Kissing Ball

Hi everyone, Nancy here with a fun holiday project for you.

As I am sure you know that when you step under the mistletoe you are inviting a kiss; but did you ever wonder where the tradition came from?  Like many of our current traditions, this one comes from the middle ages, but was updated during the reign of Queen Victoria.  I found a detailed story here if you are interested, but here is an excerpt....

People would take a potato or apple and tie a pretty ribbon around it as a hanger.  Then they would stick sprigs of evergreen, holly and sweet herbs into the potato or apple until it bristled with them.

The herbs in the sweet ball took on the highly romanticized symbolism common to the Victorian area. Simon and Garfunkel weren't the only ones singing about "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme".   Each of those herbs plus dozens and dozens more flowers, herbs and plants spoke a unique and private symbolic language to Victorians.  The choice of herbs, flowers and boughs could state love, affection, charity, piety and more.

I decided to create my own version of a kissing ball using some beautiful flowers, distress inks, glimmer mist, a bit of seam binding and a styrofoam ball. 

I used Festive Berries from the Tim Holtz LE Winter Distress Inks to color each flower. (a handful of flowers was all I needed.)

 And then spritzed them with a bit of Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Mist to give them some sparkle and shine.

 I cut a few holly leaves with my Sizzix....

And inked them with the other two colors of Distress Ink that were in the kit, Evergreen Bough and Iced Spruce.  (hint, a quick fold down the middle, run the fold directly over the pad, and you get a nice vein)

I attached the flowers to the ball using liquid glue.  I find liquid glue works best when gluing items that may still be a bit damp.

To finish off my project I ran a bit of seam binding across the Evergreen Bough,  and added a coordinating rose.  A few pearls in the center of each flower and my kissing ball was ready to hang.

I hope I have inspired you to create a little holiday magic in your home this season.

Hugs.

My Sew RibbonTutorial!

I am a tool junkie.  I love to try out new gizmos, especially the relatively inexpensive ones.  My Sew Easy was a natural addition to my arsenal, so I thought the Sew Ribbon was worth a look.  I bought Scallop and Shoelace.  The tool is in three pieces:  a top and bottom with a cutting blade.  The blade handily fits in the handle of the template.  You insert a piece of paper between the templates, then it is held together and automatically lines up with magnets.    

Scallop is a breeze to use, with the help of a T-square and pencil line it is easy to get a straight line.

Shoelace is very hard to use.  It is hard to get the blade into the insert.  After a couple of failed attempts I finally looked at a YouTube video which shows that you line the cutter up at a 90% angle to the template it is easier to insert.  

Although, I do like the results of Shoelace, I will not be buying anymore shapes.  Both cutters require a bit of pressure to insert into the template, I would not recommend this tool for anyone who has any strength or mobility issues with their hands (I have carpal tunnel problems). 

I think the addition of the button flowers absolutely set this page off.  They were made according to a reader's submission, Bev Code, on IFS last week. http://ideasforscrapbookers.blogspot.com/2011/11/readers-pages-and-button-flowers.html 

Designer Showcase: Ribbons and Twine

This week we are getting all tied up in our Designer Showcase for you!  We are sharing some inspiring projects that use ribbon and twine.  What until you see these!

Heather created this amazing banner to welcome Spring.  Everything about this is so darling.  From the gorgeous flowers to the bright colors. Those frayed edges of burlap canvas are just the perfect touch!  Check it out, she has included both ribbon and twine on her project!

This is a jar candle that I altered.  I created a wrap to decorate the candle on a base of recycled cardboard. Now before you go wondering where the ribbon is, let me show you the back....

I used ribbon, laced through some eyelets, to secure the wrap to the candle.  This way I can keep using the pretty design even after this candle is all used up!

Pam has shared this layout with us. Look at how she used the ribbon as a focal design element to her page.  She steps the ribbon right out from the journal spot to add color, interest and flow. Notice too how she set the little bows up as part of a design triangle.  You can just feel your eye moving about her page from the beautiful pictures to the journaling and title work.

Take a look at how Vicky has used ribbon to "mend" her torn papers on this shabby chic page.  There are so many details on the page, yet non distract from the gorgeous photo. Her choice of a sheer ribbon in a complementary color blends so well with the background.  I'm really liking the peek-a-boo doily lace punched edge too!

This first page that Nancy is sharing with us has a few ribbons that really add details to her page.  The floral ribbon is a great divider below her photo.  Then the velvet ribbon adds some texture as well as shape with it's scalloped edge.  And finally, the cream ribbon layered with folds is an adorable fine touch to the page!

This page kinda rocked my socks off! I love the lollipop that Nancy created with twine!  How perfect is that for this page?  I really like the placement in with the flowers too. It's beautiful enough to be a flower!  I've got to give this a try!

I hope we didn't "tie you up" for too long today!  Sorry, couldn't resist the pun!  I do hope you have fun doing some creative things with ribbon and twine.

Hey - if we have inspired you and you'd like to see your pages here, please email them to me at scrappycath(at)gmail(dot)com. We'll feature you here on a Readers Pages post!