Hi Everyone! It's Amy Heller here and I'm going to show you how to create an embellishment that is all the rage right now in paper crafting, the old-fashioned award ribbon. I'm seeing them all over! On altered items, cards, I've even seen them pre-manufactured out there. But they're so easy to make yourself, there's no reason to buy one pre-made! So, sit back and check out how to make yourself an adorable award ribbon for your next project! ;)
This probably would of been one of those fun things for Memorial Day weekend, but even though the weekend has come and gone {already}, there's always the Fourth of July! Think Potato sack races, best pie aware, or maybe an award for a favorite coach or teacher at the end of the school year? This one is what I'm calling my "large" size ribbon. It measures 6" wide at the top and is over 12" long! It's a SUPER fun size!!
This is the sized ribbon we're going to create today. It's the smaller version of the one above. Measuring 3" in diameter and about 5.5" long, it's a great size for a 5" x 7" card like the one shown above. I decided to create this fun ribbon for my son who's turning five next month, and he could not be more excited!
The Essentials:
Adhesive: Clear, Craft Glue, Scrapbooking Tape, Glue Dots, Ultra tack doublestick adhesive tape, (optional) Hot Glue Gun
Tools: Paper Trimmer, Stapler,Scallop and Circle Punches or Dies
Others: Patterned Paper, Ribbon, Chipboard and/or other Embellishments
Trim several different, but coordinating patterned papers in 1/2" strips, 6" long. This is where the 6" paper pack comes in really handy!
With each strip, bring the two ends together so they meet, at the mid-point of each strip. Then take a small piece of scrapbooking tape, and secure the two pieces together and around the back/bottom.The two layers of paper will be taped at the center and together in the middle leaving a rounded "petal" on each end.
Next up, you're going to take your stapler, and staple two different patterned loops together in a a "+" shape. This will ensure that when you start to layer your ribbon, that the layers are uniform.
This is where things begin to take shape. Start layering your "+" shapes until you get the look you like the most. Place a glue dot in between each stapled layer to keep all the pieces together. You can even use a regular stapler to secure them even more tightly. Once this is done, set this piece aside. We're now going to start in on our rosette.
Rosettes are all the rage right now in paper crafting. They're super easy to make, but they do take a little patience at first. What you are going to do is take a 1/2" x 12" strip of patterned paper and you are going to accordion fold it all the way down the length of the strip. My folds are approximately every 1/4" inch, but they aren't precise and that's okay. Once you've gotten it folded it will look like the center image above. Now you want to take the ends and adhere them together. I've found that tucking one end underneath another fold (the V in the fold) works the best for hiding the ends. Once your ends are adhered, it will look like the image on the right above.
Now is where it can take a little time. Push the adhered circle down into the middle. It might keep popping up, but trust me, it will make it down eventually. LOL. Once you get it down you can do a couple of things. I try to stuff a couple glue dots down into the center hole, just to keep it from popping up while I'm trying to glue it, then I place a liberal amount of craft glue into the center of the rosette. And I punch a circle from some other paper or cardstock and also apply a generous amount of adhesive. This piece will be adhered to the underside of the rosette to keep it together on the bottom, but also serve as a adhesion point for the back side of the rosette.
If you have an extra used sheet from your glue dots, or a piece of wax paper, place it under and over your rosette. (This will peel away from the glue when it's dried) Place something on top to keep it from popping up before the glue has dried, I used my glue bottle. Wait about fifteen minutes or so, then your rosette should be dried and ready to move forward. The glue isn't pretty, but we're covering that anyway. The back of your rosette will now have a nice flat, round surface to apply adhesive for the next step.
Apply adhesive to that circle and press firmly into your previously constructed looped creation. If you are using the liquid glue, I'd set something on top again and let dry. When that's ready, it's time to get out your circle punch and scallop punch or dies. Create a scallop circle that is slightly larger than the smooth circle and adhere to the top of your rosette.
Now's where the fun part really begins. Place your chipboard centerpiece on top of your circle patterned paper. Now your top piece is nearly finished! But now it's time to add those gorgeous pieces of ribbon that make every prize ribbon glorious! Take several long strips of ribbon, varying colors, widths and textures and line them up how you want them behind your topper. When you've decided the order you want them behind your topper, take your super tack double stick tape and adhere your ribbons together, ensuring that all the ribbons are attached with the tape.
Once they're adhered together, place the ribbons on the back side of the topper. The super tack tape will do a great job of keeping the ribbons and the paper together. Now to make it pretty, place a round circle punched piece of patterned paper on top of the ribbons to create a finished look. You're ribbon is finished!
While I was doing this, I had another idea. Why not include a lapel pin hardware piece on the back so the lucky person who gets this adorable card can WEAR the ribbon!! So, this is exactly what I did with my son's ribbon! I used a bit of hot glue from my hot gun for this portion, or you can stitch through the holes shown here in the hardware. Easy!
Now you know how easy it is to make one for yourself, I hope you give it a try! Thanks so much for hanging out with me today! Have a wonderful end-of-May! ;)
Wowwwwwwwwwwww! These are AMAZING! Love them! :):):):):):):):):):):)
Posted by: Julie Tucker-Wolek | June 01, 2011 at 05:45 AM
What a fun project! I love this!
Posted by: Casey Wright | June 01, 2011 at 07:06 AM
AWESOME! :)
Posted by: Gina | June 01, 2011 at 07:33 AM
So, so adorable, Amy!!! I love them!
Posted by: Lori Gentile | June 01, 2011 at 09:43 AM
These are great!
Posted by: Tona | June 01, 2011 at 02:16 PM
Oh I LOVE these Amy! I love how you used tons of ribbon & trim down at the bottom! AWESOME tutorial! :)
Posted by: Sarah Martina | June 02, 2011 at 10:49 AM
Amy, these are awesome...thanks for the tutorial!
Posted by: Melissa | June 06, 2011 at 06:02 PM
Very creative work are present here. It is best project. This post is very nicely explain that how we can make it and made easy for little child also.
Posted by: casino online | June 08, 2011 at 10:39 PM
love this! I'm about to make one for my niece who is going to be a Big Sister in a couple of weeks, she will love it! Thanks for the easy to follow steps!
Posted by: Tarynne | June 20, 2011 at 01:30 PM
Beautiful tutorial regarding award ribbons. It's really helpful to me. I like your creative way to explain this.
Posted by: עדה לזורגן | October 15, 2011 at 06:12 AM
Thanks for the awesome tutorial! I'm going to make these for my groom & groomsmen to wear instead of boutonnieres.
Posted by: Sarah | August 19, 2012 at 05:06 AM