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!

These invitations are so sweet.  I love the Precious Moments design. Most stationary companies can print your names and a sweet couple design highlight the front edges of this elaborately folded, soft white invitation. You can request for the front edges can be pre-punched with holes for tying closed with satin ribbon, or they can be easily punched by you.  Your wording can be printed inside. The design and all wording are printed in the same ink color as the ribbon.

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.

This is another great way to incorporate ribbon in your invitations.  The color of the red ribbon is duplicated only in the names of the bride and groom, leaving the rest of the wording black.  The pearlized, floral border surrounding your wording on this bright white card adds to the overall sophistication of this invitation ensemble. Complete the look by tying a satin ribbon across the top.  This uses the double hole punch method of threading the ribbon through the front, crossing over and back up through opposite holes and pulled tight, trim the ends at an angle for a finished look.

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.

Egg-cellent Cards

 Welcome Spring with these pretty greeting cards created from simple craft supplies.

Colored card stock, Patterned scrapbooking paper, Narrow decorative ribbon

Cut pieces of stock; fold in half. Then snip an egg shape out of the scrapbook paper.  Place the egg on the card front and using a thick needle, poke a hole through the top of the egg and the card.  Thread narrow ribbon through the holes, then around the top of the card, and tie the ends in a bow.  Send the cards to friends who can hang the eggs as sweet symbols of the season.

How to use Ribbon while Scrapbooking 

Ribbon is a wonderful accent to any scrapbook.  This uniquely creative way of scrapbooking by using little pouches for treasures utilizes decorative ribbon on the outside and inside.  The ribbon can be the actual ribbon from a childhood dress or even a matching ribbon from a wedding dress or hair bow personalizes your scrapbook. The antique ribbon adds to the value.  Have fun!

    Sweetheart Sack   

Transform any sack or bag into a Sweetheart Sack.  If you want to decorate a lunch bag, treat bag or a gift bag to surprise sweetie, you will only need a bag, ribbon, scrapbook supplies or construction paper, and imagination. Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon or other Novelty Ribbon would be great for this project.

You can decorate sacks for a school party and fill with goodies. Teens would appreciate one in trendy colors to take their lunch in. Or even a masculine version for the hubby will make him the envy of his piers when he opens his lunch and finds a little love note you have hidden between the sandwich and the chips.  These little bags would be wonderful as a weight for a bouquet of balloons when you add some candy and a stuffed critter.

Dress up any plain Greeting card with a little bit of narrow satin red ribbon and eyelet lace. Just measure enough lace to border the part of the card you choose, Elmer’s glue will work but hot glue is much faster and only takes little dots, then weave a narrow red satin ribbon in and out of the holes in the lace, finish off with a cute little bow.  (I reccomend weaving the red ribbon through the lace before you glue it down.) This special touch will show you took the extra time to make their card extra special just for them.

Bad fashion

Gather pics of yourself, your husband, friends and family wearing fashion trends that have thankfully been taken off the rack (at least until some young kid picks it back up). You could create a page for each decade (if your pics range from 50s to 90s for example). Select papers that compliment the bad fashion trends you are documenting, like earth-tone paisley for the 70s or tie dye for the 90s. Stone wash denim paper would be easy to make for the 80s page, using grey blue ink and a sponge. These pages could be relatively simple to complete. Arrange your photos so that there aren’t too many on a page (2-3 max), frame them with wide satin ribbons in “fave” colors of that decade (like neon pink for the 80s). Use a headline like “I can’t believe I actually wore that!”

Honor your elders

Make a scrapbook page or pages in honor of your grandparents or great-grandparents. Find those quintessential pictures of grandpa in his military uniform or grandma with her hair all curled and her perfectly tailored dress. Use “vintage” ribbons, buttons, paper, postcards, newspaper clippings or other embellishments to give the pages that historical look. Save a spot to journal your favorite memories about your grandparents.

First Flowers of Spring

Document the first flowers that bloom in your yard, neighborhood or local park. Take tons of up close pictures, then pick the best ones for your page. Select a background paper that is complimentary but doesn’t compete with the brilliant colors of your floral pics. You can caption the page or photos as “Spring Awakens in _______” Use thin spring green satin ribbon to write the name of your city!