Gathered Ribbon & Ribbon Rosette Tutorials

I wanted to share what I did to add interest to the ribbon and to make the center rosette of the Heartfelt Flower card posted earlier today. I've seen a lot of beautiful ribbons lately that are slightly gathered & I love that look. I've purchased one or two, but needed black today so decided I'd just make my own!

Gathered Ribbon Tutorial
I used an inexpensive 5/8" black sheer ribbon approximately 11" long to go with my pink/black theme.
I simply centered the cut ribbon strip under the presser foot on my beloved old Singer sewing machine, set the straight stitch length to 3 1/2", lowered my needle into the center of the ribbon and simply guided it through to the end of the ribbon. A basting stitch would work fine; I went a little smaller here since the ribbon is so sheer. You'd probably want to use the largest stitch available for a tighter-woven ribbon. I'm anxious to try this on other ribbons now!

Next, tie a secure knot in the threads at one end of your ribbon. I always tie a triple knot; I don't want it to come undone in the process of finishing whatever I'm working on!

Then simply begin gathering by pulling the top thread only from the untied end of the ribbon. The thread should pull easily. You may gather it as tightly or loosely as you prefer; I wanted mine to be only slightly/loosely gathered.

Then simply adjust your gathers by pushing them along the ribbon as evenly as you wish to from end to end.

When I had it gathered as I wished, I simply secured the ribbon end to the back side of my cream linen paper strip on the right edge with a big glue dot and then again on the left edge.

That's all there is to it!

Ribbon Rosette Tutorial:

As I was gathering my ribbon I realized that if I gathered it very tightly, it would curl up and form into a rosette. I decided it would make an awesome center for my bleached flower, but I needed a narrower ribbon for this flower. I took a 2 1/2" piece of 3/8" black sheer ribbon & simply stitched, tied and gathered it just as I'd done it above, only very tightly, forming the rosette. I then tied both ends tightly together, snipped the threads and used a couple of glue dots to secure the rosette & threads so they wouldn't show & popped it onto my flower center!

Here's the finished card again; if you have any questions, please leave a comment & ask. I'll be glad to try to help you!

Simple Valentine's Day Card

As I've mentioned, been struggling to create anything post-worthy, but decided to just throw this out there, even though I'm far from crazy about it. What happened here was that I'd grabbed these little expoxy Valentine's stickers in a rush & mainly because they were $1.19 @ Michaels Arts & Crafts, only to discover aftert I got home, that they are actually little "speech bubbles". So I decided I'd fix that by just clipping it off, only to find it didn't look quite right & looked like it wasn't sticking in that area. My next solution (short of tossing the whole card in the trash) was to add glitter around the sticker, since there was already glitter on the hearts paper. So, there you have it!!! ;-}

Paper: K & Company's Smitten, Martha Stewart's Camellia Pink, and white cardstocks

Ribbon: Martha Stewart's Valentine Ribbon Pack

Bleached Heartfelt Flower with Ribbon Rosette Center

One of my sisters in SBS8 posted a sketch challenge to create a card using stamps now offered in the UK Stampin'Up Catalog. Here's my post, Su, and in the process of creating this card, I've come upon an idea that is at least new to me, so I'll also be posting a new tutorial in the next day or so. I've been struggling with creativity a lot lately, so I thank you for helping me to hopefully climb out of that stranglehold!
Paper: Martha Stewart's Camellia Pink; Ivory Linen and Black Cardstocks
Stamp Set: Stampin'Up's Heartfelt Thanks
Other: Clorox Bleach (instead of ink)
Embellies: Black Sheer Ribbons

Spread the Love Award!!!

My dear sweet friend and fellow SBS8 Sister, Gwen @ www.mycraftydaysoff.blogspot.com, without whom I would not even be blogging, has given me a spread the love award! (I told you she was sweet!) She's also way more talented than she even realizes, as you'll see if you go to her blog!!! The purpose of this award is to spread blog love around to others through support and those ever-so-wonderful comments that I LOVE to receive!!! Therefore, I'm now spreading the love to my new sisters in SBS8:
1) Debby @ http://www.debby4000.blogspot.com/ across the pond, who never fails to leave a loving comment on my posts. It's fun to see cardmaking/scrapbooking from people in another country.
2) Kathy @ http://www.kraftinwithkathy.blogspot.com/, who is on the opposite side of the country from me and a new blogger like me who I think is enjoying all her new sisters as much as I am.
3) Han @ http://www.hanscraftycreations.blogspot.com/, who I'm enjoying getting to know and just seems like someone I'd befriend if I ever met her in person!
I'd also like to spread the love to : Chat @ http://www.memystampsandi.blogspot.com/, who's a fellow Arizonan and whose cards I would love to totally copy. Love your style, Chat!!!

