Ribbon Flowers

 Hi Everyone!

Are you ready for Spring?  Me, too! Even if it's still storming outside, these button and ribbon flowers are super easy to make and will be a welcome addition to your spring decor. 

The ribbon I'm using today was provided by Gwen Studios.  I'm on their Design Team and receive materials from them to design a project each month.  They have high quality ribbon in beautiful colors.

This lovely pastel selection of grosgrain ribbon is perfect for spring designs.  To me, they spoke of spring flowers.  I found the perfect collection of buttons to go with them.

You can find these ribbons at WalMart.  I used the 3/8" ribbons found in the Favorites Pack.

In addition to the ribbon you'll also need:

Buttons, assorted to match or contrast with the ribbon

Bamboo skewers

Paintbrush and green paint

A container (I found this one at the dollar store.)

Floral foam to go inside the container

Easter grass or shredded paper

Hot glue and glue gun

Scissors

Ruler

To begin, cut your ribbon in 2- , 2 1/2- or 3-inch lengths depending on the size flower you want.  I used 8 pieces for each flower on most of these.

Hot glue the ends of the ribbon pieces to the back of the button.  I glued four on at right angles, then the next four in between the first set.

Then, bring the ends to create loops, gluing as you go around the button.

Paint your bamboo skewers green.

I chose a pastel green to go with the ribbon.  Stick your skewers in the floral foam in order to paint them.

Trim your floral foam to fit your container with a serrated knife. Press it into your container. Glue the skewers to the back of the flowers.  Cut the skewers different lengths.

Here's a flower with the skewer glued to the back.  You can cover this area with a circle of felt.

Arrange the flowers in the foam and cover the surface of the foam with a layer of tacky glue or decoupage medium.  Sprinkle on shredded paper or Easter grass.  

TIP:  I made my own shredded paper in my office shredder.  Before placing it in the glue, scrunch it in your hand to give it a crinkled look.  

Here's my finished arrangement:

There are lots of variations you can try with this simple flower - make double flowers like the coral one in the photo, use different sizes of buttons, use different widths of ribbon, mix ribbons of different colors in a flower, or add leaves to the stems.  I'm sure you'll think of more ideas.

Have fun creating! And, stop by the Designer Crafts Connection blog to see all the other ribbon designs.