Ribbon Flower Pin

 Hi Everyone!

It's beginning to look like Spring here. It's lovely after all the rain we've had here in Sonoma County.

In celebration of Spring, I've made a Ribbon Flower Pin. 

 It's quick.  It's easy.  And, you can use any color ribbon or type you like. Of course, I'm using Gwen Studios ribbon.  For color and quality, you can't beat it!

Here's what you'll need to make a flower like mine:

15" of 1 1/2" wide grosgrain ribbon (flower color)

5" of 3/8" wide grosgrain ribbon (center color)

10" of 5/8" wide grosgrain ribbon in green

Tools: scissors, needle and thread, hot glue and glue gun

Instructions:

To start, I've used a wide grosgrain ribbon (1 1/2").  I used 15" of ribbon, but you can make it smaller or larger.

Begin by sewing a running stitch along one edge of the ribbon.

Pull up the thread to gather the ribbon and make a couple of small stitches to hold.

Fold the raw ends of the ribbon to the back and tack with thread or hot glue.  Arrange the flower into circle and glue or tack. 

Fold a 5" piece of 3/8" ribbon into pleats tacking with needle and thread as you go or glue.  This will be the center of the flower.

Glue this into the center of the flower.

For the leaves, cut two 5" pieces of green grosgrain ribbon (5/8").  Cross ends over to create the leaf.

Glue or tack the ends together and glue to underside of flower.  

Glue a circle of felt to the back of the flower and adhere the pin back.

Easy, right?  Of course, you could add this to a headband or hair clip instead of making a pin.  Or, use satin ribbon or organza ribbon.  So many possibilities!  What will you do with this easy flower?

Look for Gwen Studios ribbon at your favorite craft store (like Joann's or Michaels), at Walmart and on Amazon.

Find more great Spring ribbon ideas on the Designer Crafts Connection.

Disclaimer:  I'm a member of the Gwen Studios Design Team and receive samples of ribbon and other items as part of my compensation.  

Ribbon Tulips

Hi all!

California is getting a very wet winter this year and I am ready for spring.  But, if it's not spring yet outdoors, at least you can brighten your house with some spring-y ribbon flowers.

I'm working (again) with Gwen Studios 3/8" grosgrain in bright colors, but any of their ribbons would work as well.

Gwen Studios

You'll need (per flower):

a wood ball (3/4")

a bamboo skewer

green paint and your choice of bright colors like these from DecoArt

scraps of green stiff felt (Friendly Felt from Kunin)

Gwen Studios ribbon

hot glue and glue gun

scissors, paint brush

Optional:  bead caps, fabric scrap

To make a flower:

Paint the stick green.  Glue the ball onto the stick and paint the ball the bright color of your choice.  

Cut 12 - 3"-4" pieces of 3/8" wide grosgrain ribbon.  Form a loop and glue cut ends wrong sides together. Trim ends to a point.

Here's a flower in progress.  In this one, I wrapped the ball with a small circle of fabric instead of painting it.

Glue six loops around the ball and then glue the next six over the spaces in between the first row.

Die cut or freehand a small flower from green felt and punch a hole in the center.  Slide on the stick up under the flower and glue.

Cut leaves from felt and glue to the stick.

When you glue the stick into the ball, you can still see the stick.  To cover the end, I painted a bead cap and glued it over the hole in the ball. You can see that in the photo below along with the finished purple flower with the cloth-covered ball.

Happy Spring!

For more Spring inspired ribbon designs, check out the Designer Crafts Connection!

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.