May Arts Ribbon Design Team Call, 2013!

Yes, you did read my title correctly!  May Arts Ribbon IS having a call for new Prima Ribbonistas and it's exciting! 

I first started using and loving May Arts ribbon whenever I became a designer with Core'dinations.  We would have various product swaps and blog hops with them and so I've become well aware of just how fabulous and versatile their ribbon is. Truth be told, I find it difficult using any other brand of ribbon aside from May Arts when I am crafting these days.  Their product is definitely top-notch quality.

Being that I am applying for a position  for this wonderful DT at May Arts, I will be sharing various projects here that I've created along the way, as well as a requested tutorial, all showcasing May Arts ribbon.   I do hope you will be inspired by what you see here and that you'll fall in love with the May Arts brand just as much as I have! 

First up, I wanted to share with you a technique for making a pretty textural ribbon flower that can be used on a variety of projects. I created my ribbon flower by covering panels of cardstock with rows of adhesive backed ribbon and then die cutting and layering a variety of different sized floral shapes from the ribbon panels. 

Here's a list of supplies needed:

• Choice of coordinating ribbon  (I used May Arts Silky Crush ribbon in brown and teal)
• Choice of cardstock (I used Core'dinations Jillian Spots)
• Choice of metal dies (I used Spellbinder's Nestabilities dies, Classic Scalloped Circles)
• Die cutting/Embossing machine (I used my Cuttlebug)
• Xyron 15 Adhesive and Applicator
• Core'dinations Sand It Gadget
• Decorative Brad

Okay, to get started you will want to cut various scraps of light colored cardstock into panels and then cut several strips of the ribbon. You will want to add adhesive to the backs of the ribbons strips.  I have found that the easiest method of doing this is to run ribbon strips through a Xyron Adhesive Applicator. 
 

 

Once you apply the adhesive to the ribbon, you can begin to cover the surface of the cardstock scrap panels, alternating strips of color as I have done, or  you can cover a panel using strips of one color... your choice, as you are the designer!  

Once all the panels are covered entirely with the ribbon strips you can now die cut your desired shapes from the panels using various sizes of dies.  To create my layered flower, I have die cut my shapes using scalloped circles dies from Spellbinder's Nestabilities dies. 

 

 

To give more visual contrast and texture, I have also die cut some embossed cardstock shapes to be layered into my flower as well.  I used a Sand It Gadget, which is a sanding block by Core'dinations, to sand over the embossed dots of the cardstock. 

 

For the next step, you will want to take each die cut shape and crinkle it up in your hands... don't be afraid to crinkle them up tightly... the more crinkle the better!   Now take each piece and flatten them back out, and  you've just created even more lovely texture and dimension to the pieces.
 

 

 To form the flower, simply layer each shape center to center forming a stack from largest to smallest.  You will want to punch a hole in the centers of each and then attach the stack together using a decorative brad.  Before attaching my brad here I also rolled up a small piece of extra ribbon and coiled it around the center punched hole.  Once you attach the brad fluff up the layers to give dimension.

 

 

Now you can have fun embellishing your projects with beautiful ribbon flowers that you've made on your own! 

 

Here's a card that I made and had published not too long ago in the Cricut Cards Idea Book for 2013.  The one features some of my all time favorite May Arts ribbon... 5/8" purple Cotton Stripes, 1.5" yellow Twill Chevron Stripes, 5/8" gray Solid Plaid and gray Suede String!
 

Next up is a scrapbook page that I created using some more 1.5" Twill Chevron Stripes in red as well as some  3/8" red Grosgrain Diagonal Stripes ribbon.  This layout was published in the Cricut Holidays Idea Book for 2012.
 

Up next is a box set that I created... a plain kraft box that's been embellished with paint, patterned paper (Authentique), embossed cardstock (Core'dinations) and ribbon (May Arts).  I also made candle sleeves for each of the 4 individual votives stored in the box.  Each candle sleeve is tied up with some natural Twisted Burlap string from May Arts.  This box is topped off with a piece of lovely 1.5" ivory Sheer Woven Rosettes ribbon.

