Whether you live in a tropical climate or in the arctic, you can have snow this winter.  Once the holiday decorations are down your home can feel a bit bare; this little decorating tip will cure that problem.  And our snowflakes will last the rest of the winter.

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Step one:  Hit the after Christmas sales and find snowflake ornaments.
Step two: Tie on ribbons to the end of your ornaments.

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Step three:  Use invisible tape to adhere your ornament to the windows in your home.

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Step four:  Enjoy snow, without the cold!

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*My tip for this project is to use all types, colors and widths of ribbons to hang your snowflakes.   It will add whimsy and flair to your home. 

A different take on this same idea, is to make a ribbon garland to match a room in your home.  Simply attach the snowflakes to a wide ribbon that coordinates your room, and you have a quick garland!

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Another idea is to make paper snowflakes and hang them with ribbons.

 Instead of the ornaments, I took snowflakes my children made at school and hung them up in the front windows of our house.  Using ribbon will take about a minute more than using plain tape.  The kids were so excited to see their creations treated as home décor—not just refrigerator art.  And they can be enjoyed from the inside and outside of your home.

*A fabulous way to make snowflakes is to use coffee filters!

Stay warm and make some snowflakes!

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Blog Posted By: Leah Farrar-White

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This week's contest:  Your Favorite May Arts Ribbon!

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With so many May Arts Ribbons to choose from, it may be hard to pick just one.  Fortunately, you don’t have to & why would you want to?  That being said, you may have a favorite.  That one ribbon that you just can’t do without! This week, we want to hear all about it!

What is your favorite May Arts Ribbon?  Do you have one item (or series) that you use more often than the others? Maybe you have a few favorites?  

Browse our website, if you like, & post a comment!

Details are listed below:

• To enter: Post a comment. 

• Start date:  Monday, December 28th, 2009.

• Deadline: Sunday January 10th, 2010.  

• The prize:  1 Full Spool of your favorite May Arts Ribbon!

• We will select one entry.  The winner’s name will be posted on Monday January 11th, 2010.  

• The winner will have 2 weeks to contact us & claim their prize.

• Domestic & International entries are all welcome.

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We hope you all enjoyed our second Sneak Peek contest!  We are so excited to release this upcoming season’s ribbon & show you all the full line!   
For this week’s contest, we decided on two winners.  We just loved everyone’s ideas!  A big thank you to you all!

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Our first winner is Jennifer Harrison:

"Wow! My first thought with that black and white stripe was of Audrey Hepburn's dress at the horse races in My Fair Lady. I would do so much with it! I'd pin a vintage rhinestone broach to it and wear it as a belt or a ribbon cuff with a fabulous black dress. I'd make a flower for my sister to wear in her hair. I'd sew it onto the hand towels in my black and white bathroom, and use it to make tiebacks for my curtains in the dining room. (to name a few)
As for the crochet ribbon, I would use it to embellish the vintage style quilt I'm making for my mother-in-law and make her some stationery to match.
I just discovered this blog and I like all the ideas. Thanks for sharing!"

Congratulations, Jennifer!  We just loved this comment, such creative ideas!

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Our second winner is Carole Hepburn:

"OOOOhhhhh the goodness of these ribbons ----- crochet ribbon would be darling with color coordinated ribbons on a baby book, added to tea towels, added to the trim on a homemade baby skirt....the stripes have my mind racing with ideas - baby head bands, added to the tops of frames for the hanger, used as a stripe on a scrapbook page or card, used weaved together as the topping to a pillow, package wrapping, the big finish to an altered canvas.....sooo much to do with these fabulous ribbons - LOVE THEM !!!"

Carole, great ideas!  Congratulations to you too!

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Ladies, please forward your shipping information & your ribbon selections to sales@mayarts.com!  We’d love to see some of your work.  Feel free to send in photos to the email address above, we will gladly post them for you.

For those of you who did not win, check out our latest contest – Your Favorite May Arts Ribbon!

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Following are exact instructions for making one of the pieces in the photo.

