Spruce Up or Re-Use Gift Wrap Bows
The gift wrap bow I wanted to use to wrap a present was squashed!
Flattened! Compacted!
What to do? I needed to wrap that gift now! No time to go to the store.
Has this situation happened to you?
Here is what I did: I cut each loop in half. I took the scissors and "curled" each tab. Then I gently tore the curled tab of ribbon in to three pieces--not going to the very center of the bow. Voila! A useable gift wrap bow.
Well, guess what? RealSimple magazine had thought of this, too. Plus some other ideas as well that I am going to share with you.
The spruced up red bow pictured here is just two bows stuck together by using the sticky tabs on the bottom. The magazine then suggests that you thread a ribbon thru a loop, then use the ribbon to attach the bow to the package. Man, I could have thought of this myself--but I didn't!
The image of the red pom-pom bow is from RealSimple, Dec. 2008; photographer is Bob Hiemstra.
Creative Ribbon Craft From RealSimple Magazine:
Bow Ideas from the pros!
- 4 Ways to Snazz Up Stick-on Bows | Celebrations : RealSimple.com
- Quick and easy instructions for glamorizing stick-on bows. Dec. 2008 issue.
Don't Let Your Ribbons and Bows Get Squashed!
Storage Solutions for Gift Wrap
Rubbermaid 220200 Wrap N'Craft 33-Inch Vertical Storage Container, Clear
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009) 
Another Stick On Bow Idea
Creative Wrapping
Snip the bow loops in half on an angle. Glue a button, sequins, or faux holly in the center.
Squashed bows never looked so good.
Image from RealSimple Dec. 2008
photographer is Bob HiemstraStill Another Idea:
Spaceage gift wrapping!
Tie small lengths of contrasting ribbon onto the bow loops.Not a bad idea, but the bow here looks kind of like a space alien's ship.
Image from RealSimple Dec. 2008
photographer is Bob Hiemstra
Do you have any bow tricks?
Is reusing bows your idea of recycling?
Share the wealth! If you have any really good ideas on how to reuse ribbons or bows, put them here (or make a lens!):
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Reply
- pkmcr pkmcr Sep 6, 2009 @ 8:24 am
- Some really good ideas here and it just goes to show you can recycle/reuse anything and everything!
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Reply
- a_willow a_willow Mar 4, 2009 @ 9:43 am
- Come by 'Reuse it all' group and add this lens! :) I'm featuring all lenses that are related to reusing different items!
by Mickie_G
I am a wife, mother, & grandmother who also happens to be a Baby Boomer. I am also trying to find my place in the world. So who isn't?
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