Decorative Packaging

Decorative Trees in the Home

I keep finding wonderfully creative ways to display evergreen trees and decorative ribbon in the home. Of course everyone loves Christmas trees but this goes way beyond just putting up a Christmas tree. Some people have lots of live plants in their home; others use the artificial fig trees with lights for an intimate feel to the room. I have found many examples of decorating with evergreen trees that don’t have to be Christmas trees. This lovely tree is used in a log home dining room. Country ribbon tied into huge bows with long tails embellishes this tree along with pine cones that have a hint of white on them. A coordinating ribbon used as garland winds around the tree from top to bottom. Uniform white twinkle lights glisten through the ribbon and evergreens as if the sun was beaming through ice on a tree in the woods.

Another image of the beautiful tree with the lights off show that the tree is a warm welcomed decoration in this rustic cabin for any occasion and all the year through. Bring the outside beauty into the inside with out any danger of in climate weather. Have fun decorating.

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 link in my post.

A few well placed ribbon bows such as the one above will easily take your home from Valentines Day to St. Patricks Day. 

Whether or not your ancestors were Irish it’s fun to celebrate St Patrick’s day with the traditional green of Shamrocks, good food, and decorations. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and was believed to have been born in what is now Scotland around 386. He is credited as using the three lobes of the Shamrock to teach the Holy Trinity.

Today the plant is symbolic of the season and the shape can be used as coasters, place cards, place mats, or napkin rings. Use a clover plant as the centerpiece or any favorite greenery. Snakes and toads can also be used as decoration since St Patrick was also credited with driving them out of Ireland.

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 link in my post.  

Tropical Holiday Cottage

The tropical theme is carried on through out the house with simple yet elegant decorations through out this beach house.  With the natural wood work on the walls and floor only being accented by the white trim wood work, your color pallet is wide open.  The tropical coral wide ribbon that is used to hang the stockings on the stair way is also decoratively splashed onto the front door by the wreath being hung by the same color.  The bow on the wreath is also the beautiful Coral Tropicana color. Using lemons again on the front door along with other tropical fruit is very inviting to the eye.  Traditional red and white colors of Christmas are introduced by adding tropical flowers in a simple vase.  I Love the sea green stockings too that finish off the warm feel of the room. Can’t you almost hear the ukulele playing softly in the back ground?

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 link in my post.  

When Life Give’s you Lemons…

This tropical room displays a hint of yellow with the lemons that are wired on the wreath.  Whether you decide on fresh or artificial, this is a unique approach to hanging a wreath.  It keeps the theme of the room Tropicana and still has the festive holiday feel.  The wreath is beautifully hung with brilliant, wide, gold ribbon to add another accent color.  I love the 4 tails hanging down from the bow. It’s just a two part bow.  Two ends are left long from tying a knot in the loop that hangs the wreath, long tails are also left over from tying a simple but huge bow at the top. 3M makes these great hangers for anywhere you don’t want to make a hole in the woodwork or wall.  They have an adhesive double stick gel pad that attaches to a plastic backing with a hook on the front.  They are incredibly strong too. 

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 link in my post.  

A tassel is a finishing feature in fabric decoration. The tassel is a universal ornament that is seen in varying versions in many cultures around the globe. They are used in many different ways from home decor,equine formal tack, and ceremonial uses and can vary from delicately simple to intricately elaborate.

The word “tassel” comes from the Latin “tassau” which meant a clasp (as for the neck of a garment).

Ceremonial wear

Tassels are also found on mortarboards and at the end of honor cords during university graduation ceremonies and possibly upon the shoes of the graduates at the ceremony. Near the conclusion of the graduation ceremony the tassel that hangs from the graduate’s mortarboard is moved from the right to the left. Typically the entire graduating class does this in unison.

History and use 

In the Western World tassels were originally a series of windings of thread or string around a suspending string until the desired curvature was attained. Decades later, turned wooden moulds, which were either covered in simple wrappings or much more elaborate coverings called “satinings”, were used. This involved an intricate binding of bands of filament silk vertically around the mould by means of an internal “lacing” in the bore of the mould.

The French exported their very artistic work, and at such low prices that no other nation developed a mature “trimmings” industry. Tassels and their associated forms changed style throughout the years, from the small and casual of Renaissance designs, through the medium sizes and more staid designs of the Empire period, and to the Victorian Era with the largest and most elaborate. Some antique designs are returning today from the European and American artisans who may charge a thousand dollars for a single hand-made tassel.

Tassels (also called tufts) were traditionally worn by Oxford and Cambridge University undergraduates on their caps (hence a slang word – tassel for an undergraduate), those wearing gold tassels were titled sons of the peers who had a right of vote in the House of Lords.

