May Arts Ribbon Organization Blog Hop & Giveaway Day 3

Today is Day 3 of the May Arts Design Team Ribbon Organization Blog Hop!  If you missed Days 1 & 2,  it's not too late to get in.  Scroll down to find a complete list, then click away to comment and win some ribbon so you can organize your own awesome May Arts ribbon!

As you might have imagined, the May Arts Design Team acquires a lot of ribbon.  Since everyone's storage situations are different, we thought you might like to see the different ways we store our ribbons.

You may have heard me lament that I have only one full wall in my studio.  One wall!  I keep my paper, storage unit and cutting/embossing area there.

The second wall is broken by a walk in closet and hallway door, the third wall has a bathroom door and the fourth wall isn't a wall at all.  It's all glass...a set of sliding glass doors that open up the entire wall. 

That means there's no where to put a ribbon rack so we had to get creative.  We went to IKEA and got this free standing kitchen island.  The drawers are very deep and it gives me a work surface as well.  I have two other pieces from this collection in my work room as well.  We opted for these for the storage potential and so we can take them with us if and when we move.
 

                       

It's finished on all 4 sides so it sits in the center of my studio.  Here's what my ribbon looks like:

 

 



I organize my ribbons mostly by color since I don't have the room to store by style.

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule!  ;-)

The bottom drawer is similarly organized and also holds my ribbon scraps.  The drawers also keep my ribbon dust free and safe from sunlight.

Now it's time to take a look at how some of the other Ribbonistas store their ribbons.  We've got an every other day hop planned for you so be sure to check back in and hop along.

The Ribbon Lady will be giving away 3 full rolls of May Arts Ribbon (winners choice) so be sure to leave plenty of comments on each Ribbonistas blog for your chance to win.

Monday
Candy Rosenberg
Charlene Driggs (that's me!)
DeeDee Catron
Emily Lanham
Erika Taylor
Wednesday
Erin Thiem
Gini Williams Cagle
Jen Shears
Jenifer Cowles
Karen Baker
Friday
Lalo IK
Leah Farrar-White
Sandy Allnock
Virginia Fynes

Thanks for joining us.  We'd love to know how you store your ribbon too. 

Clean and Simple Pinterest Interest

If you missed the May Arts Organization Blog Hop, you can catch up by scrolling down or clicking the link.  It's an every other day hop that lasts all week, so you have time to get in on the ribbon giveaway.  ;-)

In the meantime, here's a card I created for the CAS216 Pinterest Challenge on SplitcoastStampers.

You can find the challenge photo at the link.  Denise chose a fun party theme.  Be sure to check it out and play along.  I was inspired by the happy colors.

First card I've made in awhile so it felt good to get creative.  Be sure to play along..the challenges run all week!

Supplies:
Cardstock - Neenah
Stamps - Papertrey Ink Funky Florals, Healing Touch Sentiments
Ink - Fresh Ink, Versafine Black
Other - ruler, fine tip pen

Baby Onsie Dress and Headband Tutorial

Be sure to pop over to the May Arts Blog today.  I've got a sweet little tutorial for a baby onsie dress and headband you won't want to miss. 

There's a surprise underneath the dress too.  Great way to get those spring and summer baby gifts made for just a few dollars.  If you can sew a straight line, you can do this!!

Be sure to leave your comments on the May Arts blog!  We love to know what you think.

May Arts Light It Up Blue Blog Hop - Autism Awareness Day

The May Arts Design Team has a very special reason to Light It Up Blue for autism research today.  

   
Research and education have erased many of the misconceptions about autism but it's important to keep the research going and to learn the signs of autism.  For more information, I encourage you to visit  The Autism Research Foundation and Austim Speaks.

The puzzle piece is often used as a symbol for Autism.  I wondered why, so I did a little searching and found this explanation:

"The puzzle represents the ambiguity and mystery around the causes and understanding of Autism. The puzzle piece is often used in graphics for Autism and Autism Treatment.

Many early Autism Awareness campaigns used the slogan

“Help Solve the Puzzle (of Autism)”

You also now see the puzzle pieces on the autism ribbons, as a multi-colored puzzle."
 

I have a couple of projects that I hope will inspire you to bless the life of someone you may know or the parents of someone you may know who is living with autism.

I found a puzzle cookie cutter and some gel paste food coloring at Sweet Baking Supply. (Excellent prices and fair shipping!) so I dug out my favorite Lemon Sugar Cookie recipe and created a "sweet" gift.   I found the free printable labels here. 

After mixing the sugar cookie dough, I divided it into 4 equal pieces, added food color to each piece, then rolled and stacked the colored logs.  Chill the dough, press any open areas together ;-) 

Cut with the puzzle cutter and bake.

