Blue Christmas Craft

~ ~ Hallelujah!!! ~ ~

No, that isn't the sound of Angels singing, but ME because I am finished with my Christmas decorating! :)

I cut back this year, but am pleased with the simpler effect, none the less! (Oh what a pun!) I will share my decorations over the next few weeks, so stay tuned if you wish.

This past week, I visited a delightful little local gift shop to do some Christmas shopping. They carried the ribbon adorned frames that I have seen on other blogs, and were even prettier in person. Never did find a price on them, the shop was busy and I didn't ask, but I knew that I could make them myself. I thought they would make great teacher gifts, and party exchange presents.

I went to Wal-mart, the only "craft store" in my little town, to gather my needed supplies.

I made the fancier frames, with rhinestone buttons, for friends and exchange presents. And for teacher's gifts, I made made simple, whimsical ones.

So let's start with the more glamorous ones, with a little bling!

BLUISH-green wired ribbon, gathered into a bow and secured with a white pipe cleaner.

The wire pipe cleaner allowed me to keep the bow as flat as possible.

After I completed the bow, I realized that the pipe cleaner would show.
This was a "learn as you go" project! :)
So I folded and glued a small piece of the ribbon, to make a center wrap for the bow, creating a more finished look.


Hot glued & finished...

Now onto the Frames for the Teachers...

Something different and unique, and cheap. Which was a bonus for me, having six to make.

BLUE ribbon, below, to coordinate with the BLUE buttons, and brown ribbon for the pink buttons.
The frames were $3.00 each, and the buttons were $1.97 for a card of 3. The ribbon was around $2.00 a roll, (3 frames per roll, with ribbon left over for future projects.) So these frames can easily be made for under $4.00. And the frames were nice, decent frames. Not too costly, but not too cheap looking.

The BLUE ribbon frame completed. (Much cuter in person!)


I made one for myself. Found the silver heavy frame, below, at the flea market for $1.00 I originally made a double bow for the frame, but it was overpowering.

And here we have the frame, holding a Christmas picture of the children many years ago.

See the green glass Christmas tree in the vignette? That is preview of tomorrow's post...
My Trash to Christmas Treasures.
For now, I am off to finish the pink ribbon frames.

For more BLUE MONDAY post, visit Sally, at Smiling Sally.
~Rhonda :)