Button Bling! + Tutorial!

How about a little more button fun this week???

Today I'm sharing some "BUTTON BLING" we made up in a snap! Whether it's earrings or rings, I'll show you how quickly you can be stylin' with your favorite buttons. I have a "thing" for buttons, and often find ones that I don't have a specific project for, but love so much they find their way into my stash. This is a perfect way to showcase them so you can enjoy them regularly!

 For the rings you'll simply need...

Ring Base of your choice (we've bought these at Hobby Lobby & online on Etsy)

Colorful & Funky My Buttons from buttonlovers.com or JoAnn's

All it takes is a dab of that super strong E6000 glue like I shared in my Button Bows tutorial placed right on the center of the flat of your ring base. Center your button on the ring base and allow to thoroughly dry. Then, make another...and another! :)

All set for some fun & unique accessorizing!

The earrings are just as easy!

For the earrings you'll need...

Earring Flat-pad Studs (we found our's online)

Some SUPER CUTE My Buttons found at buttonlovers.com or Joann's.

If your buttons aren't flat backed, you'll need that handy Button Shank Remover to snip the shank off. Then, just a little dab of that super strong glue, center your button choice on the pad of the earring and allow to dry thoroughly. (Remember from before I suggested using this glue outside since it's so stinky!) ;)

 Aren't they adorable!?!?!?

And just think of the endless number of styles and colors you could have in no time! 

Once again, a BIG THANKS to buttonlovers.com for sending us all the awesome buttons for these projects as well! 

Tutorial: Sweet & Simple Button Bows

Buttons are a perfect embellishment for hair accessories and today I'm going to share two simple options that look so sweet on!

Here's what you'll need:
Items will vary based on which type of hair accessory you wish to make.
Ribbon - if making the bow style
My Buttons from buttonlovers.com or JoAnns - the adorable polka dot buttons are part of their newest collection for kids and some of my favorites!
Hair Clips or Bobby Pins
Hot Glue or E6000 glue
Button Shank Remover Tool

If making the bow style, you'll need to start by making the bows using ribbon of your choice. This TUTORIAL shows how I make my bows.

Once your bows are made, use your Button Shank Remover tool to snip the shank from your buttons to create a flat surface on the back. 

Hot glue the button in place. TOO CUTE!!!! 

The next one is even faster!

Once again, remove the shank from your buttons with the Button Shank Remover.

Drop a small dab of glue on the back of your button and secure in place on the flat circle of the bobby pin.

You'll want to use a very strong glue for these like E6000. It holds best when there isn't something textured like fabric or ribbon for the glue to adhere to. It's VERY strong in odor, so I only use it outside. Just a little PSA to help avoid any unnecessary headaches from the fumes! ;) It also take a bit of time to fully dry.

How cute are these!?!?! My teen girls enjoy using this type of hair accessory.

There you have it!
Sweet & Simple and fun to make!

Thanks to buttonlovers.com for providing the buttons for this sweet project.

If you didn't see last week's tutorial for my Cute as a Button Bow Holder, be sure to check it out here! You'll need somewhere pretty to display all those beautiful button bows you've made! :)

Tutorial: Cute as a Button Bow Holder!

 Any Princesses in your lives???

I am blessed with several actually, but my youngest one is the only one still wearing (when I can beg her at least!) all the bows Mommy likes to make. :) The pile has taken over a shelf and made a mess in her closest, and it was long overdue for me to make her a special holder for all of them. 

I'm going to share with you how I made this "Cute as a Button" Bow Holder so you can make one too if you'd like! It's a fun and easy project and definitely something you can do WITH your little Princess....mine sure enjoyed helping me! :)

 Here's what you'll need:

1 Board Shape of your design choice. Ours is a thick cardboard crown from Hobby Lobby

1 Bag of My Buttons in color of choice available at JoAnns & buttonlovers.com

3 1/2 yards of Ribbon

Paint

Hot Glue

First I painted the crown shape so that all we would see when finished was PINK. :) It doesn't have to be perfectly painted, this just creates a nice background, especially if any of your buttons are clear like ours were.

Then with Mommy's help, Lil' Miss applied the buttons all about the crown after I would put the hot glue in place. 

 You can cover it as heavily as you'd like. Depending on how much extra "help" you had, there may be some gaps to fill. ;)

Next, make your ribbon loop hanger and glue it to the back of your shape in the center. 

 Also add your ribbon strips evenly spaced along the bottom. I like to cut my strips at least 1 yard each. 

Clean all your hot glue "strings" off.

 That's it! 

