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Fall is in the air…..apple cider, pumpkins, football, and giant Homecoming mums with customized ribbons. What? What? What in the world? If your not from Texas, I’ve probably thoroughly confused you. The subject is contentious. It makes for great Facebook conversations. Also, homecoming mum supplies don't come cheap. So when you see expensive mums on Etsy, this is why. My trick saves you a bit of cash! Yay!
I’m not originally from Texas, so I don’t know all the ends and outs. I just know that the boy’s mom makes the mum for his date. This was the first year I’ve ever made one. I’m certainly not a pro, but I wanted to share one insider tip that made mum making much easier and customized it for my son’s lovely date! And you may never need to make a mum, but you might need customized ribbon (gift giving, anyone?).
Texas Homecoming Mum with Customized Ribbons
If you have never seen one before, welcome to Homecoming Texas Style!
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What I discovered pretty quickly is that homecoming mum supplies really add up pretty fast. If you don’t watch it, then your wallet might be stretched a little thin. The concept is that there should be a ribbon for every activity, your dates name, your name, etc. I initially thought I would use stickers, but when I priced the big ones out — well let’s just say I’d rather spend my money on other things. I also wanted something that wasn’t going to be the same as everyone else. Basically I wanted customized ribbons. I decided to use my incredible Cricut Explore and I’m so glad I did!
The supplies are so simple. I simply needed the ribbon, glitter vinyl and my machine. I’ll list the complete list at the bottom to make everything easy peasy for you!
Let’s start with the looped ribbon. I placed a letter on each loop so that it spelled out her name. I created this very easily in the Cricut Design Space Software. It was hard to catch the glitter in the right light, my apologizes.
How to Create Name and Year Ribbons
- Step #1:
Sign in to Design Space and open a new file - Step #2
Add your text by clicking the “add Text box” on the left hand side. I typed each letter and hit enter so that it would be vertical vs. horizontal.
- Step #3
Once you have your basic text written, lets edit it. Select all the letters in the text box and click “Edit” on the right hand control panel.
From here you can select your text type. I first selected “Cricut fonts” and then the one I chose was “Tie the Knot Monogram”.
I’m a subscribing member of the Cricut Image Library, so any of the fonts with the green “a” beside them means I can access those without paying. If you are not a member you can buy fonts and images individually.
Once you’ve selected your font you can manipulate it how you want. You can change the size, justify or center it, determine how much space you want between the letters, etc.
You can design all the ribbons on one mat or cut them individually. For this example, I’ll show them to you individually.
- Step #4
Once you have the design for your ribbon how you’d like it, click the green go button on the top row.
- Step #5
Preview your cut on this screen. You can always go back and edit. Make sure your mat size is correct. You can also move the text around on the mat in case you’d like it placed somewhere else.
Once you are happy with it, click the green go button in the bottom right hand corner.
- Step #6:
This screen shows you exactly what you have left to do. Set your dial (I set it for vinyl), load your mat in the machine and when your all set and have the green light, click GO!
Once the machine did it’s work, I weeded the extra vinyl from around the letters. I was left with only the letters on the vinyl backing. I then used transfer tape to adhere them to the ribbon.
Use the spatula and press the letters on really well. Slowly pull off the transfer tape at an angle. If a letter starts going off the ribbon and on the transfer tape, simply reapply it to the ribbon and coax it off the transfer tape.
How to Make A Custom Sport Ribbon
The golf ribbon was done exactly the same way, with one exception. I knew I wanted a shape of a golf ball, club or flag, so I searched for “Golf” in the design studio. You can do this for any sport!
Nothing quite fit, but I knew that I could edit the 3rd picture to show just the golf flag. Here’s how:
- Step #1
Make your text as I did above. To find golf items, click on the left hand panel where it says “insert images”. This pops up the design studio, where I searched for golf in the right hand corner search bar. I selected Golf Pro #M450D7. Once it had a check mark, I selected “insert images” on the bottom right hand side, which popped it back up in my design software.
Step #2
This step edits the boy out. Click on the right hand control panel where it says layers. One by one select the layers that are not the golf flag and press the delete button at the bottom.
Pretty soon you’ll see most of it disappearing, and you’ll see who cool this process is:
I’ve hit the eye button next to my golf text so it’s not visible. Once your done deleting, turn it back on and arrange the element how you’d like it. Since I wanted a continuous ribbon, I simply copied and pasted the elements as I liked, and then used the align button to ensure everything was spaced accordingly.
Once it’s to your liking, simply follow the directions from above to cut your design!
The finished Golf ribbon! I love the contrast of the glitter vinyl with the black ribbon.
I used the same technique for all the ribbons and it couldn’t have been easier!
Please leave a comment if you have any questions, I’m happy to answer them.
List of supplies for homecoming mum custom ribbons
- Cricut Cutting Machine (I use the Cricut Explore Air)
- Cricut Glitter Vinyl (I used silver glitter)
- Cricut Transfer Tape
- Cricut Access (you don’t have to have it, but helpful for the fonts I used & a total steal in my opinion!)
- Fonts used:
Golf: 3 Birds Life and Golf Pro #M450D7
Freshman: Easton
Letters in curly circles for the loop ribbon: Tie the Knot Monogram
Homecoming 2016: Poker Night
Additional options:
Looking for more Cricut ideas for this fall? You might enjoy these:
Modern Rustic Fall Tablescape With a Cricut
HAPPY CRAFTING! -Mrs Major Hoff
Stephanie says
I wondered if my Cricut was the way to go instead of buying letter stickers at the store that cost a fortune! You’ve answered my question! Did the vinyl stickers stay on the ribbon good??? Your mum turned out fantastic! I’m born and raised in Texas, so the Homecoming mum/garter is a way of life. 🤣 However, the size of some of these mums are crazy!
MrsMajHoff says
Yes, Stephanie, that stayed on perfectly and saved so much money! And yes, some are whoopers! heehe!
Angie says
Can you iron on that type of ribbon ... maybe use a heat transfer sheet? Thanks for the inspiration!!! There is nothing at stores for swimmers or theater 🎭
MrsMajHoff says
I would for sure use a piece of fabric over so the ribbon isn't on direct heat. I'd also test a small area of ribbon first. Good luck!