Idea #7: Present Bows

Now this idea I got while glancing through pinterest one day.. I came across this blog that pretty exact in the art of making these bows.

I must be more adventurous or something (I'm not even sure what to call it), but all I used was newspaper and scotch tape. They turned out wonderful and I used them on all my presents this year for christmas! While making them, I had some other ideas cross my mind that I'll probably end up trying for birthday presents or next year for christmas. Instead of magazine pages or newspaper, you could make them with ribbon or even contruction paper or scrapbooking paper. With ribbon you would need to staple it, but this is just some ideas to get your mind wandering on other great ideas :o)

Here's how mine turned out:

I cut my strips a bit wider than they were suggesting. I also did something a little different in addition to my bows; since it's christmas, I added snowflakes over the tags! With the white bows, I made a newspaper bow too. All in all, I think they turned out great.

To tie it all together, I made a gift tag with just a square/rectangle of newspaper (white printer paper with the newspaper snowflake) and wrote their name in a fun font.

To me, this gives a personal touch to my gifts and is also cheaper (always a bonus). Happy crafting!

Idea #6: The Secrets Behind Cutting Burlap

Burlap is common material to use in dyi projects and many people enjoy the look of it. But burlap can be tricky material to work with. It never likes to stay flat or seem to cut straight. You may already know this, but if not, you can be in awe like I was when I learned trick. I've taken some photos to help those who learn better through pictures (sorry the quality is bad.. it's just a phone camera). The best part is, it really does make a straight line!

Materials:
Burlap
Scissors (not a rotary cutter-- sorry perfectionists)

Directions:

1.    Lay flat and folded in half like how it was on the bolt.


2.    Measure out desired length and snip thread closest to line.


3.    Pull on thread to pull it out of fabric (don't forget the under side).


(it's easiest if you hold the other end while pullingo on the string thread)


*If the thread get stuck or breaks halfway through, use your scissors to help guide it out.


4. Cut along the path that you have now created to make 2 pieces.


After that, you have strips of burlap that will hold together better than if you had used a rotary cutter to make a "straight" line!


Now, I have more projects that I am dying to share with you but if I did that I would be spoiling christmas.. stay tuned for more creative ideas/gifts to come!