Mini Gourd Lovin' Crafts

Basket of Mini Gourds Waxed

Autumn is most assuredly my favorite time of the year. Crisp air, changing leaves and mini gourds. Yeah; gourds. I know; right? Other people are thinking over-sized bright orange pumpkins, trick or treaters, mums and putting their flower beds to sleep for the winter and I am dreaming of little mini gourds.

My (over-zealousness) sheer delight of mini gourds happened quite by accident (as most of the wonderful things that happen in life do) when I was but knee high and decided to try to plant THE great pumpkin patch of all time in our family garden and somehow mixed in a packet of gourd seeds with my pumpkin seeds. When the pumpkins began to grow I noticed oddly shaped ~things~ twisting and growing among the vines. My Grams (father's mother) in her typical no nonsense way eyed them and proclaimed "Mini gourds. Completely worthless. Might as well pull them up and give your pumpkins a better chance to grow"

I could not. I would not! I felt so sorry for them. Colors of dull green, dull yellows and off whites, bent and twisted, so small in the shadow of the great pumpkins. Not big enough to make a birdhouse out of. Poor, precious little mini gourds. Thus began my life long love affair (and maybe a touch of over-protection) of the mini gourds.

Today these little mini gourds have completely ~ caught on ~ in Autumn designing and Fall tablescapes. Your imagination is the only limit on the possibilities of what you can do with them. Wreaths, snowmen, even nestled among the great orange pumpkins somehow makes the pumpkins look brighter by making the orange colors look that much oranger (is oranger a word? well; no matter. Today it will be)

I like to imagine that out there in the great wide world; bent over in the garden, are other people tenderly cultivating these simple, tiny, little odd shaped bits of completely fantastic and falling in love as I did so many years ago. If you simply do not have the space or the time to grow these little gourds then head to your nearest produce stand/farmer's market where you can buy them up by the bushel basket for a fraction of the cost that you'd pay at your local grocers. Then let you imagination run wild creating spots of indoor Autumn. Here are a few ideas to get you started.


Fall Tips!

Harvesting:
 
Leave the gourds on the vine until a light frost or the stems turn brown. If you need to pick a gourd before the frost, the gourd should be very firm to the touch. Cut the gourd with an inch or more of stem. Wash the gourds in soapy water. Dilute household bleach may be added to the water if desired, and may help delay mold formation. A light coat of non-glossy floor wax gives the gourds a natural glow.

Drying:
 
Dry the gourd fruits naturally by placing in an area with good air circulation. Bringing the gourds indoors may help them dry faster, but gourds can be dried outdoors even in cold areas. When the seeds rattle, the gourd is dry and ready for crafting. How long it takes a gourd to dry depends on the drying environment  -- the warmer and the better the circulation, the faster the water will evaporate from the gourd. Light may help to retard formation of mold, but the mold on the outside of gourds is a natural part of the drying process; as long as the gourd remain firm to the touch, do not discard it. Turning the gourds and wiping off the mold on a weekly basis may help the gourds dry sooner. If you don’t wash the gourd off with the bleach mixture, you’ll probably see some mold growing on it.  Don’t be alarmed if it does. Some people prefer it that way because mold gives it an unusual rustic look. While the natural method of drying in time-consuming, it is still the best recommendation for drying gourds.

Cleaning:
 
Once the gourd is completely dry it is ready to be cleaned. Rattling of seed is a good indication of dryness; however sometimes the seeds adhere to the inside of the gourd and in this case the gourd will be very light and sound hollow when tapped. Submerge the gourd in a bucket of warm soapy water and scrape off the outer skin with a plastic mesh bath or kitchen scrubby. Again; bleach may be added to the water, but it is not a necessity.

Using sandpaper or steel wool to clean dry gourds is OK if the gourd is going to be painted -- but there will be fine scratches from these abrasive materials which will show up if the gourd is stained with wood stains or a light coat of leather dye.

Mini Gourd and Faux Leaves Wreath.

Wreath Form (either wire, hay or Styrofoam)
Fake Leaves (any deep green or fall color will do)
Mini Gourds
Hot Glue Gun
Glue Sticks
Optional: Florist Wire (comes in green and brown- use the color that matches your leaves)

Tip! If you use a Styrofoam wreath spray painting it in a deep green (if using all green leaves) or dull brown (if using fall colored leaves) will hide any areas not completely covered by your leaves.