RED VELVET RIBBON NECKLACE

This Fall, why not bake a Red Velvet Cake from The Joy of Cooking and make a Red Velvet Ribbon Necklace from May Arts Ribbons?

I selected this project because it makes a dramatic statement in velvet to finish off a party outfit or hang out with tweeds and a turtleneck.  Of course, the process can apply to countless ribbon/bead combos.  Think about your own wardrobe AND your holiday gift list.

MATERIALS for necklace approximately 21” plus ties.

• Ribbon - ¾”  wide;  4 yds -  May Arts # PV25   

• Decorative Beads – 14

• Square Blocks (3/4") With Hole For Stringing - 15

• Beading Wire Or Monofilament -  .014”  or .015”  diameter

• Needle that will fit through the hole in the blocks and an eye that will accommodate the stringing material.

• Gluestick

INSTRUCTIONS:

• For 16 blocks, cut 30 3” long pieces of ribbon.

• Apply a generous amount of gluestick to the wrong side of 16 ribbon pieces.

• Wrap a ribbon piece around each block -  beginning and ending on a side without a hole.

• Follow the same procedure for the remaining 14  3” long ribbon pieces, wrapping to cover the two remaining exposed sides of each cube.

• Cut the remaining length of ribbon into 2  18” pieces and use one end of each as the second wrapping ribbon on the remaining 2 blocks.  These will be positioned on each end of the necklace (before the ties).

• After the second ribbon wrapping on these 2 end blocks, the remaining length of ribbon on each block is the necklace’s tie closure.

• NOTE:   The wrapped ribbon pieces should be glued firmly to all surfaces of the block.  If necessary, use a straight pin or toothpick to apply tiny bits from the gluestick into any gaps and smooth firmly in place.

• Thread your needle with about 30” of wire or monofilament, knotted at one end.  Begin stringing the necklace through one of the two end blocks.  Pierce the ribbon on both sides as the needle travels through.  Securely hide the wire’s knotted end under the ribbon at the beginning of the tie portion of the ribbon.  Make sure that the tie flows freely from the end of the block.

• Thread on a decorative bead and proceed to the next ribbon-covered block.

• Continue alternating all remaining ribbon-covered blocks and beads.

• Shake out the completed string of covered blocks and beads, look for and correct any errors now.

• Secure the second end of the wire underneath the base of the second ribbon tie.  Cut excess wire.

• Neatly trim tie ends and enjoy your creation.

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Blog Posted By:  Ellen Highsmith Silver
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Don't Forget to check out - Sneak Peek Part II !

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This past week, my daughter, Sophie, and I made COOKIES IN A JAR for the first time ever. We gave the cookie jars to teachers and neighbors—one to just about everybody on our list! She is in 1st grade so this is a project for just about all ages. It was nice to be together, work together and just enjoy together.   While creating the gifts Sophie was learning quite a lot…
-READING- She read the recipes, instructions, and package information.
-MATH- Calculating the ingredients and how much to purchase.
-SCIENCE- The science of baking and the measuring of ribbon and ingredients.
 -ART- Finding the perfect fabric and ribbons for the top of the jars. She even helped tie the ribbons.

Oh and –MUSIC- we sang to Christmas carols as we made the jars!

So if you get a little winter break and want an activity - try the Cookies in a Jar…tied with a May Arts bow!

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You will need:

• Quart wide mouth jars (washed and dried)

• Ingredients for your cookies

• Fabric 7 inches wide

• 25 inches of ribbon

Layer your ingredients; make sure you pack down each layer.  Fill completely to the top.  Put the lids on, cover with your fabric and tie your bow!
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Ribbons used:

• red/white  NX Solid/Stitched Center

• green  QD Sheer/Velvet Dot

***Allrecipes.com has over 50 different recipes!***

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Blog Posted By: Leah Farrar-White

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Don't Forget to check out - Sneak Peek Part II !

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I know I am not the only procrastinator out there.  If you are like me, it is time to start thinking about gifts!  Here are a few ribbon inspired ideas to help you.