Creation

A tassel is made by binding plaited or otherwise gathered threads from which at one end protrudes a cord on which the tassel is hung, and which may have loose, dangling threads at the other end. Tassels are normally decorative elements, and as such one often finds them attached, usually along the bottom hem, to garments, curtains, or other hangings.

A tassel is primarily an ornament, and was at first the casual termination of a cord to prevent unraveling with a knot. Tassels, pompons, and rosettes are point ornaments; the others are linear ornaments. The parts of a tassel are basically, from top to bottom:

Making a tassel from yarn

• Suspending cord;
• Its body, which is usually made up of one or more moulds;
• A skirt of fringe or other ornaments.

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 link in my post.

The charm of pew bows can be created simply with several ribbons in bow combinations, or made more elaborate with the addition of strings of pearls and graceful lengths of tulle flowing from pew to pew.

MATERIALS FOR ONE BOW

4 1/2 yds (4.5m) of
2 5/8-inch wide (6.5cm) brocade merrow-edge wire ribbon in ivory
4 1/2 yds (4.5m) of
1 1/2-inch-wide (4cm) wire-edge sheer ribbon in ivory
1 yd (1m) of 2 5/8-inch wide (6.5cm) wire-edge sheer ribbon in ivory.
2 to 3 branches of ivy
Tacky glue or hot glue

DIRECTIONS

Cut three 1 1/2-yard (1.5m) lengths from the 2 5/8-inch (6.5cm) ivory brocade ribbon. With right sides out, make a 6-inch (15cm) loop at one end of each. Wire all three lengths together and notch ends.
Following the instructions below, make a twelve-loop bow with 16-inch (40.5cm) tails from the 1 1/2-inch (4cm) ivory sheer ribbon. Wire this bow to the loops from step 1.
Following the instructions below, make a fancy pulled rose from the 2 5/8-inch (6.5cm) ivory sheer ribbon. Glue the rose to the center of the ribbon bow.

Glue the ivy to the pew bow.

GENERAL BOW TECHNIQUES

To fasten a bow with wire, fold an 18-inch (50cm) length of wire in half. Place the folded wire underneath the chosen ribbon and wrap the wire around the center, inserting the wire ends through the loop to tighten. Pull the wire ends to secure, bringing one end around center again at back. To tighten, twist the bow — not the wire — a few times.

TWO-LOOP BOW AND VARIATIONS

Cut a length of ribbon as specified in the project instructions. Wrap the ribbon back and forth, forming two loops with tails. Glue a small strip of ribbon around the ribbon loops to hold it in place. Ease the ribbon tail to the back of the bow.
For four-, six-, eight-, ten-, and twelve-loop bows, simply increase the number of loops before securing the center strip.
Note: When using ombre~ ribbon, results will differ depending on which side of the ribbon you work. Experiment with this for interesting color variations.

PULLED OR GATHERED ROSE

Cut ribbon to desired length. Knot one end, and pull knot firmly toward end to secure. From opposite side, gently pull one wire, slowly gathering ribbon along that edge. Continue gathering until entire side is completely ruffled and curling naturally. Wrap gathered ribbon around knotted end, forming a bud. Continue wrapping lightly so ribbon flares out and acquires an open rose effect. Tie wires together and trim. Adjust shape by fluffing or crumpling.

 ADD TULLE TO THE BACK OF THE BOW

First you need to determine how long you want the tails so you can figure out how much tulle you will need.  Play around with the tulle to make sure you end up with a tulle puff bow that is slightly larger than the ribbon bow and the tails are slightly longer than the ribbon tails.  Start in the center of the tulle, pull up loops and hold like a bouquet until you have reached the desired size, at least 10 loops can be secured with wire like a bouquet leaving the two long tails hanging free.  Once you have the loops secured, pull them out to each side to make a circle.  Do not flatten, it should resemble a flower with out a center, the ribbon bow can be attached to the center of the tulle circle by feeding the wire you used to fasten the ribbon together through the center of the flower.  Just play with it so that it lies right with the ribbon.  It can be as large and full as you desire.

 HINT

Allow plenty of time to play with the tulle because it can be difficult to arrange and it slips and slides but once you have it secure, it will stay.  Hang the bows from a hanger, don’t lay them flat or it will be hard to fluff them back.

Pizazz in the Guest Room,

Adding Ribbon and lace trim to cotton pillowcases can bring simple elegance and style to plain white linens. You can update the look of the room with out having to go buy all new sheets.  This can also had a holiday WOW to your guest room by using holiday ribbon to accent your sheets.

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 link in my post.   

Creating the Perfect Mood

You can create a wonderful table-scape using clear glass containers like vases or mason jars, and votive candles.

Fill them with Valentine’s Day candies like pink M&Ms, white and red jelly beans and Red Hots. It really easy and cost-effective and it’s great fun.

