Decorative Packaging

Are you a “DO IT YOURSELF” bride?  Weddings are a lot of work, but it can also be very fun for the organized bride.  Obviously the bride should plan ahead, so that there is very little stress if any on her special day.  If you think you may be putting a wedding together this year, then you must plan to visit the Bridal Fair this Sunday.

If you are planning to have help with the wedding by hiring a wedding planner, or caterer, or any services that weddings involve, then the Bridal Fair is a must see!  Local businesses have all gathered in one place for one day to “WOW” the brides with their services.  There will be a lot of freebies, door prizes, food tasting, portrait taking and so much more.

State Line Ribbon and Trim is excited to have a booth set up at the fair.  We will have a sign up box for our Free Newsletter that will automatically enter you for a chance to win a $250 shopping spree on our website. We will also have displays of wedding ribbon and some “How to’s” creative uses for ribbon.  We will have a free roll of ribbon and bookmark tassels while supplies last.  We look forward to seeing you there. Good luck on the drawing!

It is advertised that “The grand prize from the Bridal Fair is a premier decorating package, including all décor, and coordination for the couple’s wedding weekend-something that usually cost about $1400.00”. Be sure to find out how to get in to this drawing and all the door prize drawings.

A wedding without ribbon is like a summer without sunshine, or a birthday cake without a candle.  It can happen but it’s just not as much fun.  We will have samples of ribbon and many ways ribbon can be used at a wedding.  We can offer help to decorate your own bridal bouquets, to invitations.  We have a variety of elastic cord, thin ribbon and silk tassels to add to your wedding ‘program’ or “bulletin” that the guests will receive to let them know the names of the bridal party, the schedule of events, special thanks and other important info about the reception.

Bridal Fair;

Sunday, March 13th

From 1:00-5:00 Central time;

Knights of Columbus;

614 North Main Street;

Paris, IL   61944-1138

(217) 465-1085

Today was a great day. It was a little cooler than a few days ago but the kids were all out playing.  All the younger kids had been cooped up in side for what seemed like an endless winter. 

We spend money on expensive electronic toys for the kids and they like them but it is so much fun to watch them use their imagination with simple things like hula hoops and jump ropes and things that require them to be actively running around outside enjoying the sun shine.

Younger kids are so full of imagination and fantasy and carefree play ideas that I could just sit back and watch them for hours or at least till they start trying to climb trees or jump from swings as they are flying.  Then I just can’t watch them because I just keep thinking they will get hurt. 

This idea is a great idea for those active youngsters that love to dance and play.  Rings of ribbon can help them  they are flying, or that they are a butter fly with flowing wings.  They are simple to make and could easily be done in many colors, the more the better I always say.  The kids can hold the rings and watch the ribbon flow and fly as they run and twirl.

You can make them with 3 foot lengths of satin ribbon or two foot lengths. Find your half way point of the ribbon. Tie a knot at the top, so as you start to wrap, it doesn’t fall apart. Then wrap it around the ring one way. Then with the other half, wrap it around the other way. Once the ends meet again at the bottom, tie them into a knot. I trim the ends of the ribbon to look finished, either in a V shape or at a diagonal. (With the BLUE ribbon below, you may have to re-wrap the ring if you get the ribbon going the same way. It won’t be able to knot at the end. They need to be opposite directions.)

Now turn on the music and watch them go!  They are ready to run and play.

Here are a few different ways to make your ribbon rings. We used two colors of ribbon with one and tied lots and lots of little ribbons around another.

Ribbon, Gems, Hearts and Valentine’s Day

How crafty are you feeling today?   This can be as simple or as complex as you want to make it.  You can make several of them and each can be unique depending on the gems and ribbon. 

Most craft and hobby stores sell craft boxes to be painted, decorated, quilted, laced and embellished in every way imaginable.  I have even seen some people who are creative and patient enough to make their own boxes in many different shapes.  I do not believe I have that enough patience to make a heart shape box but I may try it one day.

Pick up some plain wood or heavy card stock boxes and let your imagination flow.  You can make this for your daughters to store their keepsakes in, or save it for your self to store all your precious valentines and love notes in. 

This box has been painted with an acrylic paint; you can spray it or brush it.  Be sure to check the paint label if you plan to put any food in it.  This would not matter at all as long as you placed that candy or food in plastic bag or something to separate it from the box.

After the box is dry, flip the heart shape top upside down on a surface.  Measure satin cord or bulk elastic cord from the valley of the heart all around to the same point then trim the ends.  Flip it back over and work with 2 inches at a time. Run a thin line of hot glue and press the cord onto the glue.  Watch your fingers; I have burnt my self-doing this type of thing more time than I like to count.  Let dry.

Randomly place your gems.  When you have them positioned just the way you desire, then dab hot glue dots on the lid and stick them. 

Finally, tie an ample bow with wide satin ribbon.  Leave the ends long and flowing but trim them to prevent raveling. 

Let dry!  Your heart box is now ready to fill with all sorts of treasures to give as a gift or keep for your self to put your own love notes, valentines, jewelry, and treasures in.

In yesterdays post I mentioned ways to give homemade goodies in unique wonderful dishes.  Some dishes were Crystal, glass, and animated and then just wrapping them with tissue paper.

Today’s post deals more with the decorative packaging of multiple gifts in the same package.

If you recycle, then you are already accustomed to saving and washing out your plastic and glass jars.   Generally, glass jars will have the brand printed on the tops but that can be covered with fabric and decorative ribbon.

Today’s post is about recycling a plastic peanut butter jar.  Use Christmas ribbon, or any kind of ribbon you choose to encircle the top edge.  This jar has a striped blue ribbon around the edge of  the lid using glue stick or double sticks tape squares to secure in place.

