Christmas Project #5 : Button Trees (in progress)

This fantastic idea comes from the very talented Tia Bennett. She created one for Two Peas - I simply printed out the photo + instructions and went to work. Click her name to get to the sample + how to.

One of the coolest things about this project is that Simon was interested in playing along. One of the first things we did was sort buttons. I had been storing them all together in a big jar and found it easier to work with for this project once they were sorted by color.

After awhile they looked like this:

Simon worked and worked (such a good motor skills exercise) and declared his tree finished. Love it:

I went with red, brown, cream, and a bit of green. Mine is still in progress (and I started a second one with clear buttons):

And the best thing to do after a big craft project:

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111 thoughts

  1. Heidi says…
    11/12/2007

    love the photo - thanks so much for sharing the moment with us :)
    P.S. Made one of the trees in red following Tia's post with colored pinheads last year for my mom at Christmas and she loved it...maybe I should make one for myself?? :)

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  2. Mandy says…
    11/12/2007

    Very cool. I can't decide if I like the trees idea better or the nap idea better.

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  3. Mandy says…
    11/12/2007

    Very cool. I can't decide if I like the trees idea better or the nap idea better.

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  4. Jane says…
    11/12/2007

    Thanks so much for the inspiration! I just noticed that the foof buttons are on sale 40% off at AC Moore this week and I have been seriously looking for projects to do with my son- talk about perfect timing!!

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  5. Laura Reaux says…
    11/12/2007

    What a fun (and adorable) project! Thanks for sharing. And I love the precious captured moment of you two. :)

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  6. Amy Hummel says…
    11/12/2007

    Cute project. Love the buttons. Love Tia Bennett.
    I made cone christmas trees for a church display table last weekend. They were just covered with patterned paper, and other scrapbooking tidbits... but fun nonetheless.
    I love the last picture.

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  7. O says…
    11/12/2007

    Hi--I love the trees :) What a great idea - I'll have to check out the link. Ali I have to tell you that photo of you & Simon holding hands and napping sure pulls at my <3strings! I remember my own son & me doing that same thing. Now he's almost 16 and over 6' tall and holding my hand is the last thing he wants to do. lol What a sweet sweet sweet moment captured of you & your little guy. awwwwwww :)

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  8. Tiel says…
    11/12/2007

    this is great. thanks for sharing.

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  9. Joscelyne (Joscie) Cutchens says…
    11/12/2007

    i love the projects, but really that last picture is just too precious!

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  10. leslie says…
    11/12/2007

    what a great idea. thanks for passing it along. tell simon i love his tree. simple is best.

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  11. Susan Hessler says…
    11/12/2007

    What a lovely day! It makes me remember when I was little - my great grandmother had a huge tin full of buttons. She never wasted anything. And I remember sorting those buttons, and just being absorbed in the treasures.
    Thanks for sharing your life, and helping me find such a great memory. Peace.

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  12. Nat Love says…
    11/12/2007

    ali thank you so much for all the christmas ideas you have been putting on your blogg. I am off to the craft store tomorrow to get some supplies. Love the photo of you and Simon, just beautiful.

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  13. young says…
    11/12/2007

    That last photo is the greatest!

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  14. Emine Pala says…
    11/12/2007

    aw you look so cute together...
    Love that project. I saw it already on 2peas and I loved it.
    I am curious what you are going to do with all these projects after christmas. I think they need to be displayed all YEAR LONG.
    xoxo
    Emine

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  15. Emine Pala says…
    11/12/2007
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  16. Paula says…
    11/12/2007

    Hi,
    I read your blog everyday. You are such an inspiration. I loved this post, specially the last photo. It's so precious...
    Do you know where can I buy online those styrafoam cones? I need a shop that ships to Europe...Thanks

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  17. Rachel Greig says…
    11/12/2007

    Such a gorgeous photo!!

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  18. Paul-ene says…
    11/12/2007

    Super cute! Love the photo of your "Nap"........what a great photo to share! Thanks!
    Love the trees too! Good way to use up buttons in a project.

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  19. Daphne says…
    11/12/2007

    Might try this one!
    Again great results :-)

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  20. Simone says…
    11/12/2007

    Great idea.

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  21. suzanne says…
    11/12/2007

    COOL! I have three kids with special needs and I am ALWAYS looking for an interesting craft that all THREE kids can participate in. This will be PERFECT!! Thank you for sharing this.
    I now have a reason for those 4 million obsessively purchased buttons..YEAH!!
    :)
    Suzanne
    www.suzannebalvanz.blogspot.com

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  22. Rianne says…
    11/12/2007

    They are awesome! Love the one from Simon, he did a great job!!! And a deserved nap I think!! ;-)

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  23. Christine Villacarlos says…
    11/12/2007

    precious photo! love it, of course!!! and your tree projects are awesome!!! TFS!

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  24. Holly says…
    11/12/2007

    Ali,
    I am linked to your site and read your autism info periodically. I have a nephew with possible autism and we will know at the end of this month. I recently found out that I am pregnant. I am wondering if you could shed any light on anything I can do during this time to stay healthy, other than the obvious. Have you found any research at all that this is environmental such as lead-based or even things as silly as using deodorant with aluminum in it. If you have time, please get back with me. I appreciate it!

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  25. Katie says…
    11/12/2007

    This is so sweet, Ali. I love that we get to peek into your life, and share in the anticipation of Christmas with you. (I'm trying to hold off until after Thanksgiving, except for doing a bit of early gift-shopping, but I may not make it!) Thank you so much.

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