Tip! I have found that simply using a hot glue gun will hold your gourds to the wreath frame securely for one season of use BUT if you have created a masterpiece that you want to use year after year then the florist wire will hold each gourd in place when the glue begins to break down.

In this case I used a Styrofoam wreath, spray painted it a dark forest green and set it aside to dry. In the meanwhile I cut off all of the green leaves from a couple of old faux vines that had stashed away (for who knows what) until I had a nice pile. Once my wreath had dried I then began to hot glue my gourds around the center of my wreath BEFORE adding in the leaves. In the past I have glued the leaves first and then added the gourds but found that the gourds didn't hold very well and I ended up using twice the amount of florist wire than was necessary to hold them in place. Not a very visually appealing look.

Once I had the gourds glued to the Styrofoam wreath I then secured each gourd using green florist wire (so I could use this again next year) Simply wrap a piece of florist wire over the handle of each gourd and then loop it around the styrofoam wreath and twist it in a knot on the back side. (the wire sinks into the Styrofoam so you can't even see it) Then it was simply a matter of glue, glue, glue leaves all along the top and in between each gourd. Make a loop with a piece of florist wire or use a piece of ribbon as a hanger and that's it. Ready to hang.

So easy!

Mini Gourds Painted White/Black and Covered in Cheese Cloth

Easy Peasy Doily Pumpkins

Super Easy Doily Pumpkins

These Vintage Doily Pumpkins are the perfect way to decorate for the fall.  Decoupaged with vintage lace doilies in various colors, this no carve pumpkin decorating idea is great for Fall tablescapes, Weddings, Thanksgiving, and even Halloween.  You can use some black lace to add a more festive Halloween touch, or dye crocheted doilies various fall colors for a Thanksgiving centerpiece.

Materials:

Vintage doilies in shades of white, cream, and ecru
Dried real gourds or craft store faux pumpkins and gourds
Mod Podge for Fabric (make sure to get made for Fabric- the traditional one used for paper decoupage won't stick properly)
Paintbrush or foam brush
Spray paint in an off-white or ivory
Tin foil
Wax paper


Instructions:

1. The only prep work I did prior to painting was covering the gourd stems with tin foil.

2. A couple light coats of paint with drying time in between was adequate to give the pumpkins an even color.

 
3. I selected just the right doilies to fit each pumpkin. I cut some of them apart into smaller shapes that were easier to fit onto the pumpkin.  For the two small pumpkins, I just used one whole doily which I slipped over the stem to create a slightly different look.
 
4. I usually cover my work table with wax paper when I work with Mod Podge.  I followed the directions on the bottle when applying the Fabric Mod Podge to the doilies.

5. After coating one side of the doilies, place them on the pumpkin and tap all the edges down with your fingers.  Once the pieces are adhered to the pumpkins, wait for two hours while the initial coat dries.  Then a topcoat of Mod Podge can be applied to the entire piece.

That's it.
Didn't I say it was super easy?

Pictures to Wood Tag/Plaque Tutorial

Mod Podge Pic on Wood Tag

Mod Podge Pictures to Wood Tags/Plaques

Needed:

Mod Podge
Printed Pictures
Wood Tags or Wood Plaques
*Optional Hair Spray


Instructions:

1.  Print the pictures you want to transfer from your computer to your printer (or copy them to a memory card and take them to a local retailer to be printed).

TIP!

Pictures printed on paper specifically designed for photos works the best (Kodac Picture paper un-glossed works great). If you print on plain white copy paper the Mod Podge will tend to smear the colors when applied.

However; If you're printing photos on white copy paper with an ink-jet printer, allow them to dry completely (at least 8 hours) and then spray your photos lightly with hairspray, after which you must again wait for them to dry completely; this will prevent smudging when using Mod Podge.


2. Cut the picture to fit the wood tag (or wood plaque)


3. Coat the wood tag (or plaque)  with Mod Podge glue.
* Also apply a very thin coat of Mod Podge to the back side of your picture


4. Place the picture on the wood.
* You'll have to work quickly as Mod Podge tends to begin drying pretty fast


5. Cover the entire surface with another coat of Mod Podge glue, painting right over the top of the pictures. Allow the glue to dry over night.


6. Check the corners of the pictures. If they're not securely adhered to the wood plaque, apply another coat of Mod Podge glue.


TIP!

