Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Round Two


A favorite photo of your children. Your first published card. A thoughtful note from a friend. A business card that could land you a big promotion. All treasured items not to get lost and should be visible every day! Re-purposed and inexpensive items that you might already have on hand plus some beautiful May Arts Ribbon are all you need to create custom, colorful bulletin board from scratch! This project is for my round two submission for the May Arts Design Team! I really would love to make this team for a second term!


First, gather your supplies. I picked up a frame without a backing or glass from my local salvage store for only $.75! (I spray painted it with my color of choice (a pretty blue to match this frame here!) and allowed time for it to thoroughly dry.) To cover the interior of my frame size of 14 x 12 inches, I needed almost a full roll of May Arts ribbon. My choice was woven burlap in natural (I couldn't pass up using this particular ribbon, even though May Arts currently doesn't have it in stock, it matched my decor perfectly! Some other fantastic options include their large wired burlap ribbon here, their 1/2" woven burlap here,  their 1.5" natural burlap striped edge wire here or any of the 5/8" twill here-offered in so many color options!!) The ribbon needs will vary depending on the size of the frame. A piece of foam core, some packing tape and spray paint are the only other supplies needed.


Start by cutting your foam core to fit the interior of your frame and cut ribbon that extends 1-2 inches beyond the length and width of the foam core. Cut enough ribbon that when placed side by side, it covers the whole length and width of two sides of your foam core. Keep the ribbon in place by shipping tape on the back side of the foam core.


Weave the ribbon loosely, until the majority of your foam core is covered. Tighten one corner of the weaving, and spray adhesive onto the foam core and press the woven ribbon in place. Continue with one side, the middle and finish at the opposite corner of where you started, being sure to pull tight the weaving as you go! (My mom helped me with this portion, as four hands are better than two!)


Complete the board by securing the loose ribbon with shipping tape on the back side and tuck securely into your new trendy looking frame!  I covered the backside with a roll of brown kraft paper, but you can skip this step if you needed and then also attached a hanging mechanism.



I also created a few, fun custom push pins to my board. This rolled ribbon flower push pin was created by coloring white 1/2" solid/wrinkled ribbon (EA01) with marker, folding the ribbon onto itself lengthwise, snipping the top portion and rolling onto an adhesive backed punched piece of paper, which was then adhered to a trimmed stick pin.


This next cute little flag pin was created by snipping a piece of orange chevron twill (382-34-28) into a banner shape and gluing it onto a stick pin!


Well,  I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial featuring May Arts Ribbon and perhaps even make a bulletin board for your office or craft room! Can't beat trendy, custom, function and thrify decorating! I'd really like to hear your thoughts on my tutorial, so if you have time, please leave a comment!

35 comments:

  1. wow wee this is totally awesome and i super love it....what an awesome idea...LOOKS fabulous...

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  2. This is so pretty! What an awesome design Karen :) Best of luck, but I don't think you'll need it!

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  3. What an awesome, awesome idea! I love what you created Karen and this would make a fabulous gift too!

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  4. I sooo want that ribbon and now I want it even more!!! Love the project :)

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  5. Love that ribbon and what you have done with it!

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  6. Argh...this is so clever dear Karen!
    Thank you!!

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  7. What a wonderful idea and your tutorial was so interesting and easy to follow! I love the added push pin ideas too.

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  8. Such a cool idea! Thanks for the instructions! Congrats on round 2 and good luck!

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  9. Best of luck to you in this round, Karen! Your bulletin board turned out so beautifully! Very clever and creative - just love it! :)

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  10. This looks fantastic Karen!, thanks so much for the tutorial. Good luck :)

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  11. Love the weaving idea, Karen! Super project and tutorial!!

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  12. This is fantastic! Your choice of ribbon is just perfect. LOVE it!

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  13. Karen, I am sure you'll make the DT for a second round! This project is not only beautiful, but perfectly timed for all those people heading off to college in August! A little gift from mom/dad/aunt Mary - and a wonderful reminder the student is loved and has a home, no matter how homesick or lonely they may be when looking over at the bulletin board!

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  14. How fabulous is this? Your bulletin board is gorgeous. So creative! Good luck in round 2!

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  15. Karen, this is fabulous! I love the burlap!!!!

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  16. Great Project Karen! I especially love your little custom pushpins you created!

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  17. very cool project! Love the handmade pins too!

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  18. Amazing and I know it took a lot of time and love to work on this!

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  19. Wow! That is one amazing weave Karen! All the best!

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  20. Genius you Karen!!! how awesome this is!!!! That weave... just rock!!! hugs...xoxo

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  21. Wow! This is truly amazing! And love that different ribbons could give totally varied looks!!!! Amazing & inspired! (and your pins are fabby too!)

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  22. Karen, I have one word, AMAZING!!! I love it. I will probably attempt to make one of these too. I also checked out your projects for the rest of the week and they are ALL fabulous!! :-)

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  23. good grief girl this ROCKS!!!!
    they need to keep you on the team :) just tell them i said so!! ;)

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  24. What a neat and creative idea! Love it.

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  25. Genius! Pure genius! I'm rootin' for ya, girlie but I don't think you'll need it! ;D
    Hugs!
    x

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  26. AWESOME entry with the tutorial! Love your ribbon-weaving, Karen! The textures are amazing! Good luck on this round!

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  27. i sure hope that they will keep you on the team. i love it when you sharing new ways of using ribbons and this is absolutely fabulous! love the practicality of it and those handmade pins are sooooo fun! amazing work as always, Karen!

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  28. Gorgeous ribbon - the texture looks so good woven.

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  29. Darling darling project, wow! Good luck!

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  30. So pretty! Thanks for sharing.

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  31. Holy crow! This is awesome! Love it!

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  32. Awesome project! And a big congrats on making the final round!

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