You can put some homemade hot chocolate in this jar served with some chocolate syrup, or  coffee bought in bulk for multiple gifts then adding some gourmet flavored coffee syrup like a French vanilla, or hazelnut coffee flavoring.

Buy some inexpensive decorative boxes, fill with decorative shreds that come in a wide variety of colors and fill the box so you can nestle your gifts down inside the box.  Place the top on the box, wrap and place a wonderful custom-made bow on top.  If you cannot place the top on then just wrap the same way as yesterday’s package.  Using tissue paper, place the item in the center, gently fold up the corners and gently wrap ribbon around the top of the box leaving the tissue paper ends wispy at the top. Don’t for get the gift tag.  You can attach with elastic cord tied in a bow.

Although the Christmas decorations are put away, New Years has come and gone, there is no reason you can not still have a winter wonderland in your dining room.

I have mentioned many ways to keep the decorations flowing from one holiday to the next.  This is one more way to add a little more fun, fluff and glitz to your every day family dining area. This would look amazing hung with glittery silver elastic ribbon.

This whimsical plumed wreath is very easy to make.

Here’s How:

Use craft glue to adhere one end of a boa to a Styrofoam wreath form, pressing down until the glue sets, about 20 seconds. Wrap boa around the form and glue at the other end, concealing it beneath the feathers.  Repeat with a second boa until the entire foam form is covered.

I love the fact that this is all white because it flows beautifully with the sky blue decorations, but you can use what ever color you choose to make it fit your occasion.  The white also fits with the winter theme.  White is a crisp clean cool color like the freshly fallen snow untouched by feet or cars.

This would put pizzazz into a dessert buffet too.  Have fun designing a merry, modern fantasy of turquoise, white and sparkling silver.

Valentines Day will be here in no time!

Have you given any thought to having a sweet luncheon with some of your best pals?

Save the romantic dinner for your special, someone but these few ideas can help you have a nice fun lunch with a festive table setting.

One way to add fun to your table is by making traditional holiday crackers.

1. Fill a toilet paper roll with candy.

2.  Cut crepe paper into 13×9 inch rectangles with scalloped shears.

3.  Roll paper around the tube, secure with double-sided tape and tie the ends with silk cord or elastic cord.

4.  Wrap a 6×4 inch piece of striped paper around cracker, adhere double-sided tape and paste the guests name to the front.

Your guest will enjoy popping open the crackers and the special treats you placed inside for them. They will also appreciate the extra time you spent creating such a fun accessory for the table.

Elastic Cord for Candy Decorations

Decorating for the holidays does not have to be expensive.  The little touches show your guests how much you care.   This table setting would be wonderful for any winter day dinner.  New Years is approaching fast and greater reasons to have friends over to celebrate.  This great little Christmas tree is actually just natural tree branches bound together and sprayed with white paint and snow. These snowy branches were then, placed in a galvanized bucket and poked into floral foam easily hidden by a puffy snow fabric.  The battery-powered lights all in white wonderfully show off the silvery star ornaments that are randomly hung on the branches.  Keeping the color theme to all white on this table is modernly elegant.  The Christmas red accents just pop out and say “WOW” from the snow-white table.  Your guests will love the rock candy sticks that have been gently bound with red elastic cord to look like icy crystals on the plate.  Your guests will feel warmth and not a chill from this winter wonderland dinner table.  I also love the glow of candles placed in the mini flowerpots painted red and glittered.  How ever you decide to celebrate the season, be sure to make your table an warm and inviting place to dine!

Elastic Cord and Scrap-booking at the Table

Do you like to scrap-book?  Just about everyone I talk to these days have gotten into this new hobby.  We did it years ago but in a much different way.  Today’s scrap-booking only resembles days gone by in the fact that its actually an album or book style way of keeping pictures and memories.

These creative silver ware pocket pouches are so cute.  Just use your scrap-booking supplies to form a pouch, wrap several other colors around the whole thing and tie an elastic cord around the whole thing so you can slip in a candy cane or two to finish off your holiday table.

I love the pure white plates and clear crystal glasses in contrast to the bright red tablecloth.  The red is picked up again in the elastic cord around the pouch.

Snowflakes Strung with Elastic Cord

This is a festive way to decorate a mantel or door way.  This frosty snowflake chain is cut from paper or coffee filters.  You can use elastic cord to string them together and stretch them across the area that you are decorating.  You can slide them easily to fill in the gaps.  Once you have them just where you want them, add a drop of glue to the cord.

Elastic cord has many uses and it comes in so many colors that its easy to find one to fit your need.  We use them to hand ornaments on the tree.  We use elastic string and cord to hang bells from the kids winter boots and tennis shoes so that they get a little bounce when they walk.  Elastic cord is easier to swag or drape for decorating purposes because it will stretch and stay secure.

There is still time to get all your holiday ribbon and bows for all your decorative packaging needs.

Elastic String for hanging Salt-dough Ornaments

Salt-dough isn’t edible, but they look just like Christmas cookies.  The recipe for the dough is ½ Cup salt, 1 Cup flour, ½ Cup water; mix till sticky.  Roll ¼ inch thick and use cookie cutters.  These are snowflake shaped; don’t forget to use a sharp tool to poke a hole for the elastic string to be threaded through.  Bake 4 hours in 200 degree oven.  Cool, and use your creativity to decorate with markers, gems, glitter or what ever you want.  I love the white tree with white ornaments decorated with red, hung with red elastic string.

Kids will love helping with this craft. This is a special way to enjoy family time and help them learn the art of giving of them self, their time, and effort to make a special ornament for friends and family.  This white tree would look amazing with multiple colored salt dough ornaments.  Maybe you can write the names of family members on the back of each ornament and have a family tree.  Have fun!