When I graduated from college, my cousin made me a money lei and I thought it was such a cute idea. Since then, I’ve made a few for my friends and they’ve always been a hit. Being that it’s graduation time, I thought this post was appropriate. =)
Materials:
- 1 1/2 inch ribbon (Michaels)
- 15 new, crisp $1 bills
- floral accent (wedding section of Michaels)
- ruler
- needle or sharp object
- scotch tape
- scissors
Directions:
- Fold each dollar bill into a fan.
- You don’t need to be too exact, but I folded the bill in half, then in half again, then again, and again—until there were 16 sections.
- Fold 8 bills with the front side facing up and 7 bills with the back side facing up.
- Use scotch tape to attach the open ends.
- Repeat on the other side. You should now have a circle rosette.
- Carefully separate the floral stems by peeling off the green floral tape. Try to keep the stem as long as possible.
- Locate the opening where the right sides of the bill connect.
- Insert the floral stem.
- Using a needle or sharp object, make a hole in the ribbon.
- Push the floral stem through the ribbon and back up.
- Thread the floral stem through the hole where the left sides of the bill connect.
- Twist the floral stem behind the base of the flower to secure.
- Measure 3 1/2 inches from the center of the rosette. This is where the center of the next rosette should be.
- Repeat until all the bills are attached.
- Remember to alternate each bill in order to show both the front side and the back side.
- Measure 4-5 inches at each end of the ribbon and cut into a point.
- Paint a small amount of clear nail polish on the ends of the ribbon to prevent them from fraying.
Mel is such a good model. We didn’t have a graduation gown, but you get the idea. =)
CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!!!!
