Shirred Ribbon and Fancy Bows

I {Heart} Papers at Papercraft Planet challenged crafters to use wide ribbon in a card or project. I love using wide ribbon. (I define wide as anything wider than 1 inch.) I think a generous length of luxurious ribbon adds elegance and sophistication to a card in a way that nothing else can match.

For this card, I started with a watercolored rose and ribbon painted to coordinate with this beautiful patterned paper from Amy Butler's Tea Box Collection (K&Co.). The image was stamped and embossed in gold on Strathmore watercolor paper, painted with watercolors, and then carefully cut out and mounted on a double mat of ivory and gray card stock.

I chose a soft pink wired satin ribbon. Cutting a length twice the width of the card, I shirred the ribbon on the wires, knotting the wires on each end and folding the ends of the ribbon and wires under at each edge. After gluing the shirred ribbon strip onto an ivory panel with punched lace edges, I tacked each side of the ribbon strip with an embellished button (K&Co.) and attached a separate bow.

Finishing touches include a double matted oval with a sentiment for the inside of the card, and green glitter brads to anchor the corners of the design paper.

Another simple technique for adding elegance to a card is the use of multiple mats. For this card, I started with a dark gray card stock foundation and then layered first an ivory mat and then the patterned paper card front. The intermediate layer defines the patterned paper and pulls the eye toward the ivory lace on the print.

The extra mat also serves the added purpose of providing an extra layer in which to conceal the ends of brads and ribbons. The button brads and green corner brads are secured through the patterned and ivory layers only; once the card front is attached to the base, the brad ends are hidden and the inside of the card is clean and intact.

Adding an ivory panel with punched lace edges under the shirred ribbon strip gives a finishing touch to the ribbon trim that also coordinates with the overall scalloped lacy design of the print.

Recipe:

Stamps: #96614 Expressions (inside greeting) and #90438X Roses and ribbon (both by Inkadinkadoo)
Paper: “Tea Box Collection” (K&Co. Specialty Paper Pack by Amy Butler); ivory card stock; Gray card stock (K&Co.)
Ink: Antique Pewter (ColorBox); Versamark; Detail Gold embossing powder (Ranger)
Accessories: 1.5 inch wired satin ribbon (SewEssentials, JoAnn Fabrics); decorative buttons (K&Co.); green glitter brads (Karen Foster); lace edge punch (Martha Stewart); Pink rhinestones (Darice); Watercolor pencils