Mask with Ribbons and Buttons

 Hi Everyone!

Dressing up for Halloween is such fun! Some of my favorite memories of Halloween are creating costumes for myself or for my daughters.  

Today we'll have some fun creating a mask decorated with ribbons and buttons from Gwen Studios.

First, find a simple mask pattern or use a purchased mask.  You can find patterns on Pinterest or draw your own. To create a symmetrical mask, draw half the mask on the fold of a piece of paper.

Trace and cut out your mask from paper, stiff felt or craft foam.  I used some lime green craft foam.

Now you are ready to decorate your mask with ribbons and buttons from Gwen Studios.

Cut 3 lengths of coordinating or contrasting ribbon and glue them in the corners of the mask.  I used hot glue, but you can use a tacky glue.

Glue one larger button over the ends of the ribbon.

Glue more buttons on each corner.   Glue some in the center.  Glue some longer ribbons on the back for ties.

Have fun creating your own unique mask.  This is a great project for a birthday party, Halloween party or scouting group.

You can search and find these ribbons and buttons from Gwen Studios at WalMart.com.  You can also find the ribbons on Amazon or at Michaels.com.  

Look for more designs for fall and Halloween on the Designer Crafts Connection blog.

Back to School Bulletin Board

 Hi All!

It's that time of year again!  Back to School!  I know most of you are back already, but here's an accessory that will be a fun addition to your student's desk or locker.  

We're going to decorate a bulletin board with Gwen Studios ribbon and buttons. 

 First, make or buy a small bulletin board.  This one is a felt-covered hexagon from the Dollar Store. I chose purple but they come in several colors. 

The board also came with several push pins. With hot glue, I stacked and glued pastel buttons to the top of the push pins.

Then, I tacked lines of ribbon across the board.  You can arrange them in any way you like.  

I made a couple of bows from ribbon and glued them on also.

Here's how it turned out:

Cute and quick and easy!  Slide in photos or other memorabilia from the school year.  

Get your kids together and have them make their own.  It's a good group craft for birthday parties or scout groups, too.  

Find the Gwen Studios ribbon and buttons here: Gwen Studios Buttons at WalMart

You'll be able to see all the varieties available in all their colors at the link.

Gwen Studios 3/8" Grosgrain Ribbon

Decorate all your Back-to-School accessories like organizers and pencil boxes with more Gwen Studios ribbon and buttons!  See more ideas on the Designer Crafts Connection blog.

Red, White and Blue Tassels

 

Hi Crafters!

Today I have some red, white and blue tassels for you.  They're perfect for the upcoming holidays - Flag Day and the Fourth of July. They're so easy to make.  Set up a table for the kids and let them help decorate!

Here's one of the finished tassels:

To create these tassels, use an assortment of Gwen Studios ribbons: Here I have some striped grosgrain and Sweet Shop packages.

Cut 6 - 12" lengths of ribbon for each tassel.  I used the three striped grosgrains, the star ribbon and the blue satin for mine.

Paint some wooden candleholders for the tops of the tassels. These are 1" high painted red.

Fold the ribbons in half and tie a length of thread around the center of the ribbons.  

To create a tassel that flares out, arrange the ribbons crossing in an X and tape down to your surface with masking tape on either side of the center. Slide the thread under the center and tie tightly.

Thread the twine ends through the hole in the candleholder and pull the ribbons into it.

Wrap the candleholder with more of the thread leaving tails.  Slide buttons or beads on the ends of the tails and knot.

To finish the top, slide on buttons and beads, knot a couple of times and knot again for a hanging loop.

Hang the tassels separately or attach them to a garland.

The ribbon and buttons are from Gwen Studios. 

You can find them at Walmart.com.

White buttons

Red buttons

Or:

Michaels.com

Sweet Shop ribbon

Find more patriotic ribbon designs at the Designer Crafts Connection!

Easy Easter Egg Ornament

 Hi Everyone!

Here is a quick and easy Easter Egg Ornament that anyone can make.

First, cut two egg shapes from felt. You may have a cookier cutter that you can use or you can find a shape on the internet.  Any size will work for this.

Then cut two pieces of ribbon to go across the egg above and below the middle.  Cut another two pieces of ribbon if you want to do the back.  Glue or sew these in place on each side.

Glue or sew buttons between the ribbons.

Glue or sew the sides together with a loop of ribbon or thread in between the layers at the top.

Here's another egg decorated with rows of butttons.

There you go!

Decorate a little tree, hang them on a wreath or put a large one on your door!

Happy Easter!

(Ribbon and buttons are from Gwen Studios of which I am a design team member. Look for Gwen Studios buttons and ribbons at Walmart or Michaels or on Amazon. See more designs for Easter and Mother's Day at Designer Crafts Connection.

Valentine's Day Garland

 Hello Everyone!

This month I'm creating a Valentine's Garland for Gwen Studios using their ribbon and their new buttons.  It's a fun project that will brighten up your Valentine's Day. It's easy enough that everyone can make it.

You'll need:

A large sheet of stiff felt in red (Kunin Friendly Felt)

Gwen Studios Button Favorites in red and white

Tacky glue

Gwen Studios red and white Taffy Stripe ribbon

Cut the large sheet of felt (12" by 16") into 4 pieces (each 6" by 9").

