are not a fan on Facebook please “LIKE”  us.  We have so much button craft ideas to share.  We also have  a PIN IT TO WIN IT CONTEST  going through April 27.

If you are interested in obtaining the material you can check out Hancock fabric stores or click the links below for online purchases.

Pirate Fabric

Fleece Pirate Fabric

Princess Fabric 

***Contest now closed  *** Two winners will  be announced by 5pm April 11, 2012 on this site.

19

Happy Frog with Buttons Wall Art

By on April 6, 2012 in Home Decor, Kids Crafts

Sometimes a few buttons can finish off a piece perfectly. This month is National Frog Month, so I thought it would be fun to create some wall art with one of my printable images… a frog, of course! I found some cute little flower shaped buttons in my green button bonanza which I thought would be a perfect fit for this project.

Happy Frog and Fly wall decor with button accents by Jen Goode

Happy Frog and Fly wall decor with button accents by Jen Goode

Materials you need:

Tools and other supplies:

  • Cardstock, scissors, craft glue, coloring materials

Steps to make your own Happy Frog and Fly wall decor with button accents

  1. Print out, color and cut out the Happy Frog and Fly image and adhere to background paper/s.
  2. Cut ribbon to size and adhere to edges of picture card.
  3. Tie embroidery thread on each button, trim and glue on each corner of picture card.
  4. Frame as desired.
Print, color and adhere frog art on background papers

Print, color and adhere frog art on background papers

Add ribbon and buttons to edge of art card

Add ribbon and buttons to edge of art card

Finished Happy frog art with cute flower buttons

Finished Happy frog art with cute flower buttons

 

This same wall art can also be created as a greeting card, just leave out the frame and adhere to a blank card. You can turn your pretty colored art into super cute decor with a few fun accents. Buttons add dimension and interest. Find interesting button shapes and add them to your craft projects for an added touch.  If you are looking for more button craft ideas you can check us out on Pinterest and while you are there enter our Pin it to Win it Contest

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Handmade Little Boy Card – Pinterest Inspiration

By on April 5, 2012 in Card Making
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.

0

Easy St Patrick’s Day Headband with Novelty Buttons

By on March 12, 2012 in Holidays, St. Patrick’s Day, Wearable
St Patrick's Day Headband

St Patrick’s Day Headband

Make this Quick & Easy St Patrick’s Day Headband today and wear it this evening….using “Match Ups” makes it so easy to do!

Supplies:

• Match Ups Spring Collection #2133 (5 clovers)

• Thin White Headband

• 2 yards ¼” Green Grosgrain Ribbon

• Beacon’s 3 in 1 Glue

• 5 Rhinestones

Scissor

Instructions:

Glue small piece of ribbon onto ends of headband

Glue small piece of ribbon onto ends of headband

Then glue one end of ribbon at the end of headband and wrap around at an angle until headband is covered, glue end; let dry.

Then glue one end of ribbon at the end of headband and wrap around at an angle until headband is covered, glue end; let dry.

Glue rhinestones onto center of clovers.

Glue rhinestones onto center of clovers.

Glue clovers to headband starting on one side.

Glue clovers to headband starting on one side; you can stop with just one clover or

Glue and space clovers evenly onto headband as shown.

Glue the rest of the clovers onto headband as shown.

 

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A Valentine's Day Gift for Teacher

By on January 6, 2012 in Holidays

 

In case you didn’t get enough wrapping, tags and holiday goodness, last month… It’s onward and FORWARD: Valentine’s Day is just around the corner!

 

Good thing Buttons Galore & More has SUCH a wide assortment of buttons and lovely bits to get the imagination and crafty thoughts flowing.

 

 

With some simple supplies and a splash of colorful fun, a button embellished Valentine’s candle seems is the perfect project for a little post-Christmas togetherness time.  Gather a willing, crafty kid, and LOVELY buttons from Buttons Galore & More. The wee-child in your life might just be heading back to school with some Valentine’s teacher gifts “in the can”, as it were.  Move to the head of the class… AND have fun!

