In the world of the e-card and Facebook birthday greetings, the art of giving is getting lost! Too often people grab a gift card --at my grocery store I can get a gift card for a toy store and a steak place--and call it good. Don’t get me wrong-I like plastic money as much as the next girl.  However, when someone takes the time and the effort and the creativity – it means so much. So very much.  It can be a little inexpensive sentimental thing - wrap it in a bow and WOW!  It becomes a true gift.  So today, let’s focus on some presentation of the present!

My idea today was to use the cheerful, bright color scheme of orange, yellow and turquoise in my wrapping.  May Arts has a plethora of ribbons in this palette.  For the wrapping on this package, I used a regular box, tissue paper, double stick tape and my May Arts ribbon.  The Flower Loop Bow  was glued to the top of the ric rac band onto the present.  When wrapping take time to use a bone folder or a credit card to crease your paper. It gives your package an extra sharp, clean edge.  The tissue, bow and wide ric rac can all be recycled for another project.

Ribbons used:

• 330 Orange ric rac

• DD 5/8 Grosgrain dots

• 333 Grosgrain/horizontal lines

An inexpensive paper mache box can go from this:

to this:

I only used scraps and bits of paper from my scrap pile.  I began by selecting any paper  that fit my color scheme.  No new sheets of paper were harmed in the wrapping of this box. Using white glue and a paint brush, I collaged hand torn paper onto the sides of the boxes. For the top and the base, I traced, cut out and adhered paper.  A little bit of coordinating orange paint was used for the insides and edges. Tie a few bows, edge the box in ribbon and you have a wonderful container that can actually BE the present!

Ribbons used:

• Orange sheer C28

• Orange sheer ruffle edge 350

• Turquoise/white solid 340-04

For the next gift box I reused a box that had held soap.  The box had silver on the edges and I loved that look.  So after applying paper, I decided to emboss silver over the top to mimic the original box.  I colored on paintable paper with  water color pencils, cut the flower and embossed the edges.  I used tacky glue to adhere the flower and then embellished it with glossy accents and decorative pearls.  I made a 2 loop bow and knotted the center with silver and turquoise ribbon I placed a band of grosgrain ribbon on the top side of the box, and a sheer on the base.  I also added the pearls to the circles on the grosgrain ribbon.

Ribbons used:

• Grosgrain/ circles XJ

• Orange sheer C28

• Turquoise/white solid 340-04

• Silver  348-14-30

For my final wrapping assignment, I used a shoe box.  Yep.  I distressed the box, painted it, covered parts in scraps of paper…little sandpaper…little more paint!  CRAZY EASY!  The bow was the fun part.  I adapted the rosette bow using hot glue to layer the bow. 

Ribbons used:

• Orange lace NQ

• Yellow sheer jumbo dot 345

• Turquoise stripe 369

• Orange webbed weave WQ

• Yellow fuzzy Pom pom 346

Blog Posted By:  Leah Farrar-White

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What are your favorite Craft Supplies?  Tell us all about it & enter to win a spool of May Arts Ribbon!

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Entry #12 from our Calling All Bloggers Challenge was sent to us by Alonda Williams of Color Divine Gifts.  Keep posting those comments, we are loving them!

May Arts meets Provocraft

Project 

• Party Favors and Gift Box

Materials

• Cricut Expression with Cutting Mat           

• Cuttlebug & Accessories

• Forever Young Cartridge               

• Gift Box (any color)

• Cardstock (2 sheets of any colors)           

• Tape

• Glue or Xyron Adhesive Machine           

• Twist Tie

• May Arts Ribbon(s)                   

• Bone Folder

• Scissor                           

• Embellishments (any)

Party Favors

• Select cardstock and place onto the mat and load into your Cricut Expression Machine.

• Press “Fit to Page”.

• Select any purse key.

• Repeat steps 1-3 for 2 purses.

• Assemble both purses using the bone folder, glue and let dry.

• Measure and cut the May Arts Ribbon to fit the purses.

