Friday, February 5, 2016

Friday Focus - May Arts

Hello Everyone! It's Pamellia, and I am here today to hostess the Friday Focus. I will be working with some fabulous ribbons and lace from May Arts that Linda carries at The Funkie Junkie Boutique. For the next two weeks there will be an additional 15% discount on the metal embellishments and charms, so now is a great time to stock up!


I thought I would do something a little different for this Focus, so instead of making an entire project, I'm going to share some different techniques you can use to create different looks and styles using ribbons and lace.

RUFFLES



Using a quilting needle and thread, do a basting stitch down the center of the ribbon. Then pucker the ribbon together by pulling the thread at one end.



Take a strip of paper and add some adhesive to the back, or use a strip of double sided tape and run it down the back of the ruffle. Now you have a wonderful strip of ruffled ribbon all ready to adhere to your next card or project.




BOX PLEATS

I think this would be hard to explain in words, so I will let the photos tell the story for this one.












BURLAP BOWS


Cut the ribbon so there's an even amount of burlap on either side of the stripe. Then carefully trim the wire edge off of the other side (keep the wire piece, we use it later). You can get two bows out of your burlap strip.



Fray the edges by pulling out several of the threads down either side of your strip of burlap. Then use the wire piece from earlier to tie your bow together. Presto, a gorgeous shabby burlap bow.


COLOURS

One of my favourite things to do with ribbon is to colour it using some dye base inks. Everything coordinates perfectly and you can dye them in advance using all of your favourite colours.



Spritz a little Distress Ink spray on your craft sheet along with some water, then smoosh your ribbon pieces around and soak up as much colour as you like. You can add more and more spray, getting a deeper colour every time.



TEXTURES

Laces are just fabulous for creating texture in the background of a card or a tag...plus, it's an amazing way to use up your end pieces and leftover cuts.



Adhere the ribbon using Glue n Seal or another matte liquid adhesive. Coat with white Gesso or thick paint. Then spray using your favourite Distress Ink sprays. Dab on a little white paint to highlight the ridges and design of the lace. Presto, gorgeous background ready to decorate.




DIAMANTE BOWS

This is a wonderful accent bow for something a little fancier. A wedding card or even a new baby card will be a touch more elegant with a dash of ribbon and a little bling!







EMBELLISHMENTS

Ribbon isn't just for making bows. Try dressing up some ordinary items from around your craft room or office to make some unique embellishments for your next project!



With such a wonderful variety of May Arts ribbons, laces and twines available at Linda's shop, it's easy to create the perfect accent piece for your project. No matter how you decide to bend it, twist it or fold it, every project can be a little more interesting and beautiful with just a few inches of ribbon!!

All of the below products can be found at The Funkie Junkie Boutique and don't forget that all the May Arts products will have an extra 15% discount applied for the next two weeks.




Happy crafting, Pamellia :)

29 comments:

  1. What a brilliant post Pamellia,so many great ideas and the box pleats are awesome. Thanks so much for sharing your endless creativity here x

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  2. What a brilliant post Pamellia,so many great ideas and the box pleats are awesome. Thanks so much for sharing your endless creativity here x

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  3. wow, well done Pamellia, some lovely ways of using ribbon.

    Love & hUgs

    Jacquie J xxx
    http://jewelscardcraft.blogspot.co.uk/

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  4. Awesome Pamellia!!! SO many clever ideas for using ribbons and lace here. I'll need to bookmark this post for future reference (over and over again!). Jenny x

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  5. What a fab post Pamellia so informative and inspirational.
    Hugs Julie xxx

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  6. Thank you for the great ideas Pamellia xx

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  7. A brilliant post Pamellia with many fabulous ideas. We often forget how classy ribbon can be so thank you for so many inspirational ideas. Jennie x

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  8. Fabulous creative ideas using ribbon Pamellia, thank you x X X

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  9. How fun! Wonderfully creative ideas here, Pamellia. Well done! Can't wait to put some of these into use.

    Hugs,
    Linda

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  10. Wow..So many wonderful techniques to use ribbons !Loved them all :)

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  11. Hi Pamellia. You have shown so many wonderful and creative ways to use ribbon. Thank you so much!!

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  12. Wow... some fabulous ideas, Pamellia! Thank you!
    Have a great weekend, my friend!

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  13. SUPER FUN and FABULOUSLY informative post Pamellia. Thanks bunches. j.

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  14. Oh wow, what amazing ideas these are, Pamellia!! You are so creative!! I love all of the techniques you've shown!! I can't wait to try them!!

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  15. Can't wait to use these in my projects! Thank you for sharing!!!

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  16. Such a great post Pamellia, full of wonderful tips and techniques! Hugs, Anne xx

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  17. Great post thanks Pamellia - especially the paper clips!
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  18. Pamellia, thank you SO much for demonstrating several bows and ribbon uses! I learned a lot and hope to use all your ideas. I never considered using lace "dregs" on a panel or tag and coating with gesso! Thanks for taking the time to teach! Hugs, de

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  19. Hi Pamellia!
    This is the most fabulous tutorial for ribbons and bows I have ever seen! You've shared so many fantastic and unique ideas here. I can't pick a favorite, there are just too many to choose from!
    Hugs,
    Nancy

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  20. Great tips, Pamellia! I love the little paper clip embellies!

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  21. What a fabulous post Pamellia, thank you so much for sharing all your tips! Deb xo

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  22. Thank you Pamellia - I can now adapt some of my hoard of ribbons to use on my projects Karen x

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  23. Such a brilliant FF - will definitely be using some of these ideas and tips - thanks so much for sharing your wonderful way with ribbons etc!
    Alison xx

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  24. Fabulous tutorial! So many clever and beautiful ideas!

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  25. Fabulous tips! I may just have to give some of these a try! Great tutorial and especially love the box pleat without words--my kind of tutorial!

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  26. Wow, what a great display of ribbon techniques!

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