Streamer Bow

Well I am back from cheer camp, and we had a great time!  Besides the zebra bows, we wore two different sets of streamer bows.  These are fun, easy, and quick to make.  Consider them the next time you are making bows.

Supplies

• 3 sizes of ribbon (you can use whatever kind and size you want, but I recommend using at least some grosgrain ribbon for body and structure).  For the pink one, I used a 2.5", 7/8" and 3/8" ribbon, and for the camouflage, I used 7/8", 5/8" and 3/8" ribbon.
• Scissors
• Hot glue and gun
• Measuring tape
• Hair tie
• Fray Check

Directions

1. Cut the ribbons down to size.  Cut the largest width ribbon 1/4" longer than the medium width ribbon, and the medium width ribbon 1/4 " longer than the thinnest ribbon.  I cut the pink bow ribbons 13", 12.75" and 12.5", but the camouflage I cut 14", 13.75", and 13".

2. Trim the ends so that they have the double point.  Fold the ribbon in half length-wise, then clip at an angle.  Dab Fray Check on the end of each ribbon to prevent fraying.

3. Cut about 4-5" of the medium and small ribbons to create your center knot.  Stack one on top of the other, and tie in a knot.  Fray check the ends.  (If you are making multiple bows, cut a longer length of ribbon and tie all the knots at once--it is easier)

4. Place a dot of glue on the center of the widest ribbon, then stack the medium ribbon on top of it.  Repeat with the smallest ribbon.  Glue the center of the knot to the center of your stacked ribbons.

5. Place a dot of glue on the back of your ribbons in the center.  Stick the hair tie in the glue dot.  Glue and fold the sides of the ribbon so that both ends of the ribbon knot meet.

Wired-Edge Ribbon Rose - Super Easy!



Sorry for the blurry picture...it's a little difficult to take a steady picture of the top of my own head.

This will take all of a couple minutes to make, and is so easy, it makes a great kid project to adorn hair, clothes, or accessories.

Supplies

• Wire-edge ribbon (I used 2.25 inch wide ribbon and about 30")
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun
• Fabric, cardboard, or paper to glue flower down on

Directions

1. Begin by cutting ribbon to length, then poke wire out of the edge.  Pull one side of the wire completely free from the ribbon.  Poke the other side out and begin pulling.

2. Fold one edge under, pinch in your fingers and glue down.  This creates the center of your rose.

3. Scootch the ribbon along the wire until it is completely gathered.  It will naturally spiral around the center.

4. Glue down on scrap of fabric, cardboard, or paper.  Be sure to glue down each layer of the ribbon to ensure rose doesn't bobble.

Simple Hair Bow

Cheer camp is next week, so we are gearing up for what's to come.  This week, I am making bows; this zebra bow is a simple bow and takes only minutes to make.

Supplies

• Ribbon - I used 1.5 inch wide satin zebra print, and 7/8 inch wide black satin.
• Glue gun
• Scissors
• Hair elastic
• Fray Check

Directions

1. Cut a 3 inch length of the black ribbon and tie into a knot.

2. Cut a 21 inch length of the zebra ribbon and fold like pictured.

3. Pinch center of the bow and glue the black ribbon to the front.
4. Place the elastic against the back of the bow and glue the black ribbon ends around the elastic.

5. Dab fray check in a line along the cut ends of the bow to keep from fraying.

Valentine Wreaths {Part Three}

I previously showed you how to make two other Valentine wreaths (the boa wreath, and the yarn wreath).  I saved this one for last because although it is easy, it is very time consuming.  That being said, I think this might be my favorite.

Supplies

• Scissors
• Lots of red felt (about 13 sheets)
• Low-melt glue gun and sticks
• 12 inch wire wreath frame
• Ribbon to hang (I used 7/8 inch wide white grosgrain ribbon)
• Spool of 5/8 inch red velvet ribbon

Directions

1. Make 90 felt roses.  I made them with one 2 inch diameter circle, and one 2.5 inch diameter circle each.
2. Glue ribbon to the top of the wire frame--this helps the roses stay in place while you are gluing, and fills the gap between roses.

3. Stick the roses into the frame (4 roses in each segment of the inside circle, 5 roses in each segment of the middle circle, and 6 roses in each segment of the outside circle).  Tie the ribbon through and hang.

I will be linking to these link parties.

Valentine Wreaths {Part One}

I am loving all the different wreaths our there in blog land.  I started the felt rose wreath a couple weeks ago, but it used 90 roses, so it took a while to finish.  Today I am going to share how to make the fastest and easiest of the three--the marabou & ribbon wreath.  One aspect about this that I really love is that I only used 3 pins to secure the entire wreath, so I can remake this for every holiday with a quick change of color.

Supplies

• 10 inch Styrofoam wreath base
• 18 feet of 7/8 inch grosgrain ribbon
• 6 ft marabou boa
• 3 straight pins
• scissors

Directions

1. Wrap the ribbon around the wreath base, covering the entire base with the ribbon.  Use a straight pin to hold the beginning in place, and when you reach that point again, remove the pin, and stick through both layers.  Cut off excess ribbon.  The pin should hold both ends of ribbon.  (Your pins should all be on the back of the wreath)


2. Pin one end of the boa to the wreath.  Wrap the boa around the wreath, leaving space between each wrap, until you reach your starting point.  I spaced mine out so the two ends met at the same part at the back of the wreath.  I like the look of the dark ribbon poking through, but you could use two boas and cover the wreath entirely.

3. Take the leftover ribbon, make a loop through the wreath, tie into a bow, and hang.

I haven't decided if I am going to add any other decoration to this one.  Thoughts?

Click here to see the felt roses wreath, and the yarn wreath.

I will be linking to these link parties.