So, ladies, now it's your turn to spread the love!!! ;-)

Valentine Love/Pearls Card

Still struggling with my creativity, so haven't had anything worthy of posting this past week. Seems I have plenty of supplies, but can't match colors or put together stamps and embellishments to create a nice card for whatever reason. I hate it when that happens! With this card I've gone back to my crepe notecards and a retired set I've always loved from Stampin' Up.

Paper: Hero Arts Crepe Notecards; Solar White Classic Columns Cardstock

Stamps: Stampin'Up Gentler Times (retired); Stampendous Perfectly Clear Set Merry Messages

Inks: Scarlet Versa Color and Brilliance Moonlight White by Tsukineko

Embossing Powder: Comotion White EP

Tool: Fiskars Heart Border Punch

Embellishments: Joy!Crafts Decorative Half Pearls

Ribboned Heart Valentine's Card

After struggling creatively for days, I dug deep into my supplies and came up with two punches and my fiber friend shapes template, which resulted in this little card. Once I recalled I could use my edge punch to make paper ribbon, my dilemma was solved!

Paper: Grey ribbed cardstock; Jewel Metallic Ruby text; white with silver flecked cardstock
Tools: MarvyUchida heart punch; Fiskars heart border punch; Timeless Touches Fiber Friend Shape template
Embellishments: Kreinik Silver Metallic thread; Making Memories Silver heart eyelet

Scalloped Oval Valentine's Card

My first simple Valentine's card, inspired by the darling Christmas card Gwen (link under SBS-8 & favorite blogs) sent me! I added just a touch of glitz, which barely shows up in my photo. Wish I'd had those great stickers Gwen used! ;-)

Paper: Natural Linen cardstock; Hero Arts Soft Rose Crepe Notecards
Stamps: Hero Arts Sketch Heart; Love from Love Set by All Night Media
Ink: Ash Rose by Tsukineko
Tools: Scalloped Oval Punch by MarvyUchida
Embellishments: Diamond Sparkles by PSX

Happy Birthday to our Daughter!!!

Our daughter just celebrated her 26th birthday and she's a shoe freak, so this card was an easy choice! I made a boo-boo on the envelope, so lined both the outside & inside of the flap.

Paper: Making Memories Cosmopolitan Collection

Stamps: Vivian by Rubber Romance; Fashion Pair & Whimsey Alphabet by Stampendous

Embellishments: Hero Arts Gemstones

I've Been Tagged

I've been tagged by Chat (www.memystampsandi.blogspot.com) so here goes:

7 Random Weird/Facts about me:

1. I love my morning coffee!!!
2. I like country music!
3. I like Diet Coke!
4. I love flowers/plants!
5. I wish I could afford to travel, but prefer to be home, so could not be away for long.
6. I believe I was wealthy in a previous life!
7. I like to sing, but wouldn't want anyone to hear me (nor would you want to)!

Simple Punched Thank You Card

This card was inspired by my Black/White Floral Rosette card (6 posts below) and my tutorial allowing you to temporarily modify your punch. On this card, I wanted to punch exactly half of the scalloped oval. This method (as detailed 2 posts below) makes it possible to

achieve on your first try!
Paper: White: The Paper Company's Arctic Snow Text; Making Memories 6" x 6" Boho Chic's Turquoise Box Flower Cardstock
Stamp: Stampin'Up 2001 Thanks
Ink: VersaColor's Turquoise and Seafoam
Tools: Marvy Uchida Oval Scallop Punch; Timeless Touches Piercing Tool
Embellishment: Ribbon

Simple Punched All-Occasion Card

This simple card with matching lined envelope uses my newly-discovered trick (shown in detail in the post below) to punch close to the edge of the center paper.

Paper: White Cardstock & Envelope; Anna Griffin Green DS Paper
Tool: Anna Griffin Flourish Punch
Stamp: Anna Griffin Topiary Motif
Ink: Bamboo VersaColor

Tutorial to Place Punch Closer to Paper Edge

I wanted to pass on a tip I accidentally came upon when trying to help a friend who wanted to punch just inside the edge of her card several times at less than the punch's depth and punch exactly the same distance from the edge each time. I took Scotch Removable Tape and taped across the bottom of the punch at the exact depth we wanted. If you click on the first photo, you'll be able to see my tape, (just below the round shape & directly above the Made in Taiwan label) on the punch bottom. The next one is a side view of the punch with the tape in place. Now simply insert your paper, punch where desired, and all will be the same depth from the edge!

Sequin Pins Keep Stickles Tips Free-Flowing!

