Button Christmas Tree

Who says you can't do Christmas crafts in July?! :) I have had this idea for awhile and wanted to get it done early. The baby we are adopting is due in December and heaven knows I won't have time then!

I love making button art! It's easy, fun and looks great displayed. Here is my button Christmas Tree.... 

Would you like to make one too? I'd love to teach you! Just follow these easy steps and you will be done in no time.

Supplies:

1. Frame
2. Burlap or other fabric of your choice
3. Buttons
4. Thread
5. Marker or Chalk
6. Super Glue
7. Masking Tape
8. Needle

How To:

1. Decide on an image to make out of buttons. I find mine online using google images.
2. Decide what size you want your image to be.
3. Print it out in that size.
4. Choose a frame bigger than the button art you are making. For example, if you want a 5x7 tree, get at least an 8x10 frame. I wanted an 8x10 tree, so I chose a 10x13 frame from WalMart and painted it white.

5. Take your frame apart and set aside the glass for another project (you never know when you might need it)
6. Measure and cut your burlap to a few inches bigger than the cardboard backing that comes with the frame.
7. Use masking tape to secure the burlap tight to the cardboard backing.

8. Put your Christmas Tree image that you have printed and cut out on the burlap. I secure mine to the burlap with masking tape under the paper.

9. Trace around your tree using a fine tip pen. When I use darker burlap I use chalk which is much nicer in my opinion.

10. Now comes the fun part! Take your buttons and place them on the burlap. Keep in mind that while you will have to play around with the buttons to find which ones fit best where, it will not be perfect and that's okay! I decided to use some small red buttons to represent ornaments on mine.

*Note: No you aren't crazy, I did change the trunk of the Christmas Tree after this photo*

11. Once you have your buttons in place, you are going to super glue them down to the burlap. Yes I know this sounds crazy but it's the only method that has seemed to work for me. I use a VERY small amount of super glue on the back of the button, avoiding the holes where you will be threading the buttons. TIP: If you get super glue in the holes, it will be incredibly hard/impossible to get your needle through when you go to stitch them.

*It doesn't matter what brand of super glue you use, but make sure it has a fine tip. I have noticed that super glue in this type of container is easiest to control*

12. After you have super glued your buttons down, you are ready to stitch them on to the burlap. Simply un-tape your burlap from the cardboard backing and lift (it should come off very easily, if it doesn't, you used way too much super glue). I like to use 6 strands of cross stitching thread for my buttons. After I thread my needle, I tie one end off so that it catches in the back once I make my first stitch.
13. When you are done stitching, put the burlap back on the cardboard and re-tape it.
14. Put the cardboard (with burlap and button art attached) in your frame (just like you would for a photo) and you are ready to display!

Question I get the most? Where do you get your buttons?!

 It took me awhile to find lots and lots of the same color buttons for a good price. There just aren't that many stores that carry bags of the same color buttons. Okay there is only ONE that I have found. Joann Fabric. They have bags of buttons for $2.29 I believe in lots of different colors and shapes. I found mine on a revolving stand in the sewing department. Wal-Mart has the same brand of buttons just not as much of a selection. And some Wal-Marts don't have any at all. The other place I have found buttons is on Etsy. Most of the prices are really good and shipping is cheap.

I hope this tutorial helps you to create your very own Button Christmas Tree!