Tutorial: Ribbon Treatment on the Edge

I've been asked about how I secure my ribbon tied on the side of a card. So, I decided to take photos of the steps since my printed words don't always explain it. IRL, I talk with my hands. LOL! If you would like to see a larger view of any card, right click on the photo and open another tab or window. The finished card is at the end of this post.

Step 1: Gather materials. You can do this at any step of the card process. In this photo, I am about 1/2 done. You will need 2 colors of ribbon, an eyelet, an eyelet setter, and a pair of scissors. This is a great time to use ribbon scraps!


Step 2: Set the eyelet. Don't worry about getting a smooshed look. Set it tightly to get a big hole. The smooshed look is not likely to be seen, especially with 2 ribbons.


Step 3: With your 1st ribbon (apricot for this card), wrap it around the edge of the card and tie it only once. Don't make a 2nd tie to secure it.


Step 4: Slip the 2nd ribbon (mustard on this card) underneath the apricot ribbon.


Step 5: Tie the mustard ribbon over the apricot ribbon. You will need to pull the ribbons to secure it. Go back and forth between the apricot and mustard ribbons as you tighten it to your satisfaction. Be careful not to pull so tight (like on this card) that it tears the card base.

Follow the link to see a card with wider ribbon. I think it's actually easier with wider ribbon, but that's just me. {wink} Ballet Sophia

Follow the link to see a card with skinnier ribbon (I like that word "skinnier". Wish it explained me. LOL!) There's more room and allows side to side ties. It's also a lot easier to thread both ribbons through the eyelet. Paper Piecing Jimbo & the Gang


Step 6: Finish your card! (Recipe below)


Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes (SU)
Paper: white, apricot appeal, more mustard
Ink: black, apricot appeal, more mustard, SU apricot appeal marker, Copic markers (YR23 yellow ochre, Y23 yellowish beige, R29 lipstick red, CO cool gray
Accessories: CB Swiss Dots and Birds & Swirls, scallop square punch, eyelet, ribbons, diamond Stickles, sponge
Wish RAK Items: CB Swiss Dots and Birds & Swirls, scallop square punch

Go Faux: Layers & Stitching

You'll find the finished card at the end of this post! These are the steps I used to make my faux layers and faux stitching. To see a larger view of any photo, right click on the image and open a new window or tab.


Step 1: I used post-it notes to mask a "layer". Then I sponged the area with certainly celery. I didn't use my normal sponging movement that I would use when sponging edges. Instead, I first dabbed it on the post-it note to make a lighter shade, then I pushed it down on the paper, and instead of swiping, I smooshed and twisted.

Step 2: I then inked my stamp and stamped the image multiple times to create a designer paper look. I reinked between each stamped image. I did not stamp off first on the post-it. I wanted a slightly darker shade than the sponging.

Step 3: Once your faux layers are done and the post-it notes are removed, it's time to spice up the faux layer with faux stitching. There are multiple ways to create the illusion of stitching. This is the method I used. I used a paper piercer and template (Stampin' Up's mat stack) along all of the borders. (Above photo) When that was done, I used a marker of the same color (you can use a darker shade of the same color if desired). With the marker, I traced along the dotted line created by the piercing. (Photo Below)


The card below is the finished design. I used today's DRS Designs' sketch challenge found on their blog here. I cut and layered 3 checkboard flowers (D372) and glued a button on the top flower. Here's the surprise... then I used Swirling Snowflakes (F168) as a starting point for my "wind blown" mini flowers. The mini flowers were made with an EK Success punch with SU designer paper. I glued some flowers on the snowflakes and then added a few more falling down the edge of the faux layer. Once I had the dots started from the Swirling Snowflakes image, it was easy to continue a dotted pattern with my certainly celery marker. You'll find the recipe below.


DRS Stamps: Checkerboard Flower, Swirling Snowflakes
Paper: white, certainly celery, SU dsp: rose red, regal rose, apricot appeal, pumpkin pie, certainly celery, retired Loves Me dsp
Ink: pumpkin pie, mambo melon, certainly celery
Accessories: paper piercer & template (SU mat stack), button, SU celery marker
Techniques: faux layers, faux stitching

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My First Diorama Card

Today on the DRS Designs blog, the biweekly challenge is make a diorama card. It was a temporary panic... my first challenge on the design team and I've never made a diorama card. Talk about pressure! LOL! But I read the tutorial found here on SCS. So, if you're thinking about skipping this challenge, it's not allowed! (just kidding) But really consider giving it a try. My DH was super impressed.



The tutorial is for a 3 inch high card. You can actually make it tall enough for the stamps/image you would like to use. These are the photos I took along the way... so I can come back and review them. *~* What I discovered was that even though I have a Scor-Pal, I need to be careful at scoring and taping the pieces together. The middle section is bowed.