If baking isn't your thing, I created this quick and easy flower seed envelope.  I chose Forget Me Not Seeds because I thought the name was most appropriate and they're a beautiful blue.

I hand dyed some beautiful May Arts eyelet ribbon blue then stitched and gathered it into a spiral flower.  Some beautiful sparkly blue embossing powder highlights the sentiment.  I attached all my elements to a pretty paper doily then just clipped them to the bag with a hand dyed mini clothespin.  

If you'd like the Lemon Sugar cookie recipe let me know.  It's a delicious recipe I've used for years.  

Be sure to visit the rest of the team on the hop for more Light It Up Blue inspiration and comment to win these beautiful blue ribbons of your very own.



Charlene Driggs (that's me!)

DeeDee Catron

Emily Lanham

Erin Thiem

Gini Williams Cagle

Jen Shears

Jenifer Cowles

Lalo Ik

Leah Farrar-White

Sandy Allnock

Virginia Fynes

May Arts Ribbons used:
Cookie gift - Mesh - AH04 (paper basket - Papertrey Ink)
Seed packet - Eyelet Ribbon - 447-1-01, Solid/diagonal Stripes 424-18-34, Paper Cord - 420-94 (stamps and label die - Papertrey Ink); Embossing powder - Sparkle n Sprinkle Blueberry

Happy Easter

It's not about a bunny.  It's about Jesus.

Giveaway Winner

When we were little, our Mom always made us be very quiet between the hours of 3-6 p.m. or at least as quiet as 5 children could be.  It was a time to reflect and remember...

Since I was sick, I missed the deadline for the CAS-ual Friday challenge (CFC95) last week but I did get a card done.  We were to make a card with no stamps!  Since the sponsor was a sticker company, I decided to go waaaay back in time and use stickers....remember those?  A local church was given a bunch of scrapbooking supplies when a scrapbook here went out of business a few years ago.  They couldn't store all of it so they gave it away.

I got alot of stickers.  Kept a few and made lots of kids happy too. :-)

Now for this week's giveaway winner....

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

6

Timestamp: 2013-03-29 10:10:36 UTC

 Nikki said...

I saw your yummy muffin and am soo happy you added the recipe looks so good I could almost lick my screen :P thanks for sharing hugs Nikki

March 22, 2013 at 9:14 PM

 

Congrats, Nikki!  PM me with your snail address and I'll get your stamps to you.

Summer's Coming..at least I hope so!

Ah Spring....battling the last (I hope!) bout of coughing and stuffy nose for the last few days.  I've missed out on the spring cold for a few years so I guess I was due but my goodness, this one is a doozy.   Which is why I'm sooooo ready for summer!!

I've got a sunny summer project for you on the May Arts Blog.  Of course, there's a tutorial as well.   This last spell of winter is the perfect time to get ready for those lazy days at the beach or pool.

Grab a couple of cute towels and I'll show you what you can do with them!

 

 

I'll see you at the beach!  You won't want to miss this one.   Don't forget to leave me a comment on the May Arts blog!

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop - Sequins!

Fun challenge on Papertrey's Make it Monday this week...Sequins!  All of sudden these old standbys are cool again.

I found these cool square sequins at Michael's the other day.  Silver and variegated blues all in one package. Love them!

All supplies Papertrey Ink except for sequins and Spellbinders square dies.  Not sure what the dark fuzz is in the photo ..not a thing on the card.

Foodie Friday & a little Surprise

It's Friday...already!  Goodness, this week has just flown by and I've still got a million things to do.  DH has been raising $$ for MDA this month and they had a car wash as one of the activities.  I thought it might be nice to bless those who showed up to wash cars with a sweet treat.

I took my favorite Sourcream Coffeecake Recipe and turned it into individual muffins so it would be easier to eat.  The recipe serves 16 and it made exactly 16 warm, cinnamony treats.   DH took 15 to the car wash.

SOMEBODY had to taste them and since I was the only one available, I made the sacrifice.  It...was...worth...it!

You can a printable/downloadable recipe HERE.

Since you'll have to make your own muffins, I thought I'd bless a sweet follower with a little treat too:

A set of stamps for making some beautiful monogrammed notecards or birthday cards or wedding cards or thank you cards...you get the idea!

Just leave me a comment and I'll draw a winner on Good Friday.

Be blessed!

WOYWW198

The mess is back as you can see and as usual, there are several projects in progress.  I've cut some grass for the bunnies you saw last week but that's as far as I got.  The rest, are parts and pieces of a project for Autism Awareness Day.  Any guesses?

