How to Enhance a Greeting Card with a Mini Bow

A handmade greeting card is a perfect way to let someone know you think they are special. This versatile care is easy to make and is enhanced with a mini corkscrew bow made with the Mini Bowdabra.

Supplies:

• 6½” x 5″ greeting card blank
• Black and tan card stock
• Coordinating patterned card stock
• 24″ length 1/8″ satin ribbon
• Double-sided adhesive, i.e. ScoreTape
• Craft knife
• 18″ length Bowdabra Bow Wire
• Mini Bowdabra

Instructions for the Greeting Card and Mini Bow

1. Make the corkscrew ribbon:
   • Spiral the 18″ length of ribbon around a small knitting needle or skewer.
   • Secure the ribbon ends with clips.

• Mist lightly with water.
• Bake in the oven at 250° F for 20 minutes. After the ribbons are cool, gently slide off the knitting needle or skewer.

Make the bow

Fold the bow wire in half and put it in the Mini Bowdabra. Tuck the ends of the wire under the Mini Bowdabra to keep them out of the way.

Cut the corkscrew ribbon into four equal lengths.

Center the ribbons and layer in the Mini Bowdabra.

Compress the ribbons in the Mini Bowdabra with the wand.

With the ribbons still in the Mini Bowdabra, pass the wire ends through the loop, tighten, then tie a secure knot.  Leave the wire end uncut and set the bow aside.

Make the card

Cut the card stock as follows:

Black—1 piece 6½” x 5″; 1 piece 4″ x 1 3/8″

Tan—1 piece 2¼” x 5″; 1 piece 4 3/8″ x 1 5/8″; 1 piece 3 5/8″ x 1″

Pattern—5″ x 1 3/8″

From the front of the card blank, remove a 4¼” x 5″ section.

Using double-sided adhesive tape mount the largest piece of black card stock to the inside right of the card blank.

Using double-sided adhesive tape mount the 2¼” x 5″ piece of tan card stock to the front of the card blank.

Determine where you will position the mini bow, and using an awl, sharpened pencil, or very large needle pierce two holes in the strip of patterned card stock.

Add the bow

Thread the bow wires through the holes. Fold each wire toward the outer edge of the strip and secure it in place with tape. Using double-sided adhesive tape mount the patterned card stock strip with the attached mini bow to the front of the card.

Add a sentiment to the smallest piece of tan card stock by hand lettering, stamping, embossing, etc.

Add dimensional dots

Next, add foam dimension dots to the back of the sentiment and the remaining piece of black card stock. Layer these on the remaining piece of tan card stock, and mount on the card front with double-sided adhesive.

Optionally add some bling

You can, optionally, hot glue a bit of bling to the center of the mini corkscrew bow.

You now have a beautiful Greeting card with mini bow perfect for Mother’s Day or any event!