The other day, my friend, Lori, asked if I had the equipment to make button/badges. Her son, Brady, was going as JFK for Hero Day at school next week and needed a few props. Well, I don’t have a badge-making machine, but thought it would be a great time to show you how I make button-badge remakes from old thrifted buttons and printed computer graphics.Based on the diameter of my thrifted button, I create the graphics in a circle design keeping any important text well within those dimensions. Lori emailed an image she found on the internet of an original campaign button. I used the illustration of JFK and recreated the type and color sections. I then add about 1/2″ of additional color around the measured dimensions for wrap allowance.
I use my thrifted pinking-shears (for paper only) to cut out the circles to keep paper edges from bulking up when folded over to the backside and pressed down along the curve of the button shape.Using ModPodge Gloss, I lightly coat the front of the old button.

Then center the button onto the back of the cut-out paper, being sure to keep the button stick-pin to the top of the design.

Mod Podge around the cut paper section and button edge, gluing onto the back a little.

(This is where your hands get a bit messy-) fold over the edges onto the back and press well. ( Although not shown in the photo above, the pinked edges should be glued completely flat to the back of the badge to keep from snagging.) Once the back is dry, coat the front of the buttons with Mod Podge Gloss.Here is the original button image and my button re-do!

I have lots of award ribbon rosettes in my stash, and since I had my Mod Podge and buttons out, I took the project a few steps further.

Something for a birthday girl.Something for me.

Even more buttons.

Typography.

Vintage rosettes.

Assembled.

Attached to ribbon with foam dots.

And draped along one my favorite canvas prints (sent to me by Photo-Canvas when I hosted a giveaway last December,) a photo of my children.

Here are some more repurposed prize ribbons, a few with button re-do’s from a while back.