 

 

  

 

 

I also LOVE how this green Grosgrain Diagonal Stripes ribbon looks as looped hangers for my handmade paper shamrock ornaments...

 

 

 

And last, a tag to share using some gorgeous purple 1.5" Two Tone ribbon paired with some ivory Twill Chevron Stripes ribbon. 

 

 

 

I do hope you've enjoyed this sampling of projects that I've created, all using the beautiful ribbon selections available at May Arts Ribbon!  I also have more projects that can be viewed if you click on the "May Arts Ribbon" tab under my Labels section here on the side-bar of my blog.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by and I'll be seeing you soon.  :) 

Welcome to the 2nd Hard Core Crop (Holiday Edition)

Welcome!  I sure hope you are ready to crop your heart out to the Core!

We have a ton of Holiday inspiration headed your way with challenges designed to get your holiday spirits creating, so grab your Core cardstock and all your other scrappy supplies and join us all in the fun this weekend.  Please head over to the Core blog for crop rules. And we have the Facebook HCC crop page HERE for you to chat and hang out with fellow Hard Core Croppers so make sure you head over there, too. You never know when challenges or giveaways will pop up over there!

 

So, we are all officially in holiday mode and who doesn't like to bake or eat some cookies this festive time of the year?  I know I can't wait to be baking my favorites again, and even though there are too many varieties I want to attempt, I ALWAYS start with a classic... CHOCOLATE CHIP!  And with that said, I am offering you all up a challenge ---- a Recipe challenge.  I'd like you to create a scrapbook page featuring these 4 prominent ingredients of a classic "chocolate chip cookie":

BROWN SUGAR - Page must contain some type of Core'dinations Kraft or Kraft Core (Tim Holtz collection) cardstock, OR you may use any color of Brown Core'dinations cardstock that you may have on hand!
SUGAR - Page must contain some type of Glitter, Embossing powder or Bling.

CHOCOLATE CHIPS - Page must contain Polka Dot embossing, (either Tillie or Jillian Spotted Core or Core cardstock that is embossed with a dotted folder).

CHOPPED WALNUTS - Page must contain some "distressing technique".
 

And here is my inspiration piece...

 

 I've used Green Jillian Spotted cardstock that I've sanded with my Sand It Gadget for the base... and it represents the chocolate chips ingredient.  I have used some Dark Green Kraft Core that I have both scored and distressed around the edges for matting the plaid Simple Stories patterned paper. This represents both the brown sugar and chopped walnuts. 
 

 

I cut out some "cookie tree" accents using the Gingerbread Cricut cartridge. They represent the sugar ingredient on my page. I heat embossed the white icing layer of each tree accent with some Vintage White/Gold embossing powder by Stampendous.

 

 

(The Kraft cardstock used on the cookie trees also represent brown sugar).

 

Here's one more detail shot of my page, using some fantabulous May Arts wide twill ribbon...

 

 

 Please keep in mind that you are welcome to incorporate other items and techniques onto your pages, but all challenge pages must include the above specified 4 ingredients to be considered for a wonderful Core prize!  And what prize are you creating for you may ask? 

Here ya go...

 

One lucky person will win a collection pack of this Jillian Spotted Core! 

 

(Challenges must use the Linkinz below. If you do not have a blog, please feel

free to use Photobucket or Flickr or any other photo sharing sight that provides

links. Challenges must include Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock. You may NOT

combine this challenge with any of the other HCC challenges but you may complete

this challenge as many times as you like. You must link by 8 pm, December 2nd

(Sunday). All winners must email ellen_sosnoski@coredinations.com by DECEMBER

12th with their name, address, phone number and prize the won in the subject

line. For ex.: Core'dinations Crop Jillian Dot Prize pack Winner. )

 

Now go... you have some scrapping to do!  I hope to see pages from everyone cropping! 

