TLC239 5-Layer Buttons {9/21/09}

[Lynn in St. Louis]

Have you ever worked on a card and wished that you had the perfect color of button to embellish your creation? Today I'm going to share with you a technique that will leave you with the tools you need to ALWAYS have the perfect button, whether it be round, square, diamond or star...you can have the buttons you want in the shape you want and the color your needs.

I saw THIS POST and just loved the idea. Jennifer of Paulinespapier blog posted her process in German. I did the Google translator thing and I've looked at her pictures and hopefully will explain her technique to her, and your, satisfaction. The items you will need for this technique are:

* Punch (in the shape and size that you want your button(s) I used a 1/2" circle punch for my project.
* Inexpensive cardstock (for the layers) From Jennifer's pictures, it looked like she used SU! cardstock for a solid color button. For my project I used cheap stuff for my layers and added patterned paper to the top.
* Patterned paper or stamp your own (for the top layer of your button)
* Piercing tool or better yet a Crop-A-Dile. The Crop-A-Dile works great for larger sized buttons, but for smaller buttons, you may want to make your own with a piercing tool.
* Glossy Accents, Crystal Effects, Crystal Lacquer or other glossy coating
* Liquid Glue (PVA, or other glue used for bookbinding - you want something that won't wrinkle the paper as it drys)
*Emery board, sandpaper, or you can use the edge of your scissors, as Jennifer did.

1) Using your inexpensive cardstock, punch 5 shapes for your buttons. Because these layers will not be seen, but only add thickness for your button, there is no need to use the "good stuff" Unless you are making buttons like those shown on Jennifer's blog.

2) Punch one of your shapes from your patterned paper (or cardstock you have stamped with a design)

3) Take one of the layers and pierce your button holes with your paper piercer. (NOTE: If you are using a Crop-A-Dile, you can do this step after all of your layers are glued together) Use this as your guide to pierce holes in each layer of cardstock making sure they all line up. If you intend to run floss or thread through these openings, be sure to make them big enough at this point. I actually first used a piercing tool, then made my openings a little bigger with an awl.

4) Using your liquid glue, adhere each layer to one another, keeping them all even and aligned to look like one thick button.

5) Glue your patterned paper punch on the very top and allow all layers time to dry, which shouldn't take but just a few minutes. At this point, use your piercer again to run through all layers just to make sure that you keep the holes open, and not sealed with glue.

6) Once dry, use your emery board or sandpaper and sand around the edges of your button. This will be a little easier on a round or square button than on one in the shape of a star, for example. The sanding is the key to giving your layers the appearance of being one thick button, rather than just layers of cardstock.

7) Next, apply a layer of Crystal Lacquer (or your favorite brand) to the button top and try to stay away from getting it into the openings (if any). Remember that the thicker the coat, the more it will look like a real button, but realizing that it will take longer to dry.

8 ) Thread, if desired, and attach to your project using either glue or glue dots.

You'll never feel the need to run out and buy an entire pack of buttons just to get two or three matching embellishments again.

If you would like to see my sample, CLICK HERE.

To see the gallery of beautiful button projects, CLICK HERE.

And, as always, please remember to include the keyword TLC239 (no spaces)


HINT FOR NEXT WEEK: You will need aluminium foil, cardstock and embossing folders or plates.

[PaulinesPapier]

Your Tutorial is awesome!!
You did an awrsome job to explain the way how to do the buttons!

Thank you so much
Jennifer

http://paulinespapier.typepad.com/

[One Happy Stamper]

Lynn, this is an awesome technique, and your sample is GORGEOUS! If all goes well, I am going to try it tonight when I get home from work...so cool! Thanks a bunch!

[bensarmom]

Pretty cool technique Lynn! I'll have to try it tonight as today is my first full day back at work after surgery.

[NANCYRUTH]

OH LYnn how much fun!! I cant wait to play!!!

[Emma F]

Wow, those buttons are amazing ... well done Jennifer for thinking of this fantastic technique, and to you too Lynn for doing such a great job translating! Can't wait to make mine

[fishymom]

Great technique, I can't wait to give it a go! And good job on the translating, the instructions are clear and easy to follow.

[HeideD]

Very cool technique! Will have to give it a try later.
Cheers to Pauline and Lynn!!!!