If at any time you begin to notice that there are air bubbles coming up under your pictures; simply take an old credit card (or similar hard plastic object) and push from center of picture out towards the edges until you have a flat photo mounted on your wood. Bear down gently as you press the bubbles out. You don't want to tear your picture.

That's it. Pretty crafty; huh?

Easy Easter Baskets

Easter Baskets

Items Needed:

1/2 peck or 1 peck fruit basket(s)
Ribbon
Spray Paint
Hot Glue Gun/Glue Sticks
Easter Grass

Optional:

Wood Tags (or heavy Card Stock)
Vintage Easter Pics
Mod Podge
String or Twine


Instructions:

I found some super cute fruit baskets while out making my rounds at the Hobby Lobby Store for $3.99 each, and I decided that they were just the right size for Easter baskets. I also picked up some grosgrain ribbon and some wooden tags while I was there. With a little bit of spray paint and hot glue, you too can make some SUPER cute Easter baskets!

TIP!

All of these things you can purchase online should you not be fortunate enough to have a Hobby Lobby store near you. Shipping is cheap and lightening fast in their delivery. Look for the 40% off your highest price item coupon on their website.

Un-Painted Fruit Basket

http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/natural-1-peck-bushel-basket-667634/

I spray painted the baskets white and let them dry over night.

I used my hot glue gun to attach a strip of grosgrain ribbon around the basket. I followed the brace in the center of the basket, but you could really put the ribbon anywhere you want.

Grosgrain Ribbon

TIP!

Hobby Lobby currently has grosgrain ribbon on sale for 99 cents a roll (Score!) in more colors than you can stake a stick at.

http://shop.hobbylobby.com/search/?keyword=grosgrain%20ribbon&match=AND&F_Sort=2&perpage=96

Then I tied a cute little bow on one side of the basket for a little more color.

I bought some wooden tags {4/$1 at Hobby Lobby} and with the use of some Mod Podge - covered the wood tag with a sweet little vintage Easter pic - which I then attached to each basket with a bit of string (you could use baker's twine, yarn or anything really that is in a color that coordinates with your basket)

Vintage Easter Pics on Wood Tag

Filled the basket up with green paper Easter grass. Add treats, eggs, toys etc..

All ready for Easter!

TIP!

In place of the wood tag (above) you might want to print out the pic (or pics) of your choice - on heavy card stock (to give it a little weight) punch a hole and tie it to your basket.

I'll be posting some sweet vintage Easter pics next so stay tuned!

Basic Crocheting - Double Crochet



How To Double Crochet

To begin to Double crochet - you will chain the O train - the same as you did with your Single crochet.

* See How to Single Crochet Here:
http://intothekingsgarden.blogspot.com/2014/03/basic-crocheting.html

About 145 stitches to make a 54" wide afghan

* Remember, you will never work in the first chain from the crochet hook when you double crochet.


Row 1 of Double Crochet

Step 1:  After you have chained the first row of 145 - Turn your work. Bring the yarn over the hook, Skip the first 3 chains from the hook and then insert the hook in the 4th chain.

 

Step 1

 

 

* Then in each of the remaining O chains you will do the following until you get to the end.

 

 

 

Step 2 - A:  Bring the yarn over the crochet hook and draw it through the chain stitch. You now have three loops on the hook  

 

 

Step 2 - A

 



Step 2 - B



Step 2B - 3:  Bring the yarn over the crochet hook and draw through the first two loops on the hook. You now have two loops left on the hook.

Step 3

Step 4:  Bring the yarn over the crochet hook and draw through both loops on the hook

Step 4

* You have now completed your first double crochet and are back to only one loop on the hook. Continue this same method until you come to the end of your train chain and are ready to begin Row 2 



1st Completed Double Crochet

Row 2 of Double Crochet

To work row 2, you need to bring the yarn to the correct height for the next row. To raise the yarn, chain 3 single crochet O's

Row 2

The three chains just made count as the first double crochet of the new row - so skip the first double crochet  you made in Row 1 and work a double crochet into the second stitch.

* Be sure to insert the crochet hook under top two loops of the stitch.

Continue until you get to the end. Turn and chain up 3 and repeat until your blanket is as long as you want it to be.

Example of Completed 2nd Row

Slow Motion Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgA9KSJrgAc

Basic Crocheting - Single Crochet

Basic Chain -
The Beginning of all crochet

Completed: Pink and Off White Single Crochet Afghans

First Row - Step 1 - The Train

Pulling out a piece of the yarn ... Wrap yarn around the hook to create an O that is only as big as your needle is around - and leave a little tail piece. Tie in a firm knot.

