Hot Tip -- Custom Printed Ribbon from your Home Computer

Wow  what a beautiful world.

We had a 18 inches of new fallen snow last week, I loved every minute of it. Six neighbors joined us for hot chili, stuffed peppers, and chicken noodle soup. Neighbor Shelly brought homemade lemon squares and brownies. We sat beside a roaring fire, exchanging laughter and good stories. Many trips to the window to see if it was still snowing, and it was about 11:00 pm when the stars came out.

Now that you are informed of the weather reports here on the mountain, I want to share a great ribbon tip I just learned about…..custom printing on ribbon from your computer printer.

You will want to use a smooth ribbon such as double faced satin above and be careful--not all printers can handle the width of ribbon.  But, if you know your printer can handle cardstock, you should be safe.  I used 1-1/2 inch width double faced satin ribbon in ivory for my bookmark and borrowed a verse from one of my favorite poets, Robert Browning. 

Think of  all the possibilites--kids birthday party goody bags, anniversary parties, wedding favors, bookmarks, tags for your homemade gifts such as jams, knitting.    Scrapbookers, crafters and party planners beware....you'll be hooked.

Now for the craft. It doesn't matter which software you use; just as long as it prints text.

1. Print out the text you would like to repeat on a piece of regular computer paper-if you are making a lot of tags, repeat the text leaving enough space between lines to accommodate the width of the ribbon you are using. (Leave the paper intact, don't cut.)  
2. Cut a length of ribbon to fit the text; (several lengths if you are making more than one).
3. Use "spray on" glue to the underside of the ribbon (the side you are attaching to the paper) or scotch tape around edges to hold the ribbon in place over your text. Don’t put tape over area to be printed or you'll have ink on the tape and not the ribbon.
4. Now put the ribbon attached to the paper in the printer feeder. 
5. Hit print again and voila! You have custom printed ribbon.

One more thought--this could  make cute tags for homemade items, sewn or knitted items, even jams or jellies.

If you would like to try this, of course we'd love you to try our ribbon.  We offer 196 different colors of double faced satin to choose from in 7 widths and great prices.  Over the Moon Ribbons

Jumping the Broom

Can you believe it’s the end of January? Hope you have some fun planned for February.  I like February, my birthday falls in February, I think there are a few Presidents days involved, Valentine’s Day, and the superbowl.

I just spent last week working on a wedding in Manhattan. It was a lovely wedding with a winter theme. There were seven designers working on the flowers.  I was the personal flower person. After I have finished all the bouquets, boutonnières, corsages , flower girl things, ring bearer things etc., I put them to bed  in a refrigerated space to wait for the big moment.

I then step into my role as the fru fru girl adding ribbons bows more fresh flowers to lovely baskets and containers filled with mounds of tulle. It looks so special when presented to the bridal party.

Delivery day we all play the role of Jacks and Jills of all trades including sweeping and cleaning if necessary. On a wedding of large scale, much of the work is done on premise.

Since we are talking about weddings, did you ever hear of Jumping the Broom?

During the days of slavery when African American couples were forbidden to marry, ceremonies that could be performed secretly developed to celebrate a union; one of them is Jumping the Broom.

The bride and bridesmaids decorated the broom with ribbons and bows before the ceremony.  The broom was the symbolic act of sweeping away the old life and celebrating a new life together. A basket of ribbon was usually placed at the ceremony so family and friends could symbolically show their support by tying pieces of ribbon onto the broom. I think this sounds so sweet and charming.

I have never decorated a broom, but I have decorated a long piece of ribbon with a garland of greenery and flowers for one wedding. When the ceremony ended the couple stepped over the ribbon and into their new life together. The flowers dried nicely and they we incorporated into a decoration for their home.

I love to hear of different traditions, if you have some to share please be in touch.

If they don’t include ribbon, I am sure I can figure out a way to make it into a ribbon project.

Next week I think we will do another valentine craft, stay tuned, and keep your creative juices flowing.