Happy New Year from Really Reasonable Ribbon

HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone!  Personally, I'm NOT going out tonight.  We're all snuggled safely inside the house with our four bottles of sparkling cider, a couple of good movies, and lots of fattening snacks!  All three of our kids are home, and we're having a great time.  But then again, we always do.

Let me tell you this.....I had help with my bows.  My church friend, Rachel Loya, is a very talented bow maker.  In fact, she has an ADORABLE shop on Facebook called Bows By RayLo and you can see all her amazing creations and even order bows, headbands and more.  Let her know I sent you if you do visit her store.  She does give-aways and fun things on her Facebook site, too!

 

The most focal ribbon used in this bow is the GORGEOUS (and my all-time FAVORITE so far), the Natural Burlap Wide Ribbon With Wired Edge Red & White.  There are also several of the Christmas Ribbon Club ribbons worked into this bow including Plaid Christmas Ribbon Red/Green, the Karen White Crochet Lace (COME ON, people!  You've GOT to love the name of that ribbon....LOL).  I also incorporated Emerald Green Wide Grosgrain and Big Random Dots Grosgrain White with Red into the bow.  Really Reasonable Ribbon is just FILLED with GORGEOUS ribbons and trims of every texture, width, color and style.  You're sure to find exactly what you need, and always at a great price.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenges - Simon Says:  "Anything Goes"
 

Thanks so much for stopping by, and again I wish you all a very BLESSED and SAFE New Year's Eve!

 

My Cup Runneth Over,

Karen

 

 

Light Kraft Cardstock From TKJ

Happy New Year, everyone!  I'm here to share the Kraft Journal's What Hot Wednesday segment with you all this week.  I hope you're all having a safe, fun time with family and friends; and on behalf of the entire Kraft Journal Team, we all wish you a blessed and prosperous 2015!

This week's featured Kraft Outlet product is their AWESOME Light Kraft Cardstock.  While ALL of the Kraft Outlet's card stocks are wonderful, this particular cardstock is sure to become a favorite the first time you try it.  I used the Light Kraft Cover Weight Cardstock.  All the Kraft Outlet's cardstocks will run through most printers, and can be used for a wide variety of projects.  For today's projects, I wanted to show you real quickly how incredibly easy it is to make a useful gift-giving idea.  Sometimes you want to give someone a little more than just a card, but not a "huge" gift.  Making a bookmark/tag is the perfect solution.  These sweet little hand-made tags can be tucked inside a card for friends to use as a bookmark, or just as a reminder that you're thinking of them.

For my first tag, I cut the Light Kraft Cover Weight Cardstock into the shape and size I desired.  I inked the edges, and ran some Natural Hemp Cord through the loop hole.  I cut an antique cream doily in half, and placed one half on each of my tags on alternating sides.  I added a Round Metal Edged Grungy Prim Hang Tag with a (love you) rub-on sentiment that was applied using my handy dandy Bone Folder Tool.  Adding rub-ons, especially in small spaces, can be really tricky.  By using a Bone Folder Tool, it's much easier to control where the rub-on is being placed.  There are LOTS of great uses for this awesome tool.  Next, I used Walnut Ink to stain a Tiny Wooden Clothespin that I secured to the tag.

For the second tag, I again used the Light Kraft Cover Weight Cardstock to cut my base.  I again ran the Natural Hemp Cord through the loop hole, but this time I also added a bow made from Oatmeal Cream Hand-Stained Bias Tape.  I stamped a sentiment onto a Tim Holtz Journaling Ticket.  I also placed a sweet little Tim Holtz Memo Pin in the bow at the top of my tag.

 

There's really not a whole lot to these tags.  I simply wanted to show you all how incredibly easy it is to make a small gift using Light Kraft Cover Weight Cardstock and all our fabulous Cardstocks.  We hope you will check them out, give them a try, and then stop by to play along in our Happy New Year Challenge this week.

Happy New Year, and may God bless you!