Be sure to pop over to Julia's Stamping Ground to see what else is going on in the crafting world.  Might be sewing, cards, jewelry, needlework...you never know!  Be sure to link up your mess, er, ah...desk so we can feel better.  ;-)

Clean and Simple Teapot Tuesday

Two cards today...first up is the SplitCoastStampers CAS212 challenge.  This week is a Pinterest Inspiration Challenge based on this beautiful cake:

 

 

I pulled out a scrap of watercolor paper and my much neglected watercolor pencils to create this CAS card:

 

 

I have a dear friend who has cancer and I've made a personal commitment to send her a card every week to remind her how precious her life has been to me.  Sometimes they're funny and sometimes like this one, a bit more reflective and elegant...just like she is.

 





Next is the Teapot Tuesday Challenge MMTPT242.  This week our cards are going to Bill Dewhurst.  Bill has leukemia and is in 100 days of isolation following his treatment.  We're sending Bill some of his favorite things to cheer him up while he's there.

 

I love this shiny cloud paper!  My hot air balloons are swaying in the breeze.  After having flown in one, I can tell you they do not fly straight up!  I popped them up on a bit of foam tape.  I was wishing I had thought to dig out one of my Wobblers for the big balloon...hmmm...maybe I can still do that.  It would be a fun element for Bill, don't you think?

 

If you'd like to send Bill a card, here are the details:

Scripture is ok...he thanks God everyday. His favorite colors are black & orange. He loves hot air balloons, anything to do with flying & loves computers, electronics etc. and Eeyore:

Bill Dewhurst
21283 Hurita Place
Bend, Oregon 97702

Poppy Card:
Stamps - Stampin Up; Papertrey Ink
Cardstock - Neenah; watercolor paper; scrap DP
Ink - Versafine
Ribbon - May Arts Satin

Hot Air Balloon Card:
Stamps - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock - Neenah; K&Co. Citronella
Ink - Memento; Copics; Staz-On
Ribbon - May Arts Chevron
Other - foam tape; sewing machine

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the new followers on BlogLovin'!  I think it may be time for another giveaway, you think?

Fabric Gift Bags May Arts Ribbon Style

I've got a post for you at the May Arts Blog today that will make you want to dust off your sewing machine and start sewing!  If you can sew a straight line, you can make beautiful gifts with matching cards and tags for mere pennies.  Better yet, no one else will have one just like yours because...YOU made it!

Here's a sneak peek...we always love to know what you think so be sure to leave a comment on the May Arts Blog.

Swollen and Google Reader

Still swollen from my dental procedure and suffering from lack of sleep so no fun stuff today.

FYI...Google is discontinuing Google Reader effective July 1. I have signed up with Blog Lovin and will be looking for another way for you to follow as well.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

If you follow me there, leave a comment and let me know...I'll have a giveaway for all who link up.

Thanks!

WOYWW197 - Surprises

It's time for What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday and  I've had no time to stamp yet this week so my desk has been quite neglected I'm afraid.

That white mat you see is one of those heat, glue, ink resistant mats that I got at an awesome price from Happy N Scrappin' (she's going out of business so you might still be able to score some good buys).

The buxom French inspired card in the background is a Teapotter RAK that I received from none other than the Queen Mudder, Cindy Motherway aka Mothermark. We were supposed to surprise her on Tickle a Teapotter Tuesday and then SHE surprised all of us with a card of her own.  That lady is seriously talented.

Those two pink and green beauties as well as the butterfly, and the embossed panels were RAK's from Splitcoaster, "Broom", another seriously talented Teapotter.  The last Tuesday of each month is "Tickle a Teapotter Tuesday".  We never know to whom our cards will be going until we get a secret message with the name.  Come play along!

I punched the bunnies but have yet to put them into action...guess I better hurry, huh?

Be sure to pop over to Julia's Stamping Ground for WOYWW197 to see what the rest of the world has been up to.  There are always something interesting from sewing projects to cards and other art.

I'll be spending the first three hours of today in the dentist's chair getting a crown replaced.  Needless to say, I am NOT looking forward to it.

Foodie Friday - Cake Pops!

I haven't done a Foodie Friday in what seems like forever.  DH is having a bake sale for MDA and cake pops are always a hit.  I made a homemade chocolate cake (an easy one bowl cake that will make you wonder why you buy a mix).  Instead of my usual PB frosting, I made an awesome silky chocolate frosting to stir into the crumbled cake.  Email me if you'd like the recipe.

Standing at attention waiting while the rest of the gang gets ready for the chocolate bath (sorry, the light in the kitchen today was awful!)

Drying off after a nice warm bath in chocolate

I was hoping this one would fall off the stick so the cook could nibble but noooooo...

All wrapped up, boxed and ready to go!

Hope they bring in lots of $ for the kids.   :-)