The Perfect Bow

I am such a visual person! I recently bought a Bow Maker and have all sorts of trouble trying to follow the instructions, and until I make lots and lots of them I will forget every time and still seek help! In all my playing around and trying to 'follow' instructions, I came across this way to tie a perfect bow to sit on any creation! Just to make sure that I did have it right I must have made a hundred at least!! What I have done is write up the instructions and then add the photos in sequence, the latter being for people like me who need 'visual'!

THE PERFECT BOW

This is such any easy, easy way to make the perfect bow to go on your creations. If you already own a Bow Maker you can utilise that to make these bows too.If you don’t and you have access to a piece of timber and a couple of 5 or 6” nails then you are on your way.

If you are going to make a bow maker (and I did) and didn’t realise it, because what I made was for ribbon storage! It was after I bought one that I realised that it was the same as what I made but for my ribbons.

YOU WILL NEEDTO MAKE YOUR BOWMAKER

A piece of smooth timber about 6” long and drill some holes in it about 1” apart. I used a drill that was about ¼ in diameter.

Go to your local hardware supplier and get a piece of dowel to fit the holes (take your wood with you) and get dowel that fits snugly.

Cut the dowel into lengths to suit but I cut mine about 5”, and now you have your own bow maker.

You can use any size dowel the bow in this little Tutorial is rather large for what you would want, but I made it bigger so it was easier to see.
Remember you can use nails too they will work just as well.
Now onto the exciting part:-
1. Cut your ribbon to the length you need (or to be more economical cut it when you have finished the bow there will be less wastage – thanks Kris).
2. Wrap ribbon around dowels/nails like below
3. Pass top ribbon under and out the other side

4. Bring back piece of ribbon over the top as below

5. Tie a single knot

6. Do not pull tight until the bow sides are even, and this is the time to do it, just slide the centre bit. This is how it will look

7. Front View

8. On cardstock

9. On a finished card

Now Go and have fun!
Gwen 
Follow the pictures to achieve your 'perfect bow'

                                                                                                                                       

Comfort Folder Instructions

CARDSTOCK:
27.5 x 21cm - Score at 10.5, 11.5, 22 and 23cms on the longest edge. Cut out the section at 22cm to score line and to edge
2.5 x 14cm - Scallop Punch on short edge, then measure 4cm from the edge of the scallop and cut off.
8.5 x 13cm - Whisper White or Very Vanilla for insert
Scrap of Whisper White or Very Vanilla for front sentiment, and also scrap of contrasting cardstock to cut back label die in Big Shot.
 15 x 8cm Designer paper for front of folder
INCIDENTALS:
Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Pad, So Swirly Jumbo Wheel, Sticky Strip, Snail, Scallop Border Edge Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Round Corner Tab Punch XL, Sponge for inking edge of card.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Score and cut cardstock where required. On the short edge that has the piece cut out of it, edge with the Scallop Edge Punch. Sponge this end with ink colour of choice. Punch one end of the 14 x 2.5cm cardstock using the same punch.
Using Jumbo So Swirly wheel and ink colour the same as cardstock, roll the whole sheet of cardstock, rolling the portion of the folder that folds up last so the imprint is very faint. Sticky strip the bottom portion that folds up at the ends, in the space that is measured at 10.5 and 11cm, and then at the edge where it has been cut away. This will form the pockets to hold the sachet and letter or insert.
On the right side attach Designer Paper, then the strip of contrasting card stock. Then attach the 4cm strip so it matches the other scallops.  Stamp sentiment and punch out using Wide Oval Punch, and then attach it to the largest label in the Lots of Labels sizzlet dies. Use snail on the portion of the tag that is going to sit on the main portion of the folder and have the balance of the tag sitting out over the small section of the folder. This small section of the folder will slip in under the tag to keep the folder closed.
Off stamp the So Swirly Wheel and then run it across the bottom of the insert. Punch a tab to pull the insert up (if using), fold tab over and attach to insert. Stamp sentiment of choice on insert or better still slip a letter in the pocket.