Karen

Country Goodness In A Jar

I just LOVE mason jars!  I love decorating with them, I think they're adorable as wedding reception accents, I keep my buttons in mason jars (assorted by color), they're a cute country accent, and I just think they're SO sweet.  When I saw this week's challenge at Papertrey Ink, I knew right away that I wanted to do a project using a jar using Melissa Phillips' tutorial from Challenge #182.  This is front view of my jar:

This isn't actually a mason jar.  It's a small fruit jar that I picked up for a quarter at a garage sale this summer.  I painted the outside of the jar and the top of the lid in Robin's Egg Blue.  Then, I used a stamp to add some accents to the jar.  Next I took several of my lovely ribbons and trims from Really Reasonable Ribbon including their Lipstick Red Seam Binding, Natural Burlap Wire-Edged Ribbon With Red and White Trim, Light Blue Plaid Ribbon, and some Juliet Natural Crochet Lace around the lip of the jar lid.  Below is a photo of the top of the jar:

I placed a Prima wooden button in the center of my bow, and then attached a Papertrey Ink stamped sentiment on the button using jute and a miniature safety pin.  The jar is stamped with a polka dot small star stamp from Papertrey Ink's Tiny Tags II Stamp Set. I also used Papertey Ink's Love Lives Here Holiday Stamp Set (old version) for the stamped (friend) sentiment.  The jar is sitting on a doily that was cut from red gingham patterned paper and cut using a Cheery Lynn Designs die-cut.  Here is a side view picture of the jar:

I am sharing my jar in the following challenges:

 

Papertrey Ink Make It Monday Challenge - Challenge #195 - 2014 A la Carte - I used Melissa Phillips Stamped Jar Tutorial from Challenge #182.  The PTI products I used (listed above) are the Love Lives Here Holiday Stamp Set and the Tiny Tags 2 Stamp Set.

 

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says:  Anything Goes

 

Inspired By Stamping - Joanna Munster's Blog - IBSIC #89 - Color Challenge - I just ADORE this sweet color combination as well as the gingham print!

Classy Cards-N-Such Blog - Challenge #65 - Happy New Year (Use Something New and Bling) - My something new would be the ribbons and wooden button.  The bling, well, I don't have any - other than the fact that it's all in a shiny glass jar!  My CCNS products used include   Natural Trim - Cream Crochet Lace (around edge of jar lid), seam binding and Cheery Lynn Designs French Pastry Doily Die-Cut.

Cheery Lynn Designs Blog - Challenge #165 - Thank You - This project was made for a very special friend who has been SUCH a blessing to me since I lost my sister in October.  I'm giving her this jar filled with her favorite little candies to say THANK YOU for being such a great friend!  The Cheery Lynn Designs die I used is the Small French Pastry Doily Die-Cut that is at the base of my jar, and the jar is setting on.  It's one of my most favorite dies ever!
 

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I really appreciate your visit, and look forward to visiting your blogs this week as well.

 

Blessings to all,

Karen

Pretty Winter Mittens

It's Christmas Eve!  What a fun time to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  While we know that this isn't truly the exact date of His birth, it's still the time of year when we acknowledge that God sent His only begotten Son to this earth to live a holy and perfect life.  He came to become a sacrifice for our sins.  He IS the awaited Messiah, and He truly IS the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  No more waiting, no more searching, God has provided a way for us to get to Heaven through the gift of Jesus.  Now, that's something worth celebrating!

 My gifts are all wrapped and placed under the tree, my Wild Rice Soup (a family tradition here at our house) is simmering in the crock pot, the cookies are all made, and we're enjoying some family time.  Yet, somehow or another, I found time to sneak off into my craft room to create a couple of sweet little Winter Mittens.  I took some pictures while there was still enough light outside, and I thought that I might as well just go ahead and post them.  Then, I will disappear for a few days as we celebrate Christmas.