* You'll see a lot of videos on the internet that show a crocheter making this little fancy beginning stitch- which is fine as long as you tie that stitch into a firm knot so that all of your hard work doesn't become un-raveled the first time you wash it. I often double knot mine. Just to be sure.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 2-

Wrap yarn around needle one time and pull through the beginning O stitch. Continue to wrap the yarn one time around your needle and pull through - which creates a new O (stitch) every time you do this. Counting each time you create a new O until you have 145 of them. Now you have a long train of O stitches.

* A nice size afghan is about 54 inches wide = 145 O's stitches on a train.

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

 Second Row- Step 1

After you have made 145 O stitches- Turn your train around (flip it over) and start on the 2nd row going in the opposite direction.

Step 2- The Single Crochet

In the center of each of the O stitches in your train (beginning with the first one and going one at a time until you get to the end of your train) insert your hook through the hole and wrap the yarn over the needle and pull the yarn through the hole. You will see that you now have two loops on your hook. Wrap yarn around again and this time pull the yarn through the two loops on your hook. Move on to the next O stitch and repeat until you get to the end of your train. Then turn your train (flip it over) and start all over again going in the opposite direction.

* Continue until the blanket is as long as you want it to be. I like to cover my feet when I am watching TV as well as my shoulders- so every now and again when my blanket is starting to get big I will stand up and hold it to my shoulders. If it covers my feet on the floor then I know my blanket is long enough and it's time to quit. If it is a blanket that I just want to throw over my couch or at the foot of the bed then when the blanket is as long as it is wide then it's done (in other words- a square).

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 3- Finishing the blanket to make it even.

Remember that little tail I had you to leave when you first started your O train (Row 1 Step 1)?

Starting there - go all the way around your blanket using the SINGLE crochet stitch until you end up back at the tail. You can go around your blanket once, twice or three times - whatever you want. This just gives the blanket stability and helps to keep it nice and even. Once you have gone all the way around the blanket (ever how many times you wanted to) you can just snip off that tail and you're done. You can make big blankets, baby blankets or even a scarf using this same train and stitch. It's all up to you! Remember; a pretty blanket is more in the colors you use than it is in the stitches you use. Variegated yarn (yarn already made with different colors built in) takes the guess work out of what colors will match well together- but I like using my imagination when mixing colors- but honestly; a solid one color afghan that matches my couch or my bed or whatever is probably my favorite.


* If you want to change color yarn then at the side of the blanket - cut your yarn off so you have a tail about 1/2 inch long. Take your new color and tie a firm knot to the tail of the old color yarn (joining the two pieces together) Crochet a couple of stitches- then go back and tie another knot in the two tails (this is just for safety and because I am a double knot kind of girl) Then close to the knot- snip the two tails of yarn off. Don't worry about the knot you made. As your afghan gets bigger- the knot will naturally slip inside the surrounding yarn and disappear.

That's it. You now know how to start an O train, how to Single crochet and how to Finish off a blanket.  Happy Crocheting!



TIP!

Here is a couple of videos to show you how it's done. At the beginning they show you how to make that fancy O stitch at the beginning- just remember to tie it in a firm knot!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGemgS1ldwg
(normal speed)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGMjqo8jAvs
(slow motion)

 

Easy Easter Crafts!

Easter Egg Tree

Here's what you'll need:

1 Medium or Large foam cone
4 packs foam glitter egg ornaments (or small plastic easter eggs)
1 bag Paper Easter grass (traditional plastic easter grass will melt and not hold very well)
Hot glue gun/glue sticks
* Optional Bow if making a wreath


Instructions:

Cut the hanging ribbons off of the eggs (if it has one)
Start at the bottom of your cone and work your way up.
Put a dab of glue on an egg and hold it in place for a few seconds.

* I found it's easier if you wait until you have placed all of your eggs before adding the grass in the blank spaces - instead of doing it as I was going along. You can use something like a pencil to push in the grass to make sure the grass fills all of the empty spaces.

That's it. This is actually very easy, so don't be intimidated!

Alternative:

Use a foam wreath and add eggs and grass in the same manner. Place a pretty easter bow and hang on your front door.

Sock Snowman

Sock Snowman

Materials:

a pair of white socks that are crew length, or longer
rice
rubber bands,
map pins with heads
buttons
any left over fabric if you want for a scarf.

