Homemade ribbon wand + a button

Happy 2012!!!  

Well over the next few weeks I will be posting all our fun diy and homemade gifts that we gave and received over Christmas and I will be continuing my cardboard love series. I am sure I will do some reflection posts along the way too...it is a new year lots to think about and consider.

We have a fun tradition with the two other families that we celebrate Christmas with. The 8 kids from our three families make homemade gifts for each other. Each year it has been sooo much fun for the kids to prepare and give in this way and then to see all the wonderful things others have taken the time to put together. I honestly feel like we could put together a fun little book on homemade gifts for kids/by kids from over the past three years. :) I hope you enjoy this first one,one was made by me and one by my daughter~ every thing was purchased here in Turkey. 

This sweet little ribbon wand was made from a wooden spoon.  There are no small stick douls here in Turkey that I have found for crafting, so I made my own. :)  There are a lot of outside bazaars here and you can pick up a pack of 3 wooden utensils for 1 lira. The spoon is the longest and so that is the one I used for the wand part of the ribbon. 

I sawed off the end and then used sand paper to clean away the rough spots. 

We painted both the ribbon wands and then coated them with mod podge to give them a finished look.

These were SUPER easy and VERY inexpensive and SO pretty. 

What you will need:

A doul stick of some sort

Key chain ring (found them in my house)

An eyelet (these can be found in the hardware sections of stores ~ even uzuzluks)

Ribbon (3 to 4 ~ one thicker than the others)

Button or jingle bell

Paint and masking tape

A little girl to twirl with it. :).

*The eyelet twists pretty easily into the top of the doul stick, then attach the key-ring to the eyelet. 

*Tie the ribbons to the key chain ring one by one in a double knot and then attach the button or jingle bell to the key ring as well. 

* Cut the ribbon ends at an angle and then burn them slightly to ensure they will not unravel.

*Decorate the doul stick any way you want. We used masking tape and paint to design our ribbon wands. *Lastly wind up the ribbon with the thicker ribbon on the bottom and then place a small piece of tape to secure the ribbons in place until ready for use.

Happy twirling and swirling 

to all those little ones out there!!!!

Using what we have ~ 

Good morning to all in my little west corner. 

Becky

Parting at these fun blogs: Linky parties

I HAVE LEARNED THE SECRET OF BEING CONTENT IN ANY AND EVERY SITUATION, WHETHER WELL FED OR HUNGRY, WHETHER LIVING IN PLENTY OR IN WANT. I CAN DO EVERYTHING THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH." PHIL. 4:12,13