Ribbon - a Quick and Easy Way to Make Your Cards Look Special.....
Using Ribbon as an embellishment on your cards can really make them standout as something special!
There are many different types of available for you to choose from, and they come in various widths from a quite narrow 3mm to a wide 25mm:
Grosgrain: The name comes from the French meaning "coarse texture". This has a woven look to it with a matt effect. It usually comes in plain colours.
This can work well on cards with a country feel to them, or on "man" cards. Some companies are now starting to produce grosgrain with a repeat block printed pattern eg a paw print design, or a message.
Satin: This is normally made from silk, rayon or polyester. It has a smooth shiny surface and tends to have a right side and a wrong side to it.The "wrong" side is duller than the "right" side. Make sure you get it the right way on your cards!
Silk: A luxurious material which will add an expensive feel to your work. White or cream can work very well on wedding cards.
Sheer: As the name suggests this type is sheer. It has a more open weave and is lightweight. It is like a chiffon or organza. You can often find it edged with a silver or gold thread. This type of ribbon is perfectly suited to special occasion cards such as wedding cards, christening or sympathy cards.
For this card the background was multi stamped using Versamark with a floral Rubber Stamp.
The images were then dusted over with various colours of Cosmic Shimmer Powders.
A strip of Sheer Ribbon in a contrasting colour was run along the lower part of the card and the same ribbon was used in a bow above a sentiment tag.
Velvet: This is the most luxurious ribbon, with a plush "right" side and a smooth "wrong" side. The most expensive are made from silk thread but nowadays there are a lot of cheaper velvets made from cotton or synthetics. These are perfectly good enough for cardmaking.
Patterned: Polka dot and gingham are the most popular patterns avaliable. They come in a wide range of colours and can give your cards a "Happy" feel.
Many manufacturers are now producing patterned ribbons which co-ordinate with their range of papers and other embellishments.
Peel 'n' Stick: To use these you simply peel them off the backing sheet, cut to size and stick onto your card. They are often themed and you will get a number of designs on one sheet.
Wired: You can get all different sorts of ribbon which are wired edged. This is really useful because you can bend and twist it into different positions on your cards.
TIP: Check out the remnants bin at local haberdashery shops for off cut bargains.
TIP: Go to local markets and see what you can find. It will be cheaper than always buying from craft shops.
TIP: If you are wondering how to tie ribbon easily around your card take a look at this short video:
