DIY No-sew Ribbon Wreath

I needed a little something for a homemade gift exchange, so I made this ribbon wreath.  I'm whatever level is below novice in sewing, so I made this diy no-sew version.

I started by covering the wreath in ribbon.  I secured the final bit of ribbon with a dressmaker's pin.

I used all of these (each was 3 yards), but a couple of coordinating yards I had at home.  Ribbon ain't cheap, so bring your coupons or wait for a good sale.  I ended up with a lot of ribbon that was narrow (3/8 in) which means you use a lot more of it to fill up the space.  My grand total was 23 yards of ribbons for this one!

Update:  Made a second wreath using the same colors and ornaments.  However, I used primarily 7/8 inch ribbon and used less than half of each spool.  This is a way more cost effective way to fill up the space.  I also recommend getting a couple of spools of ribbon with wire.  They poof nicely and fill up space also. 

I cut the ribbon into 6.5 inch strips.  Then I made a loop.

Press the loop flat.

Add two or three loops per pin.

Using dressmaker's pins, attach the loops to the wreath.  Keep going and going and going.  When inserting pins on the outside of the wreath, keep the length of the pin in mind.  You don't want them poking out of the back.  Instead, insert them at an angle.  

To hang the wreath, I took a longer piece of ribbon and tied it around the wreath.  I secured it with pins and then filled in around it.  

I attached some ornaments with hot glue to fancy it up.  

Let It Snow

Thought I'd share some more pictures from my mom's snowflake birthday party.

Spooky Halloween tree with a makeover with some ribbon and snowflake ornaments. 

Party City got some snowflake paper goods in stock like they knew the party theme.  

A super inexpensive embellishment for plastic wine glasses--cut out snowflakes attached with glue dots.  They also served as wine charms.

It worked out well because my mom had snowflakes hidden throughout her house already.

Snowflakes on the mantle.  

My aunt, the other birthday girl, makes the most amazing fudge ever...like ridiculously good.  So we tricked her into making white chocolate fudge for herself.  This is your portion.

This is mine.  One pan accidentally didn't get cut up for the party.  Oops.  What am I going to do with this extra pan?  

Chocolate snowflakes for cupcake topping.  Here's how I made similar toppers.

Christmas light garland.  There's a tutorial after the jump.

Snowflakes, No Two are Exactly Alike

How adorable is this picture?  It's of my mom and her twin sister, Gretchen.  Since the two of them were having a milestone birthday (good manners prevent me from telling the number), we threw a snowflake-themed birthday party.  

I used the picture of them to make snowflake napkin rings.  It was fun to see who was carrying around which twin.  A lot of guessing who was who.  Can you tell?

Countdown to Christmas

I had the realization this week that part of what I love about Christmas is getting ready for Christmas.  The countdown is so much of the fun.   

My mom made these stockings for my niece, Corinne, spending her first holiday-countdown at college.  Each stocking was filled with treats...Zone bars; gum; chocolate; holiday Pez; and my favorite, magazine money for the flight to see us all.

How do you countdown to Christmas?

DIY: Strawberry Shortcake Pinata

I was asked to make a Strawberry Shortcake pinata, and this is what I came up with.  I wanted it to show Strawberry sitting on a strawberry.

Want to make one yourself?  Here are my steps...