While winter dominates & many of us becoming a bit tired of all that lovely white snow, it is the perfect time to think spring!   The spring season is all about cleaning & freshening up your surroundings, creating something new that will make you smile.  Ribbon is the ultimate embellishment for so many projects.  It’s an economical, versatile & beautiful tool.  
This month we want you to think spring & create a spring themed craft project!  
Details are listed below:

• We will provide you with up to 4 spools of ribbon at 4 yards each to work with.  Your choice!    

• You will have one month to complete a spring 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, ribbon choices & contact information. **Please remember to note the widths you are looking for!**   We will promptly mail out your ribbon to work with.   When you have completed your project, forward us a photo or (better yet) video of your design & we will post it on the blog.

• Start Date: March 1st, 2010.

• Deadline: March 31st, 2010.  The winner will be announced on April 5th, 2010. 

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We were thrilled to see that so many people showed an interested in this challenge!  A big thank you to everyone who participated & completed their projects!  With such a wonderful selection of entries, this was a difficult decision to make.
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The winner for this challenge is Jennifer Harrison:

Jennifer, congratulations!  We loved your Valentine’s pillow & that you were able encompass so much of May Arts Ribbon!  Feel free to browse our site & contact us at sales@mayarts.com with your ribbon selections.  You not only win 3 spools of ribbon, but also a “guest blogger” spot for one post on our site!  We are so excited to work with you!  Please contact us at the address above for details.

For those who didn't see the link to her tutorial, please take the time to check it out now at Hopeful Homemaker.

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We also want to send out an honorable mention to Susan Ikin:
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Susan, we loved your noticeboard!   Please feel free to pick out 2 spools of ribbon as your prize!   For everyone who wants to know how she made this one, check out the fabulous tutorial she sent over to us!
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Everyone else, please contact us with your selection for 1 full spool of ribbon for completing your projects!
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Remember we will have another challenge coming up in March!  So be sure to check back soon for more details!

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This tutorial was sent to us by Susan Ikin as an entry for the Valentine's Challenge!  We have been very eager to post this for everyone to see.  So without further delay, here is our honorable mention for our 'For The Love Of Ribbon' Valentine's Challenge:

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Materials:

• Framed canvas of required size

• Sufficient wadding to cover canvas and take over edge to back (approx 6 inches more than top and side measurements of canvas)

• Sufficient fabric to cover canvas and take over edge to back

• 4 yards of double sided satin ribbon in two colours

• Extra organza ribbon for ribbon roses

• Staple gun and staples

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Instructions:

• Place wadding flat on table and place framed canvas face down on wadding. Staple wadding to back of canvas, making sure it is smooth on the front surface.

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• Repeat with fabric, making corners neat.

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• Place ribbon on diagonal on fabric front. Hold in place and staple to back at one side, then pull ribbon firmly and staple on other side.

• Place another piece of ribbon parallel to the first, 4 inches away from first. Staple into place as before. I used the reverse side of the ribbon on alternate rows.

• Repeat until all diagonals in one direction are complete.

• Repeat process with the other color ribbon.

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• Make some ribbon roses - the double sided satin is great for ribbon roses.

• Stitch the ribbon roses into a bouquet.

• Pin, staple or stitch the bouquet to the canvas.

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• Hang noticeboard and add beautiful cards to display.

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Our first challenge entry is here! 
This card was sent to us by Merlyn Bost:

"I have completed the valentine challenge using the widest grosgrain ric-rac ribbon (ER22) in fuchsia and of course, the pearl wire/ ribbon (FY09). The card is 5x7. I glued the grosgrain ribbon horizontally across the face of the blank card. Using 2 fuchsia hearts cut from mat board, I attached the larger heart on top of the card and ribbon.  The smaller heart I wrapped in the pearl wire/ribbon, then attached it atop the bottom heart. I am attracted to the dimensional aspect of the wired pearls and what girl doesn't have a soft spot in her heart for oodles of pearls? Happy Valentine's Day!" - Merlyn Bost

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This card was sent to us from Jackie Vargas:

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This Valentine Album was sent to us by Maria Moore:

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This Glitter Light Box was sent to us by Denise Szuch:

 
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These Valentine Cards were sent to us by Jenifer Cowles:

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This canvas sign was sent to us by Katt Harrington:

"Here is my entry for the contest.  It is a 11x14 canvas.  I painted it black, covered it with the red web ribbon, and bordered it with the red/white loop ribbon.  Cut out heart and 'love' from Cricut Home Accents cart, added some flock to the heart and finished off with some blingy brads."

