oh button tree, oh button tree.

You know, since 2 of my kids are in school now, I can't believe how much I can get done in a day. With just my sweet little Lily to love and care for, I have so much time to finally get around to doing so many awesome projects.

For example... my button tree. I bought the pieces for it, LAST Christmas. Got it finished, this Christmas. Wow.

So I promise you, once you see this done, you will be running to the nearest store to do one. Never have I seen anything so adorable, and clearly I've been wanting to make one for at least a year now.

So start by buying a Styrofoam cone shape. (You could even make Christmas ornaments for your tree with Styrofoam balls.)

 

I only paid $3.99 for this, and probably got it for 50% off.

Then dig up your stash of buttons. I love buttons.

 

Pick a color scheme for your tree. Now, if I had my way, this tree would of been pink, hot pink and a subtle shade of light pink. BUT since this is a Christmas craft and it's going in my living room, I decided on a more traditional color scheme of red, white, blue and brown.

 

(it's funny when you see these pictures, because it sure doesn't look like a lot of buttons, but in this little pile above there is probably over 300 buttons... and I used every single last one of them.)

I divided my buttons into large, medium and small. I started by putting the large red buttons evenly all over my cone shape using straight pins. (the kind you use for sewing)

 

Then of course added the blue, brown and white large buttons.

 

Next I moved on to the medium buttons. This time I didn't care about keeping the colors divided, I just placed them randomly and sometimes 2 or 3 red buttons ended up in the same space, but trust me it won't matter once you're finished.

 

Then of course logically, I moved onto the small ones... but I ran into some trouble...

 

(no the trouble was not a blurry picture.. ha-ha)

Okay, here is where you can learn from my mistake. Some of the button holes were obviously bigger than the pin head, I fixed that problem by putting the pins in at an angle. But for most part it just wasn't working. So I came up with the idea of adding seed beads to the pins to give them that extra bulk that they needed. If you don't know what seed beads are, they look like this.

 

Unfortunately this is where my step by step instructions end, because I had to go the the store and buy the darn beads.

Now this is important, seed beads come in many different sizes. Do not buy the teeny tiny ones, your pin will not go through the bead. Buy the next size up. (I can get an exact size for you if necessary) So I bought white and red seed beads. They cost me $4 for 2 packages.

Last night (when I created this little ditty) we had a scrapbooking night at the church, so I took my tree and my beads and finished the project there, so I apologize that I don't have any more step by step instructions, but this is what it looks like now.

 

Okay, so why the huge big white open space at the bottom you ask. Well, let me tell you. I ran out of buttons. And because as I have mentioned before, I don't have access to a scrapbook store and the buttons I used were bought about 2-3 years ago. I probably couldn't find them anymore anyways. So my solution is to cut a scalloped piece of cardstock and wrap it around the bottom, kind of like a trunk.

It's funny, because I thought the top of the tree being flat was really going to drive me crazy, but in the end, I really liked the way it looked. But if you can't handle having a flat tree you could add a little star or a bow.

Here's a couple more pictures.

 

Here you can really see the seed beads with the pins.

 

Okay, so couple more things, then you must run out and create this adorable little decoration.

1. Don't run out of buttons. (just kidding) But seriously, make sure you have enough buttons to cover your tree, I know that's almost an impossible thing to know for certain, but if you think you won't have enough, buy a smaller sized cone.
2. If you have any gaps that aren't big enough for a button, but are noticeable, just stick a pink with a bead in those gaps. It's an easy filler and really makes the tree sparkle from all those extra pin heads.
3. Really I don't have much more than that, but 2 to a list looks silly, so I have to make up a number 3... ummm don't go the grocery store hungry. There, how's that for a tip.

So, in the end this whole project ended up costing me about $7, not including the buttons. (I really have no idea how much I paid) But the 2 main company buttons I used were Autumn Leaves and My Minds Eye.

Also last night, I got a really good head start to my Christmas cards. The big deal will be if they actually make it to a mail box, then we can celebrate!

Okay, now go make your button tree.

(side note: a question was asked what size pages I did my Christmas album, they were 9x6. So I cut every paper I used to 9x6 and then once it was in the order I wanted, I started tearing and cutting them to make them smaller. Hope that helps)

Comments

[Trisha]

If the house next door ever goes up for sale you have to come back!

[Nikki]

As a maker of such things, I know and appreciate how much work went into this! Cuteness!

[Bobbi-Jo Grunewald]

This is great! Funny - I've got only one kiddo half the day and I can't seem to get ANYTHING done.LOL! I love this idea, thanks for sharing!

[kristi]

thanks for answering the size question- I cut all mine 5x7, but I am thinking it needs to be bigger. funny- I just made a button tree last week. we are on the same wave length. I can't wait to see what else you are making!

[holly]

You rock!!! I only have h at home & yet I have NO time. I mean I can barely find time to eat & sleep. I am glad I can live vicariously through you!

H

[Shan]

Totally adorable. I think I should make lots of these.

[Verna]

Those seed beads made all the difference in the world. looks beautiful.

[Lynn Crapo]

Man THAT is the Coolest thing I've ever seen......ANnnnnnd......it's something that EVEN I can do! Thanks! : D Looks great!

[aia]

very cute & pretty. boy, you are really making it hard to keep up, i have so many other projects going, then you throw another one out there...sheesh. in all your spare time you could come out here to make this for me ;)

take care, amy!