Entry #9 from our Calling All Bloggers Challenge was sent to us by Shelly Dozier-Mckee of ConfettiStyle:

Lattice Weave Mirror

Greetings and Welcome to the May Arts Blog. I hope you’ve have had a chance to fully explore the May Arts website and view all of the gorgeous ribbons and creative design projects they feature.  If you have a passion for ribbon like I do, I know you’ll find all the ribbon choices thrilling and exciting, and the design projects inspiring. 

As a crafter for many, many years, I am always looking for new projects to work on.  My most recent project is a Lattice Weave Mirror, inspired by May Arts 1” Satin Reversible ribbon.  I wanted to create a mirror that had color, texture and visual interest, a piece that would really make a statement in my hallway.  Today I am going to show you step by step how to create a lattice weave mirror of your own.  This is a fairly simple project, with possibly the hardest part selecting your ribbon from the many wonderful styles offered by May Arts.  With ribbon in hand, let’s get started!

You’ll need the following supplies for this project:

• Picture Frame with smooth surface—the color doesn’t matter since it will be covered by the ribbon.

• Ribbon of your choice—you could use a single color ribbon to create a look with more texture versus color.  I used reversible ribbon because I wanted lots of color and the double faced ribbon gave me lots of color options to work with.

• Double Sided Tape—I used StudioTac which you can pick up at most craft stores.

• Scissors—Fiskars of course!

The frame I used for this project measures 15” square with 4” wide sides. You can use a larger or smaller frame depending on your needs.   I picked this frame up at a local discount store for about $9.00.

As I mentioned, I designed my mirror project with May Arts 1” Satin Reversible Ribbon (#354).  I choose this ribbon for the fabulous color options and also to silky shimmer the satin gives off.  This beautiful ribbon is also available in a 5/8” and 1.5” size.

I used nine color/combinations for my project:
Brown/Pink (354-93), Red/Green (354-14), Black/Purple (354-93), Pink/Green (354-67), Blue/Green (354-34), Black/Silver (354-10), Ant. Gold/Champagne (354-32), Blue/Brown (354-04), Orange/Pink (354-28)

I choose to StudioTac Double Sided Dual Tack tape.  One side of this tape has a permanent fixing so that it cannot be moved, and the other is low tack which allows you to reposition whatever is attached to it, should you need to.

The first step is to determine your ribbon colors and lay it out so that it covers one long side of your frame.  My frame width required three stripes of ribbon.  Once your ribbon is in place, turn your frame over and secure the end of the ribbon to the back of the frame with your double sided tape.

Once the ribbon is secure, cut your ends and secure the ends in place.

Step two is to begin laying out the ribbon on another long side of the frame.  You’ll begin creating your lattice pattern.  Weave the outside ribbon under and over the first strips of ribbon you placed.  The middle ribbon will weave over and under and the third, inner ribbon, will weave under and over.  Alternating the way each ribbon is woven will give you a distinct crisscross lattice pattern.

Secure the ribbon ends to the back of the frame with double sided tape.

Each time you secure the ribbon on the back of frame, you’ll cut off the excess ribbon.

Continue placing and weaving ribbon lengths on the 3rd and 4th sides of your frame. You’ll have the crisscross lattice pattern at each corner.

Next, you will need to cut short lengths of ribbon to begin the criss-cross pattern on inner portions of the frame.  You want to cut enough length so that your ribbon will wrap around the top of the frame and be secured on the back with tape.

Once I cut my short lengths of ribbon, I laid out the ribbon so that I could determine my color positioning.  Because I am using a variety of colors, I did not want the same color to repeat too closely to itself. 

Once I had my color layout determined, I began weaving the short lengths of ribbon under and over, and over and under the longer lengths.  Again, I alternated the over, under of each ribbon to create that lattice effect.  Each end of the ribbon is secured on the back of the frame with double sided tape.

Isn’t the crisscross lattice pattern fun!  Just imagine it with only two colors of ribbon or even a polka dot ribbon.  So many great May Arts options.

Once you have finished crisscrossing the ribbon along all sides of the frame, this is what the back will look like.  Make sure all the ends and taped down and secure.

To give the back of my frame a more polished look, I covered the individual cut ends of ribbon with one long length of ribbon.  In keeping with my multiple color approach, I used a different ribbon color on each edge of the frame.

This is the finished back!

Wow, I just love my Lattice Weave Mirror.  Here it is before the mirror piece is installed.  You could also have glass cut to fit the frame and use this as a fun and whimsical picture frame.

With about 2 hours of work and some beautiful May Arts Ribbon, you too can create this stunning mirror for your home.