Monday, February 9, 2009

all buttoned up

I've had this button and felt idea rolling around in my head for a while... I discovered that Martha beat me to it eons ago, but I thought I'd share my variation because it's perfect for Valentine's day and beyond. My daughter is all about buttoning right now, so we love how these little white hearts adorn her cardigan.

I used a recycled and felted white sweater to cut out the hearts. Next I put a horizontal slit into the center of each one. Guess who had to perform the next step: buttoning them on? We still didn't seem have enough buttons so I whipped up a new skirt and sewed a row of vintage buttons(thanks to Karen) around the hemline (the back has them also).

I should tell you that this 10 minute skirt came from a charcoal cashmere vest that shrank. I sewed up the side seams and after a few snips here and there added an elastic band. It's a cozy and deliciously soft skirt for the rest of the winter. I'm so wanting a cashmere skirt for me!


I cut out larger red hearts from another sweater and my daughter was busy for quite some time. When she's tired of hearts I'll try some other felt shapes: circles, flowers, stars...

Tomorrow I'll share how to make the paper flower bouquet in the top picture.

p.s. Thanks so much to everyone who made my sale such a success... including everyone who ever said something encouraging about my work with burlap. Yeah! Pin It
Posted by mayaluna at 2:16 AM Labels: , , , , ,

31 comments:

  1. AimFebruary 9, 2009 at 2:40 AM

    What a lucky little girl...I'm with you, a cashmere skirt would be deluxe!

    Love, love, love the felted button-ons!!!! Great idea.

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  2. cathy gaubertFebruary 9, 2009 at 2:41 AM

    oh my goodness! i knew that there was a reason why i hadn't gone to bed yet!!! i can't wait to get into my stash of felted sweaters tomorrow. that will be a perfect project for me to work on with the girls...sitting + cutting, and sewing + buttoning...brilliant!!! you clearly rock. xxx

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  3. SerenaFebruary 9, 2009 at 2:43 AM

    Very nice! What a way to recycle!

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  4. cathy gaubertFebruary 9, 2009 at 2:43 AM

    okay...i just had to look at your post + pictures again. and then i had to come back again to tell you how wonderfully inspiring you are! that is all...night night.

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  5. Sonia / COZY MEMORIESFebruary 9, 2009 at 3:57 AM

    Before I start writing, I have to let you know that the verification word is "gives" ... rather appropriate with you & your blog, my friend ! ;-)
    I hope you had a nice weekend. I clearly see that you didn't sleep the whole weekend as you told you would !!! LOL The skirt is to die for & the idea of the buttons is so cute & so versatile !! (PS : I want the same skirt please ... but waaaay bigger !! LOL)
    Wishing you a lovely start of the new week ! xoxoxo big hugs !

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  6. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2009 at 3:59 AM

    hi there creative friend! There is an award for you on my blog!

    And how sweet is that skirt with valentine hearts!!!

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  7. 'fancypicnic'February 9, 2009 at 6:04 AM

    Gorgeous!

    Perfect for inquisitive little fingers, and looks so cute!

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  8. Margie OomenFebruary 9, 2009 at 6:10 AM

    Absolutely adorable maya.
    Your little girl must know she has one of the most amazing and creative mom's around.

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  9. UnknownFebruary 9, 2009 at 6:39 AM

    I adore the skirt. You could put any different shape on the bottom to match the season, or holiday. It's fabulous! And cashmere? Chic!

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  10. Between Hitching PostsFebruary 9, 2009 at 7:23 AM

    My daughter is snuggling next to me this morning as a read your post. As I scroll down to each new picture she gasps "I want a red sweater mommy" "Can I have a skirt like that?". I guess we will be trying out this project. Thanks for the idea!

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  11. knackFebruary 9, 2009 at 9:22 AM

    Oh my word ... too cute ... you clever girl!! :)

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  12. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2009 at 9:26 AM

    Your daughter looks like a sweet, little queen of hearts! I have buttons and felted sweaters, and more importantly, my limited sewing skills include attaching buttons. Thank you for this beautiful, versatile, and affordable idea!

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  13. julieFebruary 9, 2009 at 9:48 AM

    That's an awesome project!

