Simon Says Stamp & Show...Buttons

Happy Easter Monday Greetings!
Hope you're enjoying the long weekend, sun-rays and boom of blooms...Another new week, new challenge and inspiration galore over at Simon Says Stamp & Show - with one of my all time favourites - Buttons! Love, hoard and cherish them and couldn't wait to create something to show them off. On holiday last week I drew a few sketches and now here she is...

After some serious glue, digging and paint, I altered an old book into A Dressmakers Studio. I used Vintage Photo Distress Stains and Ink to age the white paint, then I stamped a frame of buttons on the left-hand side to balance out the piece. I stamped a strip of lint to create a tape measure and layed it across some stitched bias binding. I love to sew, so I just could not resist these Haberdashery Stamps and participated in a little Haute Couture!

I stamped the mannequin three times onto the book, then just the bodice again onto card and cut them out.Then I designed a skirt and accessories for each one...This mademoiselle is wearing lace tiers and a wired press-studded bustier! Each lady has her own outfit and attitude...

 Just love this vintage image. I stamped directly onto the book, then a second time onto brown paper so I could paper piece certain sections.

 The stamps work well on natural Sticky back Canvas. Just great to sew on too and the texture is perfect for a needle book. Washers, lace, a rosette trimming, pins, scraps and ribbons form a gathering of goodies...yummy!

Here I've used the canvas again to stamp the reel labels. I've glued a few real buttons on top of stamped ones for a dash of colour, and depth.


My mega yet mini Glossy Accents bottle did some great work I must say...

Another trim waist sporting a stamped tissue paper skirt and chunky belt... check out the washer buckle - now ain't that just dinky!

Three Memo Pins hold some stamped Mica scraps and are then threaded into the lace...glad 'sew' only has three letters! Added a strip of ribbon and golden thread too.

 Here is a stitched paper frill made from Glassine paper - just like the ones I made for the skirt on my first lady. Showing off a few sweeties from my vintage button stash!

 I have to admit it was another intensive process, with a lot of what I call fiddily-diddily. But it is also very, very rewarding. I am always totally engrossed during the creative process and lose all track of time...
 I decided to decorate the cover too, but I really wanted quite a simple modest look, seeing as the inside is quite detailed.  I personally love all that open space...and not a flower in sight!

I've used trusty Coffee Archival Ink to stamp the single mannequin image, paper doilies and various snippets - to give a taster of what's to come...

The spine has been covered with a strip of button tape, coloured with the Distress Stain and then finished with a swoosh of Viva Gold.

On the back cover - just one more stamp and a strip of stamped measuring tape for that finishing touch!

Lots of pictures today... all to inspire you and get your mojo all a go-go! What's buzzing in your mind and fingers??? Buttons can be anything you want them to be. I'd love to see your ideas and it's really great seeing your creations appear on the challenge blog. See more great projects from the Design Team there too! You could be in with a chance of making the Top Three and gaining the coveted Winners button or maybe you fancy a $50 spending spree...!!!

So time to round things up for today - I'm off to a car-boot sale!!!! Thanks for dropping by, do say hello if you've got time - it's always nice to meet you all.

Ciao for now,

Sarah.