 

My Winter Mittens were created using a Papertrey Ink mitten die.  On my pink mitten, I used a pink patterned winter print from October Afternoon as well as a layer of vellum, and added several trims from Really Reasonable Ribbon including the Juliet Crochet Lace, Pink Seam Binding, and May Arts Ivory Jute.  I also incorporated some painted and glittered bells, Crate Paper chipboard, and a Papertrey Ink stamped sentiment (wish) on a mini tag secured with a mini safety pin.

My blue mitten also uses an October Afternoon patterned paper and vellum for the mitten base.  Then, I added several trims from Really Reasonable Ribbon including the Juliet Crochet Lace, Red Double Ruffled Gingham, and May Arts burlap twine in red and ivory.  I also used a pipe cleaner candy cane, a painted and glittered bell, an October Afternoon ornament cut-out outlined with gold Stickles, and a Papertrey Ink stamped sentiment (Holiday Hugs).

I hope that you are all enjoying your Christmas Eve, and that this year is a wonderful one for you and your family.  We've certainly had a rough year, but we remain ever grateful for the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.  In the bigger picture, even when times are tough, we know that God has blessed us far beyond what we deserve. I'm SO grateful for each of you.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

My Cup Runneth Over,

Karen

 

I'm sharing my Winter Mittens in these challenges:

Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Anything Goes"

 

Inspired By Stamping - Challenge #89 - I used the Color Inspiration for this project.  I absolutely ADORE this color combo!

Curtain Call Challenges - Challenge #15 - Candy Canes - My candy cane is actually at the top left of my Blue Mitten.

My Craft Spot By Kimberly - Challenge #162 - Bag & Boxes - I made my Winter Mittens into "bags" by adding a second layer.  I'm thinking I will tuck some candies inside along with a gift card and use them for my sweet nieces!  You can easily make die-cut cards and projects into bags by die-cutting an extra layer and securing all edges except for the top!
 

Red, Robin's Egg Blue and Gingham

One of my many favorite color combinations is red and robin's egg blue.  I also love seeing the gingham in this mix.  So when I saw the Color Challenge over at Inspired By Stamping, I knew that I would be entering more than once.  I already have a painted jar project in the works, and I will definitely be using this sweet color combination once again.  Here is the inspiration photo I used (and love)!

I started my card with a patterned paper from October Afternoon's 5 & Dime Collection, and added a piece of red gingham.  All my papers were inked, and machine stitched together.  Next, I added a square of gingham patterned paper and then created a flag/tag out of washi tapes.  The sentiment is a rub-on, and I also added a bow made from Baker's Twines and a button is placed in the center.  It's a fairly simple card, and I enjoyed having a sketch and color inspiration to follow.

I'm sharing my card here:

 

Inspired By Stamping - Challenge #89 - I took inspiration from BOTH the Sketch and the Color Challenges.

Curtain Call Challenge Blog - Challenge #15 - Although I didn't use a Candy Cane on this card, I was inspired by the AWESOME colors in the inspiration photo.

Little Scrap Pieces - Saturday Linky Party

 

Thanks for visiting, and have a wonderful week!

Karen

Subtle Hints For Hubby

Christmas is approaching quickly, and if your husband is anything like mine, he doesn't have a clue what you REALLY want.  MANY years ago, I informed my hubby that vacuum cleaners, etc. don't qualify as Christmas gifts.  If you'd like to receive something that you really want this year, I highly suggest either treating yourself to some FABULOUS new ribbons and trims from Really Reasonable Ribbon and just telling him to "consider it a Christmas gift"; OR.....leave him a little "wish list" letting him know you'd like to get the Monthly Ribbon Club subscription.  Trust me, he will be happy to know you're getting something you really want, and you will be happy not to receive a new toaster or a pair of fluffy elephant slippers, but instead...a year of lovely ribbons.  LOL

For this little project, which I placed on my mantel for the Christmas season, I took a vintage wooden thread spool and wrapped it in a length of Wire-Edged Natural Burlap Trim w/Red-White Stitching.  Next, I painted and stamped a wooden snowflake and topped it with a die-cut and stamped angel that I outlined in gold Stickles.  To really make my project stand out, I added a lovely bow made from Lipstick Red and Moss Green Seam Binding.  I added a jingle bell tied with a length of White Jute String.  There's also a small piece of Moss Green Leaf Trim worked into my bow and cascading down.  I tied a miniature tag with a (Praying For You) sentiment on the length of White Jute String.

