The unofficial ButtonMonth challenge...

[PJBstamper2]

Now that the month of EyeletWeek is winding down (I confess, I totally slacked off on that), it’s time to get ready for January’s ButtonMonth. Please note that the challenge is not to use a button everyday - just the thought of “having” to make a card with a button everyday, would be too much pressure for me to participate at all. So, however many projects you make, is totally up to you! Just remember to use the keyword ButtonMonth for this unofficial event.

Here’s a link to the search for ButtonMonth:

Gallery at Splitcoaststampers


I’m looking forward to getting inspired by what you all make! I have way too many buttons for someone that doesn’t even sew.

[fl_beachbum]

I’m laughing at myself... I read the title as button mouth! I was thinking, boy I could use that, keep the foot out that way! LOL

I gave my buttons away to a seamstress but I love these challenges you are posting! Have fun!

[leibetty]

oh Adriana  I got a good laugh with you!

[lutheran]

My crafting button stash did not survive the last big purge and I haven't missed them.  Yesterday I saw oodles of buttons, all colors and themes so I guess they are still "in" for crafters.  Who knew?

Mary Beth

[lovinpaper]

I have a die that makes paper buttons.  Basically it is a small circle with two holes in the center, which could easily be made with a tool used to poke the pieces out of a die after being cut.  I thought I would mention this as an alternative for those who gave their buttons away.  We always have extra buttons from pants or shirts where one is attached to the inside or in a baggy for replacement.  I have lots and lots of craft buttons.  Thanks for a fun challenge idea!  I never got the the eyelet one, but it looked fun as well.

[GramT]

I love this idea of using up something (perhaps older and/or forgotten) from the stash.  Sometimes I need inspiration. The time frame of a week or a month is encouraging/less overwhelming  and insures better participation and more success for me!  I used eyelets to add ribbon to my Christmas tags and gift card pockets. Since I mail most of my cards real buttons are too "bumpy" but I will either use a circle punch or find the dies I know I have somewhere.  I wiil not buy new dies!  I will not buy new dies even though Scrapbook.com has some on sale! I don't need to buy the dies! I will not buy more dies!

GramT

[leibetty]

good for you GramT  don't buy new dies!

[lovinpaper]

Shared this with my husband.  He said, "Tell them to remove the top button from their husband's shirts.  He will never miss them.  Look in the couches and chairs for the buttons from the pants that always fall off."

GramT, I told him about you not purchasing new dies and he laughed.  He knows me too well as he hears that a lot from my lips.

[jeannemlehrman]

I still use my paper button dies.  Like to glue 3 or 4 together to make the button stand out.  Best of all the paper button match paper perfectly!

[stampindoe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeannemlehrman

I still use my paper button dies.  Like to glue 3 or 4 together to make the button stand out.  Best of all the paper button match paper perfectly!

After making your paper button, you can make it "glossy" by adding Crystal Effects or Glassy Accents if you want.

[skm330mks]

I still have all my buttons, but rarely use them due to postage costs.

[PJBstamper2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by skm330mks

I still have all my buttons, but rarely use them due to postage costs.

i totally get that! I will just use my buttons cards when they can be hand delivered - or left at someone’s door

[LemurLover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GramT

... I will not buy new dies!; I will not buy new dies even though Scrapbook.com has some on sale! I don't need to buy the dies! I will not buy more dies!

Do let us know how long you last!

[GramT]

I will not buy button dies or punches.. I found a SCS tutorial on making paper buttons by punching two or four small holes and then punching a larger circle or other shape around the center holes. I also found several YouTube videos that suggest adding a small twine bow to the center of a circle to look like the thread and eliminate the need for the small holes. I did make some red and pink buttons to add to Valentine cards. Thank you all again for this fun challenge.
GramT

[kazeka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GramT

I love this idea of using up something (perhaps older and/or forgotten) from the stash. Sometimes I need inspiration. The time frame of a week or a month is encouraging/less overwhelming and insures better participation and more success for me! I used eyelets to add ribbon to my Christmas tags and gift card pockets. Since I mail most of my cards real buttons are too "bumpy" but I will either use a circle punch or find the dies I know I have somewhere. I wiil not buy new dies! I will not buy new dies even though Scrapbook.com has some on sale! I don't need to buy the dies! I will not buy more dies!