The middle section was cut at 6.5 x 4 inches. It was scored at 1 inch from each short side. In this photo, you will see the middle piece is wild wasabi. I changed my mind during the process and in the rest of the photos you will see it as bashful blue. I cut the front and back pieces 8.5 x 4 inches. They were scored 2 inches from each short side. The front piece is wild wasabi and the back piece is bashful blue.

If you would like a larger view of any of the photos, right click on the photo and open another tab or window.



DRS Designs Stamps: Flower Fence w/ Birdhouses (M626), Easy Grass Background (E059)
Ink: black, bashful blue, wild wasabi, certainly celery
Accessories: Scor-Pal, handmade cloud templates (made with scallop scissors), sponge, Copic markers



I used an Creative Memories blade to cut out the box (instead of using punches). I first drew lines on the back to guide me. I used red sticky tape to adhere the middle piece to the back one.



Here is an arial view of the back and front pieces adhered together.


At this point, I decorated the mid section. I used a Martha Stewart butterfly punch with pumpkin pie cardstock and the DRS Designs Flower Border stamp (H1076) colored with Copics. Sorry that I don't have the color numbers. By the time I was done, my table was a HUGE mess! And I really lost track of it all. LOL! But I think I'll be better organized the next time. *~*


After adhering the front piece, I finished the details. (Important advice you may need if you're like me and just fly into a project without planning it.... Stamp the grass BEFORE you adhere it to the rest of the card!) Can you see me shaking my head at myself? LOL!

DRS Stamps: Sheldon the Turtle (F720 ), Silhouette Believe Butterfly (D226 ) stamped in real red
Clouds: SU scallop circle punch with Liquid Applique
Leaves: EK Success leaf punch

That's it. My first diorama card. Hope to see some wonderful creations. Please link your diorama to the DRS blog. If you're uploading to another gallery, please use the keyword DSC27.

Faux Embossing with Hearts and Stripes

For the Ways to Use It challenge, we needed to customize our designer paper. I chose to use the faux dry embossing technique. And I used my new Hundred Hearts set from Verve. I love this company... which is one of the reasons why I cut my SU order in half last night.


Stamps: Hundred Hearts - Verve
Paper: so saffron, chocolate chip, regal rose, very vanilla, Making Memories DP
Accessories: eyelet, ribbon, CM heart maker, chocolate chip marker, scallop edge punch


Faux dry embossing technique: choose a shape that can be punched. It can be flowers, circles, anything you like. Simply line them up on the patterned paper and glue! Easy peasy... usually. This is the first time I've tried it with stripes. A couple of my hearts are a little off. Now you're going to look for them, aren't you? LOL! (To get a better view, right click on the photo.)

It's a ZOO in here!

(A short tent topper tutorial is included with the last card in this posting!)

I love making elegant cards. I love making pretty cards. I love making baby cards. But my favorite cards to make are cutesy cards with animals. Here are some animals you might find at the zoo.

I love this Hokey Pokey saying. I knew what card I would make first with it as soon as I saw it in the catty! This card uses SCS sketch challenge #168.

Stamps: Tickled Pink, Smarty Pants
Paper: kraft, chocolate chip, pretty in pink DSP, white
Ink: black, brown stazon
Accessories: pretty in pink & apricot markers, Copic gray marker, taffeta ribbon, paper piercer & mat stack



I wouldn't be "lion" when I say that you are welcome to visit any time.... at my blog. Now, if you wanted to visit me at home, you have to let me know in advance if you're a neat freak.... because then I would have to clean my house. LOL!

This color combo and sketch are from a demo Stampin' Success magazine. I wish I had thought to layer the mane on the lion. I'll have to go back and do that.

Stamps: Wild About You, Be Design
Paper: ruby red, brocade blue, more mustard, white
Ink: more mustard, brocade blue, craft white
Accessories: ribbon, WWC, slit punch, eyelet, paper piercer & mat stack, dimensionals





This last card is called a tent topper. You start with a 4.25 square card that opens at the bottom. Then you add the topper. Your topper can be any shape you'd like. Use a standard A2 card (5.5 x 4.25) as your guide so that it isn't too tall for the envelope.

Stamps: Zoofari, Canvas, Short & Sweet, Crab & Company (hat), Great Impressions (paws)
Paper: chocolate chip, ruby red, more mustard, white
Ink: brown stazon, chocolate chip, ruby red
Accessories: SU markers, cutter kit, CM custom cutting system, Marvy scallop punch, hemp
Technique: distressing, tent topper

All supplies used are from Stampin' Up unless noted differently.

More Great Tutorials on the Web!

Jeanne Streiff is a marvelous stamper & artist! She also has some great tutorials on her blog, Inky Paws. Click on the link for a complete listing.

Here are some of my favorites.

Paper Piecing

Paper Piecing Part 2

Animal Print Background

Layered Reverse Masking

Birds of A Feather Flock Together

There is a short easy tutorial with card #3!

This first card is another card I made using yesterday's sketch challenge on SCS. The sentiment is handwritten. I wrote it before stamping the birds so that I could cut the paper afterward... therefore no slanted writing. (wink) But now that it's done, I think the writing may be too big for the birds. That's why I added the ribbon.

