Happiness is . . .

Hi, it's Tracey here to share the anniversary card I created for my husband, Gary, featuring a variety of natural, masculine ribbons from the Really Reasonable Ribbon Store. We are celebrating 31years in a few days. 

"Happiness is . . . Being with you"

Really Reasonable Ribbon Products:

Natural Burlap w/Wired Edge ~ Silver/White 1.5"
Jute Ribbon ~ Natural 1.5" (Frayed Burlap)
Jute Ribbon ~ Natural 5/8"
Leaves, White

Hemp Spool ~ Natural 20lb

Bamboo Cord Multi-weight Set
Button Grab Bag ~ Natural
Candi Choc-a-Mocha

Candi Fix Foam Pads
Score-Tape 6" x 6"

Tips and Techniques:

Pleated Ribbon ~ The May Arts Burlap Wired Ribbon is a dream to work with and pleat. I've included a tutorial to create this pleated ribbon below. 

Layered and Wrapped Ribbons ~ I layered four of Bonnie's fabulous natural ribbons starting with the Natural Jute Ribbon topped by Wired Pleated Burlap Ribbon, then 5/8" Jute Ribbon, and finally wrapped with white Bamboo Cording.

Twine Flower ~ Who says you can't use flowers on a masculine project? This one is created with 20lb Natural Hemp Cord using my Twine Flower Tutorial found here. I topped it with a button from the Natural Button Grab Bag. There is such a nice variety of buttons in the grab bags! 

Leaves ~ I trimmed several small sections of May Arts White Leaves and tucked around my flower. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pleated Burlap Wired Ribbon Tutorial

Supplies:

May Arts Wired Burlap Ribbon

Ruler

Pencil

To determine the length of ribbon needed, each 1 inch pleat takes 2 inches of ribbon with an extra ½ inch on each end, so the 6 inch section of pleated ribbon on my card required 13 inches of wired burlap ribbon. You can work directly off your roll of ribbon, so there is no need to cut until your pleating is completed, but this guide will help you assure that you have enough ribbon for your project. 

Step 1. On the back of your ribbon, make a small pencil mark at 1.5 inches from the end, then ½ inch from that mark, then repeat across the length of your ribbon. Your pattern will be 1.5 inches, ½ inch, 1.5 inches, ½ inch, 1.5 inches, ½ inch etc . .

Step 2. Fold the end of the ribbon at the first 1.5 inch mark towards the back with wrong sides together.

Step 3.  At the next mark, ½ inch further into the ribbon fold in the opposite direction this time with right sides together to create your first pleat.

Here’s what it should look like from the top side:

Here’s a side view so you can see the direction of the folds:

Step 4. Fold again on the next mark 1.5 inches further into the ribbon with wrong sides together.

Here’s a view from the back side after this fold:

Step 5. Fold again on the next mark ½ inch further into the ribbon with right sides together.

Here’s a view from the top of the ribbon after the fold.

And a side view:

Step 6. Continue to repeat these folds until you get the length of pleated ribbon required for your project:

Note, I have shown the side view with the folds slightly open so you can see the direction of the folds. You will actually pinch the wired ribbon so it lays flat:

The wired ribbon holds the pleats well, but I tucked a piece of Scor-Tape in the fabric layers to hold the pleats in place before adhering to my card with more Score-Tape. 

Be sure to stop by the Really Reasonable Ribbon Store to check out Bonnie's amazing selection of ribbon. 

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you've been inspired to create a masculine card for a special guy in your life.

~ Blessings ~ 

Tracey