Put it on your table and on mantles. It’s so visual and accessible, and anyone can do it.

Candy makes a great gift too!  As you have added color to your room by adding the candy dishes, why not give your sweetie some sweets too? 

 You can buy their favorite gourmet candy wrapped in plastic and tied up with curling ribbon, or assorted candies in Cellophane tied up with a pretty bow. This particular gift of candy is also in a special flower pot for Violets.  So its a gift in a gift.

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 link in my post.   

In a previous post I mentioned the idea of re-decorating our Christmas evergreen wreath (if its still beautifully green or artificial) for Valentines Day.  Since I posted that, I have seen several mini pine trees decorated for Valentines Day! I was so excited that I had to take pictures of them.  Doesn’t it seem like a lot of work to re-arrange the whole house to put up a Christmas tree, only to tear it down in a week or two. The tree transforms feeling in the room instantly.   This seems like a time saver and a way to enjoy the festive holiday feel to our homes for a little longer.  The red checked wired ribbon is used as a tree topper and a tiny bow is attached to each limb with a wire tie slipped through the back of the bow.  The ornaments on the tree are little plastic hearts hung, one to a branch in various sizes with a gold thread.  The other ornaments on this tree are mini kitchen gadgets all accented with the red checked tiny ribbon used as a hanger.  The photo below shows red, pink and white card stock heart valentines with a hole punched in the top and tied on with a red ribbon. You can also use some silk roses randomly to fill in.  The lights are all clear.  This tree stays up all year and the decorations change with the seasons.  If you don’t want to leave your huge tree up that long due to limited space, you can also do this with the mini trees and scale every thing down. Have fun decorating!

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 link in my post.   

These darling little pillows are an ideal project for those with little experience in sewing. No difficult patterns or instructions, just an easy and fulfilling craft to keep or give as a gift—perfect for Valentine’s Day, Mothers Day or any heart-worthy occasion.

What you’ll need:

• ¼ yard of fabric of your choice
• needle
• thread in a coordinating color to your fabric
• cotton batting
• straight pins
• lace (optional)
• ribbon (optional)

How to make it:

1. Lay your fabric down flat on your work surface.
2. Fold over one time, then fold over one more time in the same direction so that the fabric is now doubled up.
3. Using a pair of scissors or pinking shears, starting from one side of the fabric cut out half of a heart shape so that when you open your fabric you should have two equally sized hearts.
4. Lay your two hearts so that the right sides are facing each other, wrong side of the fabric should be facing out. Use straight pins to secure the two pieces of fabric together, lining the pins around the edge of the fabric, about three-quarter inch in from the edge. This will secure your fabric but not be in the way of where you need to sew.
5. Begin at the bottom of the heart and stitch evenly around the edge, about one-quarter inch in from the edge. Stitch all the way around the heart until you have almost completely closed it. Leave approximately one-and-a-half to two inches open but do not cut or tie off thread. You will need it to finish off the heart after it is stuffed.
6. Remove all the straight pins that were securing your fabric.
7. Very carefully, turn your stitched heart “outside in” through the opening. Now your fabric should be right side out and should resemble an almost completed heart.
8. Using your fingers inside the heart, gently make sure that all the fabric is pushed out where it should be.
9. Secure your needle out of the way be poking it through the outer edge of the heart, away from the opening.
10. Using small pieces of cotton batting, gently stuff your heart pillow until all areas are full and pillow is firm to the touch.
11. To stitch the opening, fold the two seams of the opening of the fabric in to match the rest of the heart. Stitch the opening closed.
12. As a finishing touch, use a long piece of colorful ribbon and tie into a bow. Hand stitch on to the front of the heart and trim the bow ends to desired length.

Variations Shown

For our red heart we used pinking shears and stitched around the outer edge with the RIGHT sides of the fabric facing outward. This was done purposely to give a decorative edge to the heart. There was no need to turn the fabric “right side out,” simply stuff and close it up.

For our pink heart, follow the instructions outlined above, however, to add lace, line the edge of the lace sandwiched between your to pieces of fabric. Stitch through the fabric and the lace following this pattern all the way around the heart. Before you begin, you can picture what this will look like by holding the lace and the fabric between your fingers and then folding one piece of the fabric back to view your lace. Be sure you have the seam of the lace lined up with the seams of the fabric.

Tips:

Choose fabrics that are vibrant. Lace goes wonderfully with plaids and floral while a solid fabric will look great with a striped or polka-dot bow.

Using a pattern. A pattern is not needed for these, however if you are more comfortable using a pattern, simply cut a heart from paper first to trace onto your fabric.

Add a lovely scent. To make this a scented sachet you can add some scented potpourri in the middle of all the stuffing, or for a temporary scent, spritz with perfume.

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 link in my post.