I always find Valentine's cards or or gifts for the men in my life to be a difficult subject.  Hearts, flowers, little x's & o's & the like just don't feel very manly.  With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, I bring this question to all of you:

What Valentine's crafty creations do you make for the men in your life?  Do you buy your gifts for him instead?

Either way, tell us all about it!  Post your comments, or better yet email me a picture, and enter to win:

3 Spools of May Arts Ribbon – Your Choice!

I will post a winner here on Monday, February 6th.

For an additional chance to win, post a comment &/or picture on our Facebook Page too!

Happy weekend & good luck to all!

xoxo!

The Ribbon Lady

Blog post by: Larissa Heskett

Today I thought I would try making one of those awesome clear cards I've been seeing everywhere. I knew it wouldn't be too hard to find some double sided papers that I loved both sides of so I pulled some October Afternoon papers from my stash and set to work.

First I cut my Clear Acrylic Sheet in half so when I fold it it is the standard A2 card size. I used my bone folder to get a really good crease.

Next I cut down my background paper, punched the edge and adhered it to the acrylic. I used a clear liquid glue sparingly all over the backside of the paper so that it would dry smooth and you wouldn't have distinct lines from a tape runner visible.

For the front of the card I used about a 12" piece of the EM01 Net Ribbon which is one of my favorites. I simple wrapped it around the front of my card. The trick here is to hide the ends of the ribbon on the front of the card. I just used a bit of Scor-Tape and stuck the ends into it really well. The Scor-Tape is clear so its hardly visible through the layers of ribbon.

Then I added my front piece which I layered and then rounded the corners on and stamped "Seize the Cupcake" on it. I also stamped and colored the Cupcake Image with my Copic Markers.

I added my sentiment on the inside along with a little blank strip so I can sign it. I'm looking forward to finding more ways to mix my gorgeous May Arts Ribbon with my package of Clear Acrylic Sheets soon!

Blog post by: Mandie Wade

 Bud Green/Les Brown, Ben Homer

All aboard for a sentimental journey!  The Ribbon Lady’s challenge this month is a Vintage Valentine challenge inspired by the song “Sentimental Journey”. (see above link)    As I thought about that song, my mind wandered to the letters my husband sent me when he was in the Army.  I was inspired to dig them out of the box in the closet and spent an afternoon re-reading about his love for me.  Sigh….   I thought of how I eagerly awaited the arrival of the mailman and each precious letter he placed in the mailbox.

Here’s a little project that I hope will get your creative Vintage Valentine juices flowing.  What better place to hold those special love notes than a Vintage Valentine Mailbox made extra special by dreamy May Arts Ribbons and DCWV Adhesive Fabric Paper. 

Supply List

• May Arts Ribbon – ¼” taupe silk (SK35), 1.5” silky crush – ivory (UK09), 3/8” lace (390-38-09), 5/8” ruffled edge faux suede (NV17), burlap twine natural (SM10)
• DCWV Adhesive Backed Fabric Paper
• Metal mailbox (you can find these at craft and big box stores for $1) sizes vary
• 1/8” and 1/4“ strong double-sided adhesive tape
• Chipboard hearts; Kraft tag; beads, stick on pearls, rub-ons; dried rose; white craft ink; sepia toned ink

1. Measure the center portion of your mailbox.  Cut the DCWV Adhesive Fabric Paper to fit.  Peel off backing and apply to the mailbox.  No tape or glue required!  Love that!
2. Remove the “door” of the mailbox and use it as a template to cut the Fabric Paper for both ends. Cut out and apply Fabric paper to the ends of the mailbox.  Apply  the ¼” strong double-sided tape to the outside edges.  Wrap and stick the ¼” May Arts Taupe Silk Ribbon the ends.  Add a strip of 1/8” strong double-sided tape over the silk ribbon.  Adhere the May Arts lace ribbon, covering about ½ of the silk. 

3. Apply ¼” double-sided tape to both ends of the mailbox. Wrap the May Arts Ruffled edge Faux Suede ribbon.  Repeat with the 1/8” double-sided tape and the taupe silk ribbon.
4. Trace the mailbox flag onto the fabric paper.  Some flags can be removed to do this.  Cover the flag. Embellish with ribbon, heart and stick on pearl.
5. Tie silky crushed ribbon around the back end of the mailbox.  Embellish with Kraft tag and bead dangles.  Apply rub-ons to the  large chipboard heart. Sponge the edges with sepia ink.  Embellish with stick on pearl and dried rose, if desired.