On each piece, outline the letters for "LOVE" in white buttons.  I did this freehand, but you can make a pattern by writing out the letters to get the sizing as you like it.  I made the "O" in the shape of a heart.  My letters are about 3 1/2" high, but there's room to make them larger if you wish.

Glue down the first set of buttons along the letter.  After outlining the letters with white buttons, add a second layer with red and white buttons.  When you are satisfied with the look, glue these to the first layer.  

Cut eight 3" pieces of ribbon.  Fold each in half and glue the ends together.  Glue these loops on the top of the flags even with the sides and 1/2" down.

Cut a strip of ribbon about 8" long for each flag.  Glue this across the top and even with the top edge.  Fold the ends to the back and glue.

Cut two more 6"pieces of ribbon for each flag.  These will be crossed on the end of the flag as shown.  Mark the center of the bottom of the flag and cross the ribbons on that point.  Place the ribbons 2" above the corner and crossing at the center point.  Glue down and fold the ends to the back and glue.

Here are all the flags.  I was going to trim off the corners on the bottom to create a more pointed flag, but I decided I liked the look.  There are a long of possibilities for finishing the bottom edge.

Glue buttons in the top corners.

Here's the garland strung on a red bead strand.  You could use ribbon also.

Here are some links where you can find the materials I used. The buttons can be found at Walmart and the ribbon at Michaels.

Gwen Studios white buttons

Gwen Studios red buttons

Gwen Studios Red and White Grosgrain Ribbon

For more Valentine designs using Gwen Studios ribbon and buttons check out the Designer Crafts Connection blog.

I'm a member of the Gwen Studios design team and receive product (which I love and recommend) as part of my compensation.

Ribbon Garden Flag

 Happy Spring!

It's Spring and time to start planting flowers and decorating the garden. What better way than to create a ribbon flag to catch the breezes.

Here's the Ribbon Flag I created for my garden.

This is such an easy craft that everyone in the family will have fun making it.

You'll need:

Bamboo dowel - 12"

Cut lengths of ribbon (2 each of 16", 18", 20" and 22" and one 24")

Pony beads in multiple colors

String or twine 

Scissors

Instructions:

Tie the longest ribbon onto the dowel with an overhand knot.  Tie the next lengths on either side of the middle.  Repeat for the remaining ribbons.

Trim the ribbons to points. Slide a pony bead on each ribbon.  Tie a knot under the bead if you like.

Tie a string on either side of the ribbons.

Hang in your garden! 

I used Gwen Studios 3/8" polka dot grosgrain ribbon.  The colors are so bright and cheerful! You can find them at Walmart.

Look for more ribbon crafts for Spring and Easter on the Designer Crafts Connection!

Patchwork Hearts with Gwen Studios Ribbon

 Hi Everyone!

Patchwork hearts are fun to create and they are perfect for Valentine's Day. You can use up some scraps from your stash and add some Sweet Shop Ribbon from Gwen Studios! 

Here is the first heart I created:

I liked it so much; I made another one!

Patchwork Heart with Gwen Studios Ribbon

Sweet Shop Ribbon

The Sweet Shop Ribbons are great additions to a patchwork heart.  There are sweets - cupcakes, donuts, macarons - and lots of bright colors with some word ribbons also. The above link is a set from Walmart, but you can also find these ribbons at Joann's, Michaels and on Amazon.

For this project you will need:

Heart pattern of your choice (mine is about 6" by 6")

Fabric scraps

Gwen Studios Sweet Shop Ribbon (see links above)

Sewing thread and machine or needle (or, fabric glue)

Fabric backing for the heart pattern 

Felt backing for the heart

Instructions:

1. Cut out a fabric heart for backing.

2. Collect fabric scraps to fit across the width of the heart.  Cut or tear into strips or piece the strips if you have smaller pieces.

3. Place a strip right side up across the heart (straight across or angled) so that the strip of fabric overlaps the heart.  Place the second strip right sides together over the first strip aligning the edges. Sew a 1/4" seam. Iron or press the piece to the right side. Repeat until the heart is covered.

4. Press and pin the edges.  Trim from the back to the edge of the heart.

5.  Place ribbons over the patchwork heart and sew along the edges. Cut a piece of felt for backing that is the approximate shape of the heart and pin.  The excess will be trimmed away.

6. Sew 1/4" from the edge of the heart.  Leave an opening at the top to insert a ribbon loop. Pink the edges, insert the loop and sew the opening.

Other ideas to try:

Use fabric glue instead of machine stitching.

Use hand-stitching.

Make a bunch and hang them as a garland.

Add an embroidered name or word and give it to a friend.

Add some batting and make it a potholder.  

Add button or small flowers or a bow.

Have fun creating your own version of a patchwork heart!

And, for more "lovely" Valentine's Day ribbon ideas, see the Designer Crafts Connection blog.

This post features Gwen Studios ribbon.  Since I am a member of the Design Team, I receive samples of their beautiful ribbon.  Look for them in your favorite fabric or craft store!