Treasured Memories for the October Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog Hop

Good morning and welcome to the Really Reasonable Ribbon October Blog Hop.

  

If you've just been inspired by Jeannie's fabulous work, you are in the right place. If not, you can join us for some autumn inspiration with the gorgeous October RRR Ribbon Club Assortment by hopping on over to the RRR Blog to start at the beginning. There you will find all the blog hop and prize details.

Just look at the gorgeous ribbons in this month's RRR Ribbon Club Assortment! It's time to start thinking about Christmas projects and cards. These holiday ribbons in nontraditional colors are perfect to get those holiday projects going!  Are you a Ribbon Club Subscriber? If not, you can sign up here and start receiving one of these gorgeous assortments each month. 

"Treasured Memories"

Yes, in my typical style, I decided "not" to create a Christmas project. Of course these collections are so versatile, they can be used a lot of different ways. This is an anniversary card for our son and his wife who will be celebrating their second anniversary soon. 

Tips and Techniques:

The October Ribbon Club Shimmer Turquoise ribbon was a little bright for these Donna Salazar Spring in Bloom papers, so I misted it with Cork Glimmer Mist. Here's a tip for transforming your ribbons with mist. Trim off a small piece of the ribbon and spritz it with mist, then allow to dry to see if you've achieved the desired color. I created this triple loop bow using Ginny's Double Loop Bow Tutorial found here. Bonnie is now selling the Zutter Bow-it-All which makes very fast work of gorgeous bows. 

I just adore the sweet Wild Orchid Crafts Mulberry Flowers in the RRR Store. Here I've used a 25mm Cottage Rose in Mixed Purple/Lilac. I added a berry sprig and raffia from my stash. The sweet Catherine White Crochet Lace is part of the October Ribbon Club Assortment.

I also the Double Faced Light Silver Ribbon and White Lace from the October Ribbon Club Assortment as a border here on the inside of my card. I just adore how the silver ribbon plays off the other colors in the papers! 

I printed the Happy Anniversary sentiment using Chopin Script Font from the internet. I then stamped the heart flourish around the printed sentiment. (I did size the sentiment to fit the stamp.) 

A quick and easy sentiment using these K & Company metallic stickers that goes perfectly with the anniversary theme.

I was inspired by the beautiful work of Andrea Ewen.

Really Reasonable Products used:

October Ribbon Club Assortment

WOC 25mm Cottage Roses - Mixed Purple/Lilac

Scor-Tape ~ 6" x 6"

I hope you've been inspired to grab your October RRR Ribbon Club Assortment and start creating!

Your next stop on the RRR October Blog hop will take you to 

to some amazing inspiration from Cheryl. 

Thank you for hopping through the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog Hop with us today.

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

Shabby Happy Birthday for RRR Challenge #77

We're enjoying some lovely cooler than usual weather for late July in Ohio. I just love the cool evenings and warm days. When I look out at my flowers this time of year, inevitably I spy some gorgeous butterflies. That goes right along with the theme for our next RRR Challenge:

Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #77

Things with Wings

And of course include some ribbon, lace or cording on that project!! 

Here's my example for you:

To enter this challenge, create a card, layout, or any handcrafted project. Just be sure to follow the theme and use ribbon, lace, or trim somewhere on your project.

Really Reasonable Ribbon Products
August Ribbon Club Assortment (Cream Ribbon and Lace)
20# Metallic Hemp Cord Assortment ~ Classic
Tombow 3D Foam Tabs
Scor-Tape 6" x 6"

I used the August ScrapThat! Kit along with Really Reasonable Ribbon for this card.

Tips and Techniques:

The Really Reasonable Ribbons from Bonnie's store are so lovely to layer into a card. Here I tucked the cream satin with grosgrain edges from the August Ribbon Club Assortment under the doily and wrapped Classic Metallic Hemp Cord over top of both. I used more of the Metallic Hemp Cord to create the flowing bow. Tombow 3D Foam Tabs were perfect to pop up my hand stitching edged stamped sentiment. 

I inked the doily edges and added Want2Scrap lavender pearls from the ScrapThat! Kit and W2S teardrop pearls from my stash. 

