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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