Personalized Weddings!

        A wedding has to be one of the most important events in someone's life. Make it extra special with coordinating decorations using ribbons, trims and fabric from Gwen Studios, available exclusively at your local Walmart and online at Walmart.com!

        As an industry designer, I received the following selection of product from Gwen Studios with the request to create one or two projects appropriate for a wedding.  With SO many ideas to choose from, it wasn't easy to decide what to do, so I'm sharing a sampling of quick'n EZ ideas together with instructions for a couple of my favorites!                                                                           

Let's start with a firm favorite - something every bride will need.....

Woven Ribbon Ring Pillow 

You'll need:

• 3 yds 7/8" Grosgrain ribbon -  White
• 3 yds 7/8" Satin ribbon - White
• 1 yd 1 1/2" Satin ribbon - White
• 1 yd 3/8" Grosgrain ribbon - White
• Blush (or White) Satin and Rhinestone trim
• Crochet style lace trim - White & Lavendar
• Two 10"x10" squares of white fabric (I used old handkerchiefs)
• Needle and white thread (or sewing machine)
• 1/8" double sided adhesive 
• Scissors
• Beaded quilt pins
• Cotton balls

1.  Cut nine, 10" lengths each of white, 7/8" grosgrain and satin ribbon.

2.  Starting with one piece at the center, pin the pieces (4 on each side) of grosgrain ribbon next to each other across one edge of the fabric square.

3.  Starting about 1" from the top weave the pieces of satin ribbon across the grosgrain ribbon ending about 1" from the bottom.  Adjust the ribbon so the pieces are nestled snugly against each other then secure each piece using a pin at each end to keep them in place. 

4.  Using a simple running stitch, stitch around the outside edge of the outer  pieces of ribbon to attach them to the fabric.

5. Trim the excess ribbon and fabric close to the edge on all 4 sides.

6.  Place the woven piece on top of the second piece of fabric; trim as needed.  Place the narrow white ribbon along the top edge of the woven piece then fold the 1" trim over the edge of the fabric, pin then stitch in place. The narrow ribbon will be encased under the lace trim along the top edges for a neater look.  Leave an opening along one edge of the pillow so it can be filled. 

7.  Stuff with cotton balls, then sew the opening together.  TIP: I placed the cotton balls in a plastic baggie, about the same size as the pillow to make it easier to stuff.

7.  Wrap the 1 1/2" wide satin ribbon around the center of the pillow then tie in a bow. Trim the ends as needed. To add a little sparkle, adhere the narrow rhinestone trim to the center of the blush satin trim with double sided tape. Offset the piece of trim as shown so the ends will overlap when placed around the center of the bow.  TIP: This technique with the rhinestone trim can also be used to make bracelets for the bridesmaids and flower girl. 

8.  Optional: Add coordinating colored trim on top of the ribbon at the front and a tassel* at the center to finish.  *Instructions to make tassels are below.

Just add a ring bearer and your pillow will be good to go down the aisle in style!

Tassels are another favorite of mine! They are easy to make and will be the perfect addition to all of your wedding decorations!

Tassel Garland

You'll need:

• Coordinating Voile fabric
• 3/8" White satin or grosgrain ribbon
• Textured/bouclé style yarn in a coordinating color
• White cord (for garland)

1.  Unroll the fabric, but leave folded. Cut 1" strips across the end as shown. Cut each strip along the folds at the top and the bottom to create 4 strips.  

2.  Cut the ribbon and the yarn into 14" lengths. To make one tassel, gather 3 strips of fabric, 1 piece of ribbon and 2 pieces of yarn together, staggering the lengths.  Fold in half then attach to the cord with a larks head knot by laying the folded end under the cord, then pulling the ends over the top of the cord and thru the fold.  Continue adding tassels about 5" apart to a length of cord to make a garland.  To make a single tassel, cut the cord about 4" either side of the knot then use to attach the tassel to the pillow, flower girl basket, etc.

        Woven ribbon pillows and tassels are definitely worth the time invested in making them, but ribbons and trim are also a great way to quickly add coordinated color and bling to LED candles, place mats, the flower girl's basket and more. Wands are also a trendy feature for younger bridesmaids. Simply wrap the cardboard tube from a wire coat hanger with ribbon; trim the top with rhinestone trim then insert a bundle of fabric strips, yarn and ribbons into one end and poof, you have a fairy wand!  You can also add layered ribbon and trim to the ends of a piece of coordinating canvas for a quick'n EZ placemat!

Don't forget rhinestone trim bracelets for that extra special sparkle!

Look for more inspiration from Gwen Studios Design Team:

Terry Ricioli

Janet Trieschman

Sue Eldred

Rosie Nunjai

Nadine Carlier

Michelle Frae Cummings

Ann Butler

Jean Kievlan

Enjoy!

Yours truly,

Julie 💝

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING! 

