Monday, January 15, 2018

A Pile of Buttons

I showed this over 5yrs ago but as there are now only a handful of those that  originally commented still blogging I thought I would do a revamp of the post.

So take a pile of buttons (100 to be precise), some old cotton reels and very thick card stock.



Lots and lots of sticking and gluing this is what I made. A Medieval Chess Set complete with design paper base. I used a red promarker to colour in alternate squares to make the checker board  effect for the base.


The pawns were simply made from a pile of buttons glued together with a pearl on top. The black sets colours are red and yellow with gold, whilst the white set uses blue and green with silver. The Knights are depicted with a shield and jousting pole, the Bishops by their hats and staff. The Kings and Queens of course have their crowns shown on buttons in gold and silver.  


The finished set now resides in our glass display cabinet .

I will be back soon to show you the next makes for the Butterfly Challenge, that is if I can find anything after my massive Craft Room tidy up!




36 comments:

Jackie T said...

Hi Mrs A this is a stunning creation it is just so clever. Take care. Hugs Jackie

Barb said...

Wow it's fabulous. What a unique chess set. Such a clever idea. Barbxx

Unknown said...

Wonderful idea Mrs A...you are so clever and creative :)
Hugs Kaz xx

Mac Mable said...

Well done on the craft room tidy up and wow on this amazing and unique project x

Kathleen said...

I am sure that I was commenting 5 years ago but I do not remember this, and it is not something you would forget.
Brilliant idea and a wonderful creation, mine would go in the display cabinet too as I can't play chess, now drafts is another matter.
Have a good week Mrs A as you could be in for a big shock next Saturday!

Kath x

Unknown said...

What a fantastic gift this would make - love your use of the buttons and cotton reels, very clever x

Claire said...

Brilliant, I bet it looks very eye-catching and quite the talking point sitting in your cabinet. It's very creative and inspiring. Do you play? x

ann @ studiohyde said...

This is So clever, I love it :)

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Wow!! Such clever idea!! And so beautifully realized!! Your medieval chess set is just stunning! Love so much especially your use of the buttons for the pawns and those Kings and Queens looks really regal! I'm so glad you have made this revamp, I haven't seen this amazing work before now!

Cathy said...

Amazing creation Mrs A. Such a brilliant idea and I love how you've used the buttons, Cathy x

Mia said...

Wow Valery. This is an absolutely stunning creation. You inspire me, my friend. I wish I knew chess! Kisses!!!

Pat said...

What a fabulous creation Mrs A and great use of buttons and the chess board looks superb. TFS. x

Megan J said...

Hi Mrs A. a fabulous idea for chess players and a great way to use up buttons, love the board with the alternating colours... Have a wonderful week... Megan

Glennis F said...

That is just amazing!

Suze said...

Wow this is amazing. Thank you for re-blogging it for those of us who hadn't seen it before.

Jenny L said...

Hi Mrs A,
I am so glad you decided to show this again as I don't ever rember it or maybe it was shown on a day I wasn't around.
What and excellent idea and such a super design too.
Lots of work and thought gone into this super work.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

Margreet said...

Wow, what a stunning project!
xxx Margreet

Lia said...

This is awesome. Can't believe what I am looking at. Great job Mrs. A!!
Lia xx

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

What a fantastic project Valery, hard to believe that you could make a chess set out of some old buttons and empty cotton reels.

Sue xx

Brenda in IN said...

I am blown away by this, Valery. What a terrific idea and then to carry it out to this extent is just amazing. It is truly a work of art.

terrie said...

Your so creative...what a great idea
You did an awesome job...well done and tfs

Cara said...

What a fabulous idea and amazing reuse of materials x

cuilliesocks said...

My goodness Valery, your chessboard and pieces are amazing, brilliant creativity,love it, Kate x

Anne said...

Wow what a fantastic project, I love it!
Anne x

Karenladd said...

Oh my goodness...how creative and wonderful! i'd better not let my husband see this or he'll be digging out my button box and insisting that I make one for him.!

Valerija said...

Fabulous idea and I love your project. Great job!
Valerija xx

KandA said...

Wow Mrs A, is there no end to your talents. What a fabulous idea and it must have taken absolutely ages xx

MaryH said...

I don't remember seeing this before! You must have the patience of Job. What a fantastic idea to envision, then have the imagination to know what to use for the execution, then spend the amount of time necessary to make it real. This is just a sensational project and so awesome. (do you & Doc play chess?!) TFS & Hugs

MagsB said...

Oh wow, this is AWESOME! What a clever way to use up buttons and reels!

love Mags B x

Sue said...

Totally fabulous Mrs A!!! your so clever huggles Sue xxx

aussie aNNie said...

Creative with the buttons and very cleverly designed, I certainly couldn't make this.xx [aNNie]

Merry said...

That is very clever, looks terrific.

Sylvia said...

Stunning creation,Valery.Love this idea.Well done.

Gr,Sylvia.

Sue said...

Wow this is amazing Mrs A, I didn't know what to expect when I saw your first picture, but it certainly wasn't this! I can't believe it's all made with a pile of buttons and cotton reels. Have a very happy week, Sue xx

LesleyG said...

How clever is that! Thanks for sharing xxx

Liz said...

This is just amazing Mrs A! It brought back memories of when I was a child. My Mum was a professional dressmaker and we had hundreds of empty cotton reels to play with - they were all wooden then. My brother and I used to build round towers with them, about 1 foot across, and often we built the tower right up to the ceiling. Her button box was amazing, I only wish I knew what happened to it! xx