    My aunt Pam swears that Martha stole this thing that she did a decade ago, sticking a Barbie in a cake and decorating the cake as her skirt. And she lives in Arkansas, so clearly Martha is capable of stealing awesome crafty ideas from people's minds.

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  14. mayalunaFebruary 9, 2009 at 11:24 AM

    Thanks so much each of you for your enthusiasm. Sometimes it's these simple things that make us so happy. Easy and accessible projects are always my favorites!
    Cathy- I can imagine your girls buttoning all day!
    Sonia... I promise to sleep soon... :)
    Hilde-I've missed you so much! Hope you and your new babe are growing well together!
    Julie- Martha is not only brilliant, but she has a tap into all of our minds and finds only our best to share. It amazes me that with each new issue she has her finger on something one of us was just doing, thinking, or making. She's just that good. She came up with these hearts years before me:), I just thought up the skirt!

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  15. costumegalFebruary 9, 2009 at 11:25 AM

    Oh my gosh,this is the cutest thing ever! I know I say that about all your things, but this is really just too adorable! I wonder if I could get a way with wearing something like this!

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  16. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2009 at 11:40 AM

    this is a really clever idea!

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  17. BFebruary 9, 2009 at 12:24 PM

    Adorable.

    And for the record, Martha has nothing on you (except maybe a million or two, and paid staff to come up with HER ideas). Like I said, nothing on Maya.

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  18. ChristinaFebruary 9, 2009 at 12:53 PM

    Very cute and sweet. I love your ten minute skirt. Mine would be more like a ten hour skirt, though my daughter and I are working on learning more about sewing.

    Chloe will really enjoy learning to make the paper flowers.

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  19. buntingFebruary 9, 2009 at 2:40 PM

    What a fantastic idea! My three year old will be clamouring for felt shapes for ALL her buttons now!
    Thank you for another inspiring post, and congratulations on all your Etsy sales - those buckets went fast!

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  20. Amanda @ www.kiddio.orgFebruary 9, 2009 at 2:48 PM

    Oh, soooo cute! We're getting ready for the Kindergarten buttoning test (those standardized tests, heh heh), so these will make perfect practice :)

    ...oh, and doesn't Martha get to everything first?

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  21. AliFebruary 9, 2009 at 6:13 PM

    Changeable shapes, all ready for buttoning. You are a genius.

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  22. Gumbo LilyFebruary 9, 2009 at 9:43 PM

    Maya,
    You're giving me lots of nifty ideas for my baby Grandangel. I like this one a lot!

    Jody

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  23. erinFebruary 9, 2009 at 10:29 PM

    soooo cute! and what a great idea to encourage little ones who are just mastering their buttoning skills. that looks way more fun than practicing with boring old everyday buttons!

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  24. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2009 at 2:20 AM

    How absolutely adorable and huggable! That is one of my favorite little girl's outfits, especially because it is made with the most important ingredient: love!

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  25. KirstyFebruary 10, 2009 at 3:53 AM

    Super cute & the possibilities are endless.

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  26. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2009 at 5:50 AM

    how cute is that little skirt!?

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  27. Lucykate Crafts...February 10, 2009 at 7:09 PM

    just found your blog through whip up, you make some lovely things ; )

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  28. AnonymousFebruary 11, 2009 at 11:13 AM

    Another great idea, I think those would be a perfect embellishment on one of my sweaters - maybe make them on a sweater pin so they could be taken off and on.

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  29. Karen SalvaFebruary 13, 2009 at 6:11 AM

    I love this idea and the simple circles are fabulous as well. Hmmm...maybe I could do bees and flowers...or my ki-ki bird! Thanks Maya, very fun and sorry it took me so long to get here to tell you!

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  30. AnonymousApril 13, 2009 at 11:02 AM

    just found your blog - how lucky am I?!
    can't wait to try this for my daughters and also my spring jacket!
    my visit here was uplifting!
    thank you and take care!

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  31. AnonymousJuly 29, 2009 at 11:04 AM

    Great! I love this idea!!!!!

    Potosamia

    www.potosamia.blogspot.com

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