Now you're ready to hang it on the wall, adorn it with all your pretty bows and admire your work!

Enjoy making your Princess smile! Mine is very proud of her work and has even asked to wear a bow today! SCORE!!!
Be sure and watch for another fun button project next week....I'll show you how to make some darling hair accessories to help fill your new bow holder!

Warm "Thanks!" to buttonlovers.com for providing the buttons for this fun project.

Baby Quilt Tutorial from Sew BitterSweet Designs!

Today, my friend Melissa from Sew BitterSweet Designs has a tutorial to help you make a quick & simple baby quilt using a panel.

Drop by her blog HERE for all the details!

We'd love to have you use this or any of your favorite sewing/quilting tutorials to join us in our giving efforts this month. Find out all about our November Project HERE!

Baby Girl Gift Set with Babyville Boutique!

 I had so much fun creating these sweet "Cowgirl" sets to be delivered as part of our November Project donations! They are super cute and simple to make, so I thought I'd share a tutorial for those of you that might like to give it a try. Ready? 

I've started with some of the adorable new Babyville Boutique Ruffle Elastic and Ribbons.

 If you are making these for your own child, you will want to start by measuring her head, otherwise, a quick google search for "baby headband measurements" will provide some averages for you to work from. Once you've determined your size, cut the Ruffle Elastic accordingly and sew the cut ends together to create your headband. 

Next, you will make your bows. For mine I have used THIS TUTORIAL and made 2 bows for layering.

  

 Once your bows are secured together, cut an extra piece of the Ruffle Elastic 3-5" in length, and use this to tie the bow to the headband, covering the stitching. 

Now you are all set! Quick & easy huh? And fun to make! Find a little model to show off your creation and enjoy making another. :)

 Here's the second headband I made following the same instructions above. 

 Using some of the remaining ribbon and Ruffle Elastic, I also made a sweet security blankie to complete my donation sets. 

I rolled the little blankies and used the stretchy headbands to wrap around them. I hope the little Cowgirl Princesses that receive these, and their parents, love them! :) 

Find out how you can join in and be part of our November Project, "Baby Love" HERE!

*****BONUS!!!!*****
Babyville Boutique is providing you with the chance to win your own surprise bundle of  their new ribbons and Ruffle Elastic so you can make your own adorable headbands! Simply follow the Rafflecopter prompts below to enter! (Open to US entrants)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Winner announced and emailed 11/15/13 and provided 48 hours to respond and claim prize or alternate winner may be selected. Thanks!

See the great selection of Babyville Boutique elastics & ribbons at BabyvilleBoutique.com !
Thank you Babyville Boutique and good luck to you all!

Proud Mama SHARE!!! Crazy Little KIDS Projects

Do you all follow the creative blog Crazy Little Projects?

I do! It's packed with all kinds of ideas and tutorials to inspire your creativity! Lots of fun! I am usually most drawn to her sewing projects, but recently saw this post that GRABBED my attention.

Amber has started a weekly series FOR kids and BY kids and it's so much fun!!! If chosen, not only does your child's project get highlighted, but they win $20!

Now here's where the "Proud Mama" part comes in....

My oldest daughter was selected to share her project entry this month and her post is up today!!! I would LOVE for you to go check it out and show some comment love. :)

CrazyLittleProjects.com

PLUS, while you're there you can get some creative ideas to share with your kiddos for those summer months that are just around the corner.....and maybe even enter one of their own projects to be featured!

Thanks Amber/Crazy Little Projects for this exciting series and for featuring my sweet girl's work! You made both of our days! :)

Easiest Stocking Tutorial EVER!

This may just be the easiest stocking ever to make!

READY???

Here's what you need....

A stocking pattern template. (I'm using the Merry pattern from Thimble Blossoms)

Some double sided, pre-quilted fabric.

Extra wide double fold bias tape.

 I had a small cut of pre-quilted fabric in my Christmas bin and thought it would be perfect for this project! This is how I turned it into a couple of stockings...

Cut 2 stocking shapes from your pre-quilted fabric. Be sure to flip your pattern over so that you will have a stocking pointing in each direction to sew together. Pin the 2 stocking pieces together with whichever side you want to be see on the inside. Stitch and turn right side out.

 Carefully pin bias trim along the raw edge of the top of the stocking.

 Cut a piece of the bias tape for your hanger and stitch along open side.

 Place the hanger at the center of the back seam under the top trim and pin in place.

 Stitch the top trim in place, securing the hanger and folding under the end as you finish.

 Ready to SPREAD CHEER!

Plenty of time left to join our sew along project this month!