Make: Covered Button Rings

You know...it's so rewarding when I see emails and photos from all of you showing the amazing creations you've made either from your own craft noggin' or from one of the "Make" projects by a Designing Mom. So much so, that I am excited to announce that we will be having regular "Make" contributors to the blog.

The first of our contributors is Dana of Plum Tree Studio. I came across Dana's wonderful work when I was on the hunt for one of a kind tees and onesies (my favorite is the sailor themed one). When she sent pics of her covered button ring project I was itching to see more and can't wait to see what she's got in store for us. Read on about her ring proect and please help me welcome Dana!


by DM Contributor Dana

Inspiration:
I create button ties for little girls and my niece has a large collection of these button ties. Recently she started to wear some of them on her fingers. Her mother, my sister, noticed that the button ties were cutting off her circulation due to the elastic bands being wrapped around her finger so many times. ;). My sister explained that my niece loves to wear these buttons and wondered if there was any way i could make them into rings. So i researched, found a way and started to make her some "button rings." When i went home to Indiana, i brought my supplies because i knew my niece would love to learn how to make them or at least love to have more rings to wear. I was right...she wanted to wear all of them at once..one for each finger.

Materials:

--Button kit: a covered button kit can be purchased at any Hancock fabrics, Hobby Lobby or Joann's. The maker of the kit is usually Maxant. The kit gives you a couple half-ball buttons, backings for the buttons, a mold and a pusher. it also offers instructions on how to use the mold and pusher in order to cover the button with the fabric of your choice.
--Fabrics (I purchased off of Etsy)
--Scissors
--Pliers
--Bond Glue


Steps:

1. Choose the size of your button and the fabric you would like to cover the button with.

2. Use the button pattern that is provided by the button cover kit to cut out the fabric circle needed.

3. Once you have your fabric cut out, place it wrong side up, inside the mold. Then place the button top right side down in the mold on top of the fabric. Fold the fabric pieces inside the button top. Take the button back by the loop and place it in the mold, so that the button loop is facing you and covering all of the excess fabric. Now use your blue pusher to press the button back into the button top. After this is done, pop the button out of the mold.

4. You should now have a covered button. Next take your pliers and remove the loop on the back of the button. It will take a couple twists and a good pull, but the loop should come off.

5. take your glue and put a dab on the back of the button in the center where the loop used to be. place the flat part of your ring back into the glue and set the button ring facing down on a plate. let the button ring dry for at least one or two hours before wearing.

Tips:

-- Make sure the character or object was centered on the button "cover" before putting the button "back" on.

-- Since my niece is only 4 1/2, I did help cut the fabric in the process of putting the button "back" on.

-- The glue is pretty strong smelling and it suggests being used in a ventilated area. I went outside on the deck with the glue, a paper plate full of ring backs and new buttons and glued the ring backs to the buttons. I let them sit for a little over an hour (testing them after awhile) and then trimmed any excess glue from the back.

-- I would recommend is after the rings are complete, spray them with scotch guard. This will help keep the rings from getting dirty or spotted.

Reprodepot Giveaway Winner!

I know all of you paper geeks were all over this giveaway like I was! The lucky winner of the set of Reprodepot stationery is:
Lisa (LeeLeeBee)
Congrats Lisa and hope you enjoy many hours of journaling and writing with these!

Friday Fotos: Rowan's Big 2!

Today's Friday Foto belongs to Lori. What an absolute cutie! After reading this, I am definitely going to try and get some extra cuddles over the weekend. Happy Friday and weekend everyone!
We'll see ya on Monday.

By Designing Mom Lori:

My baby, Rowan, the Roe of Fin+Roe is turning 2 on August 30th. It’s so hard to believe my baby is turning 2 already. Since he’s most likely our last, it makes it even harder to take. He’s been a rough and tumble boy from the very beginning and not much of a cuddle bug so it’s hard to give up the idea of not having a baby to cuddle. I always say that when they turn 2 they’re no longer babies, but I’m not sure i can ever give up calling him my baby no matter how old he is.

Happy, happy, birthday to my special little man. we love you so much!

Reminder: Reprodepot Giveaway

Just a reminder that the Reprodepot Stationery Giveaway ends tonight at midnight so make sure you enter! I'll be announcing the winner Monday.

Shop: Libby Dibby Charms

I just had to show this off. Designing Mom Tori gave me the most precious little gift: this beautiful necklace with a personalized charm of my little one's name! Of course, it comes from the work of talented Designing Mom Liberty, who offers these sterling silver pieces through her site Libby Dibby. What a special gift--I put it on as soon as I received it and love that his name is so close to my heart. Thank you Tori! To purchase one, click here.