For my second project (above), I used a sweet Middy Bitty Bag (With Vertical Stripes) and folded it halfway up.  Then I machine stitched the Middy Bitty Bag With Vertical Stripes to create a pocket.  I tucked in a Starbucks gift card, and also added a length of the adorable 2 1/2" Cotton Blend Holiday Snowflake Ribbon.  I used the same 2 1/2" Cotton Blend Holiday Snowflake Ribbon, Red Burlap String, White Jute String, Plaid Christmas Ribbon and White Crochet Lace to create a (removable) hair bow to the gift bag as well.  I used a Medium French Hair Clip to create my hair bow.

All the FAULOUS ribbons, laces and trims from Really Reasonable Ribbon work together beautifully to create the most lovely projects, and really compliment one another.  You're sure to find something WONDERFUL in the Really Reasonable Shop, and I encourage you to take some time browsing, filling your cart, and then.....leaving that subtle little "hint" for your hubby.  Most husbands are grateful to have some ideas and suggestions for what you truly want; and let's be honest here......who doesn't want new ribbon?  I know that I sure LOVE mine!  These Really Reasonable ribbons, trims and laces are all such high-quality products, and they look amazing on your cards and projects.  Go ahead, treat yourself!

 

Thanks for stopping by today, and I really hope you will visit us again soon.  We look forward to seeing what YOU will do with YOUR new ribbons and trims from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

I'm sharing my art in the following:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - Winter Inspiration

Craft-Dee Bowz Monthly Challenge - December is Christmas/Anything With a Hand-Made Bow - I don't have a bow maker yet so I do make mine by hand.  I would LOVE to have a bow maker to help me make prettier bows for my projects.

 

Happy crafting and have a blessed week,

Karen

Enjoying God's Word

It's time for a great new challenge at Word Art Wednesday; and unlike most weeks, this challenge will last for TWO WEEKS!  This means that you all have two weeks to link up to a total of five (5) projects with us to help increase your odds of winning one of our THREE (3) great prizes up for grabs!  We have a $25 Gift Certificate to the Flying Unicorn Store which is an AMAZING on-line scrapbooking store carrying ALL your favorite big-name brands.  We also have Deedee's Digis as our sweet digital sponsor, as well as an October Afternoon stamp set and washi tape.  Three really awesome prizes, and all you have to do to be entered to win is to stop by and link up you family-friendly creations.  We really hope you will join us.

I made my card using some Daisy Bucket patterned papers from my SUPER DUPER STASH!  I mean, this stuff is OLD, baby! 

 

I'm going to enter my card for today's Word Art Wednesday in the following challenges:

 

Little Scrap Pieces - Linky Party

 

Clear It Out Challenge Blog - Use Your Stash/Anything Goes - These patterned papers from Daisy Bucket Designs are SO OLD that this amazing company no longer even exists!  Their paper is SO cool.  It's very high-quality texturized paper.  If you click my photo and look at the paper up close, you'll see how amazing it is.  I was bummed when this company closed.  Their papers are awesome, but I still have some left to use up in my SUPER STASH!

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Anything Goes - I used VERY old patterned papers for this card, as well as lots of inking, machine stitching, and layering.  It's simple and has lots of texture. These OLD Daisy Bucket papers are SO nice with their bumpy texturized style.  Oldies but goodies.  Thanks for another fun challenge!

 

Have a blessed week, and thanks so much for stopping by!

