Decorative Packaging

Ribbons aren’t just for gift wrapping. Ribbons are also great for scrapbooking. With colorful ribbon, a hot glue gun, a large-eyed needle, and some imagination you can really bring your scrapbooks to life! Here are a few ideas that I’ve used over the years:

I like to tie several thin ribbons around a frame to give an eclectic look. The ribbons don’t have to be laid flat one next to the other; you can stack them for a more three-dimensional look. I also like to sew with thin ribbons instead of embroidery floss. It’s a chunkier style that requires the use of a large-eyed needle. Ribbon flowers are also a fantastic addition to any page. If you don’t know how to create ribbon flowers, there are plenty of how-to videos online that will walk you through the process.

Party Favors with Decorative Ribbon

Next time you entertain, possibly for Valentines Day luncheon, or a party at work and school, try preparing these great party favors in decorative packaging ahead of time.

These mini boxes can be purchased at most craft and hobby stores or discount stores.  They are great for guests to take leftover food and desserts with them.  However, to use as party favor, select your goodies to put inside, possibly candy and little gift cards or scrap-booking style, book marks or thank you for coming cards.  Place the items inside, close the container.  Then use decorative ribbon to decorate.  If you place the middle of the ribbon across the top, begin to wrap the ribbon down sides, intersecting and twisting 90 degrees’ coming up the other sides, and ending up on top, tie in a simple bow tie.  If you are preparing many of these little treat boxes, try using ribbon with different patterns but same color family.  They can add to the table décor.  I like the way they put a little greenery under the bow.  You can slip any little item like a sucker, or pencil, or any other trinket you think they would like or that fit the occasion.

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.

This is a simple and quick way to decoratively package some homemade goodies. Start with A simple brown gift box with tissue paper inside to nestle your treats in. Measure enough colorful cardstock to wrap around the box meeting at the bottom slightly overlapping. Make sure you measure the colorful paper slightly narrower than the box. Secure with pret-tied elastic cord bows. The recipient will have easy access to the box and be able to wrap it back up after they sample the treat. Here is a recipe for the pastry in the picture.

These are Manchego Twists

Makes 3 gifts, 24 twists in all;  Total time 25 minutes

You will need 1 thawed sheet frozen puff pastry (from a 17.3 ounce box); 1 beaten egg; ½ teaspoon paprika; 1/4teaspoon kosher salt; 1 ¼ cup finely grated Manchego cheese (about 5 ounces).

Heat the oven to 400*F. Brush the pastry with egg and sprinkle with paprika, salt and 1 cup of the cheese. Cut pastry into 12 ¾ inch wide strips, and then halve the strips crosswise. Twist the strips and place on parchment lined baking sheet, spacing them 1 inch apart. Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup of cheese and bake until golden crisp, 12-15 minutes.

Keep at room temp up to 1 week.

Polka Dot Ribbon Memory Board

This is so cute and so easy to make!  You can personalize them to anyone’s style. It would be neat to do several for the same room in contrasting colors.  You can pick up any size picture frame from a discount store, remove the glass, and use the board for a pattern.  You can use cork board, or even cardboard.  Most discount stores sell plain cork boards in various sizes.  Cut the board to match the size of the picture board, then hot glue the diagonal thin ribbon at each edge.  Pull them tight.  Next, lay the boarder ribbon down and clue at each corner.   Add two decorative double bows with hot glue. Then fit the board into the picture frame, and add the backing, and push the staples back down to hold in place. Pictures will easily slide in behind the ribbon, or you can use push pins too.  Great for dorm rooms, and they make great gifts too

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.

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!