GramT

Hold strong GramT...don't give in!!! I have two sets of button dies already and waaaaaaaay too many real buttons. I'll look through and find the flattest ones, and put them on a card or two.
Karen

[kazeka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJBstamper2

i totally get that! I will just use my buttons cards when they can be hand delivered - or left at someone’s door

Hmm, you can kind of be like the tooth fairy, or Santa Claus. Traipsing through the neighborhood, leaving button cards on people's doorsteps!
Karen

[kazeka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by skm330mks

I still have all my buttons, but rarely use them due to postage costs.

I've found that the flattest buttons can usually be sent through the mail, unless you thread them with twine or something. Then they are too bumpy and require extra protection and postage. I bought a ton of decorative buttons back when I first started doing paper crafts and they were all much too bulky. Even after I cut the shanks off with wire cutters, they were still too thick. So I sorted my buttons, with the flat ones in one shoebox, organized by color. That's the one I plan to attack this month!
Karen

[kazeka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampindoe

After making your paper button, you can make it "glossy" by adding Crystal Effects or Glassy Accents if you want.

By the way, if you make your buttons out of paper, you can always use packaging materials, such as cereal or cracker boxes...or candy boxes. They are often glossy and look a lot like buttons when you cut them out.
Karen

[kazeka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovinpaper

Shared this with my husband. He said, "Tell them to remove the top button from their husband's shirts. He will never miss them. Look in the couches and chairs for the buttons from the pants that always fall off."

GramT, I told him about you not purchasing new dies and he laughed. He knows me too well as he hears that a lot from my lips.

Too funny!!
Karen

[GramT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by skm330mks

I still have all my buttons, but rarely use them due to postage costs.

I have buttons but have lost my marbles!
GramT

[jeannemlehrman]

So many posts to make me laugh! Enjoying this thread and thank you for the glossy button idea!

[PJBstamper2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GramT

I have buttons but have lost my marbles!
GramT

what happened to the smiley faces?? I want to put some laughing emojis here!

[kazeka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GramT

I have buttons but have lost my marbles!
GramT

haha!! Great thread to start the morning!
Karen

[jeanne3579]

The local group of stampers here just did a challenge with buttons. We had really beautiful submissions!

[PJBstamper2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeanne3579

The local group of stampers here just did a challenge with buttons. We had really beautiful submissions!

Any chance you could share some pictures with us?

[jeanne3579]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJBstamper2

Any chance you could share some pictures with us?

I don't have pictures of them all, but here are a few:

[PJBstamper2]

Thanks!

[kazeka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeanne3579

I don't have pictures of them all, but here are a few:

Wow, that card with the heart shaped aperture is really creative! I've often had problems with buttons beginning to migrate off the card, but putting the card front OVER the buttons would help that issue. Thanks for posting those examples.
Karen

[PJBstamper2]

The heart one really caught my eye, too!

[jeanne3579]

Thanks Karen and Pam. That was my submission!

[kazeka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeanne3579

Thanks Karen and Pam. That was my submission!

So, in other words, you are a button-whisperer! And am I mistaken when I see embossed buttons along the bottom as well? Love this card in every way!
Karen

[jeanne3579]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazeka

So, in other words, you are a button-whisperer! And am I mistaken when I see embossed buttons along the bottom as well? Love this card in every way!
Karen

Thanks for your kind words. Good eye! Yes, I happened to have a set of border embossing folders that contained one with buttons. And, I remembered I had it!

[kazeka]

Okay, I finally used ONE button on a card, haha! Actually, since I made 3 of the same design, I technically used THREE buttons...but who's counting, right?
Karen

[PJBstamper2]

That’s great! I put a reminder on my calendar tomorrow to make a button card.

[kazeka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJBstamper2

That’s great! I put a reminder on my calendar tomorrow to make a button card.

I wrote a note to myself last week, but that just got buried under "stuff". So I put my box of flat buttons right smack in the middle of my craft table...and that did it, ha! Off to see if I can make another button card while I'm in the mood.
Karen

[PJBstamper2]

I really miss the like button!

[kazeka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJBstamper2

I really miss the like button!

Yes, me too. I still look for it nearly every time I read something on here...argh
Karen

[kazeka]

Okay, here's another button card. I cut a very thin piece of tan paper to thread through the button holes, instead of thread. That was in order to keep the bulk to a minimum. This will be a masculine birthday card and I plan to make several similar cards to use up more buttons...yay! Adding it to my gallery.
Karen

[PJBstamper2]

Nice job, Karen!

[kazeka]

Yes!! I made another button card..and I even added an office supply embellishment. I'm kind of looking ahead to Valentine designs, with red and pink etc, and with that combo here. Posted in my gallery as well. Off to see how many more of these pesky buttons I can use this month. Thanks Pam for motivating me to dig deep into my stash.
Karen