Karen

A Colorful Challege at The Kraft Journal

I admittedly struggle with color challenges, but then again - it's fun to truly CHALLENGE yourself.  So, I started my card with a Large Buff/Ivory Note Card and then added strips of card stock representing each of the colors shown in the beautiful inspiration photo.  Next, I stamped a Christmas scripture sentiment from My Craft Spot's Joy To The World Stamp Set onto a piece of coordinating Buff/Ivory Cover Weight Cardstock and layered it onto the same colored card stocks from the inspiration photo.  Next I added a Crinkled Seam Binding bow topped with a button that has Red Baker's Twine tied through it.

I also inked the edges of my card and added some coordinating colored sequins for some extra sparkle and pizzazz!  It's really quite simple, and the Kraft Outlet makes it easy to create cards from simple to very detailed - all depending on your style or mood.  I really hope you will treat yourself to some new Christmas goodies from the Kraft Outlet, and then come play along in our Color Challenge this week.  You aren't required to use ALL the colors from the inspiration photo, it's just a starting point to give you ideas.  To be eligible for the monthly prize of a $15 gift certificate, you simply need to use either a kraft item or something sold at the Kraft Outlet.  That's easy enough!

I'm sharing this card in the following:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenges - Simon Says "Bling It On" - I just LOVE how sequins give that BLING to your cards!

I really hope you will join us.  Have a super awesome week!

 

Karen

Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog Hop

It's that time of month again for our FUN and INSPIRATIONAL Blog Hop at Really Reasonable Ribbon, and we've got some really amazing projects to share with you all.  You should have arrived here from the very talented Bonnie Garby's Blog, but if you just happened to find the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog Hop by chance, you can go back to the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog to get started.  Just look at this month's GORGEOUS Ribbon Club Assortment.  If you sign up for the monthly Ribbon Club this month, you will get THIS collection, and a new collection of beautiful ribbons each month.

We have prizes, lots of great ribbon projects, and a whole lot of fun for everyone!  For my project, I had the help of a VERY talented bow-making friend who helped me create some LOVELY hair bows using the GORGEOUS December Ribbon Club Assortment.

I used the Grey Plaid Ribbon, the Delicate Satin Stitched Grey, the Silver Metalic Grosgrain and the lovely Priscilla White Crochet Lace as well as Light Wide Grosgrain Ribbon.  There are some sweet little bow accents on the sides, and a gem in the center.  The bow is attached with a French Clip Hair Barrette which we carry in several different sizes for creating bows of all sizes.

Your next stop on the Blog Hop is at the lovely Heather Hudson's Blog and I've had a peek at her amazing project.  You will all LOVE it.  Have lots of fun, and thanks so much for joining us.

 

Blessings to you,

Karen

Decorative Bags at Really Reasonable Ribbon

Hello, ribbon lovers!  I'm here today to share some fun little gift bags I created for Christmas gift-giving using my Really Reasonable Ribbons.  In addition to all the gorgeous ribbons and trims available at Really Reasonable Ribbon, you can also find lots of great Decorative Bags at Really Reasonable Ribbon.  The bags I used are the Diagonal Striped Bitty Bags (turquoise).

The bag on the left (above) is just laying flat and is stuffed with caramel apple suckers.  Yum!  There's also a small vellum bag on top of it with a gift card tucked inside.  You'll find LOTS of great mini bags in the Decorative Bags section that are the perfect size for gift cards!

This bag was covered with Christmas Crate Paper patterned papers and chipboard, and then adorned with several lovely ribbons and trims including some Arianna Natural Crochet Lace, a short length of Red Chevron Striped Twill to which I cut the edges on an angle.  I topped that with a sweet bow made from Sun Rose Seam Binding, Lipstick Red Seam Binding, and May Arts Natural Burlap String/Jute.

My second decorative bag is decorated with the same exact products as listed above.  The difference with this bag is that I folded it halfway up, and then machine stitched it down creating a second pocket.  I've tucked a gift card in this bag as well, along with some peppermint candy sticks.  By folding the bag up like this, you can create a quick and cute little pocket for gift-giving.  Here's a close-up photo of the luscious bow made with my beautiful Really Reasonable Ribbons.

