Halloween Ribbon Wreath

Our friend Sarah gave me a couple of spools of this black grosgrain ribbon, presenting me with a challenge.  So here is this quick and easy Halloween wreath.  Since it takes a lot of ribbon, try buying in bulk online rather than at the craft stores.  I really like this site for ribbons and trims.

Supplies:

  • 12″ foam wreath form
  • 24 yards 1 1/4″ black grosgrain ribbon (or less if using a wider ribbon)
  • Scissors
  • Measuring tape

Steps:

  1. Cut 45-50 16″ pieces of ribbon.
  2. Tie one strand of ribbon in a knot around the wreath.  I used a “messy knot” — right over left, then right over left again, pulling in the opposite direction.  It doesn’t really matter how you do it as long as you are consistent all the way around.  Repeat with the knots, pushing them close together, until you fill the wreath.
  3. Cut one long piece of ribbon (48″) and tie one end to form a knot.  Leave a long loop for hanging and tie another knot onto the wreath.
  4. Trim any frayed or long ends.

Done!  If you make one of these, I’d love to see a photo in the Make it Monday Flickr pool here.  There are lots of great new photos over there, so take a look.

Bias Tape Crown

I love bias tape.  Not really into making it, but I like the kind you can buy.  I made this little crown in about 20 minutes using iron-on interfacing and double-fold bias tape.  And it’s reversible.  I’d like to try one without the interfacing so that it lays down like a kerchief — a crown for everyday.  This little princess would like that.

Etsy Finds Friday

Black Oak Leaf Rubber Stamp, $3 from Norajane.

Totem: Hand Screenprinted Fabric, $6.50 (9.5″x14″), from summersville.

She-Hedgie Hedgehog Ball, $10 from Beneath the Rowan Tree.

Anfora Teacups, set of 6, $30 from Peacock Modern.

Wooden Jackalope Head, $55 from trees with knees.

Gocco Printed Coasters, set of 2 for $8 from feltcafe.

Folky 2009 Letterpress Calendar, $30 from dutch door press.

Tiger’s Eye Earrings in Sterling Silver, $24 from kusu.

Knitting Love Birds Natural Tote Bag, $10 from Rainbow Swirlz.

More Soap

I made some more of this soap yesterday (see previous post here).  Note to self: do not try to make soap with a three-year-old again.

Embroidery Owl

I just opened an Etsy shop featuring designs for embroidery machines.  I’ll also be adding some sewing patterns and some handmade goods in the coming weeks, so take a look here.  When I had an embroidery business I was frustrated with the lack of clean and simple designs on the market so I started coming up with my own.  

So here’s a little freebie for those of you with embroidery machines.  My five-year-old is the head of my design team.  I took the little owl drawing that she made and turned it into an embroidery design.   This is for a 4×4 hoop with a stitch count of 4437.  If you need a different format, just e-mail me and I’ll be happy to send it to you.

owl-drawing.pes

owl-drawing.dst