Decorative Packaging

I love ribbon flowers!   There are so many ways you can make them and in a million different colors.  Large, small, slightly gathered or bunched up tight… It’s all up to you!  The larger flower in my post is from 1 ½” wide satin ribbon.  Some of the other pictures use grosgrain ribbon.    They are so simple to make.    You will need ribbon pieces about 4-6”long depending on the size you want to make, needle and matching thread, button or brad for the middle of the flower, and scissors.

 Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end of the thread.  Starting at one end, do a running stitch along length of ribbon.   When you get near the end, pull on the thread to bunch up your ribbon. Back stitch with your needle a few stitches to secure. Fold ribbon around to make a complete circle. Hold ends together with tails pointing down.From the back side, stitch up the tails to close your circle.

Stitch back down and secure with knots. Cut off tails close to stitching. Insert a brad, or sew on a button to create the flower’s center. You can attach these to a homemade card, scrapbooking project,  hair bow,  invitation, magnet, or where ever you think needs a little summer flower!

Invite friends and family in this season with a welcoming fun fall wreath. This is my favorite time of year when the days are cooler and humidity is down, Here is a great project to work on and be ready for those changing leaves and wonderful Fall season. This festive Fall Wreath with Mums is so simple to make that you’ll be finished in a short time. And this wreath is very easily adaptable to all fall parties and gatherings. By changing the colors and flowers, you can use this idea for any holiday or season all year.

Instructions  for Fall Wreath with chrysanthemum for a table or door.

You’ll need the following materials and tools:

-A 24″ to 36″ grapevine wreath (which you can buy or make yourself.)
Two large “plants” of mums in two fall colors, such as yellow, burnt orange, or brown.
-Wire cutters (to cut the plants apart and the wire for hanging.)
-Berries or sprays of smaller flowers or glitter to decorate the wreath
-Wire to hang the wreath, if you’re going to hang it
-Yellow Ribbon or any complimentary colors, if you’re going to hang the wreath
-Glue gun if you want to make the wreath permanent

Follow these simple steps to make the Fall Wreath with Mums:
-Cover your work table with plastic or an old sheet.
-Lay out the materials and tools.
-Cut the mum blossoms from the stems, leaving about 3″ to 4″ on the flower stem.
-Place the flowers into the grapevine wreath, alternating the colors evenly around the wreath form. If you want to make the wreath construction permanent, secure the stems with hot glue.
-Insert the berries around the wreath, spacing them evenly.
-Secure a 10″ wire loop at the top of the wreath on the back if you’re going to hang it.
~variations for decorating with this

Place a square of seasonal fabric on the middle of your table. Either leave it flat on the table or gather it up in a creative way. Place the wreath in the center and place fall-colored candles in the center of the wreath.

Place a festive fall figure in the middle of the wreath. Make raffia bows and  space around the wreath for a more country look.

Add  cranberries, or bittersweet or any fall berries on branches for a more homey, rustic look.

Add Shiny berries around the wreath to add a more formal look.

By using a smaller wreath form, you could use this basic wreath on a coffee table or even a bedside table in a guest room.

Decorate a hanging wreath with a beautiful, wired bow in colors that are complimentary to the flowers and your decor.

You can get a totally different look by using roses, poinsettia blossoms, zinnia heads, lilac clusters, and bunches of violets or ranunculus around the wreath form, instead of autumn mums.

Place large pillar candle columns in the center of the wreath on the table.
Once you get the basic design of this beautiful wreath put together, you’ll find lots of ways to change the look and lots of places to put it. And you’ll easily see that you can get any seasonal look you want.

