Birthday Card - take two...

I finally got things sorted out with the computer and Blogger.  We were at a family graduation party most of the afternoon and evening on Saturday so I decided to put the full post up for today.

I wasn't planning to make a card when I started - I just wanted to show a way to add a "loop bow" under a paper medallion for a pretty effect.  I have been experimenting with ways to use ribbon since I seem to have an excellent ability to collect ribbon and I need to move more of it out into the world on projects so there will be room for me to add more to my collection!

 

I have always found it tricky to get ribbon bows to work out neatly when the ribbon is not the same on both sides.   This cute polka dot ribbon is one that I got from a Stampin' Up clearance rack sale.  The stitched border goes through but the polka dots are printed on one side only.  To make the "bow" I cut two lengths of ribbon - one larger than the other.  I folded the ribbon in half and used a sharp piercing tool to poke through the center at the join of the ends.

I did the same thing with the second piece of ribbon, adding it to the piercing tool.

 I slid the two loops up near the top of the tool to make the hole in the center larger.

 If you read my blog regularly, you know that I like to use the wired ribbon from Costco - I just pull out the wires from the sides when I don't want it for shaping the edges.  Of course, I save these bits and pieces of wire and they can be very handy for other projects.

I took our the piercing tool and held on to the ribbon stack - then I threaded the wire through the pierced holes and bound the ribbons together.  The wire is very strong but also very thin and easy to push through the pierced holes.

To finish off the wire conection, I put the opposite ends through the holes and reversed the pattern.  This may seem to be a lot of trouble but it is really quick and easy to do.  I imagine that some people just use adhesive to hold the pieces together but I find that this method is great to be sure that your bows won't come apart at the last minute!

Next I added a large foam square to adhere the ribbon loops to the main vertical ribbon on the card front.

The ribbon down the center of the card layer was added using the "cheater method" - wrapping it around the paper and taping each end.

I wanted to add the sentiment in a medallion and place it as the center of the "bow."  I originally planned to use all three of these layers,.  I decided that the green lace scalloped circle was a bit too large so I simply attached the sentiment to the smaller yellow scalloped circle.

Instead of placing the loop bow straight across the card, I set it at an angle - just to keep things interesting!

This was the first version of the card.  I wanted to keep it simple but I thought this looked too simple.  The paper ("Garden Variety" line by Cosmo Cricket) is so pretty that I didn't want to hide it - so I decided to look at my other options from that paper line and add an additional piece in a coordinating color and pattern.

I matted it with a coordinating red cardstock, leaving just a thin reveal to help set it off against the background paper.

.

The sentiment is from this great group of card elements.  They are printed on pearlized cardstock and have perfect sayings ready to pop on your projects.  These were a gift from my friend Enfys.  I believe they come from Craftwork Cards in England - here is a LINK to the page on their site.

Craftwork Cards also makes the "Candi" (the paper brads or dots you can see on this card).  I saw at these at CHA and really liked the effect - there are some more photos of their samples HERE.

The added square gives the impression of a gift box for the bow to rest on.   I think the extra color was needed to add a little more "oomph" (not sure if that's how you spell it but I hope you know what I  mean!)

We'll be going to another graduation party on Sunday - and we'll be hosting our own party next weekend - this certainly is a busy time of year! I hope you are having a nice weekend.  Please remember all of the brave servicemen and women who have sacrificed for our country as you enjoy your holiday activities.

Subscribe to Capadia Designs