The sweet delicate natural lace is included in the RRR August Ribbon Club Assortment. 

I cut the canvas butterfly with Donna Salazar Wonderful Wings Spellbinder Dies, adding Want2Scrap Coordinating bling. The chicken wire chipboard is also from Want2Scrap. 

Lovely flowers from the August and previous ScrapThat! Kits.

I hope you've been inspired to create a project for

Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #77 ~ Things with Wings

Be sure to stop by the RRR Blog for all the details and prize information.

I have to ask ~ What is your favorite type of winged creature to use on your projects?
You've probably guessed, mine is the beautiful butterfly!!

I've entered this card at:

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #91 Anything Goes. Their special Word Art this week is Psalm 124:8.

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

Happiness is . . . Card and Pleated Ribbon Tutorial for Really Reasonable Ribbon

Gary and I are celebrating our 31st anniversary in a few days. Here is the card I created for him featuring a variety of natural, masculine ribbons from Really Reasonable Ribbon. 

"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 ~ This May Arts Burlap Wired Ribbon is a dream to work with and pleat. I've included a tutorial to create 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. 

Trinkets ~ The lovely Heart Skeleton Key which perfectly fits the anniversary theme is from the Craftpon.com Etsy Store. The heart lock is from my stash. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

Birthday Card for Really Reasonable Ribbon

Birthdays are such a wonderful time to celebrate the special people in our lives. I created this card for one of our daughters who's favorite color just happens to be purple. It features fabulous ribbon and embellishments from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Really Reasonable Ribbon Products:

White Wrinkled Ribbon - 1/2"

4mm String Beads - Pearlized

July Ribbon Club Assortment (Diamond Satin)

Juliet Natural Crochet Lace - 5/8"

Candi Choc-a-Mocha

Candi Fix Foam Pads

Scor-Tape 6" x 6"

Be sure to check out Bonnie's BIG 3 day sale running from July 10 to 12.
All the details are posted on the RRR Blog. 

Tips and Techniques:

Dyed Ribbons ~ As you probably know, I like to dye and color my ribbons to coordinate with my papers and other embellishments. Here I dyed the White Wrinkled Ribbon with Alcohol Ink, then once dry, I decided I wanted a deeper purple and mottled colors. I rubbed Distress Ink on a craft mat, misted with water, then I pulled and scrunched the ribbon into the ink. Oooh la la, I love the dimension and texture this added to the color in my ribbon. I also colored the bright green ribbon from the July Ribbon Club Assortment by spritzing it with a golden brown glimmer mist, then inking the edges with purple. Another amazing transformation. You can find my Dying Ribbon with Alcohol Ink Tutorial here. 

Four Loop Ribbon Bow ~ I used a variation on Ginny's double loop bow to create this bow with my now colored Wrinkled Ribbon. Instead of using my fingers I used something I had on hand - the handle of my pliers. :-) You can find Ginny's Double Loop Bow Tutorial here. 

Bead Loops ~ These are so easy to create!! I snipped off short lengths of Bonnie's Pearlized String Beads, then formed a loop - kind of in the shape of a daisy petal with the two ends side by side. I crushed off the bottom bead on each side (with pliers) and glued the strings together. An easy way to add a nice touch of bling to any flower cluster. 

Handcrafted Flower ~ I used Spellbinders Spiral Blossom One to create this lovely rolled paper flower. 

Be sure to stop by the Really Reasonable Ribbon Store to check out Bonnie's amazing selection of ribbons, laces and other goodies.

I hope to see you on Saturday for our RRR July Blog Hop.

I have entered this at:

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #88 Anything goes. This week's Word Art is 1 Timothy 4:12. If you are looking for amazing inspirational Word Art (free), be sure to stop over there!! 

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

"Life Is Art" Graduation Card for RRR

It's official, we're empty nesters!! Maria found a job and has moved in with her sister to be close to work. While aspects of this are just a little crazy for me, I've been preparing and must say that we have been so blessed with our children making wise decisions for their futures. 

Maria graduated just over a week ago, and I'd like to share the card I created for her featuring Really Reasonable Ribbon. 

