DIY Bow holder/board

Thank God for the wonders of the internet and more importantly, Pinterest.  Well maybe not to that degree, but I am thankful there is a tool like Pinterest to kick up my creative juices and always being there for me when I need to refer back to the original source.  Ever since I found out I was pregnant I've been on the hunt for ideas--nursery look, bedding, organization, colors, etc.  And when we found out we were having a girl then I narrowed my search to girly things I can make for the room.  First on my list was to make a bow board.  There are so many different ideas, colors, and ways to do this project that it's all up to you on how you want it to look.  I found one example that I really liked and just went from there.  

Now I am a "list" kinda girl so I looked up a few websites to see what kind of materials people used and jotted what I needed down.  Here is what I bought from Michael's for this project:

• Open back frame {any size you prefer, I got an 11x18 frame}
• spray paint {I got a nickel finish color}
• All purpose glue, the Tacky brand I believe.  {I also got a glue gun, but I got the wrong size glue sticks :(}

When it came to fabric, Michael's doesn't carry any fabric by the yardage so I went to the next best place, Jo-Anns.  Luckily there was one not too far from the Michael's I was at. From there I got:

• 1 yard of fabric.  I figured I could use the extra to make some bows or some other project for the room
• ribbon {your preference on width and color}

Now I used some scrap cardboard I already had on hand but I'm sure you can find a cork board or some other kind of backing for the frame.  

Here comes the fun part :).  I first spray painted the frame {don't worry, I was in a well ventilated area, my backyard}.  The kind of wood frame I got was an unfinished kind so I didn't see the need to sand it to help the spray paint stick better.  

As the frame was drying, I started measuring the scrap of cardboard into the right dimensions.  I then used the Tacky glue and glued one side of the cardboard and laid it flat on the backside of the fabric.

Once that is secured enough I made a slit at the corners of the fabric, cutting at a diagonal toward the cardboard's corners.  This helps in folding the fabric.  After that I glued the edges of the cardboard and neatly folded the fabric onto the glue.  Let that dry for a bit.  

Next is applying the ribbon.  From the back side I measured out the spacing.  Mine isn't perfect but I believe they are around 1 1/2 inches apart for the final product.  It also depends on how thick your ribbon is and how many rows you want for the board.  To make this a little easier I used painters tape to secure the ribbon at first, that way I can easily move them around to figure out the best spacing.  Once I liked the spacing I used the Tacky glue {or you can use hot glue} to secure the ribbon.  You want the ribbon pretty tight but enough give to actually clip on the bows.  

Now you need to place the board in the frame.  It's best to use a hot glue gun but since I could not use mine I tried the Tacky glue and so far it seems to work.  I might go back to it when I get the right kind of glue sticks and secure it even more.  

The frame I got did not have  the nail grips on the back so I improvised and stapled some extra ribbon I had to the top corners of the frame.  I first used glue to secure them but that did not work.  I didn't think a regular stapler would be able to go through the frame but it did!!

I was going to add some small hooks at the bottom of the frame to hang the headbands I have but I didn't find any at the craft stores plus I didn't really care for the way it would look.  Instead, I think I'm going to collect some cute hooks and hang those underneath the frame...or maybe a whole different idea lol.  

Here is the final look in the room:

I plan on adding an embellishment or two to the frame.

Some other side projects I've done that aren't really DIY craft, just updating pieces I already have on hand.

My inspiration for the night stand.

I just need to find a coral colored drawer knob

An old mirror I acquired from my late grandfather.  The beginning process of spray painting it

There was some damage to the frame during the move so I've decided to add some flower embellishments to that one corner.  It will definitely pop with the colored flowers I got :)  I'll post an update soon!