Polka Dot Cottage » big button challenge

The Big Button Challenge Results!

Lisa — Wed, 20 May 2009 09:00:34 +0000

I enjoyed watching the votes come in this past week. So many different projects went in and out of the top three at first, and once the top two were pretty much decided, the next four or five remained in a dead heat for third place.

Frankly, I would have had a tough time choosing, so I’m very glad I had you to do the honors for me! Congratulations to Penny for her fabulous altered bag, which won with 20% of the 376 votes! I don’t know if you all realized this or not, but Penny has a new Etsy shop, filled with all kinds of interesting upcycled purses, including the winning bag. If you’ve been eyeing it, now’s your chance…

And now I promised a prize to one of you lucky voters. The winner, chosen at random, gets her choice of any focal button (or set of smaller buttons) available in the shop.

To the rest of you, I give this coupon code worth 10% off anything in the Polka Dot Cottage shop until Midnight Friday: Simply enter the word BUTTONS in the area of the shopping cart that asks for vouchers. You are not limited to buying buttons, though!

I went to random.org, and plugged in the number of commenters, and the winner of the button is commenter #12, Julie!

Penny, I’ll be emailing you shortly to find out which type of gift certificate you prefer, and Julie, I’ll be emailing you to find out which button you’d like, and where to send it.

Thank you everyone – participants, voters and comment-makers alike – for playing! I hope it’s been as enjoyable for you as it has for me.

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The Big Button Challenge Vote!

Lisa — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:31:48 +0000

I’ve truly enjoyed seeing the creative places that these ten artsy ladies have taken my buttons – I hope you have, too, and I hope you have wandered over to their blogs or websites. Many of them inspire me on a regular basis with their beautiful handiwork.

I don’t envy you, having to choose a winner, but that’s what it has come down to at this point! One lucky Challenge winner will get a $25 gift certificate to her choice of Polka Dot Cottage, Polka Dot Creations, or Amazon.com.

There’s also a handmade button to be won by a lucky voter. To qualify for that, simply leave a comment on this post after you’ve voted. No need to tell us who you voted for, though – that can be your little secret.

Before you vote, let me refresh your memory:

You may also want to read a little background on the contest, if you haven’t seen it yet.

Ready?! On with the vote!

Polls close in one week, Tuesday May 19th at 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time. Invite your friends to come by and vote, too – the more the merrier! Thanks for playing!

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Buttons can be part of a brooch

Lisa — Tue, 12 May 2009 02:53:46 +0000

It’s fall in New Zealand, and so Emma Spicer, for her submission to the Big Button Challenge, was inspired to make something to brighten up the cold mornings.

This fluffy and flowery brooch is made from a 1.25-inch focal button, fabric, and seed beads. Emma can tell you all about it on her blog!

The button Emma chose for her project is a Focal Button in the Blue color scheme and Retro pattern. There are currently no more of these particular buttons available, but you can find similar ones using the links above.

Well, that’s it – the last submission! On Tuesday, the voting will begin, and you get to choose which one of these talented craftspeople will win the prize. There’s a little something in it for a lucky voter, too. Be sure to come back tomorrow for that!

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Buttons can keep your coffee cozy

Lisa — Sat, 09 May 2009 13:35:06 +0000

The first time I saw Erin Harris‘ coffee cup cozy tutorial, I thought it would look nice with one of my buttons, so I find it kind of funny that given a 1.25-inch focal button, Erin had the same idea, and made a larger version of her cozy for the Big Button Challenge!

Made to fit her French press, she used linen, insulated batting, and Japanese cheater patchwork fabric. What do you think? Check out Erin’s blog for more of the nitty-gritty.

The button Erin chose for her project is a Focal Button in the Swamp color scheme and Pinstripes pattern. There are currently two more of these buttons available here.

One more project to go! I hope to have the voting topic ready to post by Tuesday. If you’re new here, be sure to go have a look at all of the other submissions so far!

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Buttons can decorate pillows

Lisa — Wed, 06 May 2009 01:22:15 +0000

Look at the latest project to be submitted to the Big Button Challenge! Sarah Jackson used her button on this great quilted pillow.

I’m just realizing how big this pillow must be, since the button is 1.25 inches in diameter. I love all of the fabrics that Sarah used on this – so pretty! For a little behind-the-scenes look, drop by her blog.

The button Sarah chose for her project is a Focal Button in a color scheme meant to coordinate with Heather Bailey’s Freshcut fabric line and Triangles pattern. There is currently one more of these buttons available in my etsy shop.

Only two more projects left to feature, and then we can get on with the vote!

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Buttons can decorate bags

Lisa — Tue, 05 May 2009 01:18:23 +0000

We’re down to the last four Big Button Challenge entries! This one comes to us from Kashoan Ward who used her button on this big floral purse.

I always like the combination of stripes and florals. For more about Kashoan’s creative process, take a look at her blog.

The button Kashoan chose for her project is a Focal Button in the Swamp colors and Calico pattern. There is currently one more of these buttons available here.

Seven down, three more to go!

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Buttons can hang on the wall

Lisa — Mon, 04 May 2009 02:30:07 +0000

Are you ready for another Big Button Challenge entry? This one comes to us from Nikki Mans of WhiMSy Love, and it’s another very different use (I think it’s great how you have all gone off on your own directions with these!)

Nikki made this wall-hanging using a vintage embroidery hoop and all vintage materials, plus the button. Want to know more? See her blog for details and photos. Fun!

The button Nikki chose for her project is a Focal Button in the Sparrow colors and Stripes pattern. There is currently a set of smaller buttons in this pattern available here.

I hope to get the voting underway next weekend, which means there is just one week to cover the last four projects! Should be a button-filled week around here.

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Buttons can bejewel you

Lisa — Fri, 01 May 2009 02:40:20 +0000

Ready for another Big Button Challenge entry? This jewelry set comes to us from Beth Ackley, in collaboration with her daughter Alaina.

Stones and crystals were used that would bring out the colors in the buttons. In the necklace, a square pearl was used to contrast the roundness of the button. Unique, isn’t it?

The button Beth chose for her project is a Focal Button in the Blue colors and Watercolor pattern. The bracelet features a set of four Blue Pinstripe buttons that she ordered to complement it.

We’re officially halfway through with the entries! Five more to go. Once everyone has had a spotlight, I’ll post one final summary post, and open it up to a vote. The most popular entry will win a prize, but I’ve also decided to offer a prize to a random voter. Be sure to keep your eyes open for that!

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Buttons can get cozy with yarn

Lisa — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:00:56 +0000

Last week Linda Permann shared an innovative and eco-friendly way to use a 1.25-inch focal button for the Big Button Challenge.

I love how she used an old pants leg for this – very clever! Check out Linda’s blog, and read all about how she put it together, and how she plans to use it.

The button Linda chose for her project is a Focal Button in the Seed colors (which were originally mixed to coordinate with Alexander Henry’s Birdseed print) and Sunset pattern.

Four down, six left to go! Are you already thinking about who you’re going to vote for?

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Buttons can hold books closed

Lisa — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:09:11 +0000

Another unique use for a 1.25-inch focal button was submitted to the Big Button Challenge this week. Check out this very cool recycled book by Tala Cox.

How clever is it to use grocery bags for the pages, and a thrifted purse for the binding?! Check out Tala’s blog, where she goes into more detail about the construction of her entry.

The button Tala chose for her project is a Focal Button in the Seaside colors and Snow pattern. I currently have three more of these buttons available.

Three down, one in the queue for later in the week, six left to go!

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