"Life Is Art"

Graduation Card

Maria is an artist. She has played piano for 10 years and started taking art lessons about 5 years ago. She is quite accomplished. I've been known to say, if I had her talent I wouldn't scrap; I'd draw and paint. She's won several art contests this year and really has the heart of an artist. This may not be a typical sentiment for a graduate, but it just fit Maria perfectly. I hope she embraces the life ahead of her and enjoys the journey. 

Really Reasonable Ribbon Products:

Hand-dyed Silk ~ 1 inch

Iridescent White String

Kaisercraft Pearls

Scor-Tape 6" x 6" Sheet

Tips and Techniques:

Double Loop Bow ~ Bonnie carries the most gorgeous and luxurious hand-died silk ribbon in her store. You really should try some of this fabulous ribbon. This particular color is not currently in stock, but she has some amazing color combinations that are sure to fit your needs. The tutorial by our RRR DT, Ginny, for these sweet bows can be found here. She shows how to tie them right on your fingers. So easy!! 

Mixed Media Background ~ I started by stamping my sentiment with Donna Salazar's Jasmine Mix'd Media Inx, then sprinkled with opaline embossing powder and heat set. 

Then I laid punchinella next to the sentiment and "inked" through the holes with Perfect Medium. Any kind of clear embossing pad should work. I sprinkled with Fran-Tage Shabby White Embossing powder and shaved ice mica then heat set. 

I've had Faber-Castell Gelatos in my stash for some time, but just never have gotten around to trying them out. Let's just say, I'll be using them a lot more now that I've broken the ice. What gorgeous colors and so easy to work with. I scribbled the colors across my nonstick craft mat using similar colors to the ribbon, spritzed with water, then laid my paper into the liquified color. Just like the ribbon colors blend, gradating into each other, the Gelato colors did the same. I just love the effect!!  I colored two pieces - the white cardstock background and then the stamped and heat embossed sentiment on water color paper. 

Once the water color paper was dry, I hand sketched the heart shape around the sentiment, cut it out and hand distressed. The background paper was distressed with my Donna Salazar Distrezz-It-All. 

On the background I took some bubble wrap and painted it with gesso and used as a stamp in places. This is very subtle, but adds great visual texture. I also "stamped" some circles of gesso using a small bottle cap. 

Oh, and wouldn't you know, the sentiment got a little muddied by the mixed media, so I took a white Glaze pen and carefully went over the letters to make them pop again. 

What I love about this technique is that you can really create a custom background to go with any of the hand-dyed silks. 

Pearl Accents ~ I added Kaisercraft pearls from the RRR Store. There are a wide variety of colors to choose from. 

Ribbon ~ I adhered a strip of the hand-dyed silk ribbon across the card using Scor-Tape. I wrapped the Iridescent White String around the ribbon three times, crossing in the center. This string is one of my favorite items in the RRR Store. I already had to order more!! LOL It shimmers so beautifully in the light. Finally, I attached the bow to overlap the heart. 

Other products:

White Cardstock 

Strathmore 140lb Mixed Media Vellum Surface

Bienfang PH Neutral 140lb Watercolor Paper

Faber-Castell Gelatos ~ Metalllic Melon, Metallic Blueberry, Butter Cream, Lemon, Boysenberry, Tangerine

Donna Salazar Mix'd Media Inx ~ Jasmine

Ranger Perfect Medium

Punchinella

Sparkle N Sprinkle Embossing Powder ~ Opaline

Stampendous Fran-Tage Embossing Powder ~ Shabby White

Stampendous Fran-Tage Shaved Ice Mica

Sakura Glaze Pen ~ White

Liquitex Gesso

Bubble Wrap

Bottle Cap

Stampendous Cling ~ Life Is Art Stamp

Beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive

Donna Salazar Distrezz-It-All

Tim Holtz Distress Tool

Tim Holtz Grid Blocks

Ranger Mini Mister

Ranger Craft Mat

EK Cutter Bee Scissors

Martha Stewart Mini Score Board

I've entered this at:

Word Art Wednesday ~ Challenge #82 anything goes or Proverbs 14:26 Word Art

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~