I'm so excited! Beth aka showmestamper, the Technique Lover's Challenge hostess on Splitcoaststampers, is using my suggestion for this week's challenge, Frayed Ribbon. Check it out and play along!
This is a notebook I did with my downline when we met at the Minneapolis Regionals last fall. I used the stamp set, All Through the Year and the background stamp Paisley Print - though Flannel Plaid also looks very good with All Through the Year.
I actually taught 2 tricks with this project. The first was to fray the ribbon:
I got the idea from the "Bubble Queen" card in the new IBC and started playing with the grosgrain to see what I could do with it.
1)Start with a sharp fabric scissors. I keep a fabric scissors in my stamp area with a big ribbon tied to it. Everyone who stamps with me knows that this scissors is only for ribbon - never for paper!
2.)Cut with a 4 or 5 inch strip of grosgrain. You need to trim 1 edge of the ribbon very close to the edge. If you sew it would be like trimming off the selvege (sp??). #1 in picture
3.)Set this aside, then pull off a third to half of the threads. You'll end up with a fringe piece, a trimmed thread-like piece, and loose threads #2 a, b & c. Its fun to mix colors to match your work. I include the trimmed selvege, and sometimes even the fringy part, with the loose threads, twist very slightly before knotting them. I attach them with a mini glue dot but you could try to loop them through a hole before tying them. You can also use the threads to tie through buttons and attach tags. I hope this makes sense. (I'll add the picture when I find it)
The second trick was to put the cover on to the notebook. This is much easier than it looks. You simply:
- Tear out a sheet of the paper, hold it firmly against the piece you wish to cover your notebook with and punch through all the holes - in this case with a 1/8" punch.
- Once you've punched the holes make a tiny cut from the edge of the cover into each hole.
- Carefully place your cover over the notebook and, starting from the middle and working out to the edges, press the holes over the spiral.
- Use a good adhesive to attach your new cover to the original. Add a tiny bit at the top and the bottom of your spirals too.
I've carried the first notebook pictured in my bag for quite a while before the picture was taken so they hold up pretty well.
Do check out the challenge - all you need is a little bit of grosgrain ribbon!
Great idea...I'll see if I have time to play!
Posted by: Allison | March 05, 2007 at 10:50 AM
I love your work!! I stumbled on your blog after viewing one of your creations on SCS and realized your work is generously represented in my favorites! I've subscribed to this blog and can't wait to for your next installment. (And I can't wait to try some of the fun things you feature here... So much stamping-- so little time!!! Thanks so much for sharing your creativity and talent.
-- Denise
Posted by: dglong | March 06, 2007 at 08:05 AM
Great technique! Can't wait to give it a try. TFS
I'm truly enjoying your BLOG. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Teryl | March 06, 2007 at 10:31 AM
Great idea Chris! It was a fun challenge. Thank you!
Posted by: Beate | March 06, 2007 at 06:35 PM
I can't figure out how you got the edge of the paper through the spine of the notebook....
Did you have to punch the holes???
Lori
Posted by: paperchick | March 13, 2007 at 04:54 PM
Awesome tutorial, will try this when I get home from work and will post to my blog... Love it!!!
Posted by: Val Lodder | March 30, 2007 at 12:30 PM
You are fabulous. I was just checking for a website that had how to apply watermarks to pictures and I got you. What a great surprise. Thank you so much! I love you already! kt
Posted by: kivonne | September 10, 2007 at 12:55 PM
I added a link to this technique on our blog here: http://trimgraphics.blogspot.com/
I hope you don't mind. Please let me know if you want me to remove it!
Posted by: Skye | November 26, 2007 at 01:26 PM