Ribbons are the hottest new fad. Ribbons can make a layout take on a whimsical look, or a more solemn or sedate look. A small clipping of ribbon can also fill a space that otherwise would have taken a costly manufactured embellishment. I love the look of ribbon and I love the cost. You can often times find great ribbon at a cost of under $2.00 for 3 yards. Now considering that the largest common layout size is 12” X 12”, even if you were to use ribbon across the entire bottom as a border, as I did here, you have invested little monetary cost and added color and character.

On this card, I used ribbon to make the stem of the flower, which was a fun way to give it dimension.

I chose to emphasize the tans in the following layout by using some brown lace I found at our local thrift store.

On the photographs, I simply added a double link and stapled it to the photo. By tying the same element to the monogram, I gave it personality, and was able to "tie" the whole layout together as well.

For this next Santa layout, the twill word ribbon doubles as a title.

This twill, purchased by the yard, is indeed a bit more pricey than the solid ribbons. However, even at about $1.00 a yard, you are still talking about .33 of the yard used here, and $.33 for this layout. This is drastically less costly than other embellishments and most appropriate. And did I mention, you don't really have to worry about adding a title now if you don't care to.

In the next layout is an example of ribbon (or fibers, in this case) attached to the journaling to help to display it.

This effect seems to give a dangling and whimsical position.

On the last example I have displayed here:

I had a lot of fun by attaching the ribbon and kind of hanging frames from it. This approach created a border at the bottom of the page, and somewhat of a background or framework for the photographs.

Have fun with your own ideas. There are so many beautiful styles of ribbon, ric rac and fiber available.

The following are only a few of many ideas you can play with to add appeal to your layouts on a budget.

* It is cool to add a pull ring at the top and literally hang photographs down from it, or use it as a piecemeal mat, or as you would a patterned paper.
* We have a wonderful thrift store locally. I have found great ribbon and ric rac when shopping at the thrift store. Don't forget these places.
* Tie a bow on a paperclip.
* Colorblock a layout, punch holes where the blocks meet and lace with ribbon.
* Punch holes along one side of a photo or mat and finish with ribbons tied in the loop knots.
* Laminate a "found" object, clip art, or newspaper article, then punch a hole in it and tie on a ribbon.
* Don't have the color ribbon you need? Use dye or paint to change the color.
* Criss-cross ribbon at the bottom of your page and hang a charm from it or not.
* Make a flower with loops of ribbon and a button in the center.
* Use letter stamps or words on ribbon for journaling or captions. * Stick ribbon over vellum to hide adhesive.
* Create a frame with ribbon.
* Tie ribbon on a metal-rimmed composition book and alter.
* Use to connect then close a paper bag book. Use different ones to increase the interest.
* Use black and white ribbons on solid black paper.
* Wrap ribbon around a photo and then add or not a charm.
* Add ribbon to a hair clip or bobby pin and attach to a photo.
* Stitch your ribbon with zig-zag.

There are so many uses for ribbon. Use it because it is inexpensive, use it because it is readily available in most homes, but most of all, use it because it is beautiful and versatile!

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