Mini Ribbon Wreath Ornament

 Kick off the Holiday Season with this quick and easy festive ribbon craft!

* As a design team member for Gwen Studios,
I am provided with product to work with each month.

To get started, you will need the following:

• Gwen Studios 3/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
• Gwen Studios 3/8" Satin Ribbon
• Gwen Studios 5/8" Taffy Stripe
• Shower curtain rod ring
• Sharp sewing scissors

Use the width of your shower ring  to measure how much ribbon you'll need.
 I measured the width 3 times. Cut  approximately 25 strips of ribbon. 

Double knot tie your ribbon strips, pushing them snugly along the ring, from one end to the other. 

Add a loop of bakers twine at the top for 'hanging', then trim the tied ribbons to create a full wreath shape, twisting and turning the knots until just right. 
Finish by attaching a pre-made or hand made Taffy Stripe bow, securing it in place with a twist tie.

Hang your ornament on the tree or save to adorn a special Holiday gift!  

See your Holiday ribbon craft idea's here! 

DIY Ribbon Wrapped Napkin Rings

 With Thanksgiving just around the corner, this DIY is definitely one of the simplest and easiest thing you can do for any event. It's also a great way to involve little kids, giving them a sense of pride knowing they 'helped' make the table setting extra special! 

* As a design team member for Gwen Studios,
I am provided with product to work with each month.

To get started, you will need the following: 

• Gwen Studios - Grosgrain Ribbon

• Gwen Studios- Plaid Burlap Ribbon and Bows

• Gwen Studios - Metallic Holiday Christmas Ribbon

• Galvanized Steel Wire
• Something to make the ring shape.
• Sharp scissors and jewelry pliers.

The small jar worked for me because I was using paper napkins and plastic cutlery. 

If you are planning on using cloth napkins, you may want to use something larger.

1. Begin by carefully wrapping some wire around your jar. Twist twice then slide off.  Curl the ends with the pliers and weave in and around the wire ring as shown.

 

 

2. Tie one end of some ribbon onto the wire ring, then wrap the rest of the ribbon all the way around and tie again at the end. 

This is where the kids can help! Randomly tie assorted 2" bits of ribbon. One knot will be fine.  

The burlap bows come premade with a twist tie so adding them as the finishing touch is super easy for everyone!

Roll up your utensils and slide into your new napkin rings. 

So easy and looks so nice! 

You can see more ribbon decorating idea's here! 

Look for the ribbons used at your local Walmart stores, Walmart online and Michaels online.

Curly Ribbon Autumn Wreath

Add some fun to a new wreath or update a old favorite with a blend of Autumn curly colored grosgrain ribbons from Gwen Studios! 

It’s actually a lot easier than you think to make curly ribbon (also known as “korker” ribbon), which can be done in batches and set aside for other craft projects such as hair bows, magic wands, costume embellishments, party decor, gift wrapping, bike handlebar streamers, shoe decor,  Holiday ornaments and more!

* As a design team member for Gwen Studios,
I am provided with product to work with each month.

To make the curly-korker ribbon, you will need the following:

• Grosgrain ribbons in your favorite colors from Gwen Studios. 
• Wooden dowels- The size of your dowel will determine the size of your curls.
• Wooden clothes pins- to keep the ribbon from unraveling while baking.
• Spray starch- This stiffens and holds the curls in shape.
• Baking sheet lined with foil.
• Clear nail polish- to make sure the cut ends don't fray.
• Sharp scissors
• Floral wire- for attaching to your wreath.

*(all the supplies needed can be found locally or online at Walmart)

Begin by preheating your oven to 250°.

Start wrapping your ribbon around the dowels. Secure ends in place with the clothes pins. 

Spray each ribbon wrapped rod with starch.
(the starch might foam a little bit, no worries, it will settle quickly and become clear).

Repeat until you have 5 or more of each color. 

Place ribbon wrapped dowels on a foil lined cookie sheet, position the dowels/clothespins so that the ribbon does not touch the foil.
Bake for 25 minutes.

When the ribbon wrapped dowels have finished baking, remove from oven and let cool for at least 10 minutes before handeling. 

Unclip the ends and carefully unwind or slide off the curls. 

*For some reason, these remind me of Nellie Oleson's curls.
 (from Little House on the Prairie) 

Cut your curls in half and seal ribbon edges with the clear nail polish. 