 

 

With satisfying crafty abandon, have the child pin buttons to the outside of a pillar candle, using half inch stick pins.

 

 

We had A LOT of fun with the pins!  Use as many or as few as desired – you MAY want to remove them when decorating is complete.

 

 

Once button layout is complete, prepare 3 – 4 feet of wax paper, folded in half.  Fold in half, again, and insert candle.

 

 

On a hard surface, with a heat resistant mat, heat the candle with heat gun, through the wax paper, until very hot.  {This is where “parent” supervision kicks into high gear – I recommend a good heat glove for the first go-round} Going “horizontal” sections at a time, heat until the wax is visibly melting beneath the sheet of wax paper.  Firmly roll and press the candle so that the warmest, meltiest section is then pressed, firmly, onto the hard surface.  Repeat this step until entire candle has been well heated/melted and then remove wax paper.  Buttons should appear sunken, and possibly covered with wax. When satisfied, pins can be removed, if desired.

 

 

Embellish base with cardboard, baker’s twine and wonderful button/accessory goodness from Buttons Galore & More.

 

 

Prepare a paper bag for presenting teacher Valentine’s gift, and finish with stamped Start Up tag, using solvent based permanent ink.

 

 

Save the chocolate {for YOURSELF!} and help YOUR child gift teacher, with a Valentine’s keepsake that will surely LIGHT up the heart!  Enjoy!

 

9

Kid's Crafts- Button Embellished Photo Ornaments

By on November 23, 2011 in Christmas, Holidays, Kids Crafts

 

About this time of year, my kids get the itch to start making gifts for friends, teachers, and grandparents. I came up with a kid-friendly craft that will enable them to give a gift they’ll be proud of- and it’s a great way to share those wallet-size photos from school pictures!

I used a manual die-cutting machine for this (the Spellbinders Grand Calibur) because my kids, ages 6 and 10, know how to use it independently and frankly the results are great! But you can use hand punches if you like, instead.

Supplies:

  • Manual Die Cutting Machine and Nesting Dies (I used Scalloped Circles) OR
  • Hand Punches 1.5″ and 3″
  • Feltie Sheets (stiffened felt) OR Foamies
  • Elmer’s Craft Bond Glue OR Foamie Glue (you DO need special glue for foamies, FYI)
  • Buttons (I used Ocean Blue and Gold and Silver Grab Bag)
  • Ribbon for hanging
  • Start-Ups Angels
  • Permanent marker

First, have your kids cut large circles in 3 1/2″ or 4″ size for the bases. Then, cut the “wreath” portion by positioning the 3″ or the 3 1/2″ die and centering the 2″ die into the middle. Use a piece of painter’s tape to keep it from shifting around while you run it through the machine.

 

Save that area that is punched out- we’ll use it on the back!

Next, cut a piece of ribbon at least 6″ long and glue it to the base.

 

Take your wallet-size photos and position them so the face is centered in the middle. Cut away the excess with scissors. use a dab of glue to secure the photo to the wreath, then add more glue to the entire thing and glue it to the base.

Now to decorate! Use a little more ribbon to make a bow, and add a decorative button. Then glue little buttons around the wreath as ornaments.

While that’s setting up, write the child’s name and year on the Angel Start-up and glue it to that center from the first step. Lastly, glue that to the back of the ornament so that both sides are festive.

 

 

You’ll have such a good time crafting together as a family, and the kids will be so proud that they made the gifts themselves!

 

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Pretty up a pencil bag with buttons

By on August 15, 2011 in Kids Crafts
Button embellished pencil holder

Button embellished pencil holder by Jen Goode

School just started for my kids so we’ve been busy buying supplies and getting ready for the upcoming year.I decided to have some fun and add a little personalization to some of our school supplies using buttons. Here’s an easy way to add button embellishments to a make a cute pencil bag.  You can add any kind of flat back button and create any kind of pattern or design for your own personal touch.

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