I would love to see you all grab some sweet Decorative Bags and your favorite Really Reasonable Ribbon trims, and then stop by the Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge Blog to link up your Christmas and Holiday Ribbon projects with us.  We love seeing your creative talents at work, and I really hope you will play along.  Have a great week of crafting.

I'm sharing my fun little projects here:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Bling It On" - I didn't use a LOT of sparkle and bling, but I did use some.  I used ultra-fine glitter on my berries to make them BLING!

Color Throwdown Challenge Blog - Challenge #322 - I LOVED this color combination the second I saw it.  Can you tell?

Red Carpet Studio Challenges - Challenge #84 - Inspired By "Elf" - Christmas Holiday Theme

Craftin' Desert Divas - Linky Party #45 - Craft It Up and Link It Up
 

Blessings to you and yours,

Karen

Wednesday Word Art Fun

It's Wednesday again, and time for another great challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  Our sponsors this week are Freckled Fawn (offering a $15 gift certificate) and Crafty Ribbons (offering a ten pound gift certificate).  We sure would love to have you stop by and share your art with us this week.  You can share ANYTHING you create as long as it's family friendly, encouraging, wholesome, G-rated.....you get the general idea, right?  You can link up to five projects each week to help improve your odds of winning.  Come, and play along with us.

I honestly threw this card together in about five minutes.  It was late last night, around 5:30 PM I think, and it was getting dark.  I knew if I didn't whip up a card quickly, I wouldn't have ANY daylight left to snap a picture for the Word Art Wednesday blog post, so I printed out the free scripture/word art file (available on the Word Art Wednesday Blog).  Next, I die cut the scripture file to frame it.  I took two Simple Stories patterned papers and machine stitched them together.  I had a small piece of a kraft straw left on my scrap table, so I grabbed it wrapped some ribbon scraps around it to create a tree, and then placed a star sticker at the top.  Voila!  I was finished!

 

I'm going to link up my card in a few challenges as follows:

 

Classy Cards N Such - Challenge #62 - "Wrappings" - That's exactly what I did with this card.  I literally "wrapped" ribbons and trims around a paper straw to create my tree.  I used seam binding, lace and Simple Stories patterned papers sold at CCNS.

Stamp & Create Challenge - December/Christmas Theme - What a fun store and fun challenge each month.  Stop by and play along!

 

Pile It On Challenge Blog - Challenge #49 - Christmas/Anything Goes - I absolutely LOVE Cuddly Buddly Stamps.  Have you seen their ADORABLE new Christmas sets?

Red Carpet Studios Challenges - Challenge #84 - Inspired by Elf - Holiday Theme

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a blessed week, everyone!

Karen

 

White on White at The Kraft Journal

As Christmas approaches, it's a great time to use our Christmas white products.  I was delighted to have the opportunity to use some of my Christmas white favorites from the Kraft Outlet for this week's White On White Challenge.  I can't tell you how much I LOVE this shop, it's owner (a VERY sweet and generous person), and the fun challenges they offer everyone.  Stop by and check us out.

I started my project with a simple trinket box from the Dollar Store and painted it white with inexpensive acrylic paint.  Next, I used Mod Podge to cover the top of the lid with a piece of Vintage Sheet Music, and I lightly touched the edges with more white acrylic paint. I then ran a length of Tape Measure Washi Tape around the outer lip of the lid, and added a Tim Holtz Journaling Ticket (again painting the edges white and dusting them with ultra-fine white glitter).

To that, I added a big fluffy white bow made from Vintage Winter White Hand-Stained Seam Binding and topped that with some jingle bells tied with Natural Hemp Cord and a length of Red Baker's Twine.  I couldn't just stop there, so I added a sweet little Round Metal Edged Grungy Prim Tag and stamped a sentiment on it using a PTI mini stamp set.  I attached a Tiny Wooden Clothes Pin that I also painted white and dusted with ultra-fine white glitter.