Gather 3-5 curls and bind in the center with the floral wire, then attach to your wreath.

 

So fun, right? 

Please visit the Designers Craft Connection 

for more Gwen Studios Autumn inspired Ribbon idea's!

Ribbon Decorated Halloween Pumpkins

 As most of you know, Halloween is my absolute favorite time of the year! I love the thrills, the chills, the dressing up and of course the decorating! Here I have created the easiest way to embellish pumpkins. In this tutorial, I used foam pumpkins but you can also use real ones if you want a more realistic affect.

* As a design team member for Gwen Studios,
I am provided with product to work with each month.

To make the purple pumpkin, you will need the following:

• GWEN STUDIOS Favor Pack - Rainbow assortment of 3/8' grosgrain ribbon
• (I used the solid and polka dot purple ribbon)
• GWEN STUDIOS  Black  grosgrain ribbon 
• Foam Pumpkins
• Sewing pins
• Scissors
• Decorative rhinestones
• Halloween embellishments

Tuck and pin one end of the your black ribbon at the base of the pumpkin stem. Don't push the pin in all the way just yet. Wrap the ribbon around and repeat the tuck and pinning. 

Continue this process until at least 4 sides are wrapped.
 Place one end of the purple polka dot ribbon on top of the black ribbon, pull out the pin and tuck the end of the purple ribbon under itself as you re-push the pin firmly all the way into the pumpkin. 

Repeat this process, alternating to other ribbon colors and sizes until satisfied with the look. 

To keep your ribbon from sliding around, use some pins at the base and maybe on the sides. 

Finish with some colored rhinestones.
For some extra fun, I painted one of the pumpkins black and decorated it with some orange ribbon! Spooky!

Please visit the Designers Craft Connection for more Gwen Studios Halloween Ribbon idea's!

Back 2 School Ribbon Crafts!

 Lanyards and wristlets are the perfect hands free accessory for students, teachers and school staff. Customizing them with Gwen Studios ribbons helps to make them extra special and extra fun!

* As a design team member for Gwen Studios,
I am provided with product to work with each month.

To make the ribbon lanyard, you will need the following:

• Gwen Studios Sweet Shop Ribbons
• Metal lanyard clip
• Assorted charms
• Heat n Bond - iron on adhesive
• Scissors
• Iron

1. Cut 2 ribbons at 38" each.

2. Cut your heat n bond at 37" and if its not the same size as your ribbon, trim to fit.
The heat n bond comes with (shiny) adhesive side and a paper backing.

3. Place the heat n bond adhesive side down onto the back side of one of the ribbons, leaving 1" uncovered at the end.

4. Carefully run the iron over the ribbon. This will be HOT, so make sure you are using a heat proof surface. 
5. After you have ironed the whole length of the ribbon, carefully peel off the heat n bond paper backing. 

6. Lay the 2nd ribbon as shown and iron again to fuse the two together. 

7. Once cool, thread the ribbon through the key ring.

8. You should have a 1" space at the end of your ribbons. 

Fold this back and iron a piece of the heat n bond - face down as shown in #9. 

10. Peel off the backing and trim off any stray threads.  Then sandwich the other end of the lanyard between the open end and iron to fuse shut, making sure to iron the other side as well. 

Leave to cool before adding charms and other accessories. 

*   *   *

To make the matching ribbon wristlet, consider using a coordinating piece of grosgrain ribbon as I did here with some orange. 

1. Cut 2 ribbons and 1 length of heat n bond at 12" each and fuse together.

 Fold slightly in half, leaving a 1" space at one end. Mark this space with a pen.

2. Cut a length of heat n bond and place as shown. Secure with the hot iron and remove the backing.

3. Bring up the end of the ribbon to just below the line. 
4. Carefully iron on just the 'left' side, fusing that small area in place. 

5. Slide the key fob ring in place. 

6. Fold the remaining end down and iron both sides to be sure it will not come undone.

Add some heat in bond to a small bit of ribbon and use to cover the exposed area.

That's it! So fun, right? 

Mix and match with your favorite Gwen Studios Ribbons and Trims!

Find your favorite Gwen Studios Ribbons at your local Walmart and online at Walmart.com!

Follow this link for more creative ribbon idea's!