Do you have any sweet memories related to buttons? I sure do. I remember a tin my mom had full of glorious treats to behold. There were all sorts of colors and shapes, with some even holding memories. As time passed, I now I have my own stash, and also have started my kids with their own as well. Today, my daughter and I are sharing the next episode of our Prodigal Pieces Kids CREATE. This time around we are creating fall pumpkin button art and few other designs too.
The best part about this project is the sky’s the limit. There’s no need to only make only fall decor, but rather open up your mind to whatever those buttons call you to create. However, since we’re in the thick of harvest season, my daughter and I wanted to do something related to autumn.
DIY TIME
First, we broke out my button collection and began sorting out the colors we wanted to use. I tell ya, it’s super hard not to get distracted and begin fingering through them to remember what some belonged to. When my kids hear buttons, they come running to join in the fun. It’s a family affair! 🙂
By the way, Miss E. is not new to my blog and is quite the handy girl. She is my 3rd daughter of 4 girls, and 1 of my 6 children. As a result, you can see her past projects in these posts HERE.
Once we decided on the theme and color scheme, it’s time to get this crafty party started.
GETTING STARTED
For this particular project we wanted to make fall pumpkin button art, however, we also decided to create two other projects to inspire you. We’ll share those in a bit. Also, we’ve created a video tutorial for you below. In like fashion, we have it outlined in steps for you as well.
Here’s the supplies you’ll need to get started:
- assorted buttons
- wood of any size – we used a 9½” x 8½” pine board. (You could also use thrifted wall plaques or art, and even canvas too.)
- choice of stain – we used Hickory Gel Stain
- choice of paint – we used Vintage
- sawtooth hanger
- low-temp glue gun
- glue sticks
- fingertip protectors
- bulk buttons
- burlap
- jute twine
- free pumpkin printables
STEP 1
Whether you’re using wood, canvas, or some other medium for your backing, you’ll want to prepare it for your button art. To begin, Miss E. stained the wood pieces with a gel stain.
Next, after the stain cured, she applied a light wash of paint to give an aged effect.
STEP 2
Now that our boards are prepped, we can now start layering our textures. First, Miss E. traces her choice of pumpkin onto the painted board. Notice in the video she fills in the details after she traces the outline. In addition, do note I have the link to free pumpkin coloring pages in the supplies list above.
STEP 3
Next, we outline the pumpkin using our low-temp hot glue gun and twine.
STEP 4
Bring on the buttons! It’s time to grab your choice buttons and have at it. There’s no rhyme or reason to the fun, just place them as you see fit. Though, we do highly recommend those fingertip protectors we linked above. Ask us how we know! ouch.
STEP 5
Last, after all those lovely buttons are in place, it’s time to add the fun details. First, grab a piece of stick for a stem. Then, cut out a burlap leaf, and add a bit of winding twine for a vine. In particular, the video demonstrates this best.
REVEAL TIME
And here’s our fall pumpkin button art all done! Didn’t she do a funtastic job?
Likewise, we are also smitten with the the other two projects we created as well.
Not only did we create the pumpkin, but wanted to make a tree with fall foliage. Her choice was a birch tree with the gorgeous yellow they display each autumn.
Last, but not least, we made this text sign, “Hello Fall”, to complete the vignette. The twine is simply adhered with hot glue after I wrote the text on the board. Admittedly, you can’t get any easier than that, right?
So…have you grabbed your buttons yet? hee hee. Miss E. and I are truly hoping you’ll give this a try. Also, we’d love to hear from you too!
If you’d like to own this set, Miss E. is offering them up in my online store.
Above all, for me the fun is in watching my kids’ imagination soar. Far to often nowadays children are left behind a screen and we’re wondering why there are problems. Likewise, any person needs that precious time to let go and just be. Take that time.
Also, pin and share this fall pumpkin button art with extras. I’m sure we’re not the only ones that would love to have crafty fun too!
Up next, my master bedroom is in need of some autumnal changes too. Come take the tour HERE.
Before you go, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Until next time!
While you’re at it, here are more kid fun projects like this fall pumpkin button art:
I still get. Excited to go thru my moms old metal aid can buttons. Great Ms E
That’s awesome! My mom let hers go in an auction when they sold their home. If I had known I would have grabbed them! 🙂
Larissa this is such a fun idea. I have so many buttons I don’t know what to do with. You are making my head spin, and in a good way.
You gotta break them out, girl! 😀
I love buttons! I have 100s of thousands of them. I use some for my crafting projects. It just makes me feel good to look at and run them through my fingers. These projects are so fun! Great job Ms.E!
You are a smart gal, Jane! Thanks so much on behalf of both of us. 😀 Fun to see her go!
These are so cute! Can’t wait to try it with my grandkids and my grandma’s buttons. Awesome way to share family stories.
You got the idea, Michele! Thank you for the affirmation. Have fun!
Cute! Kids and buttons… they sure do have a lot of fun with those! I kind of hide my collection, haha!
bwahahaha! I do too, at least the ones I want to keep…like my antique glass ones. ssssshhhhh….
Hello Larissa and Miss E. You have created such beautiful autumn art work. I love them all, especially the way you displayed them on your ladder shelf, well done!!!
We had a blast! Thank you for lovin’ on her work. I’m a proud mama. They also sold quickly which made her day.
I’ve been saving buttons for what seems like forever and I barely have enough to do this project. I’ll have to keep my eyes open at the next flea market and see if I can “upsize” my stash. Thanks for inspiration!
It’s a start! 😀 Half of the fun is in the hunt.
How cute and creative! Your daughter did a wonderful job! Have you ever played “hide the button”? We played it growing up. Buttons are very cool.
Thanks so much, Mary. I had a blast watching her go. My grandmother played, “Button, button, who has the button?” where we’d sit in a circle and hand it around secretly and someone would keep it and you had to figure who. Fun and simple times.
Miss E did a splendid job with her pretty pumpkin. I have a special button jar that was given to me for Christmas by my brother who was around 10 at the time. We lost him far too young and I cherish that little button jar and ever single button inside it.
Oh, Marie, what a treasure you have. I’m so sorry for your loss. I now have a new memory for my buttons. Hugs!
So darling! Both the projects and Miss E. (she looks so much like you!) I think I like the Hello Fall sign best.
Thank you, Kristina. She definitely taken on my mini characteristics in many ways. Thanks so much for the love.
Miss E certainly is creative Iust like her Momma. I have tins of buttons. When my 2 oldest grandkids were little they loved to separate the buttons by color and make designs with them. Sweet memories.?
Buttons are the best! We love to play with them, especially on a winter day.
I love buttons. I have so many. I have them sort of separated ie: metal, Mother of Pearl, glass etc.
I made Christmas trees using red, green, white and decorative winter buttons a few years ago.
The pumpkins, tree and fall sign are so cute.
Buttons really take me down memory lane and remind me of simpler, more joyful times. Great minds! 😀