Spooktacular Fun

Hello!  It's always a special treat when you stop by to visit. Today it's me, Karen Letchworth, sharing a "spooktacular" little card I created using some of my favorite products from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  I hope you're all ready for the little goblins who will come knocking at your door next week looking for some tricks or treats.

So, for today's post, I'm sharing a fun little Halloween card that was sent off to my niece.  While she's getting (just about) past the trick-or-treating age, she's still a whole lot of fun, and I like to send her special cards.  I'm sure you all have those in your life with whom you have that sort of relationship.  Never underestimate just how much it means to someone to get a hand-made card in the mail.  Just knowing that someone is thinking about you can make all the difference; so I encourage you to send a card today.  Someone needs the pick-me-up for sure!

I started with a base of burnt orange corrugated paper, and I also used some American Crafts (Haunted) patterned papers that I had picked up last year.  I used a small (October) ephemera piece, a Crafty Secrets image, and a Jolee's candy bar (Darkside Chocolate Bar).  Really Reasonable Ribbon always has the perfect Embellishments, Ribbons, and Adhesives (plus SO much more) to help me adorn and decorate my cards.  How cute!

There are some new products to Really Reasonable Ribbon as well, and I'm SUPER excited about them.  One of these fabulous new products would be the ADORABLE Bronze Pear-Shaped Metal Safety Pins.  They do come in different colors/metals, but I'm obsessed with these.  They're perfect for hanging a small tag or a metal charm, beads, etc..  SO cute!  And...they are only $2.19 for 100 pieces!!!  I used mine to hang a small tag cut from patterned paper, and I stamped the word "Enjoy" on it.

I also bundled some Violet Burlap String, tucked in some Black Miniature Double Head Stamens, Milk White Miniature Double Head Stamens, and added a double bow tied with Black/White Houndstooth Ribbon.  Like I mentioned earlier, Really Reasonable Ribbon really does have SO many fabulous touches for your crafting projects.  Ribbons, twines, trims, Seam Binding....you name it, Really Reasonable Ribbon definitely has all the spooled delights any crafter could ever need.  But I do hope you'll also check out the amazing rainbow of other accents they carry to help you take your art to the next level.  You won't be disappointed.  Really!  Check out those awesome new Bronze Pear-Shaped Metal Safety Pins.  They'll look so cute on your next project!

Thanks for stopping by,

Karen

Sherlock Holmes Shaker Card with G45 Master Detective

Hello, Ribbon Lovers!  Kathy here with a Sherlock Holmes themed shaker card that's loaded with dimension and sweet surprises.

This card was so much fun to make!  I turned a chipboard filmstrip frame into a shaker element for the focal point of this tall and skinny 4.25" x 8.5" side fold card.  Each section of the filmstrip was filled with a different image and a selection of sequins and seed beads.

Black and White Houndstooth ribbon was the natural choice for this themed card. I used my Zutter Bow-it-All Tool to tie a two layer bow, then topped it with black burlap string and a button from my stash.

I've had this brass monocle in my stash for ages, and was so happy to finally find the perfect spot to use it.  I tied a snippet of black and white houndstooth ribbon through the loop on the end, securing it with black burlap string. 

The inside of the card is decorated with  more elements from Graphic 45's Master Detective Collectionj.

This 4" x 6" image from the cut apart page has been scored and folded to fit inside the card.

Then I made a little gift card holder just for fun.  See that houndstooth print?  That's what inspired the use of the houndstooth ribbon for this card.  Now you know!

I've always loved Sherlock Holmes, whether portrayed by Basil Rathbone, Jonny Lee Miller or Benedict Cumberbatch.  But enough chatting....there's work to be done...and the game is afoot!

Until next time!
Cheerio,
kathy

Last Minute Valentine Tips and Tricks

Hello, Ribbon Lovers! I'm back today with more Schoolhouse Vintage Valentine Cards and Tags. With the Day of Love just a week away, I know we are all looking for some last minute Valentines that are quick and easy to make. But we also want them to look great, right? So these little cards and tags come together in about 20 minutes each, but look like you spent hours and hours on them. That's a win/win in my book!

