Buttons, Beads, Brads, Bows and Blooms

Woo Hoo! It’s my turn to play again – welcome to you all from Di. Thank you for your wonderful comments on my post “Recycle Your Chipboard Letters”. Today I am on the same inspirational theme of “Use Your Stash”, and still keeping it simple by creating a whole new alphabet using that huge supply of buttons, beads, brads, bows and blooms. OK, maybe you are now not passionate about these things but bet you have loads of them!

Today I’ll share with you the tools and supplies you will need, some hints,and some ideas on what to do with them!!!

Thanks for reading and remember to “Use Your Stash”. Bye till next time Di XXX

A really simple ABC wall hanging using "buttons and bows" letters, chipboard and fabric.

When I started to create this wall hanging, I had no one in mind to give it to, so created it for this post. I struggled a bit (OK, a lot!) thinking:

“this is too simple”;

“this is too “twee”;

“this is not what they want to see”.

Funny thing, as it progressed I began to really have fun and to enjoy. It brought out the child in me and I so enjoyed working with all the "little bits". I have decided to hang this in my new studio to remind me of the child within me and that creating is not always easy.

I covered a piece of chipboard 20 by 16 inches, with Rami linen and stuck it down using podge. I cut and inked 26 pieces of cardstock, each 3 by 2 inches. (OK I confess, actually used about 29 because I messed up 3!!) I then just had fun using that stash! I again used podge to stick the letters to the linen covered chipboard. (You could use an old tray, heavy cardboard, an old canvas, or whatever you have) This could be made as a gift for a small child or for school!

If you are not keen to “Recycle your Chipboard Letters”, you could make this from that HUGE supply of odd chipboard letters, rub-ons and die-cuts!

Caz has made this stunning A to Z mini album for her Darling Handsome Husband (DHH)...

You could make this for mum, dad, grandma, grandad, partner or a friend.

Ok now I can now hear you all laughing and I bet you can imagine me blushing!!! This is one of my VERY early layouts when I was experimenting with everything in sight!!! My little sister's nickname as a child was "Buttons and Bows"... Oops, almost forgot... yes I am a scribbler so here are my original scribblings for this post and perhaps more ideas for you: And finally: Tools you will need: cutting mat, scissors, paper trimmer (or craft knife and ruler), glue, needle and thread (if you are brave enough to stitch the buttons and ribbons), paper piercer and pad (if you are using brads) and wet wipes (to clean that messy glue from your fingers and tools).

Supplies you will need: Scraps of cardstock, buttons, beads, brads, flowers and scraps of ribbon.

Hints: If you are gluing the buttons and ribbon, keep your hands free of glue. If you have ‘fat fingers” like me, use tweezers and keep them free of glue too. (I am sooo messy and forever wash my hands!). I used Tombo Mono liquid glue which has the teeny applicator just right for those tiny buttons, and also found that a toothpick was handy if I needed to spread the glue. Think about how it will be displayed. I chose to attatch a hook to the back, but you could hang it up using more of that ribbon...

I do hope you have enjoyed reading. “It’s a Creative World” would love to see what you make using this idea.

Your comments have been so encouraging; not least the ones that are assisting us to improve the experience you have when visiting “It’s a Creative World”. Thank you all.