50 Button Crafts: idea #7 – button headbands

Posted on February 17, 2015 by tellingfamilytales

button headband from SugarBeeCrafts.com

Got a box or jar full of buttons carefully saved by your mother or grandmother? For 2015 I’m in search of great ways to put those buttons to use. Here is this week’s idea:

These button headbands are such a sweet idea. Mandy of SugarBee (photo above) adapted the tutorial from LittleMissMomma (photo below) to make it more kid friendly. This is a great project to teach kids about their grandmother, especially if you are using her buttons, and some really basic sewing skills at the same time. Perfect for a girls and granny day or the sleepovers I did with my nieces when they were young. Little Miss Momma has two version of her button headband. The second one is a no sew project. Click on any of the photos for step by step instructions.

button headband from LittleMissMomma.com

no sew button headband from LittleMissMomma.com

It would be a good idea to document where the buttons for your project came from and any relevant stories or information about that person or family. If you are looking for more button crafts, check out my Pinterest board.

50 Button Crafts: idea #6 – button heart pillow

Posted on February 10, 2015 by tellingfamilytales

button heart pillow from MayArts.com

Got a box or jar full of buttons carefully saved by your mother or grandmother? For 2015 I’m in search of great ways to put those buttons to use. Here is this week’s idea:

Valentines Day snuck up on me again this year. There are lots of fun ideas incorporating hearts and buttons that I pinned on my button crafts board but I choose this was for my post today. Not sure way but maybe two reasons, the simplicity of the design and its versatility. I can imagine this with multicolored buttons or with white buttons on a dark background. If you button stash is like mine there are lots of small rather nondescript white buttons that would work great for this. Click on the photo above for a step by step tutorial.

50 Button Crafts: idea #5 – button flowers

Posted on February 2, 2015 by tellingfamilytales

button flowers from craftandfun.com

Got a box or jar full of buttons carefully saved by your mother or grandmother? For 2015 I’m in search of great ways to put those buttons to use. Here is this week’s idea:

This is a really fun way to use buttons. Makes me want to grab some scraps of yarn, a crochet hook and buttons and try this out. The website linked above is in Italian but the step by step photos are very clear. Plus you can use Google to translate if you need to. I go to our local elementary two days a week to listen to a couple of third grades read. I think they might just like some button flowers too.

Family Photo Books and Blurb Discount Code

Posted on January 28, 2015 by tellingfamilytales

I got an email from Blurb.com that I thought I’d share. Along with a 20% discount code “MYVALENTINE” (no minimum and up to $50 off – good through January 31st 2015 local time) They had some good ideas on making family photos books. Here are a few of their favorite ideas:

If you have an epic tale to tell, do it in a custom family history book. Do a little research (you don’t have to be a historian—just be curious) and share your family’s story.

Lucky enough to have a large family? See how you can make a family yearbook (just like a school’s yearbook) to get everyone into the picture.

Time flies, babies become toddlers, and before you know it they’re out of the nest. Simple photo books documenting their growth likewise become treasured reminders—use pre-designed templates or create your own layouts.

Not sure where to start?

Watch our series of short, handy Book Camp videos and see how to put your book together, from organizing your photos to hitting Order.

You can even check out our step-by-simple-step tutorial about how to make a family photo book.

50 Button Crafts: idea #4 – button bookmarks

Posted on January 26, 2015 by tellingfamilytales

button bookmarks from iheartnaptime.net

Got a box or jar full of buttons carefully saved by your mother or grandmother? For 2015 I’m in search of great ways to put those buttons to use. Here is this week’s idea:

A big chunk of the button crafts I’ve found are jewelry so I thought this idea would be a nice change of pace. Plus it is super simple. All you need is buttons, paper clips, hot glue and some scraps of felt. Click on the photo above for I Heart Nap Time’s tutorial. If you have buttons from someone who loved to read these bookmarks would make the perfect opportunity to share a story about that person’s favorite book. I might just make a few of these for the kids I tutor in reading at the local elementary school. I think they would love them.

50 Button Crafts: idea #3 – simple button bracelet

Posted on January 19, 2015 by tellingfamilytales

button bracelet by Hope Studios

Got a box or jar full of buttons carefully saved by your mother or grandmother? For 2015 I’m in search of great ways to put those buttons to use. Here is this week’s idea:

This button bracelet would be so much fun to do at a family gathering. Have the supplies gathered and enjoy some storytellling, chating and bonding while everyone creates a one of a kind bracelet with ties to their family through the buttons and memories of making them together. Click on the photo for Hope Studios’ step by step tutorial.

50 Button Crafts: idea #2 – 3 strand button necklace

Posted on January 12, 2015 by tellingfamilytales

three strand button necklace by Jodi Nobles

Got a box or jar full of buttons carefully saved by your mother or grandmother? For 2015 I’m in search of great ways to put those buttons to use. Here is this week’s idea:

I love this eclectic mix of buttons. It looks like Jodi used a similar wire-wrap technique as last weeks post on button pendants. (Jodi made it for her Etsy shop but is no longer available. You can click on the photo above to look at her current offerings.) So if you have a fun collections of buttons and want to tackle a more complicated button necklace this could be the perfect project.

50 Button Crafts: idea #1 – wire-wrapped pendant

Posted on January 5, 2015 by tellingfamilytales

button pendants from craftsy.com

Got a box or jar full of buttons carefully saved by your mother or grandmother? For 2015 I’m in search of great ways to put those buttons to use. Here is this week’s idea:

What a simple and beautiful way to use some of those unique buttons in your stash. Click on the photo about for a very clear and detailed tutorial on how to wire-wrap your buttons to make them into pendants. I’m going to put this on my project list for the near future.

If you are looking for more button crafts, check out my Pinterest board.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #50 – New Year Survival Kit

Posted on December 31, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

New Year Survival Kit from SnapCreativity.com

This last post on jar gifts has been more than a year in coming. I’m so excited to finally complete this series. I though this survival kit would be the perfect way to complete 2014 and start 2015. Click on either image for instructions and more. It is a great way to start the year with the determination to write more memories and stories for future generations. I hope the new year brings many happy moments and lots of time with family and friends. Thanks for sticking with me through all the ups and downs of the past year. Happy New Year everyone!

tag for New Year Survival Kit from SnapCreativity.com

If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.

Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #49 – snow globes

Posted on December 31, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

snow globes from tidymom.net

What could be more fun than a tiny snowy scene in a jar. Tidymom.net has a step by step tutorial on making waterless snow globes. Below are two more ideas for snow globes with the addition of light. Oh, the possibilities! Just imagine recreating a snowy scene from one of your family stories. My parents live on a quiet rural street with lots of trees along the road. My Dad even planted a make of trees with a winding path. I love to take a late night walk through the trees or down the road when we visit. It is so quiet and peaceful. I can imagine this as a simple snow globe to remind my family of their home in Idaho. Especially now as they will certainly need to move to a more manageable place in the near future.