Pink Paper Peppermints - Craft. Create. Celebrate.: 31 Crafty Flowers Day Nine

Day Nine - And We're Feelin' Fine!

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Today's crafty flower was even more fun than I thought it would be!

My little guy (who's five) really loved this one so if you want something fun to do with the kiddos this is it!

The perfect mommy & me craft! Watercolor Button Stamping!

Here's What you'll need to get started:

-Crayola Watercolor Markers
-Cotton Swabs
-Buttons
-Scotch Tape
-Scissors
-Paper Towels
-Watercolor Paper
-Patterned Paper

Step One

First you'll want to sort through your buttons looking for the ones with the best shapes.

Buttons with raised rims (like the ones above) make nice circles that you can then fill in with the smaller, flat buttons.

Just experiment with the buttons you have on hand to see which make the nicest shapes.

Step Two

Once you've selected your buttons you'll want to mount them to something that you can hold on to.

I chose to use cotton swabs so that I could reuse my buttons.

(For a more permanent solution you can attach a wine cork to the back of the button with a hot glue gun.)

To use the professional q-tip method (heh-heh) just bend the tip up like so:

Step_threemount_buttons_2

And use sticky tape to attach it to the back of the button.

Step_threemount_buttons2_2
You should have a selection of mounted buttons to use now that looks something like this (a mix of rimmed, flat, large and small):

Step Three

Now it's time to apply the watercolor.

Use the watercolor marker to apply color on the button. In the above photo I'm applying color only to the rim so I can create a circle to fill in.

Step Four

Next dip a cotton swab into some water and let a drop of water fall onto your button.

Swirl the button around so that the water mixes with the color on the button.

Step Five

Now hold the button gently against the paper towel to let the excess water be absorbed by the paper.

Step Six

Next press the button firmly onto your watercolor paper and lift straight up.

You need just the right amount of watercolor ink + water to make this work.

Too much water and your print will be faded and runny, too little and it will be dry and incomplete.

Don't get discouraged if it doesn't come out just right the first time, (especially if you're working with little ones).

You want to practice, practice practice until you get the hang of it, and like the shapes that you're making (encourage little ones to practice and play and enjoy the process - not to look for the "perfect" flower).

See, I practiced first and it was fun!

Continue layering the button stamps until you feel your flower is complete:

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Step_sixstamp_button4_3

Step Seven

Once you've stamped your button flowers it's time to cut them out and arrange them on your card or scrapbook page.

Step_sevencut_out_flower_2

Step Eight

I used a piece of patterned paper as the "grass" for my garden, but you could paint watercolor grass.

Step Nine

Next paint your stems & leaves with green watercolor and your flowers are finished!

Hope you have tons of fun making these! Send me pics!

Thank you all so much for the sweet emails & comments about the 31 flowers.

It has been so fun for me and the fact that people from all over the world are having fun with their kids, friends & families is just a blessing beyond words!

Don't forget to stop in at Mommyfest this week for free workshops and prizes and be sure and vote for my photo in the photo contest here!

See you all tomorrow as we wrap week two of 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days! Woo-hoo!

His Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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"He sent Me to give them flowers in place of their sorrow, olive oil in place of tears, and joyous praise in place of broken hearts. They will be called "Trees of Justice," planted by the LORD to honor His name."
-Isaiah 61:3