If you put a Sequin pin into the tip of each Stickles bottle when you first purchase it or when it's free-flowing and you're done using it, replace the screw-on cap & replace your pin after each use, you'll never have to waste time or product clearing a clog! Because they have a diminutive head, they lay flat enough to fit right under the cap. These pins are small and therefore easy to misplace, but they're also inexpensive. I purchased mine at Joanns for about $3 for 350. They are made by Dritz and are 1/2 inch long. Hope this helps some of you frustrated Sticklers become happy Sticklers! ;-)

Vertical Banded Male Card

I like a variety of styles/sizes for cards, so decided I'd use an extra envelope from a card/envelope set I'd received. The original Making Memories card/envelope set included a white insert which fit through a green card with a double slit near the top third. I decided to instead use a brown card with an eyelet-attached band to match my round tab punch pullout at the top. I thought this would make a nice "guy card", but was then stymied as to how to finish it. Finally, I decided this stamp from Stampin'Up's Carte Postale set added the right touch and it could still work for either a man or woman. The finished card size is 3 7/8" x 9 1/4" and fits a No. 10 envelope. This particular envelope closes on the end rather than the side.
Paper: Cardstock: Brown and Craft Speckle; DS Paper: StampinUp's Brocade Background; Envelope: Making Memories Upright Slot Cards & Envelopes
Stamp: StampinUp's Carte Postale Set
Ink: Versafine Vintage Sepia
Embellishments: WeRMemoryKeepers Extra Large & Large Eyelets
Tools: WeRMemoryKeepers Crop-A-Dile; StampinUp's Round Tab Punch

UHU Glue Stick Review

I received a complimentary UHU Glue Stick courtesy of Maria Filosa (http://www.mariafilosa.com/) in exchange for reviewing the product. I told her in my request that I was not a fan of glue sticks, as they did not perform well for me. Therefore, I am thrilled to say that UHU has won me over and I'm now a believer! I used the purple-colored glue stick (which turns clear when dry) on several projects. Those include the Christmas treat box (posted originally Dec. 17th) as well as the interior sides of a second chipboard coaster box, similar to the one posted Nov. 25th. The inside covering on this box, a heavy (80 lb. Classic Columns) cover stock, is securely glued, even after I punched 5 holes on each side for lacing the sides together. The UHU Glue Stick was easy to use in both these projects wherein I needed to completely cover the surfaces I was attaching. My only issue initially was not applying enough glue, but once I corrected that faux pas, it adhered well. I will purchase this product in the future and keep it on hand as a vital part of my papercrafting arsenal! With an approximate retail price of $2.10 for a .74 ounce stick, I think it's a great value!

Black & White Floral Rosette Birthday Card 2008-001

This card was inspired by one posted by http://kwernerdesign.com/ on her blog. She has some darling creations! The flower was inspired by a Martha Stewart free handout from Michaels and is explained in my tutorial below. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave me a comment & I'll be happy to try to help. This was my first tutorial attempt, so I'm open to suggestions; but since it was a trial and error adventure, I thought a tutorial might be helpful to others!
Paper: Black Linen Cardstock; DCWV Textured White Cardstock; Cool Metallic Arctic Snow Text by The Paper Company (for the flower)
Embellishments: Karen Foster Design Rub-On; Making Memories Brad; ribbon
Tools: Scor-It Board; Purple Cows Paper Cutter/Rotary Trimmer; Creative Memories Circle Cutting Templates; sewing machine

Rosette Flower Tutorial 2008-001

This rosette flower was inspired by a Martha Stewart Gift Packaging Ideas handout I picked up at Michaels. To create a flower cut a one-inch wide by 9 1/2" long paper strip from text-weight paper. I cut the outside edge with my decorative rotary cutter (a scissor would also work) for added embellishment. To pleat the entire length of the strip to create folds at 1/4" intervals, I used my Scor-It Board. Next, fold the pleats along the entire strip. Secure the two ends together and then for the somewhat tricky part, secure the center to keep your flower flat. I took my Martha Stewart one-inch circle punch & punched a circle out of scrap paper and ran it through my Xyron "X" to stick it to the back of my pleated circle flower. Then I used Crystal Lacquer in the center of the flower & just slightly along the top edges of the flower center. Since it tends to want to pop up at this point, I put a waxed paper scrap torn from the end of my glue dots roll on the flower center and to hold it down, I just set my circle punch on it for weight and let it dry. Once dry, add the embellishment of your choice onto the flower center and it's ready to take center stage on your card! NOTE: Although you could make these flowers using a wider pleat, I think they'd be difficult to get into an envelope, as well as to mail, however they're darling in any size for embellishing a bag/package as shown in Martha Stewart's handout!