Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Tips & Tricks Tuesdays

I'm starting a new feature on my blog called "Tips & Tricks Tuesdays." I've been a Stampin' Up! demonstrator almost seven years, and I've picked up a lot of tips and tricks along the way. Some are things I learned from other demonstrators, others are things I've learned through trial and error, and some are from my experience as a sewer and quilter.

Today's trick is one I learned from a trimmings shop owner in Nice, France! It's an interesting story. I had flown into Nice for a 10 day trip to France. It was a tour for quilters, so we visited quilt shows, textile museums and fabric stores. I was looking for some ribbon to add to a hat and stopped in a small trimmings shop. I selected my ribbon and took it to the counter. The owner cut my length of ribbon and took out a Bic lighter. She proceeded to light it and pass it over the end of my satin ribbon. I'm sure I looked shocked! She smiled and sweetly said, "This will melt the edges of the ribbon and keep it from fraying."

Here's a picture of some ribbon before and after:


You can see that the fibers melt and seal the edges! Be careful not to burn the ribbon. It is very similar to using a heat gun for embossing.

And here's a card where I used this technique. With 6 raw edges of ribbon, it really made a difference when I sealed the edges.


Isn't this sweet? This was really easy to make, although some of it is what I call "fussy work."

Stamps: Baby Bundle (Onesie on the hanger), Petite Pairs
Paper: Twitterpated DSP, Whisper White, Blushing Bride
Ink: Black Staz-on
Accessories: Owl punch (the vest makes the dress), Scallop Oval and Large Oval punches, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, markers and pleated satin ribbon in Blushing Bride, Baja Breeze and Pear Pizzazz

Well, I hope you learned something new today! Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to see you next Tuesday for more tips & tricks!

Blessings,
Barbara

7 comments:

  1. Such a cute card. I made my own version to give at a baby shower. I love all of your colors. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. What a super cute card and idea!! I will be featuring this card on My Crafty Picks #61 with a link back to your blog on 4-15-12. Make sure to stop by to check out all the picks and to pick up your blog badge to display on your blog for being featured!!

    If you wish to decline please email me by responding to this comment to let me know.

    Have a great day!!
    Tiffany Bauer
    http://www.mycraftyworld.blogspot.com

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  3. What a sweet card with those pretty pleated dresses! I'm visiting from Tiffany's Crafty Picks. Ps, I love the ribbon / Bic lighter story, that must have been a little bit of a shock! Erika

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    1. It was a shock, Erika! I'm sure my jaw dropped when she did it!

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  4. This is too cute. Thanks for sharing the tip.

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  5. A really cute idea for a baby card! Thanks for sharing.
    Just another trick for keeping the ribbon from fraying: paint a little transparent nail varnish on the edges. The burning trick as ar as I know, works only on poly- or other plastic ribbons but not with natural fibers as cotton or silk.

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