Button it

I was entertaining myself during my fifth hour in the Philadelphia airport earlier this month by flipping through Better Homes and Gardens 100 Decorating Ideas.  Airports always have the best magazine selections.

A quick glance at this picture and I was inspired:

It wasn’t the nightstand aspect of the picture that moved me.  It was the buttons.  They immediately reminded me of my mom.  She’s a very talented seamstress and kinda has a thing for sewing notions.  From that moment on I knew that I wanted to make her a Christmas gift that involved buttons.

Fast forward a few weeks later when I was in Home Goods scouring the clearance aisle for some inspiration.  That is when these beauties jumped out at me:

For only $5 a piece  it took just a moment or two for me to envision buttons scattered all over these natural wood candle holders, which are perfect for my mom’s cozy old farmhouse in Vermont.  Plus, it would give me a chance to finally pick up a hot glue gun (It’s true, I didn’t have one.  You can gasp and let your jaw fall to the floor.)

A quick stop at the fabric store for some buttons, rick-rack and a glue gun and I was set to go.

I locked myself in the guest bedroom to work on the project without questioning glances from Chris.  First I covered the top of the candle holders with white cardstock and a layer of buttons.

Then I used the green rick-rack (ribbon that just screams childhood to me) and some remaining buttons to spruce up the pieces.  One burn blister later and I had the finished result.

We had an early Christmas with my family this past weekend in Vermont, so my mom has already unwrapped her new decor and she seemed pretty impressed with my hot gluing abilities…and my innovative button use.  Plus, it was nice to give something homemade, especially since she surprised me with two handmade Christmas gifts (you’ll get to see those another time).

If I had more time or had planned better, I would have ordered some vintage buttons online on eBay.  Maybe next time.

Have you made any homemade gifts for the holidays?  Any crafty hot glue projects planned?  Comment with a link for all to enjoy!