Stamps: Zoofari
Paper: white, basic black, certainly celery DSP, Petals & Paisleys DP
Ink: black stazon
Accessories: gingham ribbon, apricot & pumpkin SU markers, Copic gray markers for the grounding



The next 2 cards I made some time ago; therefore the use of WWC. But I still like the uniqueness of them. The sentiment on the Treasure card is handwritten.

Stamps: Ahoy, Matey, Matey's Map jumbo wheel. Cheesecloth
Paper: more mustard, buckaroo blue, white
Ink: brown stazon, buckaroo blue
Accessories: WWC, brads, marker, Cutter Kit
Techniques: distressing









This last card uses a technique I call faux layering. You simply mask around the area you want "layered" with sticky notes. Then stamp your images. I chose to use ink that was a shade darker than the cardstock. Next, sponge the area taking care to sponge the edges. I chose to use ink that was the same color as the cardstock. Lastly, remove the sticky notes. Paper piercing the edges will help emphasize the faux layer.

Stamps: Natural Beauty, Best Blossoms, sentiment from A Muse
Paper: chocolate chip, mellow moss, always artichoke, very vanilla
Ink: brown stazon, mellow moss (for sponging), always artichoke (for the leaves)
Accessories: WWC, Offray ribbon, paper piercer & mat stack
Techniques: faux layering

All supplies from Stampin' Up! unless noted differently.

Free Tutorials on the Web

I found some great tutorials by Jackie Topa. You can find a complete listing of her tutorials at Addicted to Stamping. Here are my favorites that I need to try.

Stationary Box

Photo Wallet

Faux Carousel Notes

Blending & Coloring with Copic Markers

I have watched the pros color with Copics. And I've had hands-on learning, too. Still, it took lots of practice to finally feel comfortable with the process. I've now realized that I have a different way of making it work.... different from what I've seen anyway. Maybe it will be right for you, too. Just don't give up!

Materials used:

Surfer Riley image from Hannah Stamps
Ink: Palette Noir Black
Georgia Pacific white cs



Copics:
Sand E33 (lightest brown)
Chamois E35 (medium brown)
Sepia E37 (darkest brown)
Frost Blue B00
Cadium Orange YR07
Yellowish Green YG06
Acid Yellow Y08

Step 1: Choose one small section at a time. Use your medium brown and outline where you want the shadow.

Step 2: Use your lightest brown. Start at the edge and pull the color out just a short distance. You can do the same distance of pulling 2 or 3 times to get an even shading.



Step 3: Continue to use you lightest brown. Go back to the edge and pull the color out a little further.


Step 4: Finish the first section by pulling the color all the way out to the end of this section.


Step 5: Repeat step 1 on a new area. I chose 2 smaller areas (the arms). Use your medium brown to outline the edge for the shadow.


Step 6: Repeat steps 2 and 3 by using your lightest brown and pulling the ink out away from the shadow.


Step 7: Repeat step 1 and use the medium brown for your shadow.


Step 8: Repeat steps 2 and 3 using your lightest brown and starting from the edge of the shadow, pull the color out. Use short strokes first.



Step 9: Continuing to pull the color out, lengthen your strokes. The more you pull the darker it will get.

Step 10: You don't always have to use 2 shades. I wanted the ears to be a little lighter. So I only used the lightest shade of brown. But this time, I went over the shadow line 2 or 3 times. Remember the more you color, the darker it gets. Then using the same shade, pull the color out as you did before.


Step 11: With the face, I used just the lightest brown and colored down from the tuff of his fur between the antlers. For the antlers, I used the medium brown for the shadow again.

Step 12: Then I used the lighter brown to pull the color across the antlers. I went to the legs and used just the lightest shade of brown like I did for the ears.



Step 13: I used the darkest shade of brown to fill in the hooves.

Step 14: I used the frost blue to fill in my shadow. I colored over the shadow a couple of times since I'm using just one shade again. The I pulled the color out.


Step 15: For the surf board, I used just one shade of orange. Then I lightly colored the pattern of the swim trunks.




I used Julee Tillman's Mojo sketch 32 for the card. I thought Bodacious Bouquet would be the perfect compliment for this cute surfer moose. I used the rock & roll technique for the blossoms. I first inked the blossom with apricot appeal and then rolled the edges on the pumpkin pie ink pad.

I sent this card to my wonderful MIL. She LOVED her Hawaii trip last year. This isn't the same as a trip, but Riley sure is cute!

Stamps: Bodacious Bouquet - SU, Surfer Riley - Hannah Stamps
Paper: soft sky, pumpkin pie, apricot DSP, white
Ink: black, soft sky, certainly celery, apricot appeal, pumpkin pie
Accessories: Copic Markers, soft sky ribbon, eyelets
Techniques: rock & roll

All paper, ink, and embellishments are from Stampin' Up!