Make: Your Own Laminate

by Designing Mom Liberty

This summer has been one of nonstop travel for our family. The extensive amounts of time en route to places has left me scrambling for car and plane activities to satisfy my 3 and 4 year olds like never before.
This is one idea that I came up with the night before we left for an early morning trip. I'd recently read on a blog about a mom who laminated a dot-to-dot book for her kid to take on a long flight. She then gave the pages to her child with a wipe-off marker so that they could erase and re-do the puzzles. This is key, because kids blow through those books so quickly and they love them. (I'm so sorry that I can't remember who to attribute that to. If you know, please tell me!). Anyhow, I didn't have time or energy to go get each page laminated... so I did my own version using things I always have around my house:
-- I bought one dot to dot book and split the pages into two books (two kids)
-- I put each page inside a plastic page protector which I bound into a book with 1" metal book rings and a fancy file folder cut into pieces for nice covers to the books.
-- At first I wasn't sure that the page protectors (they need to be the shiny type) would wipe off well, but they do!
-- As an added bonus, I also bought some post-it type alphabet letters and used some extra protectors in the back of the book to use as a word building spot. I'd wanted to find removable stickers for this, but in my rush was only able to find the paper ones.

They worked great! The books have been a hit all summer long.

---

Make: Digital Children's Book

Today's "Make" comes from one creative mama! Laina created this very special book for her daughter's first birthday using cherished objects around the house. I am in love with her clever use of Scrabble tiles and the bold use of colors or images. A true online heirloom!

Inspiration:
I did see something similar, just a small blurb, in Cookie Magazine and was inspired to do something similar for Annabelle. Her first birthday had just passed so we had flowers and balloons all about the house and I wanted to capture those some way. I also wanted to memorize her favorites right around her first year; she's just begun having a favorite this or a favorite that. And ultimately I thought it would be advantageous to have objects she recognizes as she begins to learn their names.
Materials:
Digital camera
Favorites and/or items around the house
Scrabble letters
Large sheets of white paper. For larger objects, a white wall
How:
Simply stated, I built a book of words for Annabelle using objects with which my daughter is familiar (and that are often times her very favorite).
I snapped several shots of each object on a white background without using a flash. I also incorporated the use of Scrabble letters to identify each object and either captured that word as its own image or included it in the picture with the object. From there, I uploaded the images to Shutterfly to build the actual book. The final product is currently featured on the company's community page.
Tips:
I do think taking each photo on the white background lends a crispness to each image. I also like how clean the images look with the black background Shutterfly offers.

Shop: Bamboo Animal Clocks

Got a great email from Modern Dose on their newest clocks (I posted a while back on some of their darling little kid's clocks that I had bookmarked for some rainy day shopping). I am loving their new collection of Bamboo Animal clocks for their eco-chic aesthetics!

Meet Designing Mom: Mari

I am so very excited to welcome our newest Designing Mom, Mari. As a former senior designer for Manhattan Toy, her presence here would only be befitting! But not only that...I just love that she is inspired (both in work and play with her little one) by visual puzzles and the daily acts of being creative.

Please help me welcome Designing Mom Mari!


Vitals?
I have a 7 month old daughter, Wren, who I swear is the happiest baby I’ve ever met. Then there’s George, her 85 lb mutt, a.k.a. the partner-in-crime. And my husband, Aaron, the Information Security Guru (thank heavens one of us is practical). We live in St. Paul, Minnesota, and yes, I’m already dreading Winter.

What do you do?
I’m still trying to figure that out! For many years, I was a fairly satisfied Senior Toy Designer. When that became a little too expected, I finished my MFA and added Studio Artist and Professor to the list. After 10 odd years designing with Manhattan Toy, I could do my job in my sleep, I figured Wren’s birth would be good timing – sleep deprivation wouldn’t phase me! Then a month after maternity leave I was laid off …
It’s been almost 4 months now, and I’m loving every minute with my little girl. Though, finding out how to do that while building up my freelance design business, blog, art studio, and potential Etsy endeavors is a big pile of OMG.
I’m thrilled to be a part of Designing Moms. I’m craving the community and experience of other moms who blur the lines between work and family and creativity!


What inspires you?
Remembering my Grandmother – she was an artist, a hippy, and a free-thinker throughout several eras when that was not the most accepted choice.
Good design. Vintage illustrations are key as of late, as well as other illustrators and designers as well.
When I’m working on my studio art, I look to a topic I want to process, a problem to solve. Right now that’s based on my frustration with cultural norms and assumptions – the things I can’t get away from.
The best inspiration: an impending deadline.


Why do you do what you do?
I still believe I can do anything I put my mind to. But I’ve realized the only thing that is natural to me is creating. That can be any creative process – from preparing a college course syllabus, to designing a logo, to making things with my hands. My brain is soothed by solving visual puzzles. I just wish it was easier to remember that on those procrastination days!

