Spring Forth with Ribbons

The theme for this month's Design Team ribbon project for Gwen Studios is Easter and Spring. 

 

        Spring has to be my favorite time of year.  After the dark and dreary days of Winter, Spring arrives with the promise of new life. Trees start to bud and flowers burst from the bleakness of Winter filling our world with color - nature's resurrection together with Easter heralding its own special promise of new life for us all....

 

          

To create this special project for Easter you will need the following:

• Gwen Studios 3/8" x 36 yards Grosgrain Pastel Ribbon Favor Pack
• Gwen Studios 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon - White
• Canvas Wrapped Frame.   6" x 9"  used here
• Double Sided 1/4" Tape
• Lo-Temp Glue Gun
• Large Glue Dot
• Scissors 

             

Step 1:

    Working on the back of the frame, cover the stapled edges with white, 5/8" grosgrain ribbon using double-sided tape. Secure the ends on the other side (front) with the glue gun.

Step 2:

    Using your choice of colors, glue one length of ribbon across the center of the frame, securing each end at the back with the glue gun. Add 3 additional colors on each side as shown below.

Step 3:

    Cut about a 4" piece of the 5/8" white ribbon. Wrap around the 7 strands of ribbon about 3" from the edge. Pull tightly to pinch the colored ribbons together then overlap the end and glue to secure. Trim away any excess ribbon.

Step 4:

    Using the same 4 colors of ribbon in the same order, wrap the ribbon around the frame across the first pieces of ribbon as shown. Secure each end of the ribbons at the back with glue. 

Step 5:

    Wrap the center with a piece of the white ribbon.  Overlap then glue the end to secure; trim away excess ribbon then roll the loop of ribbon around so the overlapped ends are underneath.

Step 6:

    Create a small bow of green, 3/8" ribbon then glue to the top of the white band, or simply thread the ribbon under the white loop and tie a small bow.

Step 6:

    Create a ribbon rose to add to the center of the bow as follows.  Tie a knot at the end of a 6" piece of 3/8" ribbon. Trim end even with the knot then push the knot into the center of a large glue dot. Twist/fold the ribbon over then push into the glue dot next to the knot. Continue folding the ribbon and pushing the edge into the glue dot all the way around the knot until the glue dot is covered. Carefully lift the edge of glue dot from the backing paper then tuck the end of the ribbon underneath. Trim away excess ribbon, remove the glue dot from the backing paper then adhere to the center of the bow.  If necessary, use the glue gun to ensure the rose stays in place.  See a how-to video here....

Step 7: (Optional)

For a neater finish, cut a piece of card stock slightly smaller than the size of the wrapped canvas and adhere to the back with double sided tape to cover the ends of the ribbons.

        Since Easter is a big part of our Springtime celebration, we'll also need to decorate some Easter eggs, so head back here in a few days for instructions on how to create this "beribboned" Easter egg! 

Yours truly,

Julie 💝🐣

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

*Ribbon used in these projects was provided by Gwen Studios and can be found at your local Walmart and online at walmart.comWalmart.com

Look for more ribbon crafts featuring Gwen Studios ribbon here:

Green Beads and Gnomes!

Coloring beads to match seasonal décor is Quick'n EZ 

        I enjoy decorating with bead garlands and almost always finish off the ends with a tassel, tag, or  seasonal gnome. Making the gnome was the easy part, but I really wanted some green beads for the month of March without the hassle of painting. I created a lot of projects in the 80's & 90's with small wood parts and whenever I had a lot to color I would use dye!  

STEP 1: 

I dissolved about 1/2 a packet of Tulip® Fabric Dye in hot water in a small STAINLESS STEEL saucepan placed in my STAINLESS STEEL sink then carefully added the string of beads with the tassel and some additional loose beads. I stirred the beads and tassel around for a minute, or so with a STAINLESS STEEL spoon making sure the jute tassel was saturated with the dye.  Note: Since this is DYE, I also wore disposable gloves.  I know being "green" is trendy right now and St. Patrick's day is right around the corner, but I really didn't want to risk green hands......  

 

STEP 2:

I left the beads and tassel in the dye for a couple of hours then used a STAINLESS STEEL ladel to transfer the beads to a STAINLESS STEEL colander to drain.  Still working in the sink, I placed a paper towel in the colander to soak up any excess dye, placed the colander in a plastic bag (so it didn't drip on the way to the door) and took it outside so the beads could dry in the sunshine. I hung the strand of beads and tassel from a tree branch and placed the colander at the base.

 

STEP 3:

Once the beads and tassel were dry, I tied the tassel to the end of a piece of string/jute, glued a gnome hat around the top (ball) of the tassel (see my post below with steps on making the hat* with Gwen Studios ribbon and Kunin® Presto felt) then added beads to the string alternating green and natural. I also glued a small bead to the tassel, below the rim of the hat for the nose and a small shamrock I cut from felt at the top.  *Do not add the yarn beard; the tassel is the beard. You may also need to adjust the size of the quarter circle to fit the tassel. You can also make the Leprechaun gnome as shown to add to the end of a garland.

        Now you know how easy it is to color natural beads, you can create any color you like to coordinate with any season or celebration throughout the year.  Note: Not all beads are made from the same wood, so sample a few first. You can also change the depth of color by the amount of dye you add to the water and/or how long you allow the beads to soak in the dye. The color may not always be even, but this only adds to the charm of the farmhouse style....  

Yours truly,

Julie 💚

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!