For the Love of Beads!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

but they're now packed away and my mantel was bare...

       By the 12th day of Christmas, all decorations were boxed up and stored away leaving the house looking pretty bleak. Definitely needed to jazz it up a bit......  I love bead garlands and Valentine's Day is coming up so adding some simple "no hassle" tassels to a plain, red string of beads seemed like a good place to start... and this was quick'n EZ to do.

To make the ribbon tassels you'll need:

• Assortment of 1/4" ribbons (about 10" long)
• Red foam heart
• 2 White 3/8" beads for each tassel
• Red chenille stems
• Thin string
• Scissors
• Stylus, small knitting needle, or toothpick 

        I used about 10" of 5 different ribbons for each tassel. Gather the ribbon lengths together then fold in half. Use thin string to tie them together at the fold. Pull together as tightly as possible then knot to secure.  Push about 1/2" of one end of 1 1/2" of chenille stem under the knotted string at the top of the fold.

        Use the stylus, to poke a small in the bottom point of the heart. Thread one bead onto the chenille stem then push the stem into the bottom of the heart until the bead is firmly against it.  Make a hole in the top of the heart then insert the end of another piece of chenille stem. Thread the second bead onto the stem the bend the top of the stem into a 'U' shape. This will be the hook to hang the tassel onto the string of beads. That's it! 

        I already had some red yarn tassels, so using pieces of chenille, I added a white bead at the top of each one  to hook them onto the garland. 

        This "no hassle tassel" is really easy to make and with so many ribbons to choose from, it's the perfect decorative accent for all kinds of celebrations! Hope you enjoy them too.

Yours truly,

Julie 💝

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

Ribbons used to make the tassels were provided by Gwen Studios and are available online at Michaels, JoAnn's and Walmart.

Look for more ribbon project inspiration on the DCC blog!

Curly Ribbon Crafts

 Rock your party with curly ribbon party lights! 

        It's almost time for a firecracker Fourth of July celebration, so let's get our red, white and blue craft on and create a few simple party lights to light up the night!  Here's a couple of ideas to start with...

Here's what I used:

• Gwen Studios Curly Ribbon - Red, White & Blue
• Gwen Studios 3/8" Grosgrain Taffy Stripe ribbon - Red & White
• Double-sided Adhesive Tape
• Glow Sticks
• Solar Light Mason Jar Lid
• Small Crystal Mason Jar
• Scissors
• 3 Small wood beads - 2 Red & White
• Empty plastic bottle - Small
• 12" Bakers twine, or jute (to hang)

Glow-Stick Light

 

1. Cut about 2" off the bottom of the plastic bottle. Make sure to include about 1/2" of the flat side of the bottle.

2. Use the point of your scissors to make a hole at the center of the bottom of the bottle. Tie one end of the twine to the glow stick cap then thread the other end through the hole up from the inside. Thread the beads onto the other end then make a loop at the top to hang. This will be the top of your light.

3. With edges aligned, adhere the double-sided tape around the cut edge.

4. Cut equal numbers of each color of curly ribbon into 15" lengths then curl each piece by carefully running the length of ribbon between your thumb and the blade of your scissors.  You will need enough pieces to go around the edge of the bottle. Adhere the end of each curled piece to the adhesive tape around the edge of the bottle. 

5. Adhere grosgrain ribbon around the edge to cover the ends of the ribbon and, if desired,  tie a small bow around the hanger at the top of the beads. Trim the lengths of ribbon as needed then push the glow stick into the top and hang.  Remove the glow stick to activate then replace. 

Mason Jar Solar Light

        You probably have a mason jar, but you may need to purchase the solar light lids. I purchased mine from Amazon.

        This is quick'n EZ to make. You don't even need to use a mason jar since the fairy lights will simply hang down from under the solar lid among the strands of curly ribbon. All you need to do is adhere the double-sided adhesive tape around the edge of the lid, add the curled pieces of ribbon then cover the ends with the grosgrain ribbon to finish.  Note: The wire ring of the hanger that comes with the solar lid, is sized to fit around the neck of a jar. You will need to make an adjustment to it if you plan to use it around the lid if you don't use a jar.