A day in the life?
I wake up to my husband laying Wren beside me while he gets ready for work. I have a chronic disease that can make mornings rough – I’m so glad he helps! Then it’s varying combos of playtime and naptime.
A day may include favorite cardigans, silly songs, researching toddler toys, floor sessions , getting lost in etsy, sounding smart for toy companies, dates with the sewing machine, sketchbooks, diapers, laptop wrist syndrome, getting lost in blogs, my Wacom drawing tablet, and giggle fits.
Most evenings my husband is either working on his PhD dissertation or is prepping for teaching and I do more on the laptop – we’re laptop addicts. Our lives are much quieter than they used to be (I used to call us culture snobs for good reason), but I find I’m much calmer – and probably happier - than before.
A few favorite things?
Watching graffiti on train cars
Playing my grand piano with Wren on my lap
Summer nights with open windows
Experimenting with new materials and methods
The smell of water from a hot summer hose
Reading for so long it hurts to move
Spoonerisms and bad puns
Vintage flotsam and jetsam
Mid-century modern

Giveaway: Reprodepot Stationery Set!

As you know, we are mad about stationery around here...designing it, using it, dreaming about it. Well, Designing Mom Aya is offering a great giveaway here that made me drool: a set of Reprodepot stationery and books from Chronicle! The set includes a Reprodepot Journal (my favorite), Notecard Book, Hot type (with iron-on transfer sheets) and Mix and Match Stationery. You'll be getting it hot off the press because it won't officially launch to the public until this Fall.

To enter, just leave your comment and email (so that I can contact you if you win).
The giveaway ends Friday and is open to all Designing Moms and readers. Goodluck!

What's in My Bag: Designing Mom Tori

When I had my baby almost two years ago, I threw out the idea of ever traveling light again. I now have to carry a large bag full of "necessities" just to run an errand with my little guy. I still carry my diaper bag most of the time even though my son will be out of diapers soon. (It was made by my friend and fellow designing mom, Liberty , out of fabric scraps from her skirt company). I know I should retire it soon because my son is getting older - but I just really love it.

1. pear lip balm

2. changing mat by Libby Dibby

3. zipper pouch by Henry Road (a gift from Liberty)

4. toy fire truck (I NEVER leave home without toy cars or trucks)

5. cell phone

6. hand sanitizer

7. instant stain remover pen by Tide (for me, not for my child - I spill more than he does)

8. lip gloss (tender heart by Clinique - my favorite and old stand by)

9. EpiPen because my son is allergic to peanuts! :(

10. pen(s) - I don't know why, but I always seem to have multiple pens in my bag, I only photographed one so they wouldn't overwhelm the shot

11. burp cloth by Ally Zabba - this is always good to have something like this on hand, even when your child is older

12. tiny notebook by Hable Construction for when inspiration strikes or quick notes need to be made

13. snacks (another thing I NEVER leave home without)

14. business card holder (I never carry my own business cards - although I know I should - but I love having something to collect other people's cards)

15. Splenda (it's a problem - I always have to add Splenda to my tea or coffee)

16. toy cell phone (my son loves to make calls whenever I'm on the phone so I picked this one up on sale - it was the best $3 ever spent)

17. hair rubber band - I always wear my hair up and always travel with a spare rubber band just in case of an emergency...

18. small board book - this particular book was the toy in a Chick-Filet kid's meal. It's small, lightweight, and not so nice that I'm worried about loosing it

19. emergency set of diapers and wipes - because you just never know (not pictured)

Fin+Roe Giveaway Winner!

Time to announce the very lucky winner of a chic set of Magnet Mementos by Fin + Roe!

Congratulations to Designing Mom reader Natty

Please contact me at: Designingmoms@gmail.com so I can get your info!

Friday Fotos: 3 is the New 2!

This cutie is Designing Mom Guissell's son: "The first one I took yesterday when my son came back from Summer Camp at school. The Emmanuel 2 pic I took last week. He's in this phase now where he tells me what he wants to wear and doesn't like me to comb his hair anymore... the attitude of an almost 3yr old couldn't be depicted better than in these two pics. Somewhere I read that "3 is the new 2" as in the "terrible 2's" have extended themselves to 3 as well, I don't know but I surely hope not cause otherwise I'm in trouble! Ha!! I can only imagine, especially now that he can say sentences... But I should add that fortunately the amount of attitude is not a match to the amount of affection he shows me. I love my son!"

Have a great Friday and weekend everyone! See you on Monday.

Giveaway Preview

Love paper? Stay tuned for Monday for an awesome giveaway from Designing Mom Aya!

Shop: Earthy Beginnings Sale

It's a big back to school sale at Designing Mom Guissell's Earthy Beginnings!

