Paper Paint and Pine: specimen art

Every single time I see a really fun art project using buttons I think "I am going to make that" but guess what? I almost never do even though I have a million buttons and love buying them.

When I placed my order with Wendy Cranford of Stampin' Up I had to get some of their great buttons and I'm so glad I did because I was able to make this really fun Patriotic Button Art with some of the cute ones that came in my Stampin' Up package.

I found the frame a long time ago at a thrift store for $1.00 and then painted it red and didn't really use it for much so it was just meant to be for this project. I added some washi tape around the edges and then attached the buttons to a piece of card stock. I added a little pop of color by cutting out a couple circles with a 1 3/4 inch circle punch from Stampin' Up and then attached the card stock to the back of the frame. Super Simple! It looks kind of boring by itself but I have other Red, White and Blue projects planned that will compliment it when everything is all done.

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• Gather up your items for the project--Frame, card stock, buttons, adhesive, circle punch, washi tape

• Choose the buttons of your choice. I used red, white, turquoise and navy blue. The Stampin' Up buttons have a really nice shine to them which helps the colors pop.

• I placed the buttons on the stock where I wanted them and then used glue dots on the back of each button to attach them to the stock

• I used the circle punch in 1 3/4 inch to cut out a few circles of printed card stock to put behind a few buttons. Just another fun element.

• I then too the finished button art and attached it to a piece of cardboard

• I attached the art to the back of the frame using washi tape to hold it in place. This frame was only $1.00 so I guess that didn't buy the glass or the back which was fine for me but it meant being a little creative when it came to attaching the art to the back side

• Add some washi tape to the border of the frame and you are done!