 This craft allows new life into heirloom hankies. To make a table runner, measure the length of your table (plus overhang) to determine how many hankies you’ll  need (we used ten 12-inch squares for an 82-inch-long table). To connect the  first two, flip them pattern side down, overlapping the edges by about ⅜ inch; pin, then stitch together. Continue attaching handkerchiefs in this manner until the runner is complete. Since some hankies have scalloped edges, to keep the runner uniform in size, you could stitch a neutral or common color, double faced, satin ribbon along the entire runner, down both sides.  You could finish off with some thin ribbon fringe at the ends or stitch some thin ribbon delicate bows at each corner.  A beautiful way to display heirlooms sure to prompt a wonderful conversation. A lovely runner for a ladies tea! Idea by Amy Barickman’s latest book, Hankie Style

Bunch pink peonies and tulips, red roses, and green verbena in an
large square vase wrapped in striped and polka-dotted grosgrain ribbons. Hot-glue the dots to the backs of the ribbons and attach them to the vase.  If you want to make it a seasonal vase, you can substitute heavy-duty double-faced tape and change the ribbon to fit the occasion.  Neat Idea!

For an unexpected alternative to ordinary shoelaces, choose a sturdy, narrow-width or thin ribbons in a color and pattern that coordinates with your tennis shoes, then cut to match the length of your sneakers’ current laces. Treat your shoes like a blank canvas. Try ribbons in any color or pattern that suits you. There’s truly no right or wrong way to approach it.

Fun Fabrics
Make the project your own: In addition to ribbons, dress up casual shoes with everything from vintage buttons and old costume jewelry to foreign coins, embroidered patches, and felt flowers.

 Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the ribbon link in my post.  If you don’t see exactly what you are looking for, please call the phone number on that page.

Expert crafter Melissa Neufeld uses beautiful fabric ribbons to give everyday shoes a quick, colorful makeover. Using bright taffeta ribbon and a hot-glue gun, it took her  10 minutes to give a pair of suede slip-ons this stylish new look.

STEP 1: Cut two equal-size pieces of decorative ribbon; trim ends with pinking shears. Center larger ribbon on top of thin tying ribbon; larger ribbon should be on its side, forming a backward S-shape. Make sure loops are symmetrical

STEP 2: Pinch ribbon together and tie a knot. Adjust to create bow. Snip tying ribbon, tuck underneath, secure with hot glue. Put a dime-size dollop of hot glue on either side of the back of the bow. Press onto shoe for 15 seconds. Or if you don’t want to be stuck with one look, you could also stitch bows onto soft shoes with a tapestry needle. When you want to replace the bow, snip the thread and start anew.

Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the ribbon link in my post.  If you don’t see exactly what you are looking for, please call the phone number on that page.

Ribbon Embellished Lantern

These little votive lanterns are as cute as they can be, and perfect for dressing up in ribbon and flowers for an extra special touch.

Sometimes a small change can have a big impact. Something as simple as adding a piece of ribbon can have a dramatic effect on an item or room. Looking to add a little decorative punch to a room but don’t want to make a big commitment?

Try using ribbon to spruce up some different areas in your home. It’s easy, inexpensive, and can be easily changed if you tire of it.

When decorating with ribbon try to use one that is of good quality. We have tons available. There are many that look great, although many people agree that grosgrain ribbon is the best.

• Crisscross pieces of ribbon on a fabric-covered bulletin board for added sophistication.

• Quick trick using fabric. Here different cotton print fabrics are overlaid on a square piece of wood covered in a thin layer of batting. Pull the fabric tightly and staple. Contrasting ribbon is criss crossed and a button has been attached.

• Sew ribbons to pillows in any number of patterns and designs.

• This great piece of wall art may not match the bed covering but picks up the pastel colors of the bedding. Three small pillows, however, could carry those colors over to the bed.

 Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the ribbon link in my post.  If you don’t see exactly what you are looking for, please call the phone number on that page. 

Using Ribbon Decorate Accessories

• Tie decorative ribbons around candlesticks to add a pretty touch.
• Crisscross pieces of ribbon on a fabric-covered bulletin board for added sophistication.
• Glue ribbon around a plain picture frame.
• Sew ribbons to pillows in any number of patterns and designs.
• Tie ribbons around plain plant holders.
• During the holidays tie a piece of wide, seasonally colored ribbon around the backs of chairs.
• When using ribbon on candles, be careful to remove the next row of ribbon as the candle burns down to avoid fire.  Never leave candles burning unattended!

Ideas abound, so use your imagination and add ribbon anywhere you can think of.

 Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the ribbon link in my post.  If you don’t see exactly what you are looking for, please call the phone number on that page.