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.

May Arts 1.25 Inch Woven Red Stripes Ribbon	May Arts 3/8 Inch Solid Checkered Ribbon Light Blue/White	May Arts 3/8 Inch Solid Checkered Ribbon Light Green/White	May Arts 3/16 Inch Solid Checkered Ribbon Red	May Arts 7/8 Inch Solid Ivory Checkered Ribbon - Natural	May Arts 1.5 Inch Natural Burlap/Pink Stripe Edge/Wired Ribbon
May Arts 1/2 inch Solid/Wrinkled Ribbon Ivory	May Arts 2 Inch Silky Crush Wired Ribbon - Ivory	May Arts 5/8 Inch Crochet Ribbon - Brown	Scor-Pal Scor-Tape 1/2" x 27 Yards	Scor-Pal Scor-Tape 1/4" x 27 Yards	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain Spray - Victorian Velvet
Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain Spray - Gathered Twigs	Ranger Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabber - Snow Cap White	Dina Wakley Media Mediums - White Gesso	Ranger Glue n’ Seal Matte 3.5 oz.	Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents	Ranger Inkssentials Mini Mister
Tim Holtz Idea-ology - Mirrored Stars	Rhinestone Ribbon Slider Round Buckles 15x16mm, 2 Pieces	Tim Holtz Sizzix Framelits Die Set 8PK - Tag Collection	Ranger Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet

Happy crafting, Pamellia :)