Directions:

First, cut off the top of the sock from the foot.
Turn the sock inside out and attach a rubber band tightly to the top of the sock.
Then turn the sock right-side out again.
Fill the sock with rice. Make sure to pack it down as you go so the sock gets a nice round base.
Rubber band the top of the sock closed and put another rubber band 3/4 of the way to the top for the head of your snowman.

Now, decorate!

Tie a scarf around your snowman's neck and add eyes, nose, and buttons.
Use the toe of your cut socks to fashion a stocking cap. Or you could use colored argyle socks to create hats and sweaters for your snowman.
You can either sew or glue on your buttons, and add embellishments - twine, bows, ribbons, etc - as needed.

This is such a quick and easy craft - 10 minutes tops - that it would be simple to create a whole family of snowmen for your mantle!

Easy Canvas Bag Tutorial

You Know Ya'll Are One Too!

Easy DIY Decorative Canvas Bags

I haven't done a tutorial in some time so I thought that I would give you one that was super easy. It's never too early to get started on your Christmas list; don't ya know.


Materials:



Bag (check), Fabric Paint (check), Paper Doily (check)



Canvas Bag- I found mine at Hobby Lobby for $3.99 - but they were having a 50% off sell (plus I had a coupon) so each bag I purchased ended up being less than a dollar a piece. Score!

Fabric paint - any color is fair game

Paper doily (s)

Paper Finishes Adhesive Spray (I used 202 Paper Adhesive because it was on sale and works great but you can use Krylon if you have it on hand)

* Optional Iron On Patch (for center if you don't care for the monogram look)




Must Have! Paper Spray Adhesive

Step 1:  Spray doily with paper spray adhesive (I used 202 Paper Finish adhesive) apply doily where you want it and then press doily firmly down onto the bag.

Tip! Using paper finish adhesive allows the doily to stick in place while you paint, but it easily pulls off without leaving a sticky mess behind after you paint. Cool; huh?

Step 2 & Step 3

Step 2: Gently paint over the holes of the doily – I recommend paint meant for fabric only and not for crafts. I first used craft paint on another project but found that it really didn't hold up very well to repeat washings … fabric paint is much more durable.

Painted Doily Completed

Step 3: Peel back doily before paint dries completely. See in the 3rd photo how I gently rolled the paper doily off to the right? Take your time - you don't want to drag any trance paint onto other parts of your canvas bag. The doily might tear but that's ok (paper doilies are cheap; right? Just peel off the pieces and discard.

Paint Your Monogram

Step 4: Hand paint a monogram- or use an iron on applique - in the center for decorative purposes. Those little touches mean a lot if you give these as gifts. I lightly traced the monogram outlined in pencil first (so I could get an idea of placement and how big I wanted to go) and then filled in with paint. It's easier to un-do a boo boo from pencil (that's what the eraser is for) than to bugger up the whole thing by jumping in with the paint.

Completed Bag

All done and ready to use as you desire.
How Easy was that?

Bath Soak - Tea Type Bags

Tea Bag Bath Soaks

Ingredients:

Empty Tea type bags (or muslin linen bags)- found at any craft or health food store
Epsom Salt
Dried Lavender
Lavender Oil
Oatmeal (NOT the quick cook kind)
Dry Powder Milk (I like to use dry powder goat's milk for this)


Directions:

To make your tea, you will also need a large mixing bowl.

First, measure out two cups of Epsom salt and add it into the bowl.

Next, add 4 tablespoons of lavender.

Then, add 25 drops of pure lavender oil into the bowl.

After that, add one cup of oatmeal. You can leave the oatmeal whole, or give it a few spins in the food processor. I chose to keep mine whole.

Last, add  1  1/2 cups of dry milk.

Stir your ingredients up until they are well combined.

Gather your tea bags, and fill 3/4 of the way full.

Sew the open tops of your tea bags closed. You can either do this by hand or by machine. I choose to do mine by hand to keep with the handcrafted feel. When you stitch to the end, string an identification tag onto the remaining thread and tie into place. I also left a loop of thread at the end so that the tea bag could be hung from a faucet head.


* To give as a gift of your tub tea, an oblong or rectangle box works best. I found a paper recipe holder at my local craft shop for $2 and it worked perfectly! I was able to fit in 8 tea bags.


