Outdoor Decor with Bowdabra

            Hello, my friends!

It's time for another fun Bowdabra project!
This will be my final Design Team post for Bowdabra, 
as I've made the tough decision to stop down.

This one was a little bit tricky for me!
I had this idea, and made my bows very easily.
The tricky part came when it was time to attach my bows and take photos.
There was a windchill of -41 C at the time,
so I hope you'll understand why my photos were taken quickly! ;o)

Here's what I did using my favorite Bowdabra Burlap Ribbon:

When we moved into this house a year ago,
The yard, front and back, was filled with statues and planters, and even a fountain.

We quickly cleared most of them out.
However, I did decide to keep these little gargoyles
that are mounted on either side of the front door.
Our Christmas decorations/lights are still all packed up,
but I did want to add something festive. 
I think the bows are a nice start.

Here's how I did it:

Supplies Used:

Mini Bowdabra Bow Making Tool and Ruler;
Bowdabra Bow Wire - Gold;

1 1/2" Bowdabra Burlap Ribbon - Red.

These pieces are mounted to the house with two screws.
I began by measuring the distance between the two screws.
It measured 4 1/2", so I determined that a 6" bow would be just right.

1. I cut an 18" piece of wire, folded it in half, and inserted it in my Mini Bowdabra, tucking the ends under. 

2. I wanted long tails on my bow. I cut a 24" piece of ribbon, and inserted it in the tool

3. Leaving 2" on the left side, I twisted my ribbon, and inserted it in the tool.

4. Since I'm making a 6" bow, I made a 3" loop on the right side. I twisted my ribbon, inserted it into the tool, and made a matching 3" loop on the left side. 

5. Next I repeated the process, forming a 2" loop on either side.

6. I cut the ribbon off the spool, leaving a tail

7. After scrunching the ribbon down with the Bowdabra Wand, I untucked the ribbon. I pulled the two ribbon ends through the loop. Holding the bow down, I pulled the wire ends tight, and removed the bow from the tool. 

8. I pulled the wire tight and tied a secure knot. Then I tucked the ribbon ends in, and shaped my bow.

9. I made a fishtail cut on both ends of the ribbon tails.

10. I repeated the entire process to make a second matching bow. Here are the finished and fluffed bows. I left the wire ends long, as I want to use them in the design.

11. I went out side and used the wire to fasten the bows to my gargoyles. I wrapped the wire around the mounting screws, and then tied a secure knot. I wrapped the wires around my fingers to curl them, and left them hanging. They add a nice touch of sparkle. 

12. Finally, I shaped the bow loops and tails!

There you have it!
A fun festive touch has been added to my front door!
Next, I need to make little Santa hats for the Griffin
but that's a project for a different day! :o)

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Thanks so much for stopping by today!

I'll be back soon with another fun project!

* * * * *

Here are all the Bowdabra links for you:

Bowdabra Shop

Bowdabra Blog

Bowdabra Facebook   

How to Use Bowdabra Ribbon as a Design Element on a Card

            Hello, my friends!

It's time for another fun Bowdabra project!

This time there isn't a bow in sight!

 Today's project is Christmas card,

totally inspired by this pretty Christmas ribbon from the shop.

Here is how I did it:

Supplies used:

Bowdabra Christmas Ribbon;
Square Front Card Base;
Digital Cardinal - from Kate Crafts Shop;
Assorted Die-Cut Sprigs;
Glitter Glue.

Isn't that a pretty ribbon?
I just had to feature it on my card.

1. I began with a 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" green cardstock card base. I cut a piece of ribbon that measured 5". I used pinking sheers to cut it, to prevent fraying. Consider the placement of the design before you cut. You want to have a full image, and not just the top and bottom. I also fussy cut out another design element.

2. I adhered the ribbon along the left side of the card, leaving an even border around. 
3. I then added the sprig die-cuts in place on the bottom right corner.
4. I added the die-cut cardinal in place on the sprigs.

5. The fussy cut element was adhered to the inside of the card, along with a second smaller bird. I left room to add a sentiment.

