Homecoming Mums

Well, this year I planned to make a mum for both my son's to give to their dates, make both of them garters, and a mum for myself since I'm now teaching at the middle school. But, life happens. I got one mum made. I still used my frugal techniques from last year. Read all about it here.

*Edit: So, tonight after the Homecoming Parade, I decided to go home and make myself a mum. I've added those pictures at the bottom.

I still had leftover ribbon from last year and I buy ribbon whenever I see it on sale throughout the year. I found a few unusual ribbons in the clearance section at my craft store that give the mum a one of a kind look. I also re-used a few ribbons from my son's garter from last year.

I'm just going to add some details with the pictures. Please comment if you have any questions.

I like using a variety of plain loops and "awareness loops" around the flower. My plain loops are purple with gold curling ribbon. The awareness ones have 3 ribbons, purple white, and gold curling ribbon.

The black "Marble Falls Mustangs" was recycled from the son's last year garter. The feather boa is half a boa that I found at Dollar Tree.

I just bought a few trinkets. This guy is attached to a military braid.

Make loops and staple to a ribbon for the fancy chain on the right. The mesh yellow ribbon is one of my clearance bin finds.

I used old scrapbooking stickers to add the names.

Scrapbooking stickers for the school name, too.

Several "church bells" on curling ribbon. (Don't buy the expensive cow bells in the mum department. Look around your store for bells in other areas. I bought a dozen "church bells" last year for the price of 1 cow bell.

The purple beads were a child's necklace that came in a pack of 3 from Dollar Tree.

My son requested just a plain flower this year. I kinda think it needs more but it does have a beautiful simplicity.

And now, for my mum. Since I'm a teacher, I decided to only put 18 inch ribbons on my mum vs. the 36 inch ribbons that the high school girls have on their mums.

Here it is!

I went with a purple flower. I have both standard loops and awareness loops, You will notice some of my standard loops are gold with purple and some are white with purple and gold. This is because I was running out of white ribbon so I alternated. I think it turned out really nice and even more custom looking.

My loop chain was made from leftover gold mesh from gift wrapping mixed with purple and gold.

I swear this is the easiest chain to make. I learned how to make it in elementary school with paper. It stretches out real easily so I looped it back up to the top.