There are LOTS of great white products at the Kraft Outlet, and I hope you'll treat yourself to some of these great items, and then stop by to share your creations in this week's White On White challenge, as well as the Anything Goes challenge at Word Art Wednesday.

I'm sharing my project here:
Stamp & Create December Challenge - Christmas Theme

Lawnscaping Challenge Blog - White On White - I really would have loved to use their stamps, but I don't own any yet.  When I saw the White On White Challenge, it fit perfectly with my project, and I'm SO excited to play along!

Classy Cards 'N Such - Challenge #62 - Wrappings - How appropriate since this sweet little box will be the "wrapping" for a gift I'm giving my Mom this Christmas

Red Carpet Studio Challenge - Elf/Christmas Theme - I actually heard there's an elf living inside my Christmas gift box!

Thanks for visiting, and have a great week!
Karen

A Time for Tags, Tags, TAGS!

Well, since it's December, everyone is getting ready for Christmas.  That includes all of us over at Really Reasonable Ribbon.  And since we know how busy everyone is this month, there will only be one challenge this month on the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog, and that challenge is Tags, Tags, TAGS!  If you've made any tags at all, whether they're Christmas tags or not; you're welcome to link them to our fun challenge.  I created a Christmas tag, as well as a non-Christmas tag project, just to get you all motivated to play along!

For my Christmas tag, I used a piece of October Afternoon wooden ruler styled patterned paper.  To that, I added an October Afternoon journaling card as the focal point.  Along the bottom of the tag, I added a length of Ariana Natural Crocheted Lace and a scrap of scalloped red patterned paper.  I also added a Maya Road Christmas Tree paper clip to the bottom right, as well as some bells that I painted Red with Krylon paint and glittered.  I used May Arts Ivory Burlap String  and Red Burlap String to tie on my bells.  There are also some wool felt holly leaves.  I added an October Afternoon to/from tab to the side of the card, and at the top there is a double bow made from Lipstick Red Seam Binding and a length of the pretty May Arts Burlap With Center Stitch in Red ribbon - another FAVORITE of mine.

 

To the back of this tag, I added a Kraft Polka Dot Little Bitty Bag so that the tag could be used to hold a gift card.  These little bags are SO cute, super useful, and they come in various sizes, colors and styles.  They really make gift-giving fun and easy.

For my second project, I made a Recipe Mini Album using large cardboard tags that I covered in Cosmo Cricket Early Bird patterned papers and chipboard.  You will notice that the top of my Tag Album is secured using a jump ring tied with several GORGEOUS trims from Really Reasonable Ribbon including their sweet Plaid Ribbon in Celery Green, Plaid Ribbon in Turquoise, and Chevron Striped Twill in Red.

Throughout the pages of the album, I also incorporated some Green Solid Baker's Twine (in the centers of buttons), May Arts Natural Burlap With Wired Edge Red/White wide trim (LOVE IT!).

I also used some cute recipe cards which are digital images called Vintage Recipe Cards from Daydream Designs.  They're really cute, and because they are digital images, it made it SO easy to size them as needed to fit my tags and add them to my little Tag Recipe Album.

This tag (above) has a little envelope that holds baking/cooking "TIPS" or those well-kept tricks of the trade learned over the years.

It doesn't matter if you use a tag as your base (or an album), if you want to create a to/from tag for gift-giving,  add a tag (or tags) to your card or scrapbook page.....it's COMPLETELY up to you.   The point is simply that you need to have some sort of tag incorporated into your project - it's that simple!  Then, just stop by Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog and link up your TAG projects in our challenge.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  You can find LOTS of great inspiration on the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog EVERY DAY, and all kinds of GORGEOUS ribbons, laces and trims (among other goodies) in the Really Reasonable Ribbon Shop.

I'm sharing my TAG projects here:
Inspired By Stamping - Challenge #88 - I've had SO much fun and inspiration from this wonderful challenge.  On this Christmas tag (first project), I was inspired by BOTH the beautiful color inspiration, AND the Tag Challenge.

Have a blessed week!
Karen