6. Finally, to finish everything off, I added stickles to all the sprigs. The ribbon has beautiful glitter on it, so I wanted it to match. 

I really liked this beautiful ribbon!
I knew right away that I wanted to use it on a card front.
It was fun to find some elements that would work with it.

Ribbon doesn't have to be just used to make bows!
There are so many other ways pretty ribbons can be used!

* * * * *

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

I'll be back next month with another fun bow project!

* * * * *

Here are all the Bowdabra links for you:

Bowdabra Shop

Bowdabra Blog

Bowdabra Facebook  

Burlap Bow Wrap Journal Closure for Bowdabra

            Hello, my friends!

It's time for another fun Bowdabra project!

Again, I have used my favorite Bowdabra Burlap Ribbon to create a

burlap bow wrap closure for my Fall Junk Journal.

There are so many great colors in the shop!

Bowdabra offers several beautiful Autumn colors of burlap ribbon;

perfect for any of your seasonal creative projects!

Here is how I did it:

Supplies used:

Mini Bowdabra Bow Making Tool;

 Bowdabra Burlap Ribbons;

Gold Bowdabra Bow Wire;

Needle and Thread;
Hook and Loop Tape;
Journal.

1. To begin, I wrapped the burlap ribbon around my journal, overlapping 1"- 1 1/4", and cut it from the spool. My piece is 15" long.

2. I cut my hook and loop tape to fit the width of the burlap ribbon. This hook and loop had a very strong self-adhesive backing. I just needed to peel and stick. It could also be stitched onto the ends of the ribbon. Ensure that the hook and loop is adhered on opposite sides of the ribbon.

3. I wrapped the ribbon around the journal, and set aside, while I made the bow.

4. I cut a piece of Gold Bowdabra Wire approximately 15" long. I folded it in half, inserted it into my Mini Bowdabra, and tucked the ends under.

5. I inserted the tail of the burlap ribbon into the Mini Bowdabra at the 3" line. 

6. My journal is 6" wide, so I decided I wanted a 4" loop on my bow. I formed a loop on the left-hand side at the 2" mark. I twisted the ribbon, inserted it into the Mini Bowdabra, and made a second loop on the right-hand side at the 2" mark.

7. I decided to add a second smaller loop to my bow. Using the same process, I formed another loop on each side, this time at the 1 1/2" mark. Then I cut the end off at the 3" mark.

8. I used the Bowdabra Wand to scrunch my bow down.

9. I pulled the wire up, and inserted the ends through the loop and pulled tight.

9. I pulled the bow out of the Mini Bowdabra, and knotted the wires securely before trimming. 

10. I fluffed the loops, and trimmed the ends with a fishtail cut. I took a small piece of burlap ribbon, folded it in thirds, and wrapped it around the center of my bow, covering the gold wire. I adhered this piece in place securely with a few stitches.

11. Finally, I stitched my bow in place on the burlap wrapped around my journal. Now my journal will stay closed securely and attractively. The hook and loop tape also offers some room for expansion, in case I want to add more items to my journal. 

I hope you'll give it a try!

* * * * *

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

I'll be back next month with another fun bow project!

* * * * *

Here are all the Bowdabra links for you:

Bowdabra Shop

Bowdabra Blog

Bowdabra Facebook 

More Fall Fun With Bowdabra!

           Hello, my friends!

It's time for another fun Bowdabra project!

I've made some Fall napkin rings, using the fabulous Burlap Ribbons from Bowdabra:

Aren't they just perfect for a Fall project? :o)

Here is how I did it:

Supplies used:

 Bowdabra Burlap Ribbons;

Gold Bowdabra Bow Wire;

Needle;
Interfacing;
Fall Napkin.

There are five of us in the family, and there are five fabulous burlap ribbons. 
Each of the colors is also in the Fall napkins I have on hand.