• Run the ribbon through the Cuttlebug Machine using any embossed folder for ribbon texture. (optional)

• Glue or Xyron the ribbon to the purses.

• Attached both purses at the side (optional).

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Gift Box

• Select a box (any size and color).

• Select any May Arts Ribbon(s).  Measure and cut to fit around the box, 3 pieces.

• You can also run the ribbon though the Cuttlebug Embossed Machine for texture (optional).

• Tape the ribbons to the box or use your Xyron Adhesive Machine.

• Make 4 loops for the bow.

• Tie the bow in the middle with a twist tie.

• Embellish both gift box and party favors and fill them with shredded paper.

• Top with candles or spa goodies in the box and small items or candy in the favor purses.

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Buyer’s Guide

• Ac Moore   

• Dollar Tree

• Joann

• May Arts Ribbon  - # WF28

• Provo Craft

• Walmart

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Here is entry #2 from our Calling All Bloggers Challenge.  This post was submitted by Charlene Driggs of Paper And Ink Playground.  Please be sure to read it over, as we always want to know what you think!

Custom Gift Box

Hi and Welcome to the May Arts Blog!   I bet you love this blog, because you love lush gorgeous ribbon as much as I do.   My hope is that today’s project will inspire you to think both inside and outside the box!  I’ll show you the finished project, the fabulous ribbon that inspired it and a few steps that I hope will help you to create your own gift of the heart.
I don’t know about you, but it seems everyone we know is having a baby!  Thank goodness we know how to turn inexpensive store bought items into WOW gifts with the help of fabulous May Arts ribbons. 
When I saw this gorgeous collection of May Arts ribbon, I thought it just shouted, “Baby Girl!”.   Elegant pleated satin (379-15-66), a delicate sheer with sweet little flowers (374-1-17), frilly lace embellished with pearls (384-34-09), a beautiful soft pink sheer with a slightly ruffled edge(350-58-17) and a vintage crocheted ivory lace (361-58-10)…what’s not to love?

I found this elegant little baby feeding set for under $15 at a department store.  Nice but not too exciting, right?

I gathered a few supplies in addition to my ribbon: a shadow box I picked up on clearance for $2 (!)  plus a hot glue gun, glue dots, spray glue, glitter, some string pearls, ink for sponging, some pretty papers and a few flowers that I made:

I chose the elegant May Arts pleated satin (379-15-66) and using hot glue, applied it around the edge of my box making sure to glue it only to the bottom portion of the box so that it would open easily.

I added my papers to the inside of the box.

Then, I chose the May Arts frilly pearl embellished lace (384-34-09) and applied it around the window of the box using hot glue once again.  In order to make neat corners, make a tiny clip in the lace on both sides of the pearls.  (Don’t worry; we’re going to cover the clipped edges in a few minutes.)

I also hot glued the pearl embellished lace over the pleated satin.  (See the photo below)
Next, I added my little silverware set.  I chose 3 of my May Arts ribbons, the gorgeous pink sheer with flowers (374-1-17), the sheer ruffled edge pink (350-58-17) and the vintage crocheted lace (361-58-10) and tied a simple knot.  I left long tails then loosely braided the three ribbons arranging them around the silverware and securing the ends with glue dots.  To keep the silverware from sliding around the box, I applied glue dots to the backsides of the top parts.  I added two of my handmade flowers and the inside was done.  That gorgeous ribbon totally transformed the interior!

Now onto embellishing the top of the box.  I tied the pink sheer (350-58-17) into a double bow, left a long tail and then used a tiny dot of hot glue to attach the bow and tails to the box top.  A few more handmade flowers, a tiny delicate rose and some strand pearls and my box was finished!!

To complete the gift, I designed a card to match using more of that amazing May Arts ribbon.

Here’s the entire set.

Thanks for stopping by.   I hope I’ve inspired you to think inside and outside the box when gift giving time arrives.  

