March 31, 2009

Vintage Buttons Basics

Sooooo, you're lovin' Papertrey's new Vintage Buttons, huh? ME TOO! Buttons are one of my favorite, go to embellishments. To me, they just add a homespun feel to projects.....and just like on a cute little girl's dress, they add the perfect finishing touch. If you've been following my blog lately, you've noticed that I've been having fun making my own homemade button embellishments. They might look a little hard to make but they're really very simple. Here's what you'll need: (ribbon, Vintage Buttons, punched circles)
Punch or die cut a circle of cardstock, stamp it if you wish or use patterned paper. Add a little touch of adhesive to the circle front.
Then take a snippet of ribbon, about 3" in width, and form a loop.
Place your ribbon loop onto your circle and hold with your fingers. Center a button over the top of the ribbon loop. Using twine (I'm using Martha Stewart twine)....or embroidery thread, floss, string,etc.......sew the button to the circle. You'll end up with both ends of the floss at the front, then just tie into a knot.
Below are some versions of my button baubles. The top two were done using the method I explained above. The bottom left has the ribbon loop tied on top of the button and the bottom right shows a snippet of ribbon tied on the top of the button with the ends trimmed. Lots and lots of variations you can do.
And here's a finished card using my button/ribbon embellishment. All of my projects today use Pond Life, Hibiscus Burst and New Leaf ribbon, 2008 Bitty Dot Basics patterned paper, Stamper's Select White cardstock and Aqua Mist cardstock. Ink is New Leaf and Raspberry Fizz, and of course Vintage Buttons.
I think the button embellishments add so much detail to projects. I love the little *hoppy hello* accent piece too.
And here's another idea for your Vintage Buttons. I do this a lot...simply adhere ribbon snippets to your finished accent piece by *messy stitching*(stitching back and forth a few times over the ribbon)....and then adhere threaded buttons on top. So cute!Here's a close up:
And here's a little Artist Trading Card (size is 2.5" x 3.5") that I made using scraps from my cards. I used two pieces of Hibiscus Burst ribbon and simply adhered a threaded button on top. Such a perfect little accent piece to finish off my project.
Let's chat a little about adhering buttons to your projects. You can do this several ways. One way is to use glue dots that come in the little boxes. I use these if I'm adhering buttons directly to cardstock, they stick really well. Another way to adhere buttons is to use a liquid adhesive, Zip Dry is my favorite. I use this method if I'm adhering buttons to something a little bulkier like ribbon or fabric. A clothespin helps keep the button secure until the glue dries. And yet another method for adhering buttons is to simply sew them directly to your project, using a needle and twine or thread. Pop dots also work well if you want your buttons to be raised off your project a little.

Need more inspiration? Head on over to the other Papertrey Designers' blogs for more great button ideas:

29 comments:

Mona_63 said...

WoW!!
Your blog is fantastic!
Much is learned because of you!
You are very creative!!
I am impressed!
Thanks to you I feel encouraged!

Valentina Fussell said...

These are some super cute ideas! Thanks for the wonderful inspiration!

DeeDee said...

Ooooh, I love your little button baubles Mish! Too cute and oh so easy to do too! I gotta get me some of those vintage buttons...gorgeous! HUGS!

Darla said...

I love these cards Mish! The turtle is too cute and I love the button embellishments you made--thanks for the inspiration!

Cathy said...

Utterly adorable.

You should list your craft items on silkfair.com as well - let me know if you need any assistance in setting up a store. Would love to see you there.

Keep up the great work.

Mixing-Katie said...

Love the way you use buttons! Thanks for these instructions!

Paula Barin said...

Great ideas for buttons. I love Zip Dry too, it's great stuff. I visist your blog daily and love your cards. You're an inspiration.

Tracy said...

I love this! I so enjoy your blog, I really woudl love to know how do you make your recipe cards, last nite I looked at all of them, and I really woudl like to do this. Could you please email me directions, I dont' know if you change margin sizes, use cardstock or copy paper, and I can't get that becky font to download, says the page not found. Please help me out.. my email is istamptoo@yahoo.com thanks so much!!!

Jeanne said...

What fresh and clever ideas for spring. Love the button circles for embellishments! How great to make up several ahead of time.

Maureen said...

Fabulous idea! A great way to use up all the little bits of ribbon. I love PTI ribbon so much I find it hard to throw out the ends I cut off!!

AbcHobby.it said...

wow... great idea!!! I love it!!
hugs from italy
elisabetta

2Bis2DO said...

So stinkin cute. Love it and thanks so much for all the inspiration you give. Love your blog.

Chelle said...

do fabulous...as usual! thank you for showing us how you do it!!
chelle

Karen said...

I really like the Friends till the End sentiments used with Pond Life! Such cute stuff and love all the product mixing....so many new ideas! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I visit your blog often, and each time I am inspired. Thank you

Elizabeth S. said...

I just love the colors you used in your card!! Thanks for sharing how you emblish with your buttons.

Anonymous said...

Well this one was right up your alley! Great projects as always:)

Sharron said...

Your button baubles are a great idea--so clever. And your cards are too cute! You always post such wonderful projects!

Unknown said...

I'm liking this tuttorial!
Thanks
Sharon

MichelleY said...

OMW....your button embellishments are so ADORABLE!! You are so good at taking everyday things and combining them in a way that makes them fresh and new! You ROCK, MISHIE!!

Unknown said...

Oh just gorgeous ...as usual!!

Katy @ Live Laugh Love Craft said...

Mish.. I'm pretty sure you are the one person who can sell ANYTHING to me!! I'm sure you've heard this a million times.. I didn't think that I needed the Friends 'til the End set, but after seeing this post, I do!! You are the best of the best. :)

Sandra Shimizu said...

Michelle, I have no words, your blog is absolutely fantastic!!
Thanks for the inspiration!
cheers

Jennifer Scull said...

super cute! I'm another button junkie, so I enjoy seeing what you do with yours. thanks!

Carol R said...

Love all your ideas and the cards you have made today. And thanks for the tip to use a clothespin to hold the button in place while it dries.

Pricousins said...

LOVE this! It's gorgeous. Thanks!

Tracy Dietrich info@tracydietrich.com said...

super cute!

Lynn Everett said...

OMG, you're a girl after my own heart. How I love using buttons, and I just love your ideas. Thanks so much.
Hugs, Lynn Everett

Unknown said...

I love your blog. Great Ideas. Especially the buttons. I adore buttons but don't use them much, I will be now.
Thanks for all the ideas, you are very talented.

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