Now wrap those precious love letters in that elegant May Arts ribbon for safe keeping.

Thanks for joining us on a Sentimental Journey.  We can’t wait to see what Vintage Valentines you create with beautiful May Arts Ribbons.

Blog post by: Charlene Driggs

One of the hottest trends in the crafting and fashion industry as of late is the use of gradients –slow change in color, or emphasis on ombre-the graduation of color, usually in a monochromatic tone. I want to show you an easy clean and simple, yet sophisticated card that highlights the trend with the help of a hot ticket beautiful May Arts product, crocheted lace.

You’ll need just a few supplies:

• ~2 feet May Arts Crochet Lace in White 361-58-01
• Cardstock
• Distress Ink
• Double Sided Adhesive

To start, create your gradation/ombre by applying two colors distress ink from a similar color family onto a clear acrylic block, spritz water and rest your cardstock on top. Slowly lift your paper and allow to dry, then trim the panel to size. (4” wide)

You’ll need to divide the lace by cutting the top and connecting threads so you are left with a delicate, yet solid pattern. Trim the graduated color strips to the width of your lace.

Next, adhere the lace to each strip using double sided adhesive.

Adhere each lace wrapped strip to the card base with more double sided adhesive, being careful to layer the strips in a graduated fashion. Finish your card with a stamped sentiment and embellishments like rhinestones for an elegant card.

Blog post by: Karen Baker

Hi all!  Boy do I have a fun and creative project for you today.

Every year, I try to create a scrapbook to hold photos, notes and mementos from the year. This year, instead of making a traditional scrapbook, I thought I’d create something a little more unique, a month at a glance Reflection Journal. 

SUPPLY LIST:

(Ribbon styles:  389-18-47, 386-58-22, 392-58-14, ARR27, WFF94, ARR28, BK44, 404-15-34)

In addition to an assortment of May Arts Ribbon, you’ll need

• Scissors
• Glue Arts Adhesive Tape
• Double Sided Tape
• Plain Heavy Cardstock
• Patterned Scrapbook Paper
• Die Cut Paper Shapes
• Assorted Letter Stickers
• Paper Dollies
• Mini Envelopes
• Clear Plastic Envelope
• Confetti
• Ring Clips

HOW TO:

1. Determine the size and shape of your month pages and cut 12 pages from your heavy cardstock.  My pages measure 7 ½” tall x 4 ¼” wide. Punch two holes on the left side of each page—2” in from the edge.
2. Adhere patterned scrapbook paper to the front and back of each month page using your Glue Arts Adhesive Tape and punch through your holes.
3. Decorate each page in a different way using the dollies, envelopes and patterned paper.  Create a confetti window for one of your pages using the clear envelope filled with confetti pieces.
4. Decorate each page with ribbon….have fun and be creative in how you apply the ribbon.
5. Create a tab for each page to indicate the month.  Use your die cut shapes, letter stickers and decorative paper to make each tab unique.
6. Add plain and lined paper behind each month tab and place everything onto your ring clips.

Keep your journal beside your bed and every night write down special moments from the day, add a special photo or note and list a few things you’re grateful for.  Come Dec. 31^st, you’ll look back and not only love the journal you created, but be able to relive a great year!

Cheers to 2012!

Blog post by: Shelly Dozier-Mckee

Wow, this has been a truly amazing week!   A big thank you to the fabulous Hero Arts & to all of our fabulous fans!   We just couldn't finish off this week without a proper Weekend Giveaway! 

So, here's the prize:

That's Hero Arts' Polka Dot Cards with Messages, Untitled Love & Wildflowers with Label!

and, of course, you'll need ribbon too:

3 Spools of May Arts Ribbon – Your Choice!

What do you have to do to win?  Comment, comment, comment!

Just post a comment telling us what your favorite Hero Arts product is!  Easy peasy, right? 

For an additional chance to win, post a comment on our Facebook Page too! 

I will post a winner on Monday, January 30th.

Good luck & happy weekend to all!

xoxo!