For your crafty sewing friend - A bundle of fat quarters tied with coordinating ribbons. The fabric shown is Lantern Bloom by Michael Miller Fabrics, paired with Champagne Double Faced Satin, Satin/Center Ruffle, Turquoise and Brown Grosgrain Stripes, Red Chenille Dot, Champagne Solid Stitched Center.

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For the person who loves all things Disney - Red, black and yellow scrapbooking supplies with coordinating ribbons!

Ribbons: Grosgrain White Ovals in Black and Red,Black Satin Center Dot, Red Chenille Dot, Yellow Fuzzy Pom Pom, Yellow Satin String, Black/Silver/White Grosgrain Circles.
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For your organizational artsy friend - Pull-ez filled with holiday ribbons!

This is a ribbon purse, seriously, luggage for your ribbon!
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For the holiday hostess - Ribbon embellished dish towels

Take an ordinary dish towel, sew on ribbons! Make it in under 5 minutes! I used Grosgrain Bubble Dot, Celery Green Faux Suede Ruffle Edge, Red Check.
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For yourself - The May Arts Ribbon STARTER KIT!

The whole 'kit & caboodle'!  Everything you need to get started with May Arts Ribbon.

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For all who love RIBBON - Since this IS a ribbon blog, how about a list of some of our most popular items.  No need to use these on the packages...just give the gift of RIBBON!

1. (BY)  leaves.  From silver and gold to olive and rust...this delicate ribbon is a favorite!

2.  (JD)  sheer dots.  This "go to" ribbon is always appropriate!  Expand your collection to include a variety of colors!

3.  (TZ 02) flowers.  This ribbon is simply gorgeous.  Champagne Flower/pearl center/wired. breath-taking.

4. (EX) satin cutouts.  These ribbons just make me a bit giddy, especially the snowflakes!  talk about adorable! (All the cute, none of the cold!)

5.  (BK) stripes.  Try BK46 for a completely cute grosgrain stripe.

6.  (XA) pom pom.  Perfection --can't you just eat that up???  DE-lish!

7.  (WP) chenille.  No way we can forget  to add the ever popular dotted chenille.  pink, or turquoise...ummm all, please?

8.  (XY18) solid satin center band.  Wowzers! teal/brown combo.  Sophisticated!

9. (NV) faux suede ruffle edge.  Luxury in a ribbon!

10.  (DD) grosgrain dot---(ED) reversible dots.  Delightful dots, indeed.

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Blog Posted By: Leah Farrar-White

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Check Out This Week's Sneak Peek! 

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We hope you all had as much fun as we did with last week’s ‘Sneak Peek’ contest!  Below are two more photos of our upcoming season’s ribbon.  Let us know what you think.  How would you use them?   Post your comments & tell us your ideas!

Here are the details:
•    To enter: Post a comment.  

•    Start date:  Monday, December 14th, 2009.

•    Deadline: Sunday December 27th, 2009.  

•    The prize:  6 - three yard spools of May Arts Ribbon.  Your choice!

•    We will select one entry.  The winner’s name will be posted on Monday December 28th.  

•    The winner will have 2 weeks to contact us & claim their prize.

•    Domestic & International entries are all welcome.

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Need a great last minute gift idea for that crafter in your life?  Click here!

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Thank you all for your comments!  It was so much fun reading all of your thoughts & ideas for our new ribbon!  We had so much trouble picking out just one comment; we decided to have 2 winners this week!

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The first winner is Shelly:
"The ruffled ribbons remind me of the kitchen windows growing up. How awesome to would it be to use the ribbon on recipe cards. I could also see the ribbon on cushions, not only that but ad the ribbon and the felt hens for a card or use as a boarder on a scrapbooking page for several holidays. Endless possibilities."

Congratulations Shelly!  Great ideas!

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Our second winner is Sandy Miller:
"Here chickie Here chickie!! and "it's barb Q time" is what comes to mind first. We do altered scrapbook classes and I see endless possibilities for cookbooks and Easter Projects. Can’t wait to be one of the first to use these! Not to mention detailing an apron to go with them!!"  

