Recently, I went through my scrapbook room and purged some supplies. Now here is the thing, I don’t actually get rid of the stuff, it just gets kicked out of my scrap room and stored elsewhere until I can figure out what to do with it. This was the fate for the majority of my buttons until I discovered a button tree. I knew immediately that my buttons would be rescued for a similar project.
My idea was adapted from this amazing tree by “Lil Fish Studios.” Here is her beautiful tree. Look closely, there is a hidden message among the leaves.
I started by painting a piece of canvas using a technique I learned from Donna Downey in her “Fun with Fabric” class at Big Picture Classes. I went from a piece of blank canvas to a beautiful sky and grass scene. Painting the canvas was so easy (and fun). I will definitely incorporate more of this in future projects.
After the canvas was dry I ironed it to remove the wrinkles. In hind sight, I should have ironed out the wrinkles before painting, because the folds and creases tend to absorb more paint. Next, I removed a print from a square frame, glued the canvas to a piece of cardboard and placed it in the frame, omitting the glass. I sorted my buttons by color, selecting the orange, red and yellow ones for a fall tree and some brown for the trunk. I laid them out on the canvas and adhered them with fabric glue. Within an hour, it was dry and ready to hang on the wall.
I was surprised at how easy this project was to complete. Other than drying time for the painted canvas, I was able to complete this project from start to finish in one evening. I liked this so much I am planning to do a Christmas tree for my holiday décor and possibly a heart for Valentine’s, and I LOVE that I am using up some of my neglected supplies.
If you have a huge stash of buttons I challenge you to get them out and use them for your home décor. I would love to see what you come up with if you give it a try.
WOW!... WOW !...
Just BEAUTIFUL !...
Posted by: Genmanou | October 13, 2010 at 03:13 AM
that is awesome!!! absolutely love that idea.
btw: you can help speed along the paintdrying but using a heatgun. I use that alot when I'm not too keen on waiting! :)
Posted by: Haggith | October 13, 2010 at 06:44 AM
Absolutely love this!
Posted by: Margrethe | October 13, 2010 at 06:45 AM
these are amazing! you should sell these.
Posted by: jamie long | October 13, 2010 at 08:04 AM
Very cool trees! My friend is taking that BPC class. I'm sure you've both having a blast in there.
Posted by: Sandi M | October 13, 2010 at 10:39 AM
Very cool!
Posted by: Melissa R. | October 13, 2010 at 10:51 AM
This is amazing! The background fabric is pretty on its own but the button tree puts it over the top! I just found a new use for all the buttons I've been hoarding!
Posted by: Sabrina | October 13, 2010 at 02:36 PM
this is gorgeous. :) i love it and will definitely be tucking that idea away for a rainy day.
Posted by: Kimber-Leigh | October 13, 2010 at 04:07 PM
WOW, this is stunning!! You could definitely sell these, the tree looks amazing. Thanks for the inspiration, I think many of us now know what to do with all the bunch of buttons we have ;)
Posted by: Gloria | October 13, 2010 at 06:20 PM
This is stunning my friend!
Posted by: Keshet Shenkar | October 14, 2010 at 06:54 PM
Oh wow I love this! Such great color transitions in this piece.
Posted by: Amber Lee | October 16, 2010 at 11:49 PM
This is too cool!!! Love it.
Posted by: Molly | September 09, 2011 at 10:20 AM
Wow, so beautiful!
Posted by: Tanya H. | September 09, 2011 at 09:03 PM
Great idea! I love the fall colors, and the painted canvas really makes the tree pop.
Posted by: Jessica | September 09, 2011 at 11:02 PM
My Gosh do I have a huge button stash. Can't wait to try this. It looks fun and came out GREAT!!!!!
Can't wait to see your christmas tree!!!!
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa@TheHouseThatCan | September 15, 2011 at 08:22 AM
Hi Lisa, you can see the Christmas button tree and a link to a tutorial at the following link:
http://dianepayne.typepad.com/color_me_happy/button-art.html
Posted by: Diane Payne | September 15, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Hi Diane,
I just wanted to let you know that your Button Tree is going to be on my list of Friday Favorites tomorrow! Let me know if that is NOT okay with you. It's a new blog feature I'm starting, I hope that you'll stop by & check it out! Randi @ missionorganization.blogspot.com
Posted by: Randi | September 22, 2011 at 01:59 PM
ohhhhhhh
j'adore belle création bravo!
bises
Posted by: matriekafer | November 18, 2012 at 02:11 PM
They look great. Very artistic. Looks easy to.
Posted by: Olivia Saavedra | February 07, 2013 at 08:23 AM