 

 

Is It Spring Yet?

Well, I know it's not Spring yet, but I think I am wanting it to get here more and more every day!  Arghh, I just need some nice beautiful weather to get me out of my gloomy lil' slump I've been in.  I'm really wanting to be not so cold... and I really want to see some gorgeous green grass with pretty pops of flowers scattered here and there! Yes, hurry up and get here Spring!

I know I took one look at this week's new SOUS sketch and I was immediately thinking Spring too! 

Sandi's sketch depicts florals, a butterfly and even the word Spring, so how could I resist wanting to create something with the long-awaited seasonal theme myself?! So for today I threw together a happy I {heart}You card! 

I used the basic elements of the sketch but I decided to use a clustering of three Studio Calico chipboard clouds at the bottom of my card in place of Sandi's trio of oval shapes, and instead of using a photo or rectangular element on the large floral accent, I opted to use a chipboard butterfly over my floral doily accent.  The floral doily shape by the way, I cut out using the exclusive Cricut Expression 2 Cricut Alphabet cartridge.  That cart has so many great doily shapes included on there, and I'm sure I'll be playing around with those images quite alot! The chipboard butterflies I colorized with some Smooch Spritz sprays and then I also embellished them and the doily accent with some Glam Rocks using the Imaginisce I-Rock tool.  Fun stuff!  Ohh, and do you love that teal chevron ribbon?? I sure do... it's from the fabulous May Arts company!

And of course I can't forget, Core'dinations!  I gotta have my Core cardstock... the Jillian Spotted Core really puts me in a Spring mood.  I just love it... esp. in that aqua shade! 

Okay... that's all I've got for this post, but I do hope you will go check out the rest of the designers creations on the SOUS blog.  Those girls can all seriously rock a sketch!  Have a wonderful Friday you all!  ;) 

More Cards For Week 2 of Card Sharks!

Good day!  Just finished up my last of the challenges for the week at the Nook, so I have two more cards to show you all for now! 

Here we go... Challenge #1 for week 2... BRIDGE!  This one will takes focus on the word "bridge" and the challenge is to create a card using an element that is wood theme or nails (items used to build a bridge).   

(Please click on item to view larger)

I knew right a way what I wanted to do for this, lol!  "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon and Garfunkel has long been a favorite song of mine and I have been wanting to use the song lyrics somehow on a card or scrap page, so with BRIDGE being a focus here I thought it to be perfect timing! Of course I also added a piece of woodgrain patterned paper from MME (Stella Rose) into the mix for the boat diecut!  Some older "The Merry Days of Christmas" in Pajama Plaid, was used for the card base here and I cut out cloud shapes from some MME Lime Twist pp.  All these sweet Cricut cuts on the card came from the Give A Hoot cart! I also used a mix of Core Essentials, Vintage Core and some Jillian Spotted Core cardstock.

Next up is my card for the BINGO challenge! 

Easy peasy... just had to use some form of a grid on the card design! So I designed a grid by scoring the backside of a piece of Tim Holtz Kraft Core cardstock and sanding the front to reveal the embossing.  I also used some kraft colored Core from the Graphic 45 Signature Series and some Core Essentials in a light red.  I cut the "I" the heart and the "U" with the Designer's Calendar cart and the heart border from a scrap of "vintage" Tres Jolie MME pp using the TC Sophisticated cart.  Added some wood buttons from M's dollar spot with some Papertrey Ink twine to complete the look!

And one more item before I wrap this post up for the night...

not sure if ya'll have come across this huge giveaway or not on Birgit Koopsen's blog, but you may like to have a chance, and celebrate with Birgit for her upcoming Birthday in the process! ;)

Good Night and enjoy the rest of the holiday week festivities!  Happy Thanksgiving blessings to all!