We recently did a post about our upcoming May Arts Ribbon Fun Packs. These are sets of 6 prepackaged ribbons with 3 yards on each spool. We are so excited about this new product line that we were inspired to mix things up yet again. Instead of choosing your own ribbon this time, we want to send you the ribbon in our Halloween Fun Pack to create a Halloween themed craft project!
So this month, we want you to roll up your sleeves & get crafting with a May Arts’ Halloween Fun Pack!
Details Listed below:
We will provide you with 3 yards each of all the ribbons in our upcoming Halloween Fun Pack: MD28, EX28, EX01, EX10, KB38 & JD10.
You will have one month to complete a Halloween craft project. Any craft design will be admissible. You are limited only by your own imagination.
One winner will be selected and awarded the following prize. An opportunity to become our next ‘guest blogger’ during the month of April. One blog post will be offered. The winner will also win 3 full spools of ribbon. Your choice!
10 additional entries will win a prize of 1 full spool of ribbon. Your choice!
To Enter: Email us at sales@mayarts.com
with your idea & contact information. We will promptly mail out your ribbon to work with. When you have completed your project, forward us a photo with a brief description of your project. Or, better yet, send us a video of your design & we will post it on the blog.
Deadline: October 13th, 2010. The winner will be announced on October 22nd, 2010.
When we first came up with the idea for our Calling All Bloggers Challenge, we had no idea there would be so much interest. The response we have had has been amazing! We are truly honored that so many talented women want to work with us on the May Arts Blog!
This decision was a very difficult one to make. We wish we could work with you all, as we believe each & every one of you would be an asset to our team. Please note, for those of you who did not win a regular spot, that you are still more than welcome to participate as a guest blogger.
Without further delay, in the order in which they were received, please welcome our new May Arts Bloggers:
Congratulations to each of you! We are excited to start working with you all. Please email us at sales@mayarts.com to discuss your new blogger spot on May Arts.
The top 10 entries are also to receive a prize of one full spool of ribbon. To each of our winners - be sure to send in your selection.
Again, thank you all for participating! And a big thank you to everyone who took the time to read & comment on these posts. Your comments are always greatly appreciated!
We are just thrilled to have so many talented ladies interested in becoming a May Arts Blogger! So much, in fact, we want to take a bit more time to review all 24 entries that were submitted. We are therefore postponing the announcement of the winners from our Calling All Bloggers Challenge. The new date will be August 18th. Thank you for understanding & best of luck to all of our participants!
Entry #24 from our Calling All Bloggers Challenge was sent to us by Michele Caron:
Projects For Ribbon Lovers
How to make a hip necklace with ribbon
Using metal and fabric to create the styles people are paying to add to their wardrobes and dress up their simple outfits.
Many types of fabric can be used to acquire the right "look" your clients are seeking. ________________
How to take dollar store item to designer dream gift
Using plain notebooks and stationery from your local "dollar" outlet, can produce a unique one of a kind gift item. Using ribbons with unique patterns and designs will turn simple into sensational! Note cards or greeting cards with fun multidimensional effects. The possibilities are endless..and wonderful for the millions of card makers and stationery lovers. Gifts that fit every age and are useful for many occasions. _______________
With the fashion world ever changing its colors and designs...
What better way to spruce up your wardrobe with a new belt or sash...perfect for wedding parties trying to blend a variety of dress styles.
A neck choker or headband for teens...unique and special.
Wrap your wedding bouquets with those special fabrics that are featured as sashes on the dresses of bridesmaids...accent with pearl accents...no need to buy yards of fabric when you can buy it finished as a roll of ribbon...May Arts makes designing simple and easy!
Cheering squads and tweens and teens will love the new clip bows....your imagination will soar will the colors and possibilities...grosgrain, shiny, or fabulous ribbon designs to mix and match your styles. You can't go wrong and only make a big splash of color with May Arts Ribbon. Why be plain and predicable when you can be PERFECT! ____________
For all the scrapbookers and paper artists...