 

How cute are these Schoolhouse Vintage Valentine cards and tags? Once again, I used the Schoolhouse Vintage Valentine digital download from Polly's Paper Etsy Shop and paired them up with some fabulous ribbons and flowers from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Tips and Tricks for Making Quick Cards

 

 There are some simple tricks I use when I need to make a quick card that I thought you might find helpful:

• Keep a file full of scrap papers that you've cut to measure 4" x 6". I have mine organized in a bin by color. That way, I can just reach in and grab papers that go well with my images and quickly cut them to fit my card base. It's a huge time saver, and a great way to use up your scraps.
• Keep an ephemera file for small tickets, tags, and other goodies that you can layer in with your papers. I have a small bin that is full of little bits and pieces I've salvaged.
• Be prepared! Tie a bunch of neutral bows and store them for future use. This black and white houndstooth plaid is one of my favorite ribbons. It goes with everything and ties beautifully. I always tie an extra single or double loop bow and then toss it in a little container. That way, the work is already done for me when I'm in a hurry!
• Don't worry about matting each layer. Since these cards are more simple, maybe just mat the focal image to make it stand out. This will save loads of time!

Make a Tag!

 

Another trick that I use when I'm in a hurry is to make a little tag. Instead of packing my scraps away in the scrap drawer (aka "the land Kathy forgot") I'll make a quick little tag and pop on a pre-tied bow. This grey plaid ribbon is another favorite of mine. The neutral color goes with so many different palettes..and always looks great with pink.  

Don't have any pre-tied bows? Add flowers for texture!  

This sheer white organza is another ribbon that I use quite often. Again, it's a neutral so it goes with everything. The real bonus here is the texture and shimmer it adds to a project. 

So there you have it! A few tips and trick that will have you cranking out super cute cards in a flash! I hope I shared some ideas that you'll be able to use. I'd love to hear if you have any tips or tricks that you use to make cute cards in a hurry. 

 Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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Saturday Evening Post Halloween Card with Ribbon Medallion

Hello, Ribbon Lovers!

Do you remember the magazine, The Saturday Evening Post?  They were famous for their amazing cover art, much of it done by Norman Rockwell.  I've always loved this Graphic 45 "A Place in Time" Halloween image which uses one of his famous covers, and decided to make just one more Halloween card because, let's face it, Halloween cards are fun to make!

This image just makes me grin from ear to ear! Especially when paired up with my newest ribbon crush, Black and White Houndstooth Ribbon.  This ribbon is soooo luxurious and ties the most beautiful bows.  They are spook-tacular!

I topped this with a loopy string bow made with orange and black burlap and a gorgeous trellis rose that I inked up with some chalk inks and spritzed with gold glitter spray.

I also made a cute ribbon medallion using one of the cardstock stickers and orange canvas color band ribbon.  This is easy as pie to do.  Just punch out a couple of heavy cardstock circles (my circle punch is 1 3/8" in diameter, and that seemed just about right).  Glue the circles together.  Run 1/8" wide Scor-Tape around the perimeter of the circle and stick the inside edge of your ribbon to it, gathering it as you go.  Use Scor-tape or a glue dot to secure the cut end of the ribbon to the center of the chipboard circles.  Then, adhere your chipboard sticker with some foam adhesive and press down to secure.  I punched holes in the button and tied a burlap string bow through the center.   I love the way this balances out the card.

Here's another look at that fabby bow tied with my Zutter-Bow-it-All Tool.  If you don't have this tool, maybe the Great Pumpkin will bring it to you for Halloween!  If you have it, but you haven't figured out how to use it, be sure to watch Bonnie's easy to follow videos on the Really Reasonable Ribbon YouTube Channel.  You'll be tying bows like a pro in no time!

Here's a peeky at the inside of this cute card.  The patterned papers are all from the October Place in Time sheets from Graphic 45.

Hope you have a super weekend, and thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy