Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Button, button...

Just wondering if there's a place out there where crafty folks go that have lost control. As I sit here in my sewing studio, I'm facing the dilemma of having more than a few "collections." One of these makes any new visitor to my santuary gasp in, well, I hope it's awww, and not...this girl needs an intervention! I literally have a wall of buttons. What doesn't fit mounted to my enormous cork board is tucked in pretty decorative jars and when those got full, I moved on to baby food jars. Then there is a box in my cabinet stocked full of vintage buttons still on cards from long ago. Oh, and a paper mache box is full of odd buttons too. Wow, maybe I do need help.
I've tried to use them up. I have a button framed message board above my computer, as well as one for my business card collection in my studio. These are super easy to create and take on a style of their own. So if you have a few buttons that need a home, why not try this idea.
You will need a cork board with a frame, any size will do. I find these a lot at yard sales for next to nothing. Now find that beautiful piece of fabric that is too small to make much with. I had this paisley cordoruy remnant, and would recommend that you not use too thin of fabric, since you'll be pushing pins into it a lot. Remove the cork from the frame and wrap the fabric around it so that the front is straight and has no creases. You may need to cut out the bulk in the back corners to get the smooth look on the front and to fit the cork back into the frame. Then either staple or use heavy duty tape to the back of the cork to secure the fabric. Now take out your glue gun and get ready! Dump out those buttons, all sizes, shapes, textures and colors. Hot glue them around your frame covering the front completely. Don't work too hard on color selection, as it looks better if you just put this together real randomly. I also built up the buttons in a few spots to completely cover the wood frame. Pop back in the cork and hang your message board up! Super easy!
And one last thing, if you look closely on mine, you will see a few empty spots. Well, I'll admit that this message board has been the perfect place for me to find just the right button for a project now and then...cause maybe like shoes, this girl just has to have just the right look! LOL!

8 comments:

  1. What a cute project!! I am going to have to do something clever like this to my boring old corkboard! Thanks for sharing!

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  2. Don't feel so bad. My compulsion is patterns. At least your buttons don't take as much storage space as patterns.LOL So maybe I need interventions also.LOL I love the project, Valerie

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  3. Great idea!! I know a couple of my granddaughters would love this project! Thanks for sharing!!

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  4. Enjoyed your blog. Had to chuckle when viewing your buttons. Looks like my studio. Who can resist collecting buttons ! :)
    Hugs
    Susan

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  5. Well, I think you're normal and need no intervention. I have buttons stuffed in boxes, nooks, and crannies too.
    Just like your project, something will come up where we'll be able to use them. Splendid!

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  6. That is a super cute idea! I also have tons and tons of buttons, it's really a bit ridiculous, lol! I have mine (well, a lot of mine) sorted into those hardware drawer unit (the ones with the clear drawers) sorted by color. That has been really helpful.
    Smiles, Karen

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  7. Thank you for sharing! What a fun project.
    Have a great day,
    Barb

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