How to Make Handmade Cards With Buttons

Use unmatched vintage buttons to make artistic, one-of-a-kind cards.

Receiving a handmade card with a thoughtfully composed message through the mail is rare these days. Your friends and family will appreciate your handcrafted cards on their special occasions. You can put old buttons, along with other sewing notions, to use in producing cards that are sure to turn into keepsakes. While glue is more appropriate for young children, older kids and adults can attach buttons to their cards with a needle and thread.

Things You'll Need

• Construction paper
• Envelopes
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Buttons
• Bows
• Ribbon (optional)
• Photographs or printed images (optional)
• Craft glue
• Needle (optional)
• Thread (optional)

Instructions

1. Fold a sheet of construction paper in half. Measure an envelope. Cut your folded construction paper to fit in the envelope. Use a ruler and a pencil to mark where to cut the card. Make sure to leave a little room to accommodate your decorated card.

2. Cut out paper shapes. For winter holidays, you can make holly leaves, snowflakes and hearts. Use chicks, flowers, eggs and rabbits for spring card projects. Include fall leaves, pumpkins and turkeys as autumn themes.

3. Arrange your paper shapes, along with any photographs or printed images, on your folded construction paper card. Incorporate buttons into the designs. Martha Stewart suggests using a ring of green buttons as a winter wreath, a trio of red buttons as holly berries or three white buttons in increasing size to make a head, torso and base of a snowman. Add ribbon or bow embellishments.

4. Glue your paper elements onto the card. Attach the buttons with glue or a needle and thread. Glue or sew on ribbons and bows. Allow the card to dry completely before putting it in the envelope.

References

• Martha Stewart: Button Cards
• Martha Stewart: Mother's and Father's Day Button Cards