Supplies:

• May Arts Ribbon:  379-15-66, 374-1-17, 384-34-09, 350-58-17, 361-58-10

• Paper:  Making Memories English Garden, Webster’s Pages Lullaby Lane

• Accessories: Shadow box, Tattered Angels Alpha Chips, handmade flowers, paper roses, string pearls, glitter, glue dots, hot glue, spray glue, Oneida baby silverware 

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Ribbon used: 354-34 - Reversible Satin

Blog Posted By: Leah Farrar-White

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Autumn Journal

A simple journal or photo album, becomes a treasured heirloom with May Arts Ribbon. The ribbon wreath is glued to the cover in colors of the season. A length of grosgrain ribbon embellishes the spine, adhered with double-sided tape. Used in this sample; Wreath: Brown (HA33) and Antique Gold (HA32) Satin. Spine: Brown Grosgrain (QH33).

See my instructional video "Ribbon Weaving with En-May" to learn how to make the wreath.

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3 Boxes, 3 Ways

I love the fall season. Autumn lets me gift teensy surprises every month.

• For my dog-walking friends, a small novelty flashlight for the longer nights.

Shoe-string bow is Silver Sheer (C31) and Silver Metallic Eyelash (PT31), Black Net (EM10), Orange Leaves (BY28). Surround gift box sides and secure with double sided tape Black Sheer Wired Print (335-10).

• For Halloween, homemade pumpkin seed brittle.

Bow is a simple knot using Black Net (EM10), shredding the width into 3 strands and knotting the ends, for a spider legs effect. Tie short strands of Orange Ric Rac (330-28) and Black Leaves (BY10) into the knot at top. Surround gift box with Sheer Spiders (BX28).

• For Thanksgiving, honey roasted almonds for all my guests to take home.

Tuxedo-pleat Black Grosgrain (QH10) and a narrower Brown Grosgrain (QH33) to surround gift box. Tie the top with a single loop of the same Brown Grosgrain and bow with Brown Satin (HA33).

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Halloween Center-piece

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Hide your I-pod and speakers as it plays creepy, ghoulish tunes under a gift box decorated for the season. In a retail store environment, use as a focal point-of- purchase to feature a collection of black candles, lotions and potions, novelty accessories, or seasonal relishes.

Used in this sample: Sheer Spiders (BX28), Grosgrain Ric Rac (ER28), Black Grograin (QH10), Black Eyelash (PT10), Sheer Black Dots (JD10), White Grosgrain Circles (XJ01).

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Halloween Party Hat Sconce

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Turn those paper party hats upside down, then fill with your favorite trick or treat. Remove the usual elastic band, and replace with a ribbon strap to hang on the backs of chairs. Staple small strips of ribbon closely together, around the rim of the hat.

Used in this sample: Sheer Spiders (BX28), Violet Satin (HA47), Gold Eyelash (PT30), Black Leaves (BY10), Copper Crush (UK36). Strap is made with Violet Velvet (PV47).

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Wishing everyone a Happy Autumn,

En-May

Check out this week's Contest:  Halloween Idea's!

Blog Posted By:  En-May Mangels

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Those big, fluffy, multi-layered, 5-ingredient bows that billow up, out, and stay poofy looking? No wired-edge ribbon was used. Want to make these attention-grabbing, cake topping, show stopping bows?

 Layer , Stack, and Assemble

3 separate bows are stacked one atop of the other. Each bow graduates in loop-length. Like a tiered cake, the smallest bow is stacked atop the middle bow, which is then layered to the largest bow on the bottom.  Use an odd-number of elements, layering a narrow ribbon over a wider ribbon. In this sample, five May Arts Ribbons were used:

• 3/4"-wide Grosgrain Solid (Fuchsia) QH22

• 1.5"-wide Woven Check (Pink/Brown) KB93

• 3"-wide Sheer (Light Fuchsia) C23

• 1.5"-wide Grosgrain Solid (Brown) QH33

• ½"-wide Leaves (Burgundy) BY25

(ribbon lengths are determined by the required end size of bow)

•  2  12" twist ties. (I prefer pipe cleaners when stacking bows)

• 1-piece of 3/4"-wide Grosgrain Solid (Fuschia) to tie Bow3.

