Back to the basics by Nicole

Hello everyone!  Nicole here on the blog today.  Scrapbooking.  So I've been at it for over 10 years now.  I've gone through all kinds of fads and tried to keep up with the latest and greatest.  Lately though I've started trying to get back to the most important things:  the pictures and words.  As much as I like my layers and all the embellishments I also like this simple layout where a piece of ribbon and some buttons are my only embellishing.

  

I started this layout in Photoshop where I pulled in my photos, typed my title and journaling, and then added some "ribbon".  

Once I was happy with the placement I removed my photos and "ribbon" and printed the text onto white textured card stock.  

I used the wired satin ribbon in Sable and folded it in half to notch the end with some fabric scissors.  I used a little bit of clear glue on both ends to keep the edges from fraying and leave a clean finish.  To attach to my layout I used double sided adhesive. The small finishing touches are some buttons and a little date tag.   

Here is another look at my finished layout.  I'm really happy with the results and love that the pictures and text take center stage while the ribbon and buttons add just a small textile touch.  

The best part of putting together this layout was knowing this moment was recorded and these sweet pictures of my youngest are printed and off the computer. 

Thanks for stopping by the blog today.  Happy Crafting, Nicole

Ribbon used on this project:

Initial Door 'Wreath" by Nicole

Nicole on the blog today.  I've made quite a few door wreaths over the years.  Pretty much all were for a holiday or season and I actually don't have one that is for the everyday.  That is what I'm going to show you today is how I made my new "wreath" that is hanging on my front door.  I used French Wired Ribbon in Porcelain Blue as an accent and a hanger.

I started by making a template cut from card stock and used that to trace onto three pieces of chipboard.

I cut out three since the chipboard I had on hand wasn't very thick.  I then glued these three together to make the base nice and thick.  Now I gathered a few more supplies:  a dowel, book paper, and glue.

I started rolling the book paper on the dowel and gluing the edge.

Once glue has secured the edge, slide it off the dowel.  

Once you've made a good handful start laying them down and gluing to the chipboard.  

I worked in sections gluing down quite a few and then turning the chipboard over and cutting off the overhang with scissors.  

Here is the completed letter covered in rolled dictionary paper.

Next I started with a simple ribbon. 

 To get a full bow I cut another length of ribbon and slipped the length underneath this bow.  

Tie this in another bow the opposite direction of the bottom.  Clip the extra ribbon.  

I love using this ribbon technique when you I want something a little more full than just a simple bow. 

I finished with some card stock flowers that I attached using glue and foam adhesive.  

Here is another look at my finished initial hanging on my front door. 

Thanks for stopping by the blog today, Nicole

Ribbons Unlimited products used:

Flower SVG cut files by Jamie Cripps from digiplayground.com

Woven Wall Decor by Nicole

Hi all!  Nicole here for another home decor idea.  I recently have been adding to my gallery wall above my craft/office alcove that is just off the living room.  It's a big traffic area of our house and I hope that people when passing through look at my wall and not the mess that may be on the desk . . . I can hope right? ;)

Today I wanted to show you how I put together this fun wall decor piece that I'm still trying to decide where I want to hang on the above wall.  

I recently picked up a set of frames at our local discount store.  It kind of reminds me of a dollar store, but better and often has some great home decor items.  The set included three white frames and two 6x6 square decorative items that were made to overlap the frames to hang in a little boys room.  At first I thought I would toss them and then the crafter in me thought otherwise.  So glad I kept them. 

I started with a piece of chipboard (cut to fit the top of the "canvas") and this gorgeous satin wired ribbon in Sable.  

I cut eight lengths of ribbon that were about 1.5 - 2 inches longer than the width of the chipboard.  

I took each ribbon and laid it onto the chipboard and bent the ends over to the back and glued them down.  

The width allowed me to lay four lengths of ribbon side by side along the chipboard piece.  Here it is with those four lengths of ribbon and the ends firmly glued to the back of the chipboard.  

Now the other four pieces of ribbon you'll weave in and glue those ends onto the back.  Alternating each ribbon to create a checker board effect in the ribbon.  

The finished front and back.

I now glued the chipboard piece to the canvas piece with Helmar 450 Adhesive.

Press the chipboard into the glue and set aside to dry.  

As the finishing touch I cut with my silhouette word art from black glitter card stock.  

Because the woven top of the ribbon has a little dimension to it I attached the die cut words with Helmar Scrap Dots.  It raised the die cut just enough to stand out from the ribbon to make it pop.  

Here is the finished canvas.  

I love the woven background.  It adds so much interest to a little area and is so quick to put together.  This little canvas took about 30 minutes from start to finish.  What a change from that little dump truck right?!

I hope I inspired you to up cycle some of your own decor.  Thanks for stopping by the blog today.  

Nicole

Ribbon used on this project:

SVG by Rivka Wilkins from digiplayground.com

Graduation Gift Set by Nicole

Graduation season is here.  Since I work with the youth at church I had a graduation to celebrate this year.  Our local high school colors are black & yellow with white accents.  I used Black/White Polka Dot wired ribbon, Sheer Organdy ribbon in Apple Green, and Dazzle Ribbon in Ivory to decorate this gift bag.  

I added the Black/white polka dot ribbon through the holes in the bag and secured it on the inside with Helmar Fabric Glue.  Side note:  Between the depth of the holes in the bag and the wire in the ribbon the handles stood up on there own.  I love the look and height it creates to the finished bag.  

The organdy ribbon I used to make leaves.  I brushed Helmar Stiffener & Draping Liquid to lengths of the ribbon with a foam brush.  Fully saturate the ribbon and let dry.  

After a couple of hours the glue dries and the ribbon becomes stiff and you can carefully peel away from the paper plate.  

The stiffener makes the ribbon stiff, but it also allows you to cut the ribbon and keeps it from fraying.  I used a pair of fabric scissors and cut the ribbon in to leaf shapes.  

I glued these to the bag handle.  

I then took a length of the glitter ribbon to make my flower.  I threaded it onto a piece of wire to form the base.  

I formed the wire into a circle and twisted the wire onto the base cutting off the excess.  

I took another length of the glitter ribbon and began gluing it around itself to form the center making sure to cover the wire and inside.     

My finished flower.

I glued this on top of the leaves. Once finished I decided to add some depth to my flower with a yellow marker making the insides of the flower a little darker.  

Here is a look at the finished gift bag and card I gave to the graduate.  She loved it!

Thanks for stopping by the blog today.  

Happy Crafting, Nicole

Products used in this post:

All digital svgs are from digiplayground.com