Ribbon Tags Revisited

Just in case you are still shopping and wrapping presents (like me!), I thought I'd revisit the idea I shared last year for making gift tags with some of the beautiful ribbons that are available in many places this time of year.  The ribbon I used for these tags came from Costco (I often find beautiful spools of ribbon there at a very reasonable price - less than $10 for a 50 yard spool).

Please click HERE to go to the original post with the step by step directions for making tags with window openings to showcase your beautiful ribbons.

I still have some of this ribbon (the spools are very large!) so I would like to offer to send a couple of yards of ribbon to three readers.  All you need to do is leave a comment on this post and I will do a random draw to pick the three winners.  I will post the three names on Friday morning and if you get your address to me right away, the ribbon might arrive in time to use it for your gifts (if not, you can be ready early for next year!).


Just a quick post today - I am trying to catch up on all of my holiday preparations.  It was wonderful to travel to see our son and daughter-in-law after Thanksgiving but I definitely am behind schedule.  I hope to finish putting up most of the trees (except the live tree) today.  It would definitely be simpler if we didn't have so many trees but I enjoy seeing one in almost every room - I don't know which ones I'd skip!  Do you put up more than one tree?  Live or artificial? 

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Autumn ATCs

It's been a while since I posted an Artist Trading Card (ATC).  There is a good reason - I haven't made any for a while.  One of my trading groups is getting back into a regular swapping schedule and it's fun to be working on themes for these little creations.

In case you don't know anything about Artist Trading Cards, I'll explain the "rules" which are very simple.  The cards must be 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches, signed and numbered by the artist and they are to be traded but never sold. They can be done in any medium and often have a theme.  For our group this month the theme was "Fall" or Autumn."

Remember this big tangle of ribbon left from our nephew's wedding celebration?  I told you that I had some projects in mind to use it and these cards are the first ribbon project that I am posting.

 I cut frames from heavy Bazzill cardstock - the outer dimension is...(were you reading carefully? - 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches!) and the border is 1/2 inch so the inner dimension is 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches.  I have a file for this frame set up in Design Studio and also one on the Gypsy.  This saves a lot of time and guarantees that the frames will fit together evenly.  I put some adhesive all around the back side of one frame.  Then I added pieces of ribbon stretched across the shorter opening.  For these ribbons, the comfortable number to fit the opening was seven different lengths of ribbon.  I alternated the sheer and the striped edge ribbons and allowed the colors to fall in randomly.

Once I had the short lengths of ribbon secure, I started weaving longer pieces of the striped edge ribbon through the opening.  It is just a simple over under pattern and the ends are secured with the adhesive on the edges of the frame.  I used an ATG adhesive, red liner tape or Scor-tape would also be good choices.

There longer lengths of ribbon fit comfortably - I might have been able to squeeze in a fourth row but I have a "thing" about the numbers three and seven so I kept it to three.  I used the slightly wider striped edge ribbon for all three piece in this direction.

Once the weaving was finished, I applied more adhesive and added a second frame.  The fall colors were perfect for this project.

I had some beautiful leaf patterned paper with metallic accents to keep the Autumn theme going and I cut another set of frames from this paper.  This is an old line from Making Memories called Autumn Splendor and I bought a lot of it on clearance a year or two ago so I don't think you would be able to find it in stores any more.  The finishing accent is a leaf charm from the Creative Charms Fall Medley.

The closer view shows the delicate leaf pattern in the paper.  I didn't try to get the same section of the leaf pattern on each ATC or worry about which ribbons I used - usually I try hard to keep the cards identical but I was a little less fussy for this set of cards.

There were only six of us participating this month so I didn't have too much weaving to do.  It is easy but a little time consuming - especially if you have trouble being "random" with your ribbon choices!

I could have just used the brown frames (this is a view of the backs of the cards) but I think the leaf patterned paper really pulled things together for the theme.

Sometimes I do the backs digitally - in this case I simply hand wrote all of the information around the frame opening on the back.

I have a lot more ribbon to use - so keep a watch out to see where it turns up next!


We had torrential rains on and off on Friday - fingers are crossed for a good day today since it is our twice yearly "Drop-Off/Swap-Off" here in town.  Residents can recycle all sorts of items and there is also an open area where you can leave things that are in good condition that you don't want and maybe pick up something someone else didn't want anymore - the "one man's trash in another man's treasure" principle.  I find this to be a great place to pick up glass vases for etching and all sorts of random objects that can be used for crafty projects.  My husband wishes I didn't have so many "crafty ideas" sometimes - maybe another apple pie will help keep the peace!