Time to light up the decorations! 

      

 

        There are so many other colors of curly ribbon to choose from and with glow-sticks in abundance at different times of the year, I can imagine glow-stick lights with white curly ribbon and google eyes as ghost lights for Halloween in Fall, shades of blue, green and a little pink would make a fabulous jelly fish! What would you make?

Enjoy!

Yours truly,

Julie 💝

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

Curly ribbon used in my projects was provided by Gwen Studios. It is available in a variety of colors at Walmart and online at Walmart.com  All other supplies were purchased by me. 

Look for more curly ribbon projects on the Designer Crafts Connection blog

 

 

Red, White and Blue!

         It's been really, really windy in Texas this Spring, so a wind sock seemed like a pretty good project to feature some red & white striped ribbon! Plus, it's always a good idea to be able to look thru the window to see which way the wind is blowing before stepping outside....  and, it's another way to show support for the red, white & blue on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veterans' Day if you don't have a flagpole...

Here's what you'll need:

• 2 Gwen Studios 5/8" Red & White Stripe Grosgrain Ribbon spools @ 9' each 
• SINGER® Blue and White Stars Cotton Fabric Bundle
• Loops & Threads™ Wooden Embroidery Hoop - 6"
• String - about 5'
• 5/8" Bead with large hole
• Needle & Thread
• Scissors
• Double-sided adhesive tape (optional) 

 

1. Separate the embroidery hoop then cut a piece of fabric long enough to go around the inner hoop, plus 2".  I measured the length along the selvedge edge of the fabric, then cut the width between the 6th & 7th rows of stars. (I adjusted later by removing the 6th row of stars.) 

2. Cut two, 30" pieces of string. Use a small piece of tape to attach one end of one piece to the outside edge of the inner hoop.  Note: Unravel the ends so they will lay flat.  Attach the opposite end to the opposite side of the hoop, then add the other piece of string to the hoop in the opposite direction.

 

3. With the ends of the string facing upwards and the loops hanging down, wrap the fabric around the outside of the hoop with the pattern facing inward. You may find it easier to put double-sided tape around the outside of the hoop first to hold the fabric in place. Overlap the ends then fold the upper piece of fabric back 1".  Adjust the top edge so about 1" of the fabric shows above the edge of the hoop.

3.  Unscrew the outer hoop so you can slide it around the fabric covered inner hoop with the screw placed where the ends of the fabric overlap.Tighten the outer hoop to hold the fabric and the ends of the string in place. Flip the fabric over the outer hoop. 

4. Snip the fabric where the ends overlap around the screw. Fold one end under then pin together.  "A stitch in time saves nine, but I hot glue mine" is a popular saying in crafts, but for this project I used a simple running stitch to stitch the sides together. 

5.  Cut one spool of ribbon into 8 pieces. (I folded the full length of ribbon from the spool in half, then in half two more times to create 8 equal pieces.) Using one of the pieces as a guide,  cut 6 additional pieces from the second spool. 

6.  Attach the ribbons around the bottom of the fabric as follows:

• Fold the bottom edge of the fabric upward then place the end of the ribbon at the center.  (I used the stars as a guide for placement.)
• Pull the top of the fabric down over the end of the ribbon. 
• Pin in place all around the edge, then stitch to secure.

7. Thread the bead over the folded ends of the strings. Make sure the ends are aven then tie an overhand knot above the bead to create the hanger. 

With a wide variety of ribbons to choose from, this is a fun project for parties and celebrations! Enjoy!

Yours truly,

Julie 💝

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

Look for more inspiration using the red & white stripe ribbon from Gwen Studios on the 

Designer Crafts Connection blog

The red & white striped ribbon was provided for this project by Gwen Studios. 

The fabric and embroidery hoop were purchased at my local Michaels store.

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: