I’ve been planning to take a photo of Eleanor each month, and I wanted a way to mark each one for easy identification. I ran across a prize-ribbon tutorial recently, and I was going to make one but I didn’t have the right kind of ribbon. Sure, I could have gone out and bought some, but I had a sleeping baby in the house and a desire to make something now. I ended up rummaging through my craft closet for supplies that I had on hand and I came up with a felt version instead.
First I cut two matching circles out of pink and white felt.
Then I cut a slightly larger circle out of brown felt with pinking shears (using one of my pocket mirrors as a template).
Next I marked an asterisk pattern on the pink felt circle, stacked it on top of the white circle, and then cut out eight triangular points.
I chose a few cute ribbons to form the tails…
Then I hand stitched all of my parts together and formed the body of the pin.
I could have stopped there or sewn a button in the center if I just wanted to make a cute pin, but I wanted to be able to change the center each month for Eleanor’s age (in months). Since I have ready access to a button machine (I make pins and magnets with it for my shop), I decided to make 24 numbered buttons. May as well make this a two year photo project, eh?
Now I can just swap out the center each month and Eleanor can wear the correct number on the pin each month for her photo!
OMG Nicole, yoiu are just too cool!
apropos of nothing, thought i’d share my redecorated china cabinet:http://dancingcommas.blogspot.com/2009/05/our-fancy-cabinet.html
i was so inspired by your dining room hutch makeover that i couldn’t resist trying out a fabric back as well. i love it. thanks for the inspiration!!
Okay, that’s so cute it almost hurts.
That is very sweet. Your daughter will love to have this “chart” of her childhood.
You’re truly amazing, and seriously in the running to be the next Martha Stewart.
I used a yellow post it note on the baby’s shirt with the date scribbled on it for my monthly impromptu photos.
This is ingenious! You should make these available for purchasing!
Love it!! Now I just need a time machine to go back and do that for my kids. Oh yeah, and a nifty button maker :o)
Way to go Crafty Lady!
Oh My Goodness – seriously, you have a brand new baby and you are finding time to actually create things (other than just ideas in your head). I am very impressed. What a fantastic idea. Love the buttons – now, gotta get me one of those machines.
I would be happy to make and sell these… if only I had the time! Really though, they aren’t that difficult to make… just time consuming. Try making one if you want one and you may surprise yourself with your crafty abilities!
Oh and for those that asked, I get all of my button machines and parts from American Button Machines.
Hi Nicole,
I LOVE your blog! Just came around this post. I recently had a baby boy too and would love do to that each month. I can’t afford a button machine right now do you know where I can purchase some buttons just like yours?
Thanks so much! You inspire me!
i just discovered your blog a love it! such great ideas!
This is such a sweet idea! BTW- Happy Anniversary too! My husband and I are celebrating 10 years and it is so amazing to spend year after year with someone so special! Wishing you much happiness!
Fantastic idea! So much cuter than the overstuffed doll version.
Your little one is adorable.
what a sweet idea! wish I had thought of something like that but mine are 8 and 11 years old now! very cute
really, these are just precious… and i love how the pins make it easy to re-use month after month (or year after year)!
P.s.–all you generous commentors, please support Nicole and don’t forget to VOTE EVERYDAY in the B.H.G. 48 hour challenge–the squeeze for first place is getting close!! IT’S UP TO US!!
lovely little project.
xo
Very Cute and clever!
brilliant!
Thank you for this. I’ve been searching all over for a good tutorial and yours is very easy to follow.
this is idea is fabulous!
WOW, what a fantastic idea! If you had any idea how seriously obsessed my 3 1/2 year old son is with numbers….
We have a little girl due in a month, and this might be a great way for him to be involved in tracking how old she is. So cute! Thanks for the idea.
Oo, I second (third? fourth?) the previous posters – I would love if you offered these in your shop! Looking forward to seeing the cute cute photos!
Oh.my.gosh! Nicole, please please pretty please tell me where you got your bird scissors! They are to die for!
And Eleanor is such a doll. What a fabulous idea for her baby photos.
Thanks for the idea! I didn’t make exactly this, but did end up making a series of number magnets for my 3 year old with a friend’s button maker, and my son drew some pictures and we made buttons for his Grandma’s 62nd birthday too! Fun stuff.
What a great idea!
So cute! Wish I would have done something like this for my kiddos! Enjoy her! She’s beautiful!
Your blog and daughter is adorable. I am going to add you on my design blog http://www.loveyourroom.blogspot.com. thanks for sharing.
What a wonderful idea! I am trying to scrapbook my daughter’s baby pictures. And it is really hard to tell the age in some of the pictures. Wish I had thought of this or even a hand scrawled sign like JB used.