Shop: Book Plates

by Designing Mom Tori

I just saw that one of my favorite illustrators, Helen Dardick, posted some free bookplates on her very inspirational blog, Orange You Lucky . You can download her adorable bookplates here . Also, a while back, Helen was interviewed by the talented Marisa Haedike for Creative Thursday in a podcast - they even discuss her "secret" to being an illustrator and mother of three - it is definitely worth a listen if you get a chance.

Fin+Roe Giveaway Reminder

Just wanted to give a reminder that the wonderful magnet memento giveaway by Fin+Roe ends this Friday. Click here to enter!

In the News...

Designing Mom Jackie's clever "make" piggy bank was featured on Oh Dee Doh recently...

Shop: Wrap-N-Mats

by Designing Mom Liberty



I secretly cringe every time I reach for another plastic baggie for lunches that we make around here. So as my daughter has needed lunch as she heads to summer camp each day this month, I decided to work on being as green as I can with lunch packaging. We bought some of these Wrap-N-Mats and I am the biggest fan! The ones we started off with were the sandwich wrappers - in which you fold over a sandwich and use the velcro closure to keep your sammie fresh until it's time to eat. It folds out into a little placemat, too, so it's nice to know that whatever is on the table, it's NOT on your food. Wrap-n-mat has their products made in the USA and China under fair trade operations, so you can feel good all the way around. My 4 1/2 year old has no problem folding the Wrap-n-mat back up by herself to save the 2nd half of a sandwich and these wash easily, dry quickly, and are ready for lunch the next day. I just ordered the new "snack pouches" and also the "grande" sized mat for family picnics. Here are some other (and here too) cute food wrappers that we've recently learned about for keeping those zippie bags out of landfills. There were also lots of other options if you search etsy for "sandwich wrappers" or "snack pouches."

Our Projects: Coloring Book Part 3

Hope all of you are having fun downloading the coloring book (click here for the previous pages)! Here is part three...
............................................

Coloring Book Part Three: For the Boys
by Designing Mom Tori

For those of us who have boys, these pages will definitely go to good use. Lori, Kate, and I had fun creating something that we know our sons would enjoy. My son really loves trucks and Kate's son is obsessed with balls.

Our Lists: Unless Someone Like You

by Designing Mom Guissell

Out of Chicago comes artist Leslie Hamer, the person behind this lovely work. She hand draws custom portraits from a photograph, using a cintiq pen and tablet. The finished product: a unique personalized portrait to enjoy for a lifetime! But seriously how talented is she? These are just beautiful!! She also offers gigposters, which absolutely rock! Check out her site for all other cool products she offers. I should add that I found this through her Supermarket shop but Etsynians don't worry she has one there too.

Shop: Vintage Decals by Mae

Saw these via Inside Out...the cutest wall decals by Mae. They have all the funky mushroom and owl motifs that I love but they're tempered down with soothing vintage fabric patterns.

Fin + Roe Giveaway!

I ooohed and aaaahed when I saw these. Such a sentimental and stylish product! This week's giveaway comes from Designing Mom Lori of Fin + Roe. Her chic magnet mementos allow you to submit a photo of your choice and customize with your choice of color and pattern. And guess what...Lori is giving a lucky recipient a set of 12 customized magnet mementos!

To enter, just comment on which magnet memento you love the most (click here to visit). The giveaway ends Friday and readers and Designing Moms are welcome to enter. Goodluck!

Libby Dibby Skirt Winner!

It's time to announce the winner of the Libby Dibby Spinny Skirt!
Congrats go to:
Shawnalee

Please email me at Designingmoms@gmail.com so we can send it out to you.
And stay tuned as I post up our next fun giveaway in a couple of minutes...

Bling Binky Party

Ever heard of a Bling Binky party for a one-year old? Read on about Designing Mom Jenn's fabulous invitations for her client's bling bash!

by Designing Mom Jenn

The party theme was "Bling Binky" and it was for a fabulous client in Mill Valley. At the party all the babies got pretend diamond rings, bracelets and necklaces in baby sizes! IT was BEYOND cute!!

Instead of making the invite look "cutesy" and "baby", the goal was to make it look "baby chic"! I used baby pink colors but brightened them up and contrasted them with a chartreuse green color that I used on the front of the invite and for the envelopes as well.


Then, in order to make the "bling" really sing (!) I used a glue pen to write the word "bling" and covered it with a coppery sparkle glitter so that it really did, in fact, scream "bling"!!

Also, in order to make it less "baby" the wording I generated was a little more grown up - using "Let's celebrate 365 days of Greenley" instead of the traditional 1-yr old birthday lingo. And, we kept the details really short and concise to make it seem more of a grownup party invite, leaving the guests (or their moms, rather!) wondering what the party was going to have in store!