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This heart decoration & page layout was sent to us by Teri of Scrapbook Unique:

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This Romantic Noticeboard was sent in by Susan Ikin:

**This one came with a wonderful 'how-to', so stay tuned...**

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These flip flops were sent to us by Ebony Butler Cumby:

"Flip flops made with love, but in bright spring colors.  Add or switch out a variety of charms in the middle for all occasions!"

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This pillow was sent to us by Jennifer Harrison:

It also included a link to a great tutorial at 'Hopeful Homemaker'!

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This Ruffle Flower Shirt was sent to us by Emily Smith:

This one also comes with a great tutorial on 'And We Sailed On'!

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These cards & tin box was sent to us by Jennifer Hadder:

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This album was sent to us by Amy Kmieciak:

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These scrapbook pages were sent in to us by Lauren Shiflett:

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This gift bag & other projects were sent to us by Syeda Quadri:

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Thes cards were sent to us by Denise Bryant:

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This mini album was sent to us by Henva Bhola:

"Made from one sheet of cardstock paper, the "i (heart) you" mini album has tons of places for pictures as well as tags and journaling blocks (not pictured) for you to write your love notes!  It is small enough to fit in your purse as a brag book, or given to your sweetheart filled with sweet pictures of the both of you!"

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This table runner was sent to us by Kristen Perschon:

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This scrapbook page was sent to us by Donna of Purple Lion Paper:

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These frames were sent to us by Chrissy of K.R. Crafts:

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This altered baby shirt was sent to us by Rebecca Ednie of Eclectic Endeavours: 

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Valentine’s Day is meant for spending time with the people you love & letting them know how much they are appreciated.  But why stop there?  Take the time to enjoy doing the things that you love too!  Do you love ribbon & all things craft?  Treat yourself this Valentine’s Day!

This month we are celebrating all things Valentine’s!    For January’s challenge, we want you to create a Valentine’s themed craft project with May Arts Ribbon. 

Details are listed below:

• We will provide you with up to 4 spools of ribbon at 4 yards each to work with.  Your choice!    

• You will have one month to complete a Valentine’s 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 February.  One blog post will be offered.  The winner will also win 3 full spools of ribbon.  Your choice!

• All other completed entries will win a prize of 1 full spool of ribbon.  Your choice!

• To Enter: Email us at sales@mayarts.com with your idea, ribbon choices & contact information. **Please remember to note the widths you are looking for!**   We will promptly mail out your ribbon to work with.   When you have completed your project, forward us a photo or (better yet) video of your design & we will post it on the blog.

• Start Date: January 1st, 2010.

• Deadline: January 31st, 2010.  The winner will be announced on February 4th, 2010. 

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This was a difficult choice to make!  All of the entries for this challenge were very beautiful & creative.   But there can be only one winner.  So without further delay the winner of our contest is Rebecca of Eclectic Endeavours:

Please click here for the tutorial on the luminaria!

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Rebecca, congratulations to you!  The luminaria is delightful!  We loved the tutorial you attached with your entry!    Please select your ribbons & send them on in to sales@mayarts.com, along with your shipping address. 

You also win our “guest blogger” spot this month.  We are so excited to work with you!  Please contact us at the address above for details.

For everyone who did not win our grand prize, you are all also entitled to a free roll of ribbon!  So, please contact us with your choices and shipping information as well.

Thank you all & we hope you will participate again on our next challenge!

