Valentine's Heart Button Frame

If you're looking for a quick and easy craft for Valentine's Day, this one is perfect. And it doesn't require any special tools or skills. You don't even need glue.

Step 1: Supplies

Start by gathering the supplies. You'll need a frame, some white felt, red fabric, red embroidery thread, and a handful of red and white buttons. Of course, you can alter these colors in any manner to create different combinations.

Step 2: Template

Cut the white felt into a rectangle to fit the size of the frame. Then in the center of the cut piece, cut out a heart shape. (Save the cutout, as I'm sure the heart shape can be used for another project.)

Step 3: Blanket Stitch

Next, apply a blanket stitch to the outline of the heart. If you're not big on a blanket stitch, even a simple decorative straight stitch would work too.

Step 4: Position

Place the finished heart into the frame, finished side facing the front of the frame.

Step 5: Buttons

Next, fill the heart with buttons, facing the buttons to the front of the frame. The buttons won't be secured in any way besides the assembly/closure of the frame.

Step 6: Backing

Next, cut a piece of red fabric to fit the frame, and lay it on top of the buttons.

Step 7: Assemble

Close the frame, making sure the frame backing secures tightly. If not, add a layer or two of cardboard to make sure the back is tight so the buttons don't slip behind the felt.

Step 8: Happy Valentine's Day!

And when you're finished, flip it over and it should look something like this.  Simple, fun, quick, and perfect for Valentine's Day.

If you like how easy this is, the same idea works well for other holidays too. You can do a shamrock for St. Patrick's day, a bell for Christmas, a pumpkin for Thanksgiving, etc. You get the idea.

And the really great thing about this craft is that if you ever get tired of it, you can salvage the buttons for another project. A great way to be "green."

To see more of my original tutorials, visit http://childmadetutorials.blogspot.com