I had a great first post of 2010 planned, you guys. I had been thinking about it for weeks. I even had my list started…I was going to fill you in on all the great projects I have in store for the new year.
The closer it came to January 1st, the more nervous I became. What if I didn’t get them all finished this year? What if I said I was going to do something that I didn’t actually do? We all know how the toile-covered headboard and mirrored nightstand tutorials that I promised but never actually wrote turned out. Y’all still email me about them weekly. You people are like elephants that never forget! I love it.
So, I panicked and decided to teach you an easy glue gun craft instead. Cool?
Framed Button-Filled Design
Supplies:
- Picture frame with glass
- Fabric scrap approximately the size of the glass
- Assortment of buttons
- Spray adhesive
- Glue gun and gluesticks
You will likely be able to throw this together without spending a dime. I raided my button stash, fabric stash, and frame stash (man, I have a lot of stashes!) and was able to pull this together for free.
Well, I take that back. I bought another frame at the Dollar Tree I was going to use, but my husband ran over it in the garage while I was letting the spray paint dry. I ran outside when I heard him pull into the garage and I said, “Did you run over my frame?” He replied, “Oh, is that what that crunching sound was?” But, I digress.
To start your project, remove the glass from the frame and set the frame aside. Spray the adhesive onto one side of the glass and onto the back of your fabric scrap. Wait for about one minute, and then apply the fabric to the glass, sticky side to sticky side. Smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles with your hand.
Flip the glass over, and trim away the excess fabric. You want it to just cover the glass.
Next, lightly draw your design onto the front of the fabric with a pencil. I printed a fleur-de-lis design from the Internet, but you could draw an initial or any other design. Just remember that a design without a lot of small or skinny details works best.
Sort your button stash into like hues. For my design, I used white, off white, light brown, and light blue buttons. You are welcome to use a mix of every color under the rainbow if you would like, but I decided to keep mine in the color scheme that matches the room in which this picture will hang.
Now comes the fun part! Fire up your glue gun and just start gluing buttons on the fabric, filling in the design. After playing around with it, I decided that I like the buttons to overlap each other in areas. Make sure you are really varying your button size and color throughout your design.
The time this will take will depend upon your design, but mine took me about an hour to glue together completely. You can still see the pencil lines on some of the areas if you look closely, so don’t look too close!
Once you are happy with your button-filled design, simply put the glass back into the frame and hang on the wall or set out on a table.
Isn’t it so fun? I love that I was able to customize it to fit in with my living room decor AND I was able to use up some supplies I had on hand.
I’ve been wanting to hang a small picture in that space, and this fits just perfectly. I love it! What do you think?
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WOWEEEE, what darling idea! So clever and easy. Just wish I had that big of a stash of old buttons. But now I know what I will be on the hunt for.
Thanks for sharing.
XO Nancy
Absolutely lovely darling ! People would pay serious buckaroos for that in a specialty shop. You should sell some in your Etsy shop ! I love it – can't wait to meet you at Blissdom!
Kate
that is cute as a button!
This is fabulous! I love it … going in my to-do. Thanks for the inspiration – great job.
You did a great with that project. I am impressed. Thanks so much for sharing!
nancy
genius! wow. not gonna lie, when i read "art with buttons" from Kimba's DIY Day, i thought it might be cheesy, but this is FABULOUS! super super creative.
I like that! And I have lots of buttons too! Maybe in a butterfly shape for my girls room… Or an airplace for my son… Thanks for the inspiration!
I love buttons, and the antique sewing machine in a cabinet came with a drawer full, so I am on the look out for projects. Thanks so much.
I never woulda thought of that. What a fun piece to make – and I have a ton of buttons! Thanks so much!
Really cute!! You could do lots of variations of this. Thanks for sharing!
Love it! I'm thinking of doing something like that with my boys' initials for their room. Very cute!
Hi, I tried out this project today. So fun, I love it…though not as much as yours!
I linked to your post too….
Bethany @ Happy By Design
That is so cute! Great idea!
I love it and I am totally going to copy that!
Love this project!
It is sooo sweet!
blessings
barbara jean
This is adorable, Lindsay! Love it…
That is such a neat idea! So many possibilities!
LOVE this! You had me at fleur de lis….
Gorgeous! I featured this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com
This is an awesome project – I MUST do it! I have millions of buttons just waiting to be made into something beautiful! Thanks for the tutorial!
I LOVE this! wow! I'm going to start collecting all the buttons I see now, so I can make it!
OMG, I have mountains of buttons just waiting for a good project to come along! I can't believe I haven't discovered your blog before….it's now bookmarked so I can get more great inspiration!
loves it!!!
I just stopped by another blogster, who you had obviously inspired with your craft project.
I like seeing the additional photos of it, on how you've place it in context.
It look stunning where you are hanging it and you kept it simple, which is the secret to successful craft, I have come to believe.
Thanks Lindsay, I am CRAZY about this idea! I have a plate that I have been wanting to put our initial on to hang in our kitchen, I think I will try buttons.
This inspired me to make this: http://redheadscraftmorefun.blogspot.com/2010/01/be-mine-conversation-heart-picture.html
Thanks for the inspiration!!
I think the depth added by the buttons makes the piece. It's lovely and adds such a pop of character to your sitting area.
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