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Swedish Apple Pie

The days are pretty busy around here right now.  I've been sorting out things that were relocated for the house repairs and renovation and trying to pull my craft room back to some semblance of order.  I've also been designing up a storm - on projects that I won't be able to show you right away - I think you will like them!

I had a lot of requests for apple recipes after my post yesterday.  There is nothing like a crisp apple to eat fresh but they also are wonderful baked in pies with lots of cinnamon.  This recipe is a favorite because it can be made pretty quickly (there is no crust) and it always is delicious.  You can use any type of apples - you might want to adjust the recipe for the sweetness to suit the variety you choose.

Robert's Swedish Apple Pie

5 medium apples, peeled and sliced
1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, mixed together
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1 egg
3/4 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup nuts (optional)

Butter or spray pie pan (8 or 9 inch) and fill 2/3 full with apple slices.
Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar mixture on top of the apples.
Melt butter, add sugar and egg and mix well.
Add flour and nuts, pour over apples.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes (until apples are cooked and pie is golden brown)

These tangles of ribbon are for a project that I'll post as soon as it is finished.  The ribbons were used on the drinking "glasses" at our nephew's wedding celebration.

Using wide Mason jars as drinking glasses is a family "tradition" for my husband and his relatives.  I don't know who started this, but it is a practical use for the empty jars between canning seasons.  The ribbons helped to make the tables more colorful and festive.

 I added this photo just to show the difference between taking a photo with flash (first photo) and then with only natural light.  As a general rule, I like to omit the flash but sometimes you really need it to get a clear and colorful image.

I thought I had a photo of the pie (I am sure that I do!) but it was too late to search for the photo and also too late to make another pie for a photo session!  I'll add the photo to this post when I run across it.

It's Columbus Day weekend already, where is the time going this year?  I hope  you have a safe and happy weekend - we are staying home after all of our recent travels, we just want to stay put for a while.

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Birthday Card - take two...

I finally got things sorted out with the computer and Blogger.  We were at a family graduation party most of the afternoon and evening on Saturday so I decided to put the full post up for today.

I wasn't planning to make a card when I started - I just wanted to show a way to add a "loop bow" under a paper medallion for a pretty effect.  I have been experimenting with ways to use ribbon since I seem to have an excellent ability to collect ribbon and I need to move more of it out into the world on projects so there will be room for me to add more to my collection!

 

I have always found it tricky to get ribbon bows to work out neatly when the ribbon is not the same on both sides.   This cute polka dot ribbon is one that I got from a Stampin' Up clearance rack sale.  The stitched border goes through but the polka dots are printed on one side only.  To make the "bow" I cut two lengths of ribbon - one larger than the other.  I folded the ribbon in half and used a sharp piercing tool to poke through the center at the join of the ends.

I did the same thing with the second piece of ribbon, adding it to the piercing tool.

 I slid the two loops up near the top of the tool to make the hole in the center larger.

 If you read my blog regularly, you know that I like to use the wired ribbon from Costco - I just pull out the wires from the sides when I don't want it for shaping the edges.  Of course, I save these bits and pieces of wire and they can be very handy for other projects.

I took our the piercing tool and held on to the ribbon stack - then I threaded the wire through the pierced holes and bound the ribbons together.  The wire is very strong but also very thin and easy to push through the pierced holes.

To finish off the wire conection, I put the opposite ends through the holes and reversed the pattern.  This may seem to be a lot of trouble but it is really quick and easy to do.  I imagine that some people just use adhesive to hold the pieces together but I find that this method is great to be sure that your bows won't come apart at the last minute!

Next I added a large foam square to adhere the ribbon loops to the main vertical ribbon on the card front.

The ribbon down the center of the card layer was added using the "cheater method" - wrapping it around the paper and taping each end.

I wanted to add the sentiment in a medallion and place it as the center of the "bow."  I originally planned to use all three of these layers,.  I decided that the green lace scalloped circle was a bit too large so I simply attached the sentiment to the smaller yellow scalloped circle.

Instead of placing the loop bow straight across the card, I set it at an angle - just to keep things interesting!

This was the first version of the card.  I wanted to keep it simple but I thought this looked too simple.  The paper ("Garden Variety" line by Cosmo Cricket) is so pretty that I didn't want to hide it - so I decided to look at my other options from that paper line and add an additional piece in a coordinating color and pattern.

