Today I am going to put my ‘I can’t post a tutorial until I get a new computer’ excuse on hold for a very special project. We all know I love a good button tree, but this one is prettttty extra special.
I needed to make up for this terribly awesome terrible present I made for my friend’s daughter after her tonsillectomy, and her room has an antiquey theme to it, so here’s what I did:
I took three 7×14″ canvi (heehee see this post for a description of these precious, endangered beasts) and I painted them using crackle medium.
I’ve never used it before and it turned out pretty cool! I started with a solid coat of pink acrylic paint. After that dried, I added a quick coat of the crackle medium and let that dry. Finally I put on a layer of cream paint, and as it dried, it crackled like magic. Pretty nifty effect- and a big bottle of the medium was only 4 bucks at Walmart. 🙂
Next I painted a simple branch in a pale brownish color. When you’re painting on canvi like these, don’t forget to paint the sides as well. It looks so much nicer!
Since this painting was special, I pulled out my vintage buttons which I’ve collected from various thrift shops and other glorious sources. I whipped out my trusty glue gun (umm, P.S. I just got a CORDLESS glue gun last week…this calls for a photo shoot…and some button graffiti (shhhhh) coming up in the future heeheeheee >:)
Here is a close up of the finished product- Notice how I used some buttons that have nubs on the back of em- if you are using those with your button projects, you can either snap off the backs with wire cutters, or cut a small hole into the canvas with an exacto knife, and place the gluey button nub right through.
Anyways, I just popped this into the mail today, and I can’t wait for it to land on its new owner’s wall!
Well, that was a short tutorial, so I am going to reinstate my ‘I can’t post a tutorial until I get a new computer’ excuse now. Let me just dig up one more photo to stick on the end…
OooOOH! Here is a good one:
It’s a Nightmare Before Christmas-themed button painting! I made this for my 4-year-old son as a birthday present. We actually had an entire themed party like this…but that is for another post. K fine, here is one photo from the party…because I can’t wait to show you:
OMG! Jack Skellington showed up! He is a big fan of Busted Button, you know. I can’t wait to share the rest of the party with you! So many nightmarish decorations etc!
Until then, happy buttoning 😉
Busted Button 
So cool. I absolutely love your Nightmare Before Christmas painting. Totally awesome!
thanks carrie! you are my #1 fan ❤ lets go out.
I like that you call them “canvi” just like I do!
hahah yes! well saying ‘canvases’ is like the most unnatural sounding word ever!
this is such a wonderfully artful way to enjoy buttons – I love it!
thanks! im glad you like it- check out some of the tutorials- im sure you could have a blast making your very own 🙂
Ok…. OMG! Um so yep I know you are Mel’s friend… And I hear you are super cool BUT! Now I think you are incredible!!!
1) I LOVE BUTTONS! Your art is so creative! And beautiful!
2) my newly turned 5 year old is having his bday party tomorrow and for ever and ever and ever wanted a Nightmare Before Christmas theme for his party!!!!! At the last minute he changed his mind to an Angry Birds theme because his best friend is scared of that movie(he’s a sweet sensitive boy:))… So now I’m thinking if one of your kids loves the movie and you made a button art from the movie you are far cooler than I ever thought!!!
Amazing!!! Maybe one day we will meet… Or pass by each other in this little city of ours! 🙂 until then I’m going to lust after some button art!!!!
aw you are rad krystal! omg our kids should have a nbc viewing party!!!!!
were do u get the buttons?????
me and some of my fave people scour thrift shops and antique stores for em. Some people even just give me their grammas old collection! I get a lot of my buttons from certain dollar stores too 🙂 happy button-hunting!
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I love your button pictures. I have been searching for buttons since I’ve seen your art. I found two pretty good size tins at a garage sale today. Paid 16 dollars for them I love them. I can’t wait to try to do a tree with them. Thank you so much for sharing.