Sandy, congratulations to you too!  We loved your comment!

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Ladies, please forward your shipping information & your ribbon selections to sales@mayarts.com!

We have Part II of our sneak peak contest starting this week!  So, be sure to check in & post your comment for a chance to win some May Arts Ribbon!

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Ribbons used in the video:

• BA01-white satin/center ruffle 

• KS31-silver colored string/wired

• YD45-red/green Grosgrain/center polka dot band

• QD46-parrot green/parrot dot sheer/velvet dot

• BS22-fuchsia/lavender solid/iridescent

• BW14-red loose braid/wired

• XL16-olive faux/suede leaves

• RJ14-red/white twisted rope 

• PV16-parrot green velvet/woven

• EW16-olive burlap/woven string

• TS 16-olive solid/stitched center

Blog Posted By: Leah Farrar-White

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Let’s play with traditional stocking designs by adding easy May Arts Ribbon Inspiration.  This Red and White stocking measures approximately 22” long and 9” wide.

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MATERIALS:

• Red felt – for 2 pieces – 24” X 10”

• White felt – approximately 12” X 18”

• May Arts Ribbon # XFF14 – 2.5” wide  - 1 yard

• May Arts Ribbon # XA15  - 1.5” wide  -  1 yard

• Permanent fabric adhesive (test first to make sure it won’t bleed through the felt)

• Red sewing thread

INSTRUCTIONS:

• You may print out the photo of this stocking and enlarge it to approximately 22” in length, or trace the outline of an existing stocking onto clean paper to create your pattern. Avoid newspaper because the ink could transfer to your work and leave permanent smudges.  Draw the heel and toe shapes freehand.  All stitching can be by hand or machine.

• RED FELT - cut out 2 stocking shapes.  I used a decorative-edged rotary blade.  Pinking shears would also achieve a festive edge.  Straight edged is always fine.

• WHITE FELT - cut out 2 pieces for the upper “cuff-like trim on the stocking. They should be 3 ½”  wide by the upper width of your stocking pattern.   Cut 2 heel pieces and 2 toe pieces according to your pattern

• Position the 2 white felt “cuff” pieces in place on top of the red felt stocking shapes. (Since the felt is reversible, be sure to make a stocking FRONT and a stocking BACK.)

• Stitch the white “cuff” pieces onto the front and back red stocking pieces, approximately ¼” from the edge.

• Repeat this for the heel and toe pieces

• Pin the stocking front piece exactly on top of the back, wrong sides together.

• Stitch front and back together using a generous ¼” seam allowance, leaving top open.

 MAY ARTS RIBBON # XA15 

• Cut 1 piece 9” long.  Fold in half, creating a strip ¾” wide X 9” long.  Stitch the 2 pom pom edges together, as close to the edges as possible.

• Fold the 9” X ¾” piece of pom pom-edged ribbon in half to create the 4 ½” hanging loop.  Stitch the 2 raw ends of the loop securely to the stocking back.  See photo.

• To conceal raw edges, fold under and stitch both ends of the remaining 27” of this ribbon.

• With a straight pin, expose the wire on one edge at one end of this ribbon.  Carefully pull this wire to gather the entire length until it fits inside the upper edge of the stocking.  Distribute the gathers evenly.  Pin in place along the inside edge of the stocking without letting the green pom poms on this edge show on the outside. Baste then stitch in place.

MAY ARTS RIBBON # XFF 14

• Cut enough to extend around the entire top edge of the stocking (front and back) – see photo for placement.

• Apply the fabric adhesive as lightly as possible to this cut-out ribbon and center it on the white “cuff.”  Starting at the edge below the hanging loop, press firmly with your hands.  Let it set according to the adhesive’s instructions, It may require a little help from a dry iron (using a pressing cloth) to create a permanent bond.

• From the remaining cutwork ribbon, select and cut out various shapes and apply as above, to the heel and toe pieces on front and back.

Blog Posted By:  Ellen Highsmith Silver

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