Make your memory pages POP!! Using a mixture of ribbon fabrics on your pages. Using card stock and other types of paper art...there is no limit to your creativity. Personalize your style and express your feelings with May Arts ribbon. The use of ribbon helps tell your story just a little better than stickers or other embellishments. Its adds color and depth to pages, cards, and posters. Try it today!! Release the inner creative genius in you!!
The crew at Piggy Bank Parties is so excited that May Arts is featuring our Blue Ribbon Tutorial on their blog! We love sharing our ideas for easy and affordable projects. My name is Do (like do-re-mi) and I'll be your tutor today!
Gather the following supplies:
.
1 yard of 1.5"-2.5" wide May Arts ribbon
Needle and Thread
Scissors
Cardstock, Labels or Buttons
Adhesive Dots or Glue Gun
Optional: 2" Scalloped Circle Punch, 2" Circle Punch, Iron or Brooch Pin Back
Ready? Here we go...
Cut the yard of ribbon into 2 lengths--a 12" length and a 24" length. Set the 12" length to the side.
Fold the ribbon accordion style and pinch together. The folds should be approximately 3/4" wide.
Take your needle and thread and put the needle through all of your folds. Pull the thread through leaving enough at the end so you can tie a knot.
Pull the string to tighten the thread but don't pull too hard. The ribbon can use a bit of wiggle room.
Fan out the ribbon into a circular shape and flatten the center using your fingers or an iron.
Take the 12" length of ribbon you set aside and fold it to create the ribbon tails. If you have double-sided patterns or the pattern is only on one side of the ribbon, follow the photo directions below.
Attach the tails with a needle and thread or a glue gun.
Trim the tails by folding the ribbon in half and cutting on an angle.
If you would like to pin the ribbon on, attach a Brooch Pin Back with needle and thread or glue gun.
Create the center medallion using a label, cardstock circle or button. Attach the cardstock circle or button with an adhesive dot or glue gun.
For fun, we also created ribbons for every occasion--the possibilities are endless!
We wanted to thank the May Arts blog readers...so we created Blue Ribbon Medallions just for you! SURPRISE!
One of my favorite things about summer is all of the street fairs and art festivals that happen. When I was a little girl it seemed there was always a vendor selling fairy crowns that had long streaming tails of curling ribbon behind them. I'd buy a new crown at every festival and run around feeling like a fairy princess for the day.
May Arts has a wonderful selection of wired ribbon that can be used to make these crowns! They are also an affordable upgrade from the curling ribbon commonly used and much prettier. Using multiple wired ribbons will help your crown maintain its shape - and the color possibilities are endless! The hardest part for me was picking out which color combination to use! Here is what I chose and how I made my whimsical crown:
Step 1: I started with a combination of pink and green shimmery wired ribbons, some burgundy and brown leaf trim, my scissors and a ribbon storage kit which I use to help grab the ribbon.
Step 2: Next, I lined up the ends of the ribbon and cut about a 2.5 yard length (I like long streamers on the crowns!).
Step 3: Then I grabbed the ribbon with about 1 yard dangling on one end, and took one of the ribbons and tied a knot around the entire bunch of ribbons to anchor them.
Step 4: Once I tie my knot, I insert it into my storage container to anchor it. I leave the long end of the ribbons facing me since that is the portion we want to braid.
Step 5: Next, I separated my ribbon into 3 sections in preparation to braid it (Be sure it is not tangled up at the ends!).
Step 6: Then I braided my ribbon until my braid was about 15” (the amount needed to go around me head), making sure I pulled the sections straight all the way to the ends with each weave to prevent the ribbon from knotting on the bottom end.
Step 7: Once I have my desired braid length, I tie a ribbon around the end to secure it.
Step 8: Now that I have the base for my crown, I need to make the ribbon tails pretty! So I grabbed a bottle of glue (Anything small and round will work) to wrap the wired ribbon around and create curls.
