Raise your hand if you want to learn how to make this fabulous piece of home decor:
Supplies needed:
- Printer
- Scissors
- Cardstock
- Pen or Pencil
- Adhesive
- Paper Piercer
- Buttons and Brads (a complete list of the Elements Jen used is at the bottom of this post)
- Frame without glass or shadowbox
Jen says, "I collect A's for my daughter Ayla, and am always looking for cute ways to make her some more. I saw a pillow on a blog that had used buttons to create a monogram and thought it would be a fun and easy way to create a wall hanging to add to her collection."
To create your monogram, begin by cutting cardstock large enough to fit in your frame. Next, you will need to print out a letter. I played around with it and printed a few to find the size and font I wanted, I ended up with Helvetica font at 700 font size. Keep in mind that you want thick lines in order to fill them up with buttons and brads. Then cut out your letter and place in the center of your cardstock, tracing the lines onto the paper. I used a light pen because I could not find a pencil anywhere, but I do think a pencil would work best.
Start placing your large buttons and/or brads onto the cardstock, keeping them as lined up with the edges as possible. Since we're using rounded Elements, you won't be able to fill the corners, but we will fill them in with smaller brads and buttons later. I used the AC tape runner to put a little adhesive on the back, I wouldn't use a liquid adhesive because you may need to rearrange some things as you go.
Once you've covered your letter with Elements, place it in a frame. I used an IKEA frame and just removed the glass since this isn't flat, I also think it'd be great for a shadowbox. I adhered mine to the frame on the back just to help keep it stable, the paper is fairly heavy once finished.
Stand back and enjoy your new creation!
Here all the Elements Jen used to create this work of art:
Variety Buttons (85509), Fabric Brads (85520), Assorted Brads (85521), Mini Pearl Brads (85516), Mini Pearl Brads (85508), Large Jewel Brads Primaries (85300), Large Jewel Brads Pastels (85301), Large Jewel Brads Metallic (85304), Large Pearl Brads Primaries (85315), Large Pearl Brads Pastels (85316), Large Perl Brads Brights (85318), Medium Jewel Brads Primaries (85218), Medium Jewel Brads Pastels (85286), Medium Jewel Brads Neutrals (85291), Mini Jewel Brads Primaries (85270), Mini Jewel Brads Pastels (85271), Mini Jewel Brads Tropicals (85272), Large Glitter Brads Tropicals (85362), Large Jewel Brads Brights (85363), Medium Glitter Brads Primaries (85345), Medium Glitter Brads Brights (85348), Medium Glitter Brads Tropicals (85347), Mini Glitter Brads Tropicals (85332), Mini Glitter Brads Pastels (85331), Mini Glitter Brads Brights (85333), Medium Brads Brights (85393), Medium Brads Tropicals (85392), Medium Brads Baby Girl (85397), Mini Brads Brights (85378), Mini Brads Tropicals (85337), Mini Brads Primaries (85375)
Now I know what to do with all my leftover brads and eyelets and buttons! Thanks for the great idea Jen!
This project gets an A for the day....thanks for sharing
Posted by: Annette A. | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 09:08 AM
This is fantastic!!
Posted by: Becky Williams | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 09:31 AM
Great project!!! I want to create one now!
Posted by: TanishaRenee | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 09:46 AM
LOVE this Jen! I need to make one - thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: cindy tobey | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 09:50 AM
Beautiful! I love this!
Posted by: Jasmine Ford | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 09:51 AM
AMAZING!!! I am so doing this <3
Posted by: Candace Robichaud | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 09:58 AM
this is amazing .. I am doing one now .. thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: Sasha Holloway | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 10:04 AM
This is fabulous!!! :)
Posted by: emily (justem) | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 10:29 AM
How fun!
Posted by: ShellyJ | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 10:57 AM
What a great idea for all those left-overs from projects. Awesome.
Posted by: Marisela Delgado | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 12:07 PM
absolutely darling - what a great idea! i have to try this now. love how you are able to use up all those supplies on one project! suzy
Posted by: suzyplant | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 12:28 PM
BRILLIANT! I'm making one for my daughter!!!
Posted by: Jane | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 01:25 PM
I absolutely LOVE this! What a great idea to use up leftover supplies!
Posted by: Mandi | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 01:32 PM
going to try this, with a J and an N! :)
Posted by: jackie radu | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 02:18 PM
Awesome idea! I have just the perfect spot for this project too. TFS!!
Posted by: Cynthia B. | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 03:35 PM
I love this so soo much. I have so many extra buttons and brads too. It is the perfect thing for the new baby (as soon as we figure out a name!)
Posted by: Nirupama | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 04:41 PM
I had the idea to do this a while back for one of my assignments having to use buttons, but I didn't have enough to cover my initial. I will definitely do this with brads, flair and the buttons though, I love it!
Posted by: Melanie | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 05:27 PM
love how this came out!
Posted by: Jess | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 05:34 PM
Oh you creative types! That is so cool! I love it.
Posted by: Shereen | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 05:35 PM
yep, this is plain awesome. Thanks Jen!!
Posted by: Jenny Chesnick | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 06:07 PM
LOVE this!!!
Posted by: Chantal | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 06:27 PM
awesome Jen!!
Posted by: gretchen | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 06:42 PM
neat! Love this
Posted by: Patty | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 06:45 PM
LOVE LOVE LOVE! I am SOOOOOOO doing this for BOTH my girls!! Hey, I might even do one for my husband and I!!!
Posted by: Alex | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 09:41 PM
This is soooooo fabulous...! Totally love it...!
Posted by: AnnaB | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 11:33 PM