Lilac Gardens Shaker Card

Hello, Ribbon Lovers!  Happy New Year!  If you're a gardener, you're probably using these winter months to dream about and plan your spring garden.  That's what inspired this Lilac Gardens Shaker Card.  I've trimmed it out with a soft, supple bow tied with Really Reasonable Ribbon Lilac Seam Binding.  This is the ribbon I recommend for "beginner" bow tie-rs.  You can almost always tie the perfect seam binding bow, especially if you use your Bow-it-All Tool! 

Metallic String is another favorite trim from the RRR shop. You can find it in Gold, Iridescent White and Silver, which I have used here. It makes a pretty topper for my Lilac Seam Binding Bow, but it also creates a gorgeous border at the base of my card.  I like to wrap it around a card layer several times before adhering it to the card base.  This keeps the edges nice and neat.  It's amazing what that little bit of sparkle adds to a card design.

Here's a peek at the inside of the card.  

 As you can see, I've topped my little tag with more of the same trims.  It's always fun to use "outside" card elements inside the card as it creates a sense of unity in your design.

Lilac and silver are a beautiful color combination for winter and spring creations.  I hope I've shared some tips and ideas today that you can use in your next crafty adventure.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Sparkling Holiday Cards with Metallic String

Hello, Friends!  Christmas is peeking around the corner.  It's time to break out all our sparkly, shimmering card making supplies.  I love this time of year! You will almost never find a card of mine that does not have ribbon on it.  It adds texture, pattern, color and design to even the humblest creation.  But have you thought about embellishing your Christmas cards with metallic string?

The delicate design of chipboard shaker on  this shabby chic card seemed to call for a more delicate bow cluster.  What could possibly look better than this loopy bow tied with Iridescent Metallic String and Gold Metallic String?  Here's how I made the bow:

• First, cut (2) 18" lengths of metallic string.
• Then set the posts on your Zutter Bow-it-All tool t at a distance of 3".  
• Make sure both ends of the metallic string are even.  Then simply loop both strands around and around the posts and tie a "C" knot.  (If you don't know  how to use the Zutter Bow-it-All tool or if you are struggling with tying the "C" knot, watch Bonnie's tutorial on YouTube.)

Here's a peek at the inside of this box style card.  I've used some of the November Ribbon Club Assortment to line the pocket face.  The gold snowflakes on this grosgrain ribbon echo the gold metallic string in the bow on the front of the card.

 I used the same ribbon and more metallic string to top the little bookmark/tag that I tucked inside the pocket. 

Have you started making your Christmas cards and projects yet?  It's never too early to get a head start.  Bonnie has some great Christmas Ribbons and Flowers in the shop.  There are some new options to choose from that will look great on your holiday creations!  

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Fun Paper Mache Christmas Trees

Hello, sweet ribbon-loving blog friends!  It's hard to believe that Christmas is sneaking up on us so quickly, but it really is.  So...I've been trying to create a few Christmas projects to get a jump start.  I thought I'd share this quick, easy and super cute way to make some decorative Christmas trees.  I picked up a package of six paper mache Christmas trees at Hobby Lobby (with a 50% off coupon, of course).  They are SO cute, they're very inexpensive, and they come in this super small size all the way up to HUGE versions that you can decorate in so many fun ways.  Really Reasonable Ribbon can help with that.

For the first tree, I used lengths of Silver Metallic Twine and Silver Metallic String and it was SO easy.  You just rub a thin layer of craft glue on the paper mache trees, and you start wrapping.  You literally keep wrapping the Baker's Twine around the tree until you've covered it entirely.  But don't ever freak out if you run out of twine as you're wrapping because you can switch colors and do anything you want.  That's the fun of art, right?

On my second tree, I tried a different technique.  I cut lengths of Scor-Tape that I'd wrap around the paper mache tree.  Then, I cut small strips (approximately 2 inches or so) of Olive Swiss Dot Grosgrain Ribbon and I attached them to the Scor-Tape; laying them flat.  Next, I'd run another length of Scor-Tape just above each row of ribbon, and loop the Ribbon up to secure it.  I repeated these rows until the entire tree was covered.  At the very top of the second tree, I wrapped some Gold Metallic String and tucked in a star stick pin.  I also hot-glued some red berries to the tree.

Why not pick up some FABULOUS Baker's Twine or Grosgrain Ribbon and give this a try?  With over twenty different colors at only TEN CENTS per yard, Baker's Twine is a wonderful trim for so many different projects.  In fact, Really Reasonable Ribbon has hundreds of different products to help make your projects extra special. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today, and please visit us again soon.  You definitely won't want to miss our fabulous Blog Hop coming up in just a few short days.  Don't miss the fun!

Karen Letchworth

Cakewalk Happy Birthday Card

Hello, Ribbon Lovers!

Our sweet li'l grandgirl celebrated her 4th birthday recently. Naturally, I had to make her a special card for her special day. So I pulled out my Really Reasonable Ribbon and worked up this super fun retro Cakewalk Happy Birthday Card to help her celebrate.

I love this retro color palette of teal and aqua. I carried it out by embellishing my card with cheery Red Swiss Dot Satin Ribbon topped with a White Iridescent Metallic String Bow. Simple punched circles are dressed up with a WOC Trellis Rose and some Red and White Sweetheart Blossoms.

To add texture, I lined the base panel with a strip of Melissa Natural Crocheted Lace. This combination of ribbon, lace and flowers really make this card birthday party ready!

If you are also a fan of this great retro color palette, you'll want to take a peek at the April Ribbon Club Collection, which features a fantastic mix of red and turquoise ribbons.

If you're not a member of the RRR Ribbon Club, you can find all the details HERE. Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,
kathy

Merry Christmas Sleigh

Hello Ribbon Lovers!

Can you believe Christmas is just 5 short weeks away?  Yikes!  Santa is probably getting his sleigh all tuned up and ready to roll.  While browsing the aisles at my favorite thrift store, I found one of his "trade in models" and scooped it up for a song, transforming it into a great piece of home decor for the holidays.

If you are looking for the perfect ribbon for your holiday crafting, may I suggest this luxurious and very versatile Black and White Houndstooth Plaid?  It is sooo silky and easy to work with!  And just look at those totes adorbs mini red pom poms that edge the sleigh!  Santa's rig never looked more chic!

The papers are Canvas Corp Farmhouse Christmas.

Another pouftacular holiday bow tied with my new ribbon crush and my Zutter Bow-it-All Tool!

Glittering snowflakes, festive trim and a gingerbread house?  It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I love adding a touch of White Iridescent Metallic String on top of my bows to add even more shine.

The sleigh is filled to the brim with cute recipe cards, all adorned with red gingham ribbon. I even tucked in a vintage silver spoon that I altered.  How fun is that?

This will look great in my kitchen, and it's such a fun way to store holiday recipes.  It's amazing what a little paint, glitter and fabulous ribbon can do to a beat up old sleigh, isn't it?

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,
kathy