-The Ribbon Lady

Winner!

We have a winner!  Congratulations to:

I was so excited when I opened my Hero Arts package and got to play with the cutest stamps.  For my first project I did a super quick layout.

I used DCWV fabric paper, QN09, 389-18-33, Hero Arts “watch gears” and Metallic Gold Wow embossing powders.

I cut out my fabric paper to the desired size, layered on my ribbons added my picture and embossed the stamp on some transparency, making sure not to overheat.  I love the results

Then I made a cute card with the Hero Arts “good Friends” and “ZigZag Cupcake” stamp.   I stamped the cupcake on white cardstock first and then cut around the cake part, then I added sprinkles.  I then stamped the cupcake wrapper on a piece of blue scrap paper and embossed it with Cotton Candy Wow embossing powder then pieced them back together. I used FNN34 and 367-58-01 layered and the sentiment over the top.

I hope you have enjoyed my quick projects today.  I can’t wait to see what the rest of the team has come up with.

Blog post by: Jenifer Cowles

Hop on over to Hero Arts for more Inspiration!

Hero Arts stamps & May Arts ribbon make the perfect pair! I was inspired by the Special Time clear stamp set to create a fun and unique round tag with glittery embossing and a festive color palette of lemon yellow, cloud gray, and lime green.

Begin by stamping soft gray cardstock with Memento London Fog ink and then sprinkle it with glittery embossing powder. A clean paintbrush works perfectly for brushing off the excess embossing powder before applying the heat. That’s where the magic happens!

Use a large scalloped circle punch or die cut to cut out the embossed clock and sentiment. You’ll also need two circles cut from patterned paper. I used the Lemon Flower Paper Stack with Glitter from DCWV. Love the happy colors and the sparkle!

Using the same punch or die cut for the sentiment allows you to trim it to size and perfectly place on of the patterned cardstock circles. Glue the scalloped circle with the embossed clock to the blank side of the other piece of patterned cardstock. Carefully line up the two patterned cardstock pieces and punch a hole in the top center of both.

Finish the project by adding a book ring to bind the patterned cardstock pieces together, and add May Arts Grosgrain Dots ribbons for the finishing touch! I need a narrower size than the 1.5” I had on hand, so I simply trimmed the ribbon to the size I needed! The ribbon will fray a bit, so add a bit of fray check or even some tacky glue that dries clear to prevent it from unraveling.

The finished tag! You can attach this to a gift or even mail it in a standard envelope. Use patterned paper with a white back if you wish to add a handwritten message. Thanks to May Arts & Hero Arts for sponsoring this inspiring blog swap! For a link to a download of this project be sure to visit my blog Serendipity Vintage Studio. Happy crafting everyone from Kimberly Jones!

Blog post by: Kimberly Jones

Hop on over to Hero Arts for more Inspiration!

Hi All! I’ve got some cards to share with you today! I was lucky enough to receive some wonderful stamps from Hero Arts to work with- first up, fancy keys!

I used versafine ink in brown on Kraft cardstock to stamp these great keys. I distressed the edges with chai ink, and then applied glossy accents to one key. I then pierced a hole on each side of the end of the key & threaded black silk ribbon through, tied in a simple bow.

Can you see the detail? I was having so much fun; I repeated the process on ocean tides cardstock with smoky shadow ink and white silk!

Next up, a bright, happy card to help me look forward to spring!

I used the fun Pom Pom Flower stamped in black on Hawaiian Shores cardstock.  Prismacolor pencils gave it a punch of fun color and 1/8” solid/center stitched ribbon in celery/white adds a fun bit of whimsy along the bottom! (I added a couple of rows adhered with Helmar Premium Craft Glue- once it was set I used my fingernail to fray the edges a tiny bit!)

And last, in this season of love… a sweet heart card!

I used versamark ink on fine linen cardstock to stamp several of the XO’s from the XO clear stamp set (there are even more!) Red ink packs a punch with the ‘love’ and solid heart images! A little tea ink around the edges and some fabulous red crinkle ribbon finish it off!

Thanks so much to Hero Arts for their fabulous products to create with! And thank you for your time! I hope you’ve been inspired!

Blog post by: Jen Shears

There are 2 ways to win goodies of your own: our Facebook Giveaway our just leave a comment on any post this week!