Making The Cut When Talking Ribbons!

So earlier this summer I decided it was time to repaint Megan’s room. When she was in college we updated the room and of all things, we painted the room like a Cayenne Pepper color. It was beautiful and the paint is as fresh now as it was when we painted it – 20 YEARS AGO! You can detect no fading, no scratches or chips in the paint to touch up, no hand prints, nothing. And as a guest room there has been no daily use and need to refresh the paint. That should have been a huge clue for me to leave all alone.

I decided it was time to update and refresh so I’ve been on the painter’s calendar since end of May. While attending Back Stage in Las Vegas the end of August, it’s a perfect time for the painter to come and tackle the job because it will take several coats to cover. So painter scheduled – check! New mattresses ordered and delivery set – check! A good paint primer researched – check! New bedding for the bed – check!!! All we have to do is buy the paint and get the room ready in three weeks!! Then the new bedding arrived.

The colors in the new bedding are a PERFECT match for the Cayenne Pepper room. With a neutral cream background it just pops against the Cayenne Pepper walls. Pool Boy is laughing at me because after all the preparation – scheduling, research, yada yada, – we aren’t going to touch the paint! There is no NEED to paint!! Cancel the painter, cancel the primer order, cancel the paint order because the Cayenne Pepper room is staying as is!

Let’s Talk Selecting Ribbons From The Annual Catalog!

If you have been following me for sometime you know I love to use ribbons on my cards. It’s like picking the right jewelry accessories! But I have certain criteria when choosing a ribbon:

• The widest ribbon I will use on a card is 1/2 inch in width, and that will be sparingly. Anything wider I don’t use.
• The ribbon has to have no thickness to it. I want nothing bulky when tying a bow.
• I prefer solid color ribbon with little pattern to it, with a couple of exceptions.
• It has to be very plyable when tying.

AND, when it comes to attaching to a mat, I rarely tie the ribbon around the entire back. I much prefer to cut just enough ribbon to go around to the back of the mat, and I adhere it with adhesive. It lays flat and doesn’t waste ribbon:

So here are my choices of ribbon I’ve ordered from the 2023 Annual Catalog:

Product List

Pool Party 3/8" (1 Cm) Grosgrain Ribbon [160430] $8.00

Real Red & Garden Green 3/8" (1 Cm) Ribbon Combo Pack [159577] $7.50

Night Of Navy 3/8" (1 Cm) Bordered Ribbon [160581] $9.00

Black & White 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Gingham Ribbon [156485] $7.00

3/8" (1 Cm) Sheer Ribbon Combo Pack [161635] $12.50

Gold & Vanilla 3/8" (1 Cm) Satin Edged Ribbon [159555] $8.00

Linen Thread [104199] $5.00

Baker's Twine Essentials Pack [155475] $11.00

I usually try to order the coordinating ribbons for the In Colors but I didn’t care for the metallic ones that went with the 222-24 In Colors, and I don’t like the thickness for the 23-25 In Colors jute trim. The only white ribbon we have is 3/4 inch wide so too much for me. I’ve tried coloring the Gold and Very Vanilla ribbon with blends and it will work in a pinch. So, unless there are some “gotta have it” ribbons in the upcoming Holiday Mini Catalog my ribbons are chosen.

Final Thoughts…

So do you have preferences when using ribbon??? Do you want texture?? Do you like wide ribbon??? Are you the “in the catalog so have to have it” kind of person???? I’ve bought other ribbon choices, but I know from use of habit which ones are going to be used so why order every one? I know what I like.

And obviously, I like Cayenne Pepper paint for a guest bedroom, seeing how it’s been there for 20 years.

Until next time, keep stamping, keep crafting, and God Bless!!!!