Step 9: At this point the crown is mostly finished, and should look something like this:
Step 10: You can either tie the ends together with more ribbon and leave it plain, or embellish it more to make it extra special! I love the May Arts BY series of ribbon leaves, they make for the perfect forest fairy touch! However, I have found that braiding this ribbon in causes the leaves to become squished & hidden in the braid. The best way to add the leaves into your crown is by pulling apart sections of the braid and weaving it through like so:
Step 11: Once the leaves were woven through, I tied them in with the rest of the ribbon so my crown looked like this:
Step 12: You can either stop here, or make a ribbon flower to tie the ends together! Wired ribbon makes it super quick & easy to make ribbon roses! All you need to do is pull a little bit of wire out of the ribbon on one end and fold it over a few times to keep it from pulling out. Then pull the wire out on the end of the ribbon and scrunch it up to make gathers for your rose like so:
Step 13: Once your ribbon is all gathered, you just roll it up into a rose shape while you pinch the bottom. You can sew it with a needle & thread for extra security, but I just used the excess wire to wrap around the bottom of the rose and secure the shape:
Step 14: I also still had some wire hanging off of the rose after wrapping it, so I used this to secure the crown by wrapping the wire around the ends of the braided section, right above the curls. By doing this you tie off the crown and attach the ribbon rose all in one step! And voila! Your crown is complete!
Now you can frolic in the woods like a fairy, wear it to a street fair or art walk, or even host your own fairy tea party this summer and make crowns for you and all your friends (TIP: You can decorate your tree’s with left over ribbon scraps for an extra special afternoon in the yard!).
Hey there! My name is Jen and I work in the wedding and event industry as an event designer and florist. Over the past few years I have fallen in love with May Arts Ribbon. I have found that using ribbon is a great way to tie all the elements of an event together...invites, bouquets, centerpieces, favors, and so much more.
For this challenge I selected the orange grosgrain ribbon with yellow circles. It reminds me of oranges and lemons so I chose a color palette themed around citrus for my "End of the Summer BBQ Bash". With the colors chosen (green, yellow, orange, and a little bright blue to mix it up), it was time to create the invite. I paid a visit to my local paper supply store and picked up the necessary supplies.
To make the invite I started with a 5 by 7 inch piece of metallic green cardstock and layered a decorative yellow cardstock on top of it. The yellow cardstock is cut just a 1/4 inch smaller than the green. I then printed my invite on white linen cardstock measuring 6-1/4 by 4-1/4 inches. Using an adhesive runner I attached a piece of the 1.5 inch orange grosgrain ribbon creating a band around the invite.
I used a similar banding method for the RSVP card. To simplify the design a bit I left out the green metallic cardstock and used just the yellow and white. The yellow is cut to 5-1/2 by 4-1/4 inches with the white linen measuring a 1/2 inch smaller all around. I went with the thinner orange ribbon (1/2 inch) for the RSVP and positioned it vertically rather than horizontally as on the invite.
With the invite done it is now time to plan the decorations for the upcoming party. Here are a few ways I incorporated the ribbon into my design:
I added tassels made from the 1/2 inch ribbon to my hanging lanterns.
A thick band around an outdoor pillow brings the theme to the furniture.
The basket holding my plates and utensils gets tied with the 1-1/2 inch ribbon.
For when the bugs come out! Small terracotta pots filled with citronella candles and tied with the 1/2 inch ribbon.
A glass cube of limes plays into the citrus theme. Most likely they will be used throughout the evening.
Lime green hydrangeas in a large bubble bowl pop against the orange ribbon.
Thanks for taking a moment to check out the design for my "End of the Summer BBQ Bash"! I think I may plan a "Back to School Slumber Party" next...
There are many women and girls out there who love their flip flops. Do you wish you could wear them with that cute little summer dress, but they’re a bit too casual? There are many ideas out there to dress up flip flops, but this style you can really dress up with different ribbon choices or make more casually cute. You choose.