1. To begin, I cut a 6" piece of ribbon from each roll. It's a nice size to work with. 

2. I folded the ribbon in half to find the front center. I threaded my Bowdabra Wire onto a needle with an eye big enough to thread it easily. Then I just got to stitching! The initials in my family were all very straight and easy to stitch. The holes in the burlap are easy to see and to count. If you've not done much of this kind of work, you might want to start with a pencil and some graph paper. Just sketch out your letters before you stitch. I knotted the end of my wire and pulled it through from the back. 

3. I added a strip of interfacing to the back of the ribbon. This prevents the knots and wire ends from showing through to the front. I didn't fasten the interfacing in any way...I just held it against the ribbon. It seemed to cling to it. If you have concerns about it shifting, then just use a fusible interfacing and iron it in place before you begin. 

4. Once the initials were all stitched, I folded one edge under and stitched it in place, forming the ring.

5. Then I just continued to stitch an overcast stitch along the top and bottom edge. To finish off, I knotted the wire, left a little tail, and folded it to the inside.

Here's a closer look:

These Burlap Ribbons from Bowdabra are just fabulous for all your Fall projects!

Stitching with the wire is lots of fun too!

I wonder what else I can come up with? ;o)

* * * * *

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

I'll be back next month with another fun bow project!

* * * * *

Here are all the Bowdabra links for you:

Bowdabra Shop

Bowdabra Blog

Bowdabra Facebook 

Junk Journal Snippet Roll using Bowdabra Burlap Ribbon

      Hello, my friends!

It's time for another fun Bowdabra project!

This month there isn't a bow in sight!
Instead, I'm sharing with you how I've made my snippet rolls.
If you're not familiar with a snippet roll,
it's a long strip that is decorated with bits and pieces, such as:
paper, fabrics, buttons, lace, etc.

Once your strip is finished, you just roll it up to store it.
Then when you need a piece for a project...you just snip it off!
I'm going to use mine in my junk journals!

My project was inspired by these wonderful Burlap Ribbons from Bowdabra:

Aren't they just perfect for a Fall project? :o)

Here is how I did it:

Supplies used:

 Bowdabra Burlap Ribbons;

Cheesecloth;
Paper Ephemera Bits and Pieces;

Glue Stick;
Sewing Machine, Needle and Thread, or a Stapler.

1. The first thing you need to do is determine how long you want your snippet to be. It can be short or it can be very long. For my samples I cut four colors of burlap ribbon at 20 inches long. 

2. Next, determine what ephemera bits and pieces you want to use. I used the Autumn Cluster Builder Kit from Paper Craftivity. It's the perfect collection for a Fall themed snippet roll. I fussy cut all the bits of paper. I also inked the edges of all the little bits but that is optional.

3. Now you begin to build your snippets. 

Here's a closer look at how I did mine:

4. Start with some larger pieces, and separate them far enough to allow you to snip between, while leaving some of the burlap ribbon on each side.

5. Now add another layer; a label, a journal spot, or a piece of decorative paper. Just keep layering from back to front. I like to add a little bit of cheesecloth somewhere in my layers. It adds a lovely texture. Save your smallest and prettiest pieces for the top layer. Finally, add a word or number bit.

6. Once you have your snippet bits laid out, and spaced the way you like, go through with a small glue stick and just tack things in place lightly. 

7. Take the roll to your sewing machine. Use matching thread, or a contrasting thread, to stitch the length. There are so many creative options for the step, and I show several. Sew a zig zag stitch down both sides, or down one side. Stitch around various pieces. There are no right or wrong ways to do this...it's whatever you want. 

8. If you are not interested in sewing your snippet rolls, then you can use glue or staples to hold everything in place. 

9. Finally, roll it up and keep it handy!

Here you can see that I have cut two snippets from the rolls:

 The first one has been added to my junk journal page with a spiral clip:

The second one has been adhered to the page as a corner tuck pocket:

These Burlap Ribbons from Bowdabra are just fabulous for all your Fall projects!
I'm already working on another fun new idea! :o)

* * * * *

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

I'll be back next month with another fun bow project!

* * * * *

Here are all the Bowdabra links for you:

Bowdabra Shop

Bowdabra Blog

Bowdabra Facebook