Hi blog friends! Happy Sunday afternoon...it's quiet around here and it's just what I needed. Busy day yesterday stamping and chatting with good friends and lots of driving. Today, it's a little time in the crafty cave and a silent house. The DH is off helping his brothers with some stuff. It's been a great day getting caught up on craft projects and laundry. Next I have to tackle my overflowing email inbox! I just can't seem to catch up on that!
I've been seeing lots of paper bows everywhere lately. The first one was on the cover of the current Stampin' Up catalog. Then on some other blogs... I love the technique and wanted to try my own take on it. After some trial and error, I came up with some gingham paper bows that I really like! I hope you like them too. Thanks for coming by today!
Here are the final bows...and I'm going to go step by step for you so you can make some too!
I ended up making five in all...once I got the swing of it, they didn't take too long.
Start with strips of paper one inch by six inches....then fold then in half....
You're going to free hand cut them into bow tie looking shapes. I made a rough template out of a piece of green cardstock (sort of a leaf shape) and then layed it on top of my fold and cut them out. The fold is the thinnest part as you can see in the picture. Don't worry about being too perfect with this. It will work out.
I cut the tails out using my MFT Flag Stax dies....Two for each bow. You can adjust the length to your liking.
Helping hands!
Before gluing down my bows, I gently curved the paper with my fingers. This way, you will get a round shape instead of a crease when you glue the ends down in the center. I hope this makes sense...
Here are the bows glued in the center with a glue dot.
Add your tails underneath using some more glue dots...
The fun part is picking what you want for the center! I tried buttons, brads, flowers, rosettes, everything you could think of. I ended up liking these resin flowers the best.
No, Buddy, it's okay, I don't need more than three inches of space on my giant work table! LOL! He always has to be part of the action.
Pretty bows, all in a row....
So, now the question is...what to do with these bows!? I could put them on a package, or on a card, or on an envelope. I think they might be cute on place cards for a shower. What do you think? What would you do with them? And...will you try and make some too!? Have a fantastic week ahead. Love ya my bloggy friends!
such pretty gingham bows, Looks like Buddy was a big help!
Posted by: Debbie | 07/04/2012 at 03:58 PM
Oooh I do like these and will definately give them a go. Buddy looks like he is happy giving you a paw of help..... his paws are big just like my Misty boy .....
Posted by: Nikki Brown | 07/01/2012 at 10:01 AM
Oh Wow Miss Wanda! These are Fabulous!! What Super tutorial and Wonderful idea and design! LOVE these! Going to have to give these a try for sure! 8-)
Hugs & Happy Tuesday!
Shannon
P.S. -I am just so thrilled to be joining you guys over on the BD DT! Yay! I am So looking forward to working with you all! 8-)
Posted by: Shannon White | 06/26/2012 at 03:20 PM
LOVE the paper bows, Wanda! I've been seeing a lot of them lately, too.........especially drooling over the new Stampin'Up catalog! :)
Thanks for sharing your step by steps! SO going to make these!
Posted by: audreypettit | 06/26/2012 at 10:59 AM
Oh, Miss Wanda...you are a GENIUS!!! I simply love these bows! I am definitely giving this a try! Thank you so much for sharing! Hugs! :D
Posted by: Kimberly Gajewski | 06/26/2012 at 06:05 AM
A fantastic and totally doable tutorial Wanda, I love this. Your little helping hands are the cutest chubby paws.
Posted by: Tracey McNeely | 06/25/2012 at 08:50 PM
Great bow idea! The idea of having them as decor for placecards it perfect. Love it...
Posted by: Fonda Jo | 06/25/2012 at 08:07 AM
Those bows are fabulous and Buddy is such a sport for helping you to model them! :)
Posted by: Kathy Martin | 06/25/2012 at 04:43 AM
Gorgeous bows Wanda ..super idea!
I would just leave the bows laying there for some time to enjoy them....they look so pretty.....and the use them on a card or gift tag.....
LOVE your little helper..he is so sweet his sweet paws..made me smile!
Posted by: Holly Saveur | 06/25/2012 at 01:44 AM
Love them, Wanda! I wouldn't do anything with them for awhile, just line them up as you did and enjoy them for awhile......would get smashed on a card, so I think they'd be very special on some presents! I've pinned your tutorial so I can come back and try these.....
Posted by: Lin | 06/24/2012 at 04:56 PM