With May Arts ribbon selection, there are endless possibilities. Here is the step by step process to create your own flip flop flair, with additional instructions for a matching bracelet.
Supplies Needed:
Flip Flops
Bracelet
Craft glue ( I prefer Api’s, The Ultimate) and hot glue gun
Needle and thread
Center piece for flower ( I used a scrapbooking brad)
Ribbon of your choice
Ruler
Scissors
Lighter to seal ribbon ends
Alligator clips
To begin, I will teach you how to make the braid that we will glue on to your strap. First measure the length of the strap. Mine measures 6.5 inches. You will make one braid for each strap rather than one long braid. To get your length of ribbon multiply your strap length by 4 and add another 4 inches. i.e. (6.5 x 4) + 4 = 30 inches. Cut two pieces of ribbon 30 inches long to make your first braid. Seal both ends of ribbon with your lighter.
You will now fold the end of one ribbon over the width of the other to make a loop. I use my hot glue gun for making the ribbon braids only. Using your glue gun, glue the end of the ribbon making the loop. I am using ¼ ribbon, so my loop needs to be just big enough to slide the other ¼ inch ribbon through it
Do this to the end of your second ribbon. You now have two ribbons with two loops. Slide one loop through the second loop making sure the glued side of both ribbons is facing down.
Take the opposite ribbon ( the one you slid the loop through) make a loop and push through the existing loop.
Now take the first ribbon and make loop pushing through this existing loop.
Keep alternating to desired length.
Measure your braid to your strap to get accurate length.
To end braid and glue, pull your last ribbon loop all the way through
Trim excess with enough left to fold over and glue to back of braid.
Seal the end of the ribbon with lighter and glue. Fold second ribbon over top of the braid and trim with enough excess to fold underneath and glue. Seal this end, and glue ribbon on top as you fold it over and also underneath.
This end of your braid with come to more of a point than the other end, that’s okay it should look like this. Put craft glue all over strap a press braid onto strap with the pointed end of braid in the middle of strap. If you have some alligator clips or something similar, clip over braid and strap to hold securely while you make the second braid for this flip flop.
Make second braid and glue to strap over laying the braids at the middle. Remove your clips from the other strap and now place on this one. We will now make your ribbon flower.
Ribbon Flower:
Small flower I used 4 pieces of , ¼ inch, ribbon 5 inches long.
Medium flower I used 4 pieces of, 3/8 inch, ribbon 7 inches long.
Big flower I used 4 pieces of, 3/8 inch, ribbon 8 inches long.
Make sure to seal all ends with lighter to prevent fraying!
We will start with the center flower. Thread your needle and knot it at the bottom. Place the needle through the center of each ribbon leaving them all on the needle. Do not put the needle all the way through yet, if you do cut your knot off the thread and do it again.
Starting with the top ribbon on the needle, fold one side of ribbon over the needle turning the ribbon so that the opposite side of the ribbon is being place over the needle. ( other wise it won’t loop like a flower) Now take the top of the second ribbon, and fold over the needle again turning the ribbon so the opposite side of the ribbon is placed on the needle. Now fold over the top part of ribbon 3 and 4. At this point you should now be starting with the bottom half of the first ribbon on the needle. Continue to fold over exactly as you have done the others, in order. This will give you a nice flowing pattern of petals, with one half of each loop lying over the 1st half of the second loop and so on.
Now holding the center of your flower, pull the needle all the way through the ribbon. Continue to go back and fourth through the center of the flower a few times to secure it, cut your thread and re-knot for the second flower.
Make your second and third flowers following the same instruction pattern as the center flower. You now have all three flowers for one flip flop. Sew all 3 flowers together through the centers. You can reinforce with the craft glue if you want between the layers.
Glue the center of your choice in the middle of your flower, and glue your flower to the middle of your braids on the straps.
I added a bit of ribbon at the bottom of the flip flop as well. I just put craft glue following the line at the bottom of the flip flop and pressed the ribbon on. You can use a ruler and crayon to mark if needed. Wipe off any excess glue with a damp cloth.