• Adhesive Tape (if wrapping a gift box)

• Sharp Scissors

Gift Box straps:

• 3/4"-wide Grosgrain Solid (Fuchsia) QH22

• 1"-wide Grosgrain Ric Rac (Brown) 330-33

Step 1

Make Bow-1; a 4 loop florist bow with 2 ingredients.

Layer 3/4"-Grosgrain (Fuchsia) centered over 1.5" Woven Check. Secure center with a 12" twist-tie.

Step 2

Make Bow-2; a 10 loop florist bow with 2 ingredients.

Layer 1.5"-Grosgrain Check ribbon centered over 3"-Sheer (Light Fuchsia), making loops longer than Bow-1. When your Grosgrain Check ribbon stops at 4 or 5 loops, finish making the rest of the 5 loops with 3"-Sheer. Secure center with a 12" twist-tie.

Step 3

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Make Bow-3; a 6 loop florist bow with 3 ingredients.

Form a very large, oversized 2 loop bow with the Leaves, allowing the tails to fall, one on each side of the bow. Set aside. Layer 3/4"-Grograin Fuchsia centered on 1.5"-Grosgrain Brown. The 1.5"-Grosgrain Brown will only make 4 loops; finish with 2 more loops with the 3/4"-Grograin Fuchsia, leaving long tails. Be sure this bow has loops that are longer than Bow-2. Center Leaves over Grosgrain bow. Secure with a length of 3/4"-Grosgrain Fuchsia with a "Chef's Knot".

 (Instructions for a Chef's Knot appear in the June 8 2009 blog post)

Step 4-Assemble

Secure each bow to the other, in graduated-size order. Add half-knots on the ends of 3 tails for added dimension. Secure to box with existing twist tie from bow. Tuck or cut twist-ties.

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You did it! This layer and stack technique works for all sorts of ribbon combinations. Here's another example.

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If attaching bow to a gift box

Strap gift box with 3/4"-Grosgrain (Fuchsia) in one direction only. Along side Grosgrain, strap box with 1"-Ric Rac (Brown) in same direction. Adhere with double sided tape. Secure bow to grosgrain strap using the twist tie on the back of the bow.

 Tip: If making a window or centerpiece display, use straight pins to attach your bow to your gift box. You'll be able to re-purpose the bow or easily disassemble it.

 
Re-Use!
After your party guests have all gone, save your ribbon and bows for a re-run!

Tip: A curling iron or blow dryer will remove wrinkles from ribbon, being careful to test temps when working with sheers.

Blog Posted By: En-May Mangels

Click here to view details on this week's contest to win Free Ribbon!

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All thumbs when it comes to tying a bow? That's perfect! Knots can add some catchy dimensions in your gift wrapping or other creative obsessions.  Don't throw away your end-cuts or over-cuts. Bits of May Arts ribbons, ranging from 3" to 6" are rescued to be knotted to the handle of this paint can. Shorter strips of ribbon are stapled to a band of paper, punched with holes.

 
Store scraps in color-themed zip top bags. When making bows, cluster a few color-coordinating strands in the center for a pom-pom effect.

Intentional Knots

Using 3/8"-wide Reversible Satin, knot ribbon at 1" intervals, to show off the reverse color. Wrap around box 3-times, securing in a knot in the back.

(Shown here are SB17 Pink Red and BM04 Brown Blue).

Chef's Knot

As a child, I learned this valuable knotting technique from a Chef in one of my dad's restaurants in LA. Trussing poultry cavities, with slippery hands coated in stuffing and butter, the chef explained this knot will not come apart or require another set of hands for assistance.

Picture 10

Picture 11

Instructions: As when tying shoes, loop one tail through the other (left over right, per picture 10 ), and once again (per picture 11). That's the secret for not coming apart!  Pull ends tightly, and then tug ends in opposite directions to lock this loop.

Want to test if it holds? Shake the bow vigorously. Your knot should remain, amazingly secure.

Complete the knot looping right tail, over left.

Personally, I use the Chef's Knot on my bowling shoes, my turkey, and of course my bows!

Blog Post by: En-May Mangels

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