Button Craft Housewarming Gift Idea

What do you get for the girl who has everything? Something homemade. So the next time you are looking for a unique yet affordable housewarming gift, consider these beautiful porcelain button magnets from TheMommyhood.com.

Here’s what you need:

  • Decorative buttons (about $2 each)
  • Magnets ($1.99)
  • Glue Gun
  • Ribbon
  • Needle
  • Paper
  • Metal Tie Plate ($0.88)

Button Craft Tutorial
I found these gorgeous buttons at Michael’s and thought they would make beautiful magnets. I didn’t want the button holes to be empty when I glued on the magnets, so I decided to use yarn or thread to fill the holes. At home, I found a pool of sheer ribbon from some leftover probably unfinished project, and it worked well.

When you get the ribbon through both holes cut the ribbon off on the back, leaving enough to glue down and be hidden under the magnet.

That’s it. It’s so easy!

Now for the presentation. I thought it would be cool to attach the magnets to a piece of metal covered in some decorative paper with a personalized message.

I went to The Home Depot and found some poor soul who probably wished I’d picked another aisle after I greeted him with “Wull, hello there.  I need a hunk of flat metal about this size,” I said, holding up my hands to demonstrate. “It can be anything as long as a magnet will stick to it,” I continued.

After walking around the store unsatisfied with the metal light switch cover that was the right size but…um, not flat, I descended on yet another sales clerk with my spiel who had more ideas. What I ended up using is called a tie plate and it is used to connect pieces of lumber. It  was the perfect size, and set me back all of 88 cents. Score one for The Home Depot!

I thought about using scrap-booking paper to cover it, but in the ended opted for some left over cream-colored resume paper. I wanted to make sure the message to my friend looked crisp. But if you are making a gift and don’t plan to use a message, I think using a colorful scrap-booking paper (or even traditional wrapping paper) that compliments the design of the buttons would look nice.

I printed the message on the piece of resume paper and simply wrapped the tie plate like I would a gift. Then I set the magnets in place and voila! – a beautiful personalized housewarming gift that is both affordable and special.

 

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7 Responses to Button Craft Housewarming Gift Idea

  1. Gina July 14, 2011 at 10:56 am #

    ADORABLE! So clever. I especially enjoyed picturing you roaming around the Depot in search of a scrap of metal. Bravo!

    • Heather July 14, 2011 at 11:06 am #

      Thanks, Gina! Have a great day!

  2. Amy July 14, 2011 at 1:01 pm #

    They turned out great! Well done…

  3. Rachel July 14, 2011 at 5:37 pm #

    Love them! Do I have to buy a new house to get some? :)

    Maybe I’ll take the girls to the store tomorrow and we’ll make some.

    Rachel

    • Heather July 14, 2011 at 8:03 pm #

      I thought about making you some for your birthday, but then the time got away from me. You should make some with the girls for your fridge. And you could even make some for gifts and tuck them away until later.

  4. Ingrid February 26, 2015 at 7:51 pm #

    These are so sweet! I am a real estate agent and I leave one as a little gift in each new home I sell. My boys love making them for me and I always have some on hand.

    • Heather March 23, 2015 at 5:30 pm #

      That’s a PERFECT use for a gift like this! Your comment reminds me I have a friend who is just moving into a new place. I need to make some for her! Hope you are having a great day -
      Heather

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