Having a party at home requires attention to detail as you plan your menu, design your invitations, and put up the decorations. Once you have developed a particular theme for your event, the extra time you spend on the decorations will really make your family and friends feel special. Ellie Schneider, spokesperson for Offray Ribbon and author of the book The Splendor of Ribbon, shows us how easy it is to make creative centerpieces, wreaths and other indoor/outdoor decorations with ribbon to create a festive mood for your party.
Schneider worked in the fashion industry for years before discovering how compelling ribbon can be. She says that in addition to its use on clothing and in hair, a simple bow can embellish a basket or wreath, as well as trim Christmas trees and presents. There are an abundance of colors and textures from which to choose to create the mood that you desire.
For this particular party, a casino theme was chosen and Schneider used scores of metallic hues to emphasize the tone of Vegas or Monte Carlo. Her jackpot wreath on the front door immediately conveys to her guests the festive atmosphere that they are about to enter (figure A). Even if you are not used to working with ribbon, Schneider assures us that anyone can produce these decorations for half the cost of what you would pay if you hired a professional. To make this welcoming wreath, all you need is 20 minutes, a straw wreath and a handful of colorful ribbon.
- Wrap the wreath with one type of ribbon to cover the straw, then use another color to spiral around the wreath (figure B).
- Once the wreath is covered, embellish it with as many bows as you like. In this case, Schneider affixed red wire-edged ribbon bows with a glue gun (figure C).
- She then adds playing cards, dice, gold coins and other casino motifs to highlight the gambling theme (figure D).
To prevent the task from becoming boring, Schneider adds elements that show off her creativity. She says that if you think through your theme and gather the supplies you need to have on hand, the creative process will not seem like such a chore. Her favorite piece is the wild card centerpiece.
- She begins with a brass container with plastic foam blocks placed inside.
- Next she attaches various loops of red and black tulle ribbon to floral wire, secures them to picks, and inserts the picks into the blocks of foam (figure E).
- She then draws the shapes of the four suits of playing cards onto a piece of paper, and uses them as a guide to form the shapes out of wire-edged sequined ribbon. She secures the shapes to picks and inserts them into the foam (figure F).
- Playing cards and curled ribbons are glued to picks and added to the container for a centerpiece that will be a definite conversation piece (figure G).
Schneider tells us to add whatever creative or artistic pieces that feel right when you assemble your centerpiece. Once you have your main decorative piece finished, you can experiment with the smaller details. Ellie suggests these original casino theme ideas:
- Tuxedo utensil holders (figure H)
- Napkin rings (figure I)
- Drapery accessories (figure J)
For Schneider, decorating with ribbon is a natural extension of her work in fashion. It allows her to display her talents and skills in a fun and creative way. She spends less than $100 decorating for her casino party, and assures us that we can do the same, regardless of theme.
RESOURCES :
The Splendor of Ribbon
Model: 1567993974
Author: Ellie Schneider& Ellie Joos
(March 1997); 128 pages
Lion Ribbon Co. / C.M. Offray & Son Inc.
Website: www.offray.com
GUESTS :
Ellie Schneider-Joos
Ribbon Expert
Lion Ribbon Co./C.M. Offray & Son, Inc.
857 Willow Circle, Dept. PM
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Phone: 908-879-4700 -or- 908-879-3607
Fax: 908-879-8588
Web site: www.offray.com
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