WOW! Your first flip flop is complete. Repeat for second flip flop.
Bracelet Instructions:
To make your matching bracelet, measure the length first. Mine was 6 inches. You will need two pieces of ribbon 28 inches long. ((6 X 4 +4) = 28 inches. Make your braid just as you made them for your straps and glue to the bracelet. Place your alligator clips on to hold while you make your flower.
For the Bracelet flower I used:
Small flower, 4 pieces of ¼ inch, ribbon 4 inches long.
Medium flower, 4 pieces of 3/8 inch, ribbon 6 inches long.
I also lined the back of the bracelet with 5/8 inch black ribbon to give it a finished look and to secure ribbons.
I’m back with a few more projects to show off some more great May Arts ribbon! First off, I’ve made a couple of soldered pendants. What better to string them on than beautiful silk ribbon? And by simply changing the color they are given a completely different look! Take a peek:
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Next, I’ve created a really fun little notebook. Using cardstock, stamps & ink you can really personalize these! Take a look at the closure- I used a ½’ punch & eyelets to create the office look here- and the 1/32” jute/burlap makes a much more interesting thread, don’t you think? Truth-be-told, that jute is really a go-to tool for me!
And how about a little pre-Halloween fun? Here I’ve used little strips of Making Memories’ Spook Alley paper, distressed them & machine sewed them on. Those satin cut-out witches are SO fun, and a very quick way to add a lot of wow to your card! I topped it off with a button, threaded with (you guessed it!) that great jute string!
Thank you for this fun chance to show you a few projects! I’d love to know what you think!
I’m all about little everyday actions or notes that remind you to enjoy life. Lately I’ve really been digging Jason Mraz’s song – Life is Wonderful. It reminds me that sometimes certain things must happen in order to be appreciative of all the good in the world. So then I thought; how perfect would it be to have something that made me think of this very song and what it represents to me? That is where this antique altered silver plate comes in place. I used Basic Grey’s Olivia collection and some very yummy May Arts ribbon to alter it.
I pleated the green ribbon (350-15-46 1.5"x30y SHEER/RUFFLE EDGE) all around the plate and adhered it using some Zip Dry (My fave!) It is so easy to work with this ribbon… Love the little ruffles on this sides! I emphasized the framed look on the plate by adding a pink ruffled trim (359-34-17 3/4"x15y ELASTIC/PLAID RUFFLE) along the inside of the green I also dyed the cream ribbon (367-58-09 5/8"x25y SHEER/LOOPED TRIM) with re-inkers to make it stand out. Then I glued it around the perimeter of the small pink circle. I absolutely love this look! And I love the fact that you can get any color your little heart desires using these re-inkers and your favorite May Arts ribbon.
This plate now rests on a shelf right across from my desk reminding me everyday that life is in fact, wonderful :o)
I was so not done with all these fabulous trims and I really loved how it all went with those patters, so why not make a card?
I ruffled the green ribbon (350-15-46 1.5"x30y SHEER/RUFFLE EDGE) all around the pink flower and trimmed the excess. Then I adhered it using some pop dots. I find myself making these ruffles around shapes a lot! I love how much movement it adds to your craft. Another thing I like to do is to outline strips of paper with ribbon to add definition. I find that lace (361-58-10 5/8"x15y CROCHET) works great for this! I did the same for the envelope but inked it with green so it would stand out from the white. The wide green ribbon goes all the way around the envelope and slides off the side for easy card access :o)
I then got carried away and decided the inside of the card needed something too…
So I just added some patterned paper and lined the top and bottom with the oh-so-yummy pink crochet velvet center (372-15-17 1.5"x10y) trim, which in my opinion is way too pretty to be on the inside of the card :oP
You can always create beautiful crafts with May Arts fun ribbon; so inspirational you can always expect to use it in a unique way! Thanks for letting me share these projects with you. I hope they get your creative juices flowing and make you want to play with some yummy trims!
