If you're wondering how to use the new Button Press from We R Memory Keepers, you've come to the right place! This tool is so much fun to play with once you get the hang of it. I admit I messed up a few buttons during my experimenting, but hopefully my mistakes will help you! Directions are included in the box, but I found them a tad confusing. So here are the steps more simplified. (Videos are at the end!)

Step 1: Open your box and take everything out. The button press is all put together besides the handle. It's easy to twist right on, no tools needed!

Step 2: Attach the top and base cutting inserts (the white circle pieces) to the button press. They attach with magnets.

Step 3: Decide what size button you're making, and use the appropriate cutting die. It looks like a donut (small - pink, medium - mint, or large - teal). Place a small piece of paper down on the white base insert, with your cutting die on top of it. Adjust how you want it using the lines on the die to guide you.

 

          

 

Step 4: Now you're going to cut your paper to size. Swivel the bottom half of the press with the cut die on top so that it's underneath the top part of the press. Press down with the handle until you hear little cracking sounds. Swivel it back out and your paper is cut the perfect size now for your button! (If your paper is not cut all the way through, you need to press a bit harder, or try pressing more than once. Especially for the large die.)

Step 5: Take off the white cutting inserts, and attach the top and base press inserts to the button press. These attach with magnets as well, and are color coordinated with the dies (small - pink, medium - mint, or large - teal).

 

          

 

Step 6: Lay down the button pieces in a sandwich on top of the base. First the button front (rounded side going up), then the paper, then the mylar plastic circle if you want a glossy finish. The mylar is optional, just don't add it if you want a matte finish. Rotate your top and base inserts to A.

 

           

 

Step 7: Swivel the bottom half of the press so that it's underneath the top again. Check again to make sure both the top and base pieces are lined up at A. Press down the handle. You'll hear a good "punch" sound. When you swivel the bottom back out, your button will have "disappeared"! It is stuck up in the top part of the press - this is what you want. 

Step 8: Now we're going to attach the other part of the button. Lay down the back piece of the button on the empty base insert. Make sure the pin part that you open/close is facing down. Use the lines on the base insert to help you line it up.

Step 9: Rotate the top and base inserts to B. Swivel over again so that the bottom part is underneath the top part of the press. Check again that they are both lined up to B. Give it a good press down.

Step 10: Swivel the bottom back out, and remove the finished button! It's easier to take off the base and turn upside down in your hand to remove the button. Enjoy your beautiful work!

*Note: the large button takes a little more effort. You need to press down harder, and I have found it takes 3 presses on the last step to really make sure the front and back pieces are attached. You can see this better in the videos.* 

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In this video we unbox the Button Press bundle and try to figure everything out. This is just for fun and is not the actual tutorial. You can see how confused we were! Lol.

 

 

Here is the step by step tutorial that walks you through making each size of the buttons!

 

Here are just a few ideas of where to put your buttons:

• scrapbook layout
• birthday card
• decor piece - attach buttons to picture frame or wood piece - try a heart, tree, letter of your last name, etc.
• party favors
• create photo buttons
• label totes or kids' backpacks with name buttons
• button earrings
• button necklace or lanyard
• decorate a journal cover or planner
• decorate a display or cork board
• instead of the pin back, attach adhesive foam to create a fun button sticker!
• paper clips
• bobby pins
• key chain
• rosette
• find more ideas on our Button Craft Pinterest board!

 

     

      

 

Now you can button all the things! Be sure to tag us on social media so we can see what you make with your Button Press!

-Rachel

 

 

 

Posted by Rachel Kent

Paint Like Pablo Painting Kit

This painting comes as a kit where you can make it your own with the brushstrokes and colors you chose. The paint is very vibrant and flowed nicely onto the canvas while painting. This painting took about 25 minutes.

Supplies you need:

This kit contains everything you'll need to paint like a pro! You get a 12x18 canvas that has a pre-printed image of the painting featuring fruit and a vessel, a set of 12 acrylic paints, and a paintbrush, and a step by step page explaining how to make the masterpiece come to life! There is also a small painted version of the painting so you can see the colors that are recomended. On my painting I chose to follow the colors for the fruit but have a more colorful and vibrant background.

Additional Supplies you may want:

 

 

 

 

Once your masterpiece is finished you can mount it on a board, put it in a frame, or crop and pin it to the wall. Hope you enjoyed this tutorial and are inspired to paint!

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Posted by Jessica.

 

New to watercolor? Here's an easy tutorial for you to make your own custom art!

 

 

Supplies needed:

• Prima Watercolor Confections - Woodlands
• Crate Paper Color Reveal panel
• watercolor brush (a bigger flat one is ideal)
• cup of water
• piece of plastic like seran wrap

 

  

 

The key word here is EASY! Even if you have never used watercolors before, you can't mess this up! 

Step 1) Choose 3-4 colors that you want to use. I love the Prima watercolors - they are so rich and come in such gorgeous shades! For this project I used the blues and greens from the Woodlands pan.

Step 2) Dip your brush in water first, then one of your chosen colors. Choose a random spot to paint on your color reveal panel/print. Repeat with the other colors - scatter them around a bit freely, overlapping in some areas. There doesn't need to be a rhyme or reason to it! You'll probably see some brush strokes and it will look unfinished at this point still. Don't worry, the next step is magic!

 

Step 3) Here comes the magic - get a piece of plastic that can be scrunched up. (I just used the wrapping the panel came in!) You're going to make a marble effect with your watercolors just by dabbing your scrunched up plastic all over. Super easy! Then you can add more colors and more dabbing until you feel like it looks done. I used my finger to wipe off any excess paint on the words. That's it! I love how the gold wording pops with this marble background! 

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Here's the video of the process:

 

 

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Thanks for joining today, and I hope you have been inspired to try out some watercolors!

-Rachel Kent

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Posted by Rachel Kent

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