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The projects below was sent to us by Jennifer Hadder:

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This Christmas Tree was sent to us by Michelle Bopp:

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This luminaria was sent to us by Rebecca of Eclectic Endeavours:

She also forwarded us a link to a tutorial, in case anyone is interested in trying this project!

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This card was sent to us by Denise Bryant:

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These cards were sent to us by Denise from Stamping With Denise:

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This gift can was sent to us by Donna from Purple Lion Paper:

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These designs were sent to us by Dorota all the way from Poland:

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This ornament was sent to us by Mary of Sew Dear To Me:

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Our first entry from our Christmas challenge is here:
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This Jester Ornament was submitted by Robin of Outside The Box Primitives.

Be sure to keep checking back, more entries are coming...

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Sounds like fun?  It's not to late to enter!   Click here for details!

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Christmas has always held a special place in the hearts of all of us here at May Arts.   The holiday season is the perfect time of year for the sharing of our ideas & inspiring each other to create that little bit of Christmas in our own surroundings.  Whether it is a handmade ornament celebrating that milestone in your life or that perfectly decorated wreath for your door, ribbon has always been a necessary embellishment.  This year, we want to celebrate the beauty of a hand-crafted Christmas. 

For our second challenge we want you to design a Christmas project.  It can be a paper craft, ornament, Christmas stocking, wreath, picture frame…anything that involves ribbon will be accepted. 

Details are listed below:

• We will provide you with up to 4 spools of ribbon at 4 yards each to work with.  Your choice!

• You will have one month to complete a Christmas project.  Any holiday craft or decoration 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 December.  One blog post will be offered.  The winner will also win 3 full spools of ribbon.  Your choice!

• All other entries will win a prize of 1 full spool of ribbon.  Your choice!

• To Enter: Email us at sales@mayarts.com with your idea, ribbon choices & contact information.  We will promptly mail out your ribbon to work with.  When you have completed your project, forward us a photo or (better yet) video of your design & we will post it on the blog. 

• Start Date: November 1^st, 2009.

• Deadline: November 30^th, 2009.  The winner will be announced on December 4^th, 2009.

From all of us here at May Arts, have a very Happy Holiday Season!

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This week's Contest:  The Season Of Giving!

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This project was submitted by Rebecca of Precious Paperie:

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This project was submitted by Robin Seeber:

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The project below was submitted by Linda Auclair:

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This project was submitted by  Carol Turner

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This project was submitted by Candy Cox Blann

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This design was submitted by  Nancy Malay:

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This project was submitted by Constance Eng:

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The following project was submitted by Kristi McDonough:

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The project below was submitted by Tanya of Weetie Peeties Boutique:

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These were submitted by  Tracy Schultz:

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Our first entry is here!  This was sent to us by Kathy Miller of Concord Curiosity Shoppe:

Our first ever May Arts Blog Challenge!

We, at May Arts, are true admirers of the sewing and quilting craft!  The work that can be made with this art form is truly beautiful & inspiring.  That is why we have created this challenge.   For everyone & anyone who want to test their craft skills, this month long challenge is for you!

Here are the details:

• We will provide you with up to 4 – 4 yard spools of ribbon to work with.  Your choice!

• You will have 1 month to make a small quilting or sewing craft project.  You can design a pillow, apron, ‘mini-quilt’, use some ribbon when making a doll… your imagination is your only limit!

• We will display your work at the Quilt Market in Houston, TX on October 10 - 12, 2009.  We will, of course, be crediting you for your work! 

• Photos of all submissions will be posted on the blog.  This includes a prize of 5 – 4 yard spools of ribbon.  Your choice!

• To Enter: Email us at sales@mayarts.com with your idea, ribbon choices & contact information.  Forward us a photo of your finished work & we will send you a shipping label to mail your project to us.  If you like, we will happily return your work at the completion of the Quilt Market. 

• Start Date: September 1^st, 2009.

• Deadline: We need all projects in-house no later than September 30^th, 2009.

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