Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Vintage Inspiration . . . . Grandma's buttons

Today I'm sharing vintage buttons from my grandmother. I've decided they've been buried away in this tin long enough; I may as well make something with them so they can be enjoyed. 





I've been making button garlands for Christmas. On some I've added vintage lace and burlap.







Of, course, I'm saving some of grandma's buttons for sentimental reasons along with the Valentine note my daughter sent her many years ago. It's so sweet that I found it in her button tin. 


All of my button garlands are currently listed on Etsy. 

These are easy to make if you want to make your own. I used 22 gauge silver floral wire, which worked great. Decide how long you want to make your garland and cut it 1 foot longer to allow for bending through the buttons. You can place your buttons as close together as you want. Just bend the wire through the holes. I started on one end and pushed the button to the middle; finished one side, and then did the other side. Have fun making your own garland. I think these would look great on a tree or on a mantel with some evergreens or to hang anywhere.

Thanks for stopping by today. Let me know if you have other ideas for buttons. I would love to see what you're making.

Have a wonderful week!

~ Julie

p.s. Thank you to Roeshel over at the DIY Showoff blog for doing a feature on my 'Sideboard to Sink Vanity' post. She has a wonderful blog with all kinds of DIY projects if you want more inspiration . . .
or visit these lovely blog parties:
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/2010/11/time-travel-thursday-18-something-to.html
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/11/vintage-inspiration-friday-11-late-fall.html
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2010/11/show-and-tell-friday_11.html 

13 comments:

  1. Dear Julie, What a marvellous way of reusing your heirloom buttons. You have such artistically creative ideas!

    The buttons looked just like old fashioned sweets in the tin. I am pleased that you will keep some in memory of your grandmother.

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  2. Julie this looks wonderful and a great, but easy idea. I love buttons and love the variations that you showed :)

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  3. When I was younger my mother collected / saved buttons. I used to love emptying them all out and just looking at them. Now I do that.
    Fabulous way of using them. They look so pretty

    Diana

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  4. Hi Julie, How fun to have your grandmothers button tin! Love the garlands, great idea:-)
    Bella

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  5. Julie, your garlands are very cute, such a sweet idea to use your gma's buttons. :) I'll have to check out your sideboard to vanity post...I am on the lookout for an old buffet to use in our master bath, but need it to be a good size cause we have double sinks. I'll either do that, or get two pedestals...either way, its better than that builders grade thing we have now! :-o
    Glad you liked my pie and cookie cutter idea. I just love making desserts look better than....well normal. :)
    Have a great weekend!
    HUGS
    Missy :)

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  6. What a great idea to make garlands with your grandma's vintage buttons... very sweet!
    ~ Jo :)

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  7. Great reuse of vintage buttons. I love the garlands. You've given me an idea for those mountains of buttons I have stored away. ;)

    Thanks for linking to my party. I look forward to seeing what you link up each week.

    Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com

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  8. Hi Julie ~ Your garlands are so precious and I love the valentine and the button tin itself! So sentimental~ Hugs!

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  9. I LOVE old buttons! My youngest daughter would play with my jars of them forever when she was a little girl :)

    Blessings!
    Gail

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  10. These are darling, and makes me want to get my buttons out and start creating! Thanks so much for linking up with VIF!!
    hugs,
    Debra

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  11. These are lovely Julie. What a great use of the buttons. I remember my own grandma's button tin...oh I could play in it for hours.
    Thank you so much for your lovely message. I love your blog!

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  12. This is a wonderful idea-my friend was just saying that she ran across her old family buttons-a great way to display and enjoy them!

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  13. Clever idea, Julie! So vintage! It will certainly make your Christmas tree even more special! :)

    xoxo laurie

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