La Catrina Ribbon and Floral Headband

My floral headband colors were inspired by the beautiful holiday known as Day of the Dead. This holiday is celebrated every year on November 1st and 2nd. Its a time to honor loved ones who have passed on to the spirit world by having a huge celebration filled with family, festivities, and brightly colored flowers. 

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

I love wearing headbands but not the hard plastic ones.
Here I have created a simple tutorial that I hope you enjoy making as much as I did! 

Supplies used:

• GWEN STUDIOS Favor Pack - Rainbow assortment of 3/8' grosgrain ribbon
• (mix or match the ribbon colors with your selected flowers!)
• GWEN STUDIOS  Black  grosgrain ribbon 
• 4" x 12" of felt. Plus some scraps.
• Assorted colors of silk flowers
• Snap hair clips
• Hot Glue
• a lighter or candle
• Wire cutters
• Monarch butterfly's (optional)

Cut 2 times 15" - 20" of each of the ribbon colors.
To keep the ends from fraying, singe the ends with the flame from a lighter or candle.

Use the hot glue to secure one end of each ribbon to the center sides of the felt. Make sure the length of the ribbons are the same length or you'll have to re cut and re-singe the ends. 

Continue gluing all the colors in place. 
Then draw a line of glue along the top of the felt and fold down on top of the ribbons. Repeat with the bottom half. You should have a 1-1 ½" wide band.

Insert a scrap piece of felt into the snap clip as shown and drizzle some hot glue. 

Press the clip down at one end of the headband. Make sure the blunt or closed end of the clip is at the front of your headband. If you mess up, pull the clip up quickly before the glue has had a chance to harden. Repeat on the other end of the headband. 

Secure with hot glue, the plastic base of each flower. Then use the wire cutters to cut off the stem.

Starting with your larger flowers, cover the bottom of each flower base with hot glue and press into the headband, holding for 10 or so seconds to make sure they are secure. Alternate floral colors and sizes. When you think you are done, try it on in front of a mirror. 

You'll then be able to see any gaps to fill in with extra flowers. If you are worried about the weight of the headband.... just add more hair clips! 
Finish your headband by adding a few butterfly's. 

Fun fact.... Monarchs are believed to be the souls of the beloved deceased family members who have returned home from the spiritual world, in time to participate in the earthly celebration.

 See more ribbon crafts here.