When you see the word craft, what comes to mind? A big store of stuff
sold to make things? That is the way we do crafts now. Arts and Crafts
are a long standing tradition in our part of the world.
Traditionally on the plains, many crafts were useful items made of
fiber: knit, crochet, embroidery, sewn. Often beautiful beyond all
practicality, they usually had a practical possibility.
I love buttons. I am a button collector, I suppose, but I don't think
of it as a collection. Collections are things you acquire and don't
intend to use. I intend to use every button I own.
The older I get, the less likely that is to happen, but I enjoy the
useful road, so was happy to include buttons in making Christmas tree
decorations.
I used cookie cutters and made bows to enhance them before hanging
them as Christmas tree ornaments.
Pieces of leftover fabric were torn into one and one-fourth inch
strips. I did this by measuring and snipping through the edge of the
fabric then tearing it across the grain.
You can use purchased ribbon, but I was going for an old fashioned
kitchen look with the cookie cutters.
I cut a generous 12 inch piece of craft wire for each bow I was
making. I dug through my button tins. It is difficult to choose.
I will never run out of lovely buttons, plus there is the joy of new
buttons...
There is some sparkly cast off costume jewelry in with my vintage
buttons. That might catch the light on a Christmas tree.
Lovely Christmasy effects can be achieved by stacking a shank button
with one or more flat button. The shank button on top will present a
finished look, the flat buttons enhance with a circle of color. Bend
your wire in half to mark the middle, string the shank button on
first, then put each end of wire through a hole in the flat buttons
pulling the flat buttons up to the shank. Twist the wire just enough
to hold the buttons in place.
I wrap the ribbon around my three fingers and can control the size of
the bow that way. Secure the bow with the button wire.
This large gingerbread cookie cutter has a sparkly belt buckle. I
attached the button bow to the head with the wire by twisting, then
twisted the ends to form a hanging loop.
A tiny gingerbread cookie cutter looked very cute with a smaller bow
and a rhinestone button positioned like a hat.
There are many different items that look cute on a Christmas tree with
buttons and a bow. A sugar tongs, or other silver pieces would be
elegant on a flocked tree.
My son earned this track medal in high school and would enjoy seeing
it on the Christmas tree. I would use a grosgrain ribbon or a narrow
braid on that with a metal button. A star shaped button would be cute.
The third item is the spoon I used to feed my babies.
I think a collection of demitasse spoons would very cute as Christmas
ornaments.
If you decide to use something that is real silver, or any item that
the wire might scratch, you could try using these mini hooks which
come many sizes, some smaller than these. They don't harm surfaces. I
have also used heavy thread to fasten button to bow to fragile
decoration.
You can add a bow to many of the ornaments in your collection and give
your tree a unified look.
Run the wire through the back of the button.
My silver spoon is actually stainless steel, so wire won't hurt it.
The button is mother of pearl and a beautiful contrast to the black
torn ribbon. Fasten the ribbon into a bow.
These are great on a tree in or near the kitchen or in the dining
room.
On the tree the button catches the light. It may even inspire a story
of happy days gone by in GriggsDakota.
!! Related Posts: !!
* Kitchen Decorating Tips For Christmas
* Christmas Tree Decorating Tips
* Christmas Gifts – Counselors
* Family Christmas Crafts
* Personalized Christmas Gifts
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