Tie up your display box with a pretty piece of ribbon, or you can do as I did and use the same embroidery floss that I used to close the bag.


* I included the directions for using the tub tea on the back of a tag. (see below) 


"Drop two tea bags into a hot bath. Let steep. Ease yourself into your tub and relax. For a stronger scent, use three bags".


The best thing about making tub tea is it’s customizable! You can make any mix that you would like. Or even better, mix two scents and create something new! Simply change up the dried flower buds and the oil- everything else remains the same. For example: use dried rose buds and rose oil.


Tip!


As an alternative to using tea type bags- try using small muslin/linen type bags that have a cotton draw string. Simply add the above ingredient and tie closed. After use; empty contents and discard, rinse bags that were used and allow to dry completely. You can then refill each bag- and use again and again - using this same method.

Crafts: Dough Ornaments

Salt Dough Ornaments 

Salt dough is a simple and fun way to make all sorts of hand molded or cookie cutter creations.

Note! THIS DOUGH IS NOT EDIBLE.

You will need:

1 cup salt
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup water
acrylic paint in any shade
paintbrush
pencil
ribbon
clear acrylic sealer

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This recipe for salt dough makes a lot of ornaments. If you only plan on making a few, cut this recipe into fourths or in half.

What you do

Preheat oven to 250 F. Mix together, salt, flour, and water until a dough is formed. Knead the dough on a floured surface until the mixture is elastic and smooth. If dough is too sticky, sprinkle with flour, continue to do so until stickiness is gone. BE CAREFUL. Do not add too much flour, this will dry out the dough and will cause it to crack before you get a chance to bake it.

Roll out the dough to approximately 1 inch thick. Use a cookie cutter of any variety, to create the shape you want. Once your shape is cut out, use your fingers to smooth the edges.

! Tip: Use a tooth-pick to carve fancy designs into your dough - being sure not to go too deep into the dough

Place onto the cookie sheet as you cut out each one to avoid trying to move it later, space approximately 3/4" apart Use the point of a pen or pencil to create a hole at the top of the shape for the ribbon hanger.

Bake ornament(s) on cookie sheet for approximately 2 hours.
Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

To decorate, paint the ornament with the paint color of your choice. Paint the back as well. Apply a second coat to both sides, let dry. Finish with a coat of clear acrylic sealer. String ribbon through the hole at the top of the heart and knot it at the top.

No-Bake Cinnamon Dough Ornaments

Note! THIS DOUGH IS NOT EDIBLE.


1 1/2 C. ground cinnamon
1 C. applesauce
1/4 C. white school glue - like Elmer's

1. Mix cinnamon, applesauce, and glue together in a bowl

2. Mixture should have a consistency of cookie dough
! Tip: If it seems hard - add a little water

3. Knead dough for 5-10 minutes, place in bowl, cover with plastic wrap so it doesn't dry out, and let sit for 30-45 minutes

4. Knead dough again until smooth

5. Roll out dough between waxed paper until thickness is 1/8 to 1/4 inch

Use cookie cutters to create trees, gingerbread people, and holiday shapes. Use a straw to make a hole so you can hang the ornament.

Place ornaments on wax paper for drying. Drying will take 3-5 days, turn ornaments over a few times a day in order for them to day flat and prevent curling of the edges. Ornaments will shrink a little while drying.

Velvet Trinket Bookmarks

~SEW~ Easy Velvet Bookmarks

Materials:

Velvet strips of fabric - 9 inches long by 2 inches wide per bookmark
1 inch Ribbon Clamps
Jump Rings (O rings)
Various Trinkets of your choosing (think vintage!)
Flat nose pliers


Instructions:

1. Cut fabric to 9 inches long by 2 inches wide.

2. Double over your fabric so that you have velvet on each side.

3. Sew along the top, open side and bottom in a corresponding color thread.


 

4. On each of the top and bottom on your bookmark affix a Ribbon Clamp with a pair of flat nose pliers. Crimp tightly.

5. Attache a jump ring (O ring) to the hole in your ribbon clamp.

 

6. Adorn with your trinket and close the jump (O) ring.



* You can add as much length or adornment to your bookmarks as you like by simply continuing to add another jump ring and more trinket.

* If you should have a difficult time finding 2 inch velvet ribbon- you can always purchase 1 inch ribbon and sew them together with each of the velvet facing outward

Very Easy, Very Simple and a Double Cute gift when paired with a vintage book.