Because I am not only your awesome, but creative blog friend, and I promised you 1 ribbon tree on this first day of Christmas, I hope y’all are ready to get your craft on! I stumbled on something similar to this over a year ago one night as I mindlessly scrolled through Pinterest using lace doilies cut into strips and fabric stiffener. I love this project because it’s personable (go ahead and make it your own!), versatile (ornament OR wall art), and fairly easy (and by easy I mean a 5 year old can participate. Really, I made these with 15 kindergartners last weekend). So get that cup of coffee (or glass of wine) and find yourself a nice workspace.
The staple of this project is ribbon. Depending on whether you decide make a larger piece of wall art or smaller sets of ornaments will determine just how much ribbon you need.
Here we go:
First take your ribbon- I recently purchased all of my spools for 70% off at Michael’s!! Total steal in my book (and now I’ll be using left overs for gift wrapping!!) I purchased wide, wired ribbon for the lower half of the tree- plan on having 7-9 rows. You have to think flimsy ribbon will only be limp and your tree will end up looking quite sad. The wire will help keep it taunt and straight; you will measure out as follows:
Bottom row (9th row)- 13″
8th row- 12-1/2″
7th row- 12″
6th row- 11″
5th row- 10″
4th row- 9″
3rd row- 8″
2nd row- 7″
top of tree (1st row)- 6″
You will now take your longest ribbon, pattern side (if applicable) face down on table, set your stick on top of the ribbon in the center toward the bottom. Tie a single knot, pull as tight as possible so the ribbon doesn’t slip off the stick when you hold it up.
Take the second ribbon (measuring 12-1/12″) and tie a single knot around the stick directly above the first ribbon, again pulling as taunt as possible.
Continue tying single knots with all of your ribbon. When completed you should see your tree. But what tree is not complete without a star?!
Using the sheet of scrapbook (or construction paper) freehand a star (or angel) suitable in size for the size of the tree you made and cut out. Using the hole punch, punch the center. Take the twine and thread through the hole, tie a single knot and continue by crisscrossing the twine over and around the star, securing with a double knot.
Now you can take your best work and display it on your mantle or buffet. OR, you can affix a picture hanger to the back and temporarily display in the foyer where that oversized and underused wall clock hangs 11 months out of the year. If you scaled down the size and made several, you can hang on your Christmas tree or use as place cards for your upcoming holiday dinner.
This project not only is a great skill builder for the younger ones struggling with those lace up shoes but is a wonderdul gift idea for teacher or neighbor.
I’d love to see pictures of YOUR trees! Don’t be afraid to play with pattern and color and texture!! You only wish you saw me playing with all the ribbon when I went shopping…That’s what makes these SO fun!
XO,
Melissa