Fascinator for a Fairy Tale Wedding!

Are you excited about the upcoming royal wedding?  I know I am.  Royal weddings are always special.  I love the pageantry of these royal occasions and seeing traditional British customs accompanied by so much pomp and ceremony.  Like everyone else, I'm dying to see what the future Princess and all their guests will be wearing! Watch parties are planned all over the world to celebrate the royal couple, DVRs and alarm clocks are set and now is the time to plan on what to wear to this most auspicious occasion (even if we only get to visit via the telly).

Everyone has a favorite dress, but the most important part of your outfit will be the hat.  Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth would never be seen outside her castle walls without a hat perched upon her royal coiffed noggin, and no self respecting lady, or gentleman would dream of entering a church without a hat. Enter the "Fascinator".  An odd name to be sure, but one that conjures up images of grandeur, frivolity and all round creative fun.  It is definitely one of the "bear" necessities for this and all special occasions and great fun to make!  Teddy is ready!

 

You will need:  

Kunin® Premium Felt 9" x 12" - White

Kunin® Premium Felt 9" x 12" - Black

Kunin® Black Dot on White Coordinates Felt  9" x 12" 

Cricut® Maker cutting machine and Rotary Blade

Wired Ribbon - Black

Variety of Black trims and White Tulle (Expo International)

Craft Feathers - White

3" Barrette

Needle and thread

Glue gun and lo-temp glue

Scissors

Instructions:

    1.  Cut the following shapes from felt:

          One 3" circle and one 5" x 7" oval - white

          One 4" circle and one 5" x 1.25" strip of petals - black

          One 5 1/2" x 7 1/2" oval - black dot on white

 

You can cut these with the Maker in Cricut Design Space using the "shapes" and "size" features, or create your own paper patterns. The shapes don't have to be perfect for this project.

 

PETAL PATTERN FREE DOWNLOAD

    2.  Create the base:  Fold the white oval in half lengthwise then, starting from the edge, cut a 2 1/2" slit along the fold. Overlap each side then glue in place. Repeat with the dot oval then glue this oval on top of the white. The premium felt oval is slightly smaller and gives the base of the fascinator more stability.

3. Create the flower:

        a. Fold the white circle in half, in half again (quarters) then cut a small piece from the point to create a hole in the center about 1/2" wide.  Using the needle and thread, create small running (up & down) stitches around the center opening.  Pull tightly to gather the over sew the end of the thread to secure. (I used black thread on white to make the stitches visible for step outs.)

 

        b. Place running stitches  along the bottom of the petals as shown, then gather tightly. Over sew the end to secure the thread then pull the ends together to create a circle of petals.  Stitch, or glue the ends together. For added glamour, I cut apart the black trim with rhinestones then glued each piece to a petal.

 

        c. Glue the petals to the center of the white circle then both to the center of the black circle.

        d. With the ribbon still on the spool, pull the end of the wire gently from one edge to gather the ribbon. Push the ribbon along the wire until there is enough to make a circle the same diameter as the flower.  Cut the ribbon from the spool ten gently pull the wire from the other end of the same edge. Sandwich the gathered ribbon between the white and black felt circles.  Pull the ends together, twist the wires to secure then cut away the excess wire.

 

4. Create a Tulle bow: 

        a.  Fold the tulle back and forth about every 12" until there are 3 loops at each side.

 

        b. Pinch the tulle loops together at the center then wrap tightly with a twist tie (shown), thread or a piece of the wire from the ribbon.

 

5.  Assemble:

        a. Glue the flower to one side of the base toward the back.  Only glue the center of the flower to the base, making sure there's enough glue to make it secure.  Pull the loops on each side of the tulle bow together then glue the center of the tulle to the base underneath the flower.  Fluff the loops apart.

 

        b. There was a single rhinestone between each diamond shape on the rhinestone trim. for added sparkle, I glued these on top of a few of the dos at the front of the base.

 

        c. A fascinator isn't truly finished until you add some feathers.  Squeeze a good amount of glue into the center of the flower then insert the ends of 3 or more feathers and voilà, c'est fini.....  As my grand daughter would say, "how adorbs is that"!

 

NOTE: You can use old-fashioned hat pins to hold your fascinator in place, attach to a sturdy headband, or you can glue a barrette to the underside.  Cut a half circle of felt about 4" x 2" (or strip).  Trim as needed, then thread through the upper part of the barrette. Glue the felt under the base.  

 

You will need to determine where/how you will want to wear your fascinator before securing the barrette to make sure it will be placed correctly to work with the way you style your hair. 

You can find free patterns to create different flowers in Cricut Design Space, or simply search Pinterest for additional ideas.  Whatever the occasion, you can make your fascinator look amazing with felt accents and trims.  Enjoy the wedding!  Y'all come back now........

Yours truly,

Julie

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!