Monday, April 4, 2011

Cardboard Buttons Tutorial

Taking a break from my Bathroom Makeover to Post about homemade buttons today!
  After seeing the video The Frugal Crafter did on making buttons - I wanted to try my hand at making some of the paper covered cardboard ones. It proved to be addicting as you'll soon see!
 The method I used was very simple --- 
1. Glue a piece of patterned paper to a piece of cardboard 
~~I used paper from my scrap bin and recycled cereal/cracker boxes for the cardboard~~

2. Cut out buttons using Nestabilities Dies or Paper Punches
~~I used the following Nestabilities 
in the two smallest sizes~~
  • Blossom
  • Blossom II
  • Circle
  • Octagon
3. Punch button holes in the middle of the buttons -- either two or four
~~I used the smallest punch on the 
Crop A Dile -- 1/8 inch size~~
 4. Thread the buttons with thread/embroidery thread/twine etc.
~~I used Hemp Twine in all of mine~~
5. Hot glue the buttons onto "button cards"
~~I used the following to make my button cards~~
  1. Digital Stamps from here -- I layered them on vintage images when I used them
  2. Images from Graphics Fairy
  3. Free Collage Sheets from Victorian Viginettes
  4. Images from Clearly Vintage
  5. Free Journaling Tags from Scrapbooks Etc.
  6. Digital Images from Mel Stampz
  7.  Image from Vintage Catnip
  8. Image from Heirlooms For You
  9. Image from Inspired and Unscripted
    It took me quite a while to get my collection this size - I worked on them whenever I had a spare minute as it was an easy to pick up project.  Looking forward to using them as embellishments on cards/projects soon --- that is after I finish hoarding them for a while! SMILE!
    Come back tomorrow and I'll show you a project or two that I've made with my Homemade Cardboard Buttons!
    This post linked to:
    The More The Merrier
    Craft Catwalk
    Making Monday Marvelous
    Graphics Fairy Brag Monday
    Tip Me Tuesday
    Trash To Treasure
    Whatever You Want Wednesday

      15 comments:

      Christa said...

      These are lovely! I can't wait to see the projects you make with them.

      I love the idea of using cardboard boxes as the base, then layering it with patterned paper. I've done some before with just layers of paper, and they're not nearly as sturdy as these.

      Antje said...

      those are cute and beautiful

      Saraccino said...

      They are really beautiful! I just can't imagine how you'll be able to seperate them from the cardboards because together they look so nice :)

      mommyroo said...

      Wow, I am impressed with those! they would look awesome framed and hung in a craft or sewing room! Fantastic!

      Joan Princing Art said...

      Oh my Gosh!! These buttons look wonderful and I bet are very, very addicting.

      Hello! I'm stopping by via the Graphics Fairy Blog. I am your newest follower. Please stop by to visit us and would love it if you followed us, too.

      Unknown said...

      I love them, there beautiful and i love all the vintage images you have used to

      Love Dawn xx

      Heather said...

      I KNEW when I saw "Button Cards" on the Graphic Fairy that these had to be yours!

      BTW...I nominated you for a stylish blog award...
      not sure if you are into the blog awards..but I do love visiting your blog! hugs!
      http://heatherahudson.blogspot.com/2011/03/sylish-blogger-award.html

      Just Made That Way said...

      These are great! I love how they turned out. I have to make some now, thanks for sharing.

      I also wanted to thank you for the lovely comment you left me. It made me smile :)

      Have a great week
      Rochelle

      Bernie said...

      What a clever idea. It never would have occurred to me to make cardboard buttons. I love it. What a great way to use up your scraps too.

      IKR Designs said...

      HOLY COW! Those are beautiful!!! That's really clever.

      Sybilline said...

      Wow I love them all; I really need to try that but first find a spellbinder nestabilities circle shape! Thanks for sharing

      Jen @ EmbellishingLifeEveryday said...

      Those are so sweet! I would hoard them for a while, too! Thanks so much for sharing this :)

      Art Chick said...

      Your buttons turned out fabulous. I can see how this could become quite addictive! I may have to try some too. :)

      Tokeloshe said...

      Thank you for a great post!

      Little Birdie Blessings said...

      Thanks Esther - Now I know how you make your buttons will check the tutorial video. Thanks so much. Love your new background. ~ Abby