DIY jar of vintage buttons

Obviously, I love buttons, and that might be an understatement. I have since I was a little girl. My grandmother was quite the seamstress in her day and always had a mass of buttons. Some vintage, some new, but always beautiful little baubles in my mind. I have several jars of vintage buttons that I sometimes like to spread out on the floor and just spend some time looking through them. I like to think about my grandmother sewing all of my mom's clothes when she was little and even her wedding dress. She was so good at recycling buttons from old worn out clothes and saving them. Some of my vintage buttons still have bits of fabric attached. How cool is that? So in this post, I'm going to show you a few DIY projects and some other button inspiration that anyone can do with buttons. They certainly don't have to be vintage, but if they are, take a second to spread them out just imagine the stories they could tell...

Put your favorite buttons on display in a lovely jar or something like this.

I found this gorgeous pink compote bowl for just $1 at a thrift store. The little pink birdie perched on top is a Michael's craft store find that I accessorized with some pink glitter. I'm still thinking of the perfect spot for my little friend in our new house.

Button Magnets:

Supplies:

Magnets on an adhesive strip
Buttons
Super glue

Step 1: Pick out a few of your favorite buttons

Step 2: Cut a square from the adhesive strip of magnet

Step 3: Place adhesive side on the back of the magnet

Step 4: If you wanted, you could stack your magnets for an extra touch

Step 5: Hang up your favorite cutie on your fridge and leave the rest of the magnets in a cluster

Also think what a cute, easy, CHEAP gift a set of these would be. Arrange them on a piece of cardstock with a beautiful ribbon. A tiny dab of hot glue will keep them secure to the cardstock but can be easily removed from the back of the magnet when they are ready for use.

Monogram Frame

* this is one I had already made so you get the idea*

Supplies:
Picture Frame

Piece of cardstock to fit inside frame

Monogram letter of your choice

Buttons

Glue dots

Step 1: Print out your monogram letter of choice being mindful of what size frame you are using. My frame is a 5x7 so my letter is about 4x6

Step 2: Carefully cut out your letter

Step 3: With a pencil, lightly trace the outline of your letter onto the cardstock

Step 4: Begin arranging your buttons to fill in the monogram letter and secure each button with a glue dot

Step 5: Once you have filled all of the voids with buttons gently erase what did not get covered up of your pencil marks and place your masterpiece in the frame. Enjoy!

Button Ring

Supplies:

Ring base (I've had these for several years, I purchased them from a jeweler wholesale company called Rings & Things and I had to order about 144 of them, but I'm sure a quick Google search will help you find something more reasonable)

Buttons

2-part epoxy or other super strong glue

Step 1: Find a combination of 2 or 3 buttons to stack on top of each other

Step 2: Mix your two part epoxy and glue the buttons together

Step 3: Glue your button combo to the ring base

Step 4: Let dry overnight

Step 5: Rock your awesome new button bauble!

Decorate a gift

Why not use your buttons to add a little fun to a gift? Pretty ribbon, buttons, and a few glue dots are all you need.

For more button inspiration visit:

www.buttonfloozies.blogspot.com

DIY:strawberry lemonade

So, I know. It's not really a DIY if it's a recipe, right? Or maybe all recipes are DIYs? Ponder on that for a minute. Nevertheless, I'm REALLY stepping out of my comfort zone here with even the slightest hint at any kind of recipe. I don't cook. Ever. Thank GOD I married somebody that can put a decent meal on the table. It's not that I couldn't cook if I had to, I just really don't enjoy it. Give me a scour pad and a broom any day over a sauté pan and a whisk...or whatever those things are called.

It's been hotter than the devil here in Kentucky and we're all moving slow as molasses, so I thought you all would enjoy a little cool refreshment. While this is definitely "cheating" on the lemonade, it's really the presentation of the strawberry lemonade that makes this a fun little project. As always, feel free to add vodka...

Supplies:

Your favorite pre-made lemonade, and if you're really good, make your own

Strawberries

Blueberries (optional)

2 lemons

Sugar

Rimming sugar (optional)

Ice

Paper Straws - mine are leftover from Kate's birthday party, I found them here at Modern Lola

A pretty pitcher

A pretty serving tray

Step 1: Pour your lemonade into a pitcher

Step 2: Cut several strawberries in half

Step 3: Cut both lemons into slices

Step 4: Mix some of your cut strawberries and lemons into the lemonade

Step 5: Pierce 1 or 2 whole strawberries with your paper straws (some of the strawberry will inevitably get stuck inside the straw, but no worries, it's a fun surprise when you take the first sip of your lemonade!)

Step 6 (Optional): Freeze the strawberries on the straw overnight

Step 7: (Optional) Sometimes the strawberries will slip down the straw, so try placing a blueberry under the strawberry to keep it steady

Step 8: Coat a slice of lemon in sugar before placing it on each glass

Step 9: (Optional) For an extra sweet touch, rim your glass with pink sugar

Step 10: Place your strawberry straws on your pretty serving tray with your pretty pitcher

Step 11: Pour the lemonade into the glasses making sure some of the fruit gets in each glass

Step 12: Place your strawberry straw into the glass and sit back and enjoy with good company!

5 minute DIY

Hooray for the first of many DIYs on Jar of Vintage Buttons! This one comes from inspiration from designspongeonline.com. I modified the original idea a bit and made it work for me. With just a few supplies you can make this garland in just 5 minutes.

Supplies:

-vintage postcards - I like the ones with writing, something about the penmanship of the day makes me very happy

-baker's twine or ribbon

-brads

-scissors

-small scrapbooking hole punch

Step 1:

punch holes in upper corners of each postcard

Step 2:

connect the postcards together with your brads

Step 3:

tie baker's twine or ribbon to each end so you can hang your cute new banner

Step 4:

enjoy your reversible postcard banner!