Guest Post: Mommy Does | While He Was Napping

Hey There, My Friends! Today I have a great lady to introduce you to: Brooke Anna at Mommy Does. She’s so much fun!

Hi there While He Was Napping readers!

My name is Brooke Anna, and this is my fiancée “B”!

I blog over at Mommy Does…

I have two precious Little Ones…Little Boy

And Little Girl

I’m so happy to be here Guest Posting for Krista and I was so excited that she accepted my offer to do so. For the life of myself I couldn’t decide what to write about…I know that I could post all pictures, but what fun is that? I know that I could write endlessly about my two little ones, full-time college and SAHM careers.But I’m sure you know what changing diapers is like, bath-time, nap-time and all that jazz?See, I knew you did!
Would you like to know a bit about me before we get down to business?I’m 23. Born and raised in Vernon Parish Louisiana, Leesville mostly. I have been with my children’s father since our Senior year of high school, going on 6 years! I love sunflowers, books, music, movies, and spending time with my family.I’m closest with my Nuderma (Grandmother.)I love The Good Wife, and any movie with Morgan Freeman.My favorite?‘Lean on Me.’I played the french horn for 11 just at 12 years.And loved it!
Now! That’s enough about me… let’s get to business.I’m here today to share how I make bows for Little Girl!

{Budget Boutique Bow How-To}

I’m not perfect.

I like to save money.

I like to craft.

I like to create things that I otherwise would not be able to afford, or justify spending money on.

Plus, I’m not perfect.

So, if you are wanting to make perfect boutique hair-bows this is not for you.

However, if you like the make pretty things without spending a bunch of money,

this tutorial is right up your ally.

I don’t go all out with feathers

(not my thing, little girl has a head full of hair and this brings enough attention.)

I like to add simple, cheap embellishments though.

Supplies Needed:

*Ribbon of choice

(Grosgrain, satin, print, no print, whatever you want or have)

I chose a lady bug grosgrain print from Micheal’s

a bubble gum pink grosgrain from Dollar Tree

And a red with pink heart print floral ribbon from Dollar Tree.

What? Yes,

DOLLAR TREE.

(I needed a ribbon for Little Girl’s upcoming Ni Hao, Kai Lan party.)

* Thin ribbon to line clips.

*Embroidery floss or thin grosgrain

*Lighter or fray check

*Pencil or those washable pencils for sewing

*Jumbo Salon clip

*French barrettes or alligator clips or headbands

*Ruler, yard tape/ruler

*Embellishments

To begin…

1. Cut your ribbon to desired length. I cut all three ribbons to 24 inches (be sure to measure even lengths.) To make a double stack I cut another 12 inch length of the floral ribbon. You can also cut a length of each to make your center knot now to save time later.

2. Now fold each length of ribbon in half.

3. And press down like so…

4. This should have made enough of a crease for you to mark exactly in the middle of the length of ribbon with your pencil.

5. Now, keeping the printed side of the ribbon faced outwards loop around like so, in the middle of the line you marked.

Do the same for the other half…

6. Now using your finger, push the bottom half to the middle like so…

7. Doe the same for the top half. It should look something like this…

8. Clip the jumbo salon clip into the middle, being sure to clip it with the underside of the clip facing up.

9. Now cut a length of your embroidery floss to thread through and bring back up through the clip. It should look like this…

10. I could take a picture of the next step, but “cinch” the ribbon by pulling each end of the string tight (I’m southern excuse my accent.) It should look like this…

11. Now look at the bow and make adjustments where you see fit. Try not to pull it too much or you’ll risk undoing all your pain-staking work… haha.

12. Take apart your barrette and dab hot glue on to it…

13. Place the barrette directly in the middle of the bows back like this…

14. Dab a bit of glue onto the barrettes inside and tie the embroidery floss in a double knot. Snip excess.

It should look like these two pictures. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Trust me, I can pick out all the flaws mine has.

15. Now squeeze a bit of hot glue onto the middle of the top and apply your center knot. Like so…

16. Hot glue the ends of the center knot’s ribbon to cover the embroidery floss glued knotted to the back.
Now you can line that with the thin ribbon. I didn’t line the top before gluing and knotting the bow down, my bad! You can if you want, but this bow was large enough you can’t see the metal from the barrette.