14 days to go....

I have a countdown for my 8th Grade T-shirt quilt I am working on!

I really can't focus on much else these next two weeks!

Finishes:

I hung up the Button Art I made a few weeks ago HERE!

In Progress:

A design wall!!

I want to finish it today so that I can use it for this t-shirt quilt.  It is too large to lay out on my bed or on the floor without Button "helping" again!  I bought the insulation foam boards yesterday and the batting this morning. 

I hope to have it all done by Button's nap time! 

 Or maybe DURING his nap time....

He is pretty uncomfortable today...on his second week of goopy, runny nose, teary eyed allergies!  Luckily, the pediatrician just called and said he can get a little-little-tiny bit of Zyrtec tonight.

In case you are wondering, I am using Elizabeth's tutorial at Oh, Fransson!.  It seems like it will be light and portable.  Flannel has never worked for me, the batting sounded like a good idea....at least I am hoping!

I will be sure to share it with you soon!

Retro Flowers QAL

I have not quilted, but I have been haunting other QALers' blogs to see what they are up to!  I was debating on what I was going to use for my templates, but finally came to the decision to purchase the Drunkard's path dies from Sizzix.  

Background

Quarter Circle

I have the Westminster Sizzix and why not use it!??!

 

 It is for a 4 inch versus 5 inch drunkard, and it is a bit more expensive than the templates, but I have a drunkard path quilt mockup for my Hawaiian fat quarter I bought in Maui.  

The other good thing?  The smaller size has solidified my decision to make a fabric choice change...so I will be shopping in the near future!

No Progress:

Twin quilt for nursery

Christmas quilt 

Baby girl quilt kit 

Thank you quilt 

Bunny's sharpie roll project

I never made an Easter outfit for Button like I had hoped last week...but I am glad I didn't because the day didn't really pan out the way I had envisioned it.  Does that intrigue you?  Read HERE to either commiserate or BRAG that you had a great Easter!!

Now off to link up with some of the ladies I like to think of as my quilting friends at

I swear, I add a new blog to my Google Reader every week!  No wonder I had 450+ blog posts to read since my scrapbook retreat!

Hope you have a blessed day and week! I am looking forward a lot of productivity until next week!

Wondering

Wondering how I hung up Button's Name Art?

I was wondering if my plan was going to work out, but it did.

I first measured the length of the wall space.  I then laid it out on the floor exactly how I wanted to look on the wall and measured that length.  I subtracted the two and then divided the difference of six inches which was 3 inches in my case. 

 I then started the "J" three inches from the left edge of the door.

How did I hang them? 

 I found small gaps between the buttons and used some sturdy nails.

Just be careful as you start hammering it closer to the buttons.

 Chipped buttons can occur!!!!

When I added the "A", I grabbed my level to make sure I was staying straight!

I was missing the "M" until I realized my little cohort had confiscated it and had decided it needed to go on the door instead.

This continued, me leveling each letter, finding the next one missing, wrestling it away from Button, until I had them all up...and sure enough, I had three inches left to the right corner!  

Perfect!!!

Or not so perfect?!!? 

 I went a little overboard with the nails, but I did not want any accidents considering that I was hanging it above the crib.

But, no worries....

I grabbed my glue and just covered the nails.  Make sure you get enough glue on the button and use large enough buttons so that the button can stick to other buttons.  

It did not stick so well to the nail all by itself.

Overall, I am thrilled with the results.  

His nursery is really coming along!

I am still contemplating moving it over the dresser instead, but I am not sure Mr. Boss will be to happy with the holes that are now in his nicely painted wall...OOPS!

Button Name Art

Recently, I needed a break from fabric, quilts, and what not.  I needed a good old craft project!

 I, actually, HIGHLY recommend taking breaks if you become stuck, trapped, and uninspired.  

Switch crafts!

I have been wanting to finish up a few projects in Button's Nursery.  There is an empty wall above his crib wanting attention. (to the left)

Or maybe not?  I will have to see when I get a chance, but right now, Button is napping.

Either way, this project was FUN!  I love Buttons.  I even nicknamed the baby Button, so maybe it is really obvious!

 Easy, easy, easy. 

Button Name Art Tutorial

Supplies:
Wood plaque letters (Hobby Lobby $1.99)
Acrylic paint
E6000 glue
Buttons

I gathered all my buttons that I have stashed.  I have a lot of buttons, but my favorite for projects like these are buttons from the scrap-booking section.  They don't necessarily have to be sewn on and can come in some really cool shapes. 

 Most of them come in colorways, so I did have to sort, but I don't mind, because I like buttons!  I added other buttons from my collected stash too!

I made sure I had enough to cover each letter.  Making sure the larger letters like the letter "M" was a the color I had the most quantity of.

I painted each letter with the chosen acrylic paint color.  I also made sure I painted the sides of the letters.

 I set aside the larger buttons and the buttons I specifically wanted on the most top layer. 

 Then glued the small and medium and not so pretty buttons on the bottom layer.  Covering the entire letter.

 I used E6000 (industrial strength adhesive) to ensure that there wouldn't be any buttons that fell off and became choking hazards.

 I also HIGHLY recommend that you allow 24 hours for it to dry.  I find that it hardens with time!  I am a pretty impatient crafter and like to hang things right away, but I am getting better!

I love the layering of the different shades of each color.

And each letter took me approximately 20 minutes from start to finish.

And I just can't get enough of them that I promise that this is the LAST photo of them, okay?

Am I the only one that squeezes the death out of tube, even if it means I am cutting up my hand from ripped holes in the thick tube?  Not to mention all of the glue stuck to my fingers from said holes!

It sure has made me want to go back to my sewing machines for a while!

I just hope it finds a good home in his nursery...I am even contemplating hanging it above his dresser and moving his portrait.

Good idea?  Bad idea?

Update:  It found a home . 

 Quick instructions on how I hung it up in his room HERE!