I matted it with a coordinating red cardstock, leaving just a thin reveal to help set it off against the background paper.

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The sentiment is from this great group of card elements.  They are printed on pearlized cardstock and have perfect sayings ready to pop on your projects.  These were a gift from my friend Enfys.  I believe they come from Craftwork Cards in England - here is a LINK to the page on their site.

Craftwork Cards also makes the "Candi" (the paper brads or dots you can see on this card).  I saw at these at CHA and really liked the effect - there are some more photos of their samples HERE.

The added square gives the impression of a gift box for the bow to rest on.   I think the extra color was needed to add a little more "oomph" (not sure if that's how you spell it but I hope you know what I  mean!)

We'll be going to another graduation party on Sunday - and we'll be hosting our own party next weekend - this certainly is a busy time of year! I hope you are having a nice weekend.  Please remember all of the brave servicemen and women who have sacrificed for our country as you enjoy your holiday activities.

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It's all in the presentation...

I hope you are having a great weekend - we finally had some nice weather here.  We were able to get outside a little to enjoy it - my husband did some spring clean-up in the flower beds and I admired his work!  The irises are about six inches tall - it won't be long until they are blooming again.

 

The iris bulbs that we have growing outside the front door have a beautiful deep color and are special to us since they came from Grandma's garden.  It will probably be another month until they look like this.

We have several other iris varieties in the garden - I think this pink one is so delicate and pretty.  Many of you mentioned gardening as one of your other hobbies.  I love to look at the gardens and take photos but my husband is the one who does nearly all of the actual gardening.

You are probably wondering what is going into the boxes today...so I won't keep you in suspense.  It is another "separate but equal" day with three slightly different sets of items added to each box.  I can't seem to get enough of the Martha Stewart Crafts products.  I enjoy the papers, the glitter, the punches (oh so many punches!) and the stamps.  I have added a Martha Stewart stamp set to each box today.

Christmas Tree

Heart and Flower

Monogram and Frame

Whenever I think of Martha Stewart I think about her emphasis on presentation.  Paying attention to the small details can definitely make things feel more special.  It doesn't take much time to add a little something and rise above the ordinary.

 Here is a simple example.  I wanted to return a pie dish to a neighbor who surprised us with a special treat.  I was taught that you never return a dish empty so I wanted to bring it back with cookies.  Instead of putting the cookies in the dish and covering them with foil or plastic wrap I used a cellophane bag, stacked the cookies and tied them up with a ribbon.  

ribbon, ribbon and more ribbon!

If you are a regular reader of my blog you know that I have a weakness for the ribbons that are available at Costco.  They are very reasonably priced and come with many beautiful designs.  Most of the ribbons have wired edges but it is simple to remove the wire for papercrafting (here is a LINK to a post showing how to remove the wire).

The only "problem" is that the ribbon comes on 50 yard spools (well, it is Costco sized!) and so it takes a long time to use up the ribbon.  So - I try to share my ribbon whenever I can so I can buy more in new colors and patterns!  These three are all nice for spring projects.  I used the glitter daisies on the right for the cookie package (and also have a card sitting on my craft table waiting to be assembled using the same ribbon).  The center ribbon is a sheer pink with glitter silver dots.  On the left is the ribbon I "had" to buy so I could give some to my friend Shirley ("Okieladybug"), with Cricut green dots and cute ladybugs!

I cut off a couple of yards of each of the three ribbons and added all three to each of the boxes.  There should be enough for quite a few cards or to make a bow on a nice package. 

 

These boxes are getting very full - I should probably make a list of all of the items inside so you can keep track.  The sets might get shuffled when I wrap everything for shipping so there will definitely be an element of surprise when the three lucky people open their boxes!

Instead of reposting the directions for the giveaway, I would ask that if you have just come upon this celebration week and want to start at the beginning you go to Wednesday's post HERE and work your way forward.  The rest of you already know how to play along!

Here is the question for Sunday

What "little" things do you do to try to make your daily life more creative and artistic?  Do you like to set a beautiful table, arrange flowers and place them around the house, keep your linen closet tidy with sheet sets tied up with ribbon? Do you think attention to the small details can make your routine tasks seem less dull and repetitive?  How do you try to lead an "artful life"? 

That's a lot of questions and you don't have to answer each one directly - just share your thoughts on the general topic if you can.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and be sure to check in Monday to see what else is going in the boxes - one of the items might make you laugh...

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