If you remember that button elephant I created a while back, you might also remember that I promised a tutorial asap! Well, asap has finally come, so here we go!
To make this cute little elephant, all you need are some buttons, hot glue, a wee bit of paint, a canvas board (which you can find at any craft store) and a frame.
First, draw out a nice, chunky elephant. I used card stock to make a stencil, which was inspired by a fabric pattern I saw online. You can feel free to yoink this elephant. And by ‘yoink’ I mean ‘copy’.
I got a dozen orders of these cute littles as soon as I shared the first one, so I was on an elephant-making rampage! As you can see, I used watered-down paint to quickly fill in the outline. This makes the end product look more profesh.
Now for the buttons!
Get out your trusty glue gun and add the first layer like so, trying to cover as much space as possible without going over the edges.
You know what? Making a straight line out of circles is kiiiinnnnd of difficult! But- with practice, you will figure it out pretty quickly!
For the next layer of buttons, try to overlap along the edges to create a straighter line, and fill in any gaps.
For the tail, just find a tail-shaped button…Wait, what?!?! How on EARTH did I stumble upon a tail-shaped button?!?! That was pure luck, so if you can’t find a perfect button, use some fabric or ribbon like I did on the lovely couple below.
For the ears, just use some buttons that are bigger and darker than your base color. I like my buttons how I like my men. bigger and darker. Just kidding….? Oh gosh someone stop me. Use white and black buttons for the eyes.
Add some button balloons, button grass, and a bit of detail with a pen, and stand in awe of your precious pachyderm!
Lets give these two some privacy. ;)
Oh gosh! It’s an infestation!
I was feeling generous, and my friend requested a button animal, so…
I slugged it right on up. Complete with slime trail. Cuz, hey, why not? And what better place to display slug art than on a cake pedestal? I always knew those things were designed to carry bigger and better things. 
Speaking of bigger and better things, check out what else I’ve been up to at my new Etsy Shop! I’ve got some button art for sale, and also some really nifty jewelry! Check it out 
These button animals are so cute and fun to make, but after making a dozen of em, I started to really miss painting! Even though these are awesome and buttony, I decided that I don’t really want my ‘artistic focus’ (ew, I sound like an artist) to be on button animals. SO I’ve been passing along my orders to my pal, Megan, who like myself, was raised in a sewing room, and therefor has mad skillz with buttons! She is so creative with her designs and can do pretty much anything! Meet Hank, the hippo:
For more of her neat creations and weekly deals, check out her Facebook page.
Well, thanks for reading! Stay tuned for more fun nifty bloggage coming up soon! If you want to get more updates and fun buttony ideas, you can follow me on Facebook!
AND it’s your lucky day I have one of these elephants for sale (and on sale!) at my etsy shop! Click this photo for a link:
Happy pachyderm perfecting and button collecting!
~Dot
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These are just too cute! Perfect baby shower gift
I LOVE this tutorial! Elephants are my absolute favorite. And I have two whole jars full of buttons! I can’t wait to make some of these!!
awesome! have fun
i covet your collection 
<3
The colors are great! Thanks for sharing. Greetings from Germany
thank you so much! hello germany!!! greetings back at ya from canada <3
Fidning this post solves a problem for me. Thanks!
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I need more buttons!
yes! try hunting at thriftstores for grammas old collection- or even some dollar stores have em
Hermosos, realmente hermosos, gracias por enviar.
Gracias, me alegro que te guste <3
Preciosos los cuadritos!!!! Voy a realizarlos!!!!! Gracias por compartir tus ideas.
eres bienvenido! ¡diviértase!
Thanks for your awesome tutorial!! I just made one!! I used yellow buttons and all different colored buttons for the balloons. This is going to make the most perfect gift for an expectant mommy who didnt want to find out the gender. Thank you!
oh im so glad you made one! glad the tutorial helped
she will love it!! <3
I have made 2 more since the last one and have 2 more to go
I wanted to let you know that I blogged about it and put several links to your site about it. I hope that’s okay! If not, I would be happy to remove my post. Again thanks so much for the inspiration and tutorial!
http://jackofalltrades-leslie.blogspot.com/2012/07/craft-time-baby-elephant-pictures-by.html
You did an awesome job leslie! Thanks for the shout-out
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Could I please have the instructions for the John Deere button tractor, have many JD lovers in the family. Thank you.
Hi, Jayne! I will be uploading a tutorial in the next week or so
If you can’t wait til then, just find a good cartoon drawing of a tractor from google images and follow the same steps as i mentioned in my button elephant tutorial 
have fun!
Where did you get your buttons from??
Howdy Jenna! I got them from certain dollar stores, and thrift shops
happy button-hunting! <3
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I just made one I really appreciate you shared the instructions! So cute! You can see my facebook I posted a picture on there!
Well here is the link:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151170420111257&set=a.10150657929646257.441285.519826256&type=1&theater
Hi sarah! thats awesome that you made one! that link isnt working for me- but id love to see it! you can email it to me if you want- dotfalcon@gmail.com
i love elephants and i wanted to make a elephant picture out of buttons although i didn’t know how so you have helped and inspired me, thank you.
any time, zoe! let me know how it goes!!! happy buttoning
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I love this and really want to make one for my friend who is having a baby boy and her theme is elephants and trees and colors are blue, green and grey…how perfect!! Question- approximately how much did it cost?
Howdy Christina! Welllll I have some pretty cheap buttons- you might be able to find some at a dollar store or a craft store- id say the average amount of buttons would cost 4 dollars, and the little 8×10 canvas was a dollar, and the frame was a nice one and was 10 dollars- but you could definitely find a cheaper frame! Have fun- so nice that you are making one for your friend
http://creaties-jenneke.blogspot.nl/2012/09/diy-tutorial-olifant-schilderij-van.html
I got your tutorial in the Dutch translated and yours name in the link.
What a wonderful things make you Dear greeting jenneke
Thank you so much jenneke!!
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I love this so much it inspired me to make a bumble bee out of buttons for a friend
thats a great idea!! have fun!!!
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I am in love! I love elephants and these are just too darn cute! Would love for you to share some of your awesome creations on my Talented Tuesday link up here: http://feistymom.me/talented-tuesday-link-up/
Hiya, Please can I use a piccy on my blog with a link to your site? Here’s a link http://www.craftnovice.blogspot.co.uk/
you betcha! sweet blog
I LURVE IT SO MUCH ! Thanks a million for the nice tutorial !
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Oroginal! Imi place!
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Where did you find the elephant to trace? Do you have it that I could print and trace onto my canvas? LOVE these!!!
Thanks! I actually designed this one- but you can copy it for sure!