[DawnL]

your "buttons" are AWEsome Lynn!! thanks=)

[catgondek]

Without a cropadile, it is really hard to do the holes. So I ended up doing 2 little holes in the top layer and using a regular old paper punch for the layers underneath. Looks good sitting there on my no- stick sheet, but once it is dry and I pick it up we will see how it ReALLY turned out.
And Yes, I did just ONE button. THis has to be a one-button spectacular card.

[n5stamper]

Here is my BEWICHING BUTTON WISHES Card.

[Cook22]

I've used chipboard for buttons in a pinch, but not with patterned or stamped paper, so I'll give this a go. I never did find my crayons last week - they'll just turn up in their own good time!

[lacyquilter]

Fantastic challenge. I love being able to make my own instead of buying. Thanks, Lynn.

[eured99]

Thanks Lynn for such a great tutorial and challenge. It's so wet here today, I'm not sure my glue will dry, but I'll give it a shot!

[schirmcat]

OMG that is some serious GENIUS thinking right there! Can't wait to try this out myself!

[NANCYRUTH]

thanks Lynn, I think my MOJO is slowly returning from *summer vacation*!

here is my card TRUST.

[jacqueline]

I've often forgoed button placement for lack of the perfect button!! Never again with this awesome technique. Ingenious :-)

[angelladcrockett]

Oh, how fun!!! I can't wait to try this!!!! Thanks, Lynn!!!

[Annie's Pantry]

Great CHallenge!!!!! THis is awesome....

[resqbarbie]

OMG! This is phenomenal! Can't wait to try it out!

[ravengirl]

This is sooo clever! I will be trying this one for sure!

[Emma F]

Wow, this is so fun and easy to do ... the most difficult part? Waiting for the CE to dry ~ LOL!

Here's my Buttons & Friends

[imastampin]

Lynn, thanks for this fun technique. Its a little more work, but it is a great idea to make matching buttons.

Here is my Note of Thanks card.

[cindy501]

This is just a genius idea. A set of custom-made buttons would make a nice gift also for your cardmaking/scrabbooking friends. I'm definitely going to be trying this. Thanks so much for the tip and directions.

[ButterflyEars]

Lynn, thanks for this great idea to create our own buttons.
2 challenge card
I will be back later this afternoon to comment.
Thanks for looking and taking time to comment.

[Stamps'nCoffee]

I definitely want to give this a try!! Thanks Lynn!!

[MariLynn]

Sounds great! I have an idea of what punch I am going to use. I'll be back later. Thanks Lynn, for all the hard work you do! I APPRECIATE YOU!!!!

[MariLynn]

Sounds great! I have an idea of what punch I am going to use. I'll be back later. Thanks Lynn, for all the hard work you do! I APPRECIATE YOU!!!!

[mybearybest]

Fun idea! Here's my card.

Butterfly Ribbon Slot Button

[mybearybest]

Fun idea!

[Barbarar20]

Here's mine!

[Barbarar20]

Here's mine!

[naturecoastcrafter]

Lynn, I'm having such a good time making buttons that between that and digging the crysal lacquer off my fingers, I'm not sure I'll get a card done!

[Vicky Gould]

Great challenge, Lynn, thanks. We so often forget to use our "creativity" to save $$$!

All about family

[Annie's Pantry]

my buttons are done.... Now I have to create the card to go with them! I think I did this all backwards.....Ya think? hehehehe

[Lynn in St. Louis]

I know...they are a little addicting, aren't they?

Quote:

Originally Posted by naturecoastcrafter

Lynn, I'm having such a good time making buttons that between that and digging the crysal lacquer off my fingers, I'm not sure I'll get a card done!

[Cook22]

Just Because
I'm going to try again using patterned paper, but just using the card plain worked better with this card. Love the glossy look to it .
Thanks, Lynn.

[fishymom]

I love this technique! Here is my card, Paradise Flower Button.

[tommygirloz]

Hello! This is a very fun technique! Thanks Lynn!

Here's my BUTTERFLY BUTTON

Thanks for looking!

[Biggan]

Thanks for a fun technique! Here�s mine;

TLC239 Big Button by Biggan at Splitcoaststampers

TFL!
Birgit