My Cancer Ribbon Design

Okay...Here is one of the ribbons that I designed.

They measure a perfect inch and a half long - but since they are handmade that can vary a bit.

The ribbon is hot glued to stay in the loop, then I glue the pin backer on with a strip of hot glue directly on the pin back. When the pin back is affixed to the back of the ribbon I push down the pin back so that the glue oozes through the holes in the back - this makes it look like the glue bubbles through the pin back - it actually makes it stay better.

The wooden hearts are available online for purchase or the craft stores. The dimensions are 1/2 x 1/2 x 1/8 inch. Then I'll flip over the ribbon and place a drop of hot glue on the back of one of the wooden hearts. and place it so that it's centered where the ribbon crosses on the front.  Don't worry if some of the glue oozes from behind. Too much isn't good, but a little "oozage" is okay.

I usually grasp the back of the pin back and use a cheap-o paint brush to paint Aleen's "OK to Wash-it" fabric bond on the face AND SIDES of the heart. Make sure you get the sides too! When you cover these hearts with glitter, they look like JEWELS!

I'm pretty picky about the glitter, because it's what sets the ribbon apart from the typical "pink ribbons" that you see.  Sooo...Creative Beginnings Diamond Pastel Glitter color= Pink - fine. It's a real fine glitter. Regular glitter on the wooden hearts looks really dorky. So I'll hold the back of the pin and after you paint the the heart with the glue, and dredge it through the glitter. Make sure the face and the SIDES are completely covered with glitter.

I'll hold the ribbon and dip the *trimmed ends* into the glue, then dip the tips into the glitter.

So the cool thing? These suckers can make it through the WASH CYCLE! Yep! You just wanna make sure that they don't make it to the DRYER! The hot glue melts and seeps into your clothing fibers and JACKS THEM UP! The glittered areas are really pretty though! LOL - yes..I've ruined MANY clothes..MANY MANY in fact.

Okay...I know it's a lot of steps. But when you get the assembly line going, it works great. I use paper plates to squeeze out the glue so that you have a nice little dollop there to use. I also use a glass dish for the glitter. Kinda like the folks in the nail salons use for the pink powder when you get your nails done. Something shallow so that you can dredge your ribbon through while holding the pin back.

Have fun!!!! I love you! I hope you enjoy making these! I have probably made 1500 of these suckers and have raised over $8000 for Cancer Research.

What is Relay for Life?

A PNN Relay for Life Team? Really? Dontcha want to know what it's all about? 

Okay then...here's the skinny. If we do this, we should all make it to a Relay for Life event in our own city. We can raise money individually and just take it with you when you go to the event. It's not necessary to create your own team at this time, but if you can pull it together, by all means...DO IT!

http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/whatisrelay    - check this out. There's even a video to watch and you can direct others you know to this place as well. 

I could go on and on about how wonderful this is, but how about we see if the passion gets contagious first. I have no idea how many of you even want to do this. 

I will donate the design of my ribbon and instruct you all on how to make it as time goes on and as interest swells. It's simple, but you must have a glue gun and be prepared to spend about $25 - $30 to get ramped up. You can sell them for donations - which works well. I've raised over $8,000 in the last 12 years by selling these. I have gotten $50 for one ribbon and I've even taken a nickel from a little girl for one. It just depends on what the ribbon means to the person who wants it. I'll post a picture of one of my ribbons as soon as I can find one.