For today's trend watch topic I wanted to take it back to basics. We are going to be looking at buttons today, and I for one can never get enough these delightful embellishments! Buttons have been on trend for a few years now, and just when you think that maybe their time has played out as the top dog in your stash, someone comes along and makes them even hotter, more fun and usable! There are so many fun button products out there that we are going to talk about, and we are also going to discuss how to freshen up your approach for using them too.
Let's start with a fabulous piece of patterned paper that showcase the first is from Graphic 45 and is called "Buttons a la Mode" and is the Fashionista line. Don't you love the colors and how fabulous are all of those vintage buttons?
I love these vintage inspired buttons from Jenni Bowlin, they are self adhesive and have a beautiful little gem set in the center!
Here are a couple of projects that I made using the Jenni Bowlin line of products that are new the shop.
The first is with the black Jenni Bowlin rhinestone button, I love the cards that these buttons are presented on, so I re-purposed it to make a little tag that can be tied to a little gift or popped into the mail, it uses the "Vintage Red Line" of papers.
Jenni Bowlin designs so many beautiful products that compliment each other, how much fun would these buttons be with this paper line? Of course they match perfectly, but the patterns are so rich and engaging that you could create many exciting project combinations.
I didn't have those amazing buttons in my studio (yet...) so I went back to button basics. I have a bottle full of random black buttons, the different sizes on this card show how you can have buttons that don't seem to match become a beautiful accent by arranging them in a simple way. Thread one through with some yummy skinny silk ribbon and tie a cute bow for a soft finishing touch.
There are so many wonderful colors and shapes of buttons that finding a match usually isn't very hard. These bright green Jenni Bowlin buttons are in my favorite color of green, but what if that color isn't exactly what my project needs?
In comes the Maya Road chipboard buttons to the rescue!
In loads of fun shapes and sizes, with these buttons you can get you your exact match in just a few easy steps.
The first way to get that special look is with paint, stickles and glossy accents. I used the Lemonade Adirondack Paint Dabber, and Scattered Straw Distress Stickles with a finishing coat of Glossy Accents.
The second way to dress chipboard up is to paint with a base color (I chose Blank Canvas).
Then stamp it with Archival ink and when that has dried, then apply some Glossy Accents for that button sheen.
The last technique I have to share (while there are so many more!) is to use patterned paper from the collection you are creating your project from.
I wanted to use the new Garden Variety line from Cosmo Cricket, so I found a piece of paper with a cute flower that was about the same size as the button I was using.
Squeeze a thin layer of Glossy Accents onto the top of the button and then place it onto the back of the paper. Arrange it where the pattern from the front will be where you want it and then set it aside to dry.
When it is dry, trim it out. I used my exacto knife but you could use scissors or a file. Make sure to remove the paper from the button holes, again I used my exacto knife, but there are other ways to get the holes opened up, do what works best for you.
Cover the top with Glossy Accents and set aside to dry.
These are what all three chipboard buttons looked like when I was done, pretty fun stuff!
They are now ready to add it to your projects. I decided to use the little flower one so I tied the skinny white silk ribbon through in a bow again. I might be addicted to that look, do you think a button bow intervention might be necessary?
If you are like me and have to try have it all, then this next project is one that you might enjoy. When I ordered my new Cosmo Cricket paper lines from Ellen, I had to have all of the fun accessories that were released as complimentary product as well. The colors of the buttons that came in the Joy Ride button pack are so perfect and are in great shapes and sizes, making them super easy to use!
I really wanted to have a sun for the little scene I was creating with my card so I started with a circle punch.
I drew a circle on the back of the circle that I had just punched
and then trimmed out little wedges and stitched the button into the center to get my sweet rays of sunshine!
Add a sweet Hero Arts sentiment stamped in Distress Scattered Straw and another darling Joy Ride button and this card is good to go!
Basic Grey also makes gorgeous buttons to go with their product lines. You might notice in this picture of the June Bug buttons, that there are a lot of buttons in these packs!
I often don't use the clear ones with the patterned paper because I like more pop of color, and I can't let an amazing button go unused so a great way to add a little extra oomph to a clear button is by stamping on it. I used the All Things Considered "Key Elements" set.
This gives a subtle and elegant look to a project that needed a little something extra.
There are so many more things that buttons bring to the craft table, but I am going to leave those to your imagination! Buttons have been a staple in the creative arena for longer than we have all been crafting, but now they are leading the trends in shape, dimension and color! Yesterday a useful closure on my favorite skirt, today the leading lady in my craft projects. Way to transform yourself into the must do trend button, you are now anything but basic!
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