Runs With Scissors

Hhhmmm….looks like Judy runs with scissors AND ribbon!

Hello, Penny Black friends!  Here it is the Ides of March, March Madness and one week until Spring!  Did March come in like a lion or a lamb in your part of the world?

I’ve been having a little of my own “March Madness” here at the Penny Black blog.  A couple of weeks ago, Mr. Runs With Scissors painted my craft room (we have finally given up calling it the den) a lovely contemporary neutral color.  Well, nothing would do but I paint my little area here on the blog, too.  Nothing neutral about this pool and tangerine combination, though!  I have been heavily influenced by Jill Foster’s style!!  Who knows?  Maybe I’ve started a trend.

It’s been an amazing week of lovely ribbon by May Arts.  I am so happy to see ribbon being used on tags and cards.  I think it is a classic addition to any project.  I use ribbon a lot and have a large collection of colors and fabrics and widths.  If you would like to use ribbon more often but think tying a perfect bow is too tricky, there are YouTube tutorials for making the perfect bow, such as THIS one.

Here’s a tag I created using an interesting technique for the background.

I first inked the tag rather heavily with Distress inks.  I then sprayed the back of an old stencil with water and placed it on top of the inky tag.  When the stencil was lifted off the tag, the water pulled away some of the ink and left the subtle pattern.  I added only die cuts to the tag, using Creative Dies Leaves, Love Expressions and Flutters.  I applied a touch of gold ink to the leaves and butterfly.   A sturdy cranberry-colored ribbon tops off the tag.

When I saw the Transparent set Cool Chicks, it was love at first sight!  Here’s a card I made using the “dress up” image.

Isn’t she adorable!!  And her little puppy is glad to be part of the fun.  I used the Creative Die Interlocking for the background.  Did you notice I didn’t push out the petals at all?  I like that I can get two different looks from the same die depending on how much of it I leave in place.  I colored the images with Copic markers and added a banner from Triple Banners for the sentiment.  I colored white seam binding using the same Copic marker I used to color the little girl.  I think the ribbon gives your eye a place to rest after seeing so much pattern in the background.

Now that I completed a tag and a card, my next step was to do a card that included a tag.

This time I did poke out all the little petals which gave the background a lacier look.  I colored the flowers with Copic markers and added a tiny tag to the regular tag just for fun!

The Blooming Tags transparent set is a great place to start when making tags.  The three larger tags include the background as well as the main floral image.  And there are three mini tags and four sentiments, too.  There’s no limit to the combinations you can choose.  I used the sample on the back of the package to color my card:  easy peasy!

Penny Black had a Sending Hugs challenge last month and featured the Winners and Honorable Mentions.  There was great participation and I know the winners were thrilled to have their work recognized.

Well, I spent some time browsing the Penny Black Gallery and I found this lovely tag that included ribbon and a bow that was made by Lexa Levena.

Isn’t this adorable?  So much to look at and enjoy on a tag!  Lots of different ribbon, twine and bows which add so much.  Lexa posted two more tags, too.

Lexa, here’s a blinkie for you to add to your blog or to your photostream.  Thanks for sharing your work in the Penny Black Gallery.

Well, as you may remember, Cooper has become more and more involved with my stamping.  He keeps really close to me as I work.  Well, maybe he is staying too close!

I was tying bows on anything within reach and he was next in line.  He really doesn’t look very happy about it, but he does appreciate that it is a masculine burlap ribbon.  He also consoles himself with the knowledge that none of his canine buddies follow “Runs with Scissors.”  I’m afraid this is the first and last time Cooper will put up with a bow!!

Well, now that my space is painted those cool tangerine and pool colors and my tags and cards are finished it’s time for me to put away the ribbon and the traveling scissors.

I am so glad you take time on your Saturday to stop by.  I read and appreciate every comment.  Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.  May your March be lamb-like wherever you are, and may March Madness only take place in your craft room.

SHOP:

• Creative Dies: 51-002 Leaves, 51-006 Flutters, 51-025 Love Expressions, 51-027 Triple Banners, 51-029 Interlocking
• Stamps: 30-228 Blooming Tags, 30-231 Cool Chicks
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