An ORGANIZING Tip -- By Angie

Ribbons add a special touch to scrapbook layouts and altered projects. So many different colors, patterns, textures to choose from! But how does one store them all, especially if they are loose and not on a spool? Stick them in a drawer and, if you are like me, forget that you have them? Here is a fun altered project that is pretty to display in your scrap space and functional!

Here are the supplies you will need:

Empty can with a lid (i.e. baby formula can, coffee can)
Hole punching tool (i.e. eyelet hole punch tool, CropADile)
Sand paper
Xacto knife or razor blade
Craft paint and brushes
Spray adhesive (or any other adhesive)
Scrap paper pieces
Mod Podge
Ribbons

1. To begin, sort the ribbons that you have and decide how you would like to organize them: by brand or color or whatever works for you.


2. Empty the contents of your can and remove any exterior labeling.
   
3. Punch holes in the can lid using your hole punch tool. You may need to make 2 holes side by side to make a wider opening for wider ribbons.
   
4. Use the sandpaper to scuff up the plastic of the lid. This will help the paint “stick” better to it. It may also be helpful, depending on the color of your lid to use a primer on it before painting.


5. Paint the lid using your craft paints and set it aside to dry. (Or, you may choose to cover the lid with pattern papers, too.)
   
6. Spray the outside of the can with spray adhesive. If you do not have spray adhesive you may adhere pattern papers to your can with a strong, permanent scrapbook adhesive.
   
7. Begin sticking your pattern paper pieces on the can. You can do this any way you like. Random, linear, overlapping, straight.
   
8. Use your Xacto knife or razor blade to cut any excess that overlaps the edge of the can.
   
9. Once you have the can completely covered with pattern papers, paint a layer of mod podge over the entire project. This helps to seal the papers firmly to the can. You may use matte or glossy mod podge.
   
10. Allow all to dry.
    
11. Insert your ribbons in to the holes in the lid from the back side and pull through.
    
12. Put all of the ribbon ends down in the can, place the lid, and voila! Organized ribbons in a pretty container for your scrap space!
    
    Here are some examples of a few I have done for my scrap space.

....and, a few more questions for Angie :-)

Describe your scrap space. Do you like/dislike it? I have a room in the basement that is my scrap space/office. I like it, but I don’t love it. It needs to be painted a fun, inspiring color and I need to more clearly designate which area is for work stuff and which areas are for scrapping.

What are your favourite colours to scrapbook with? I like pinks and blues (because I have girls and a boy) but I seem to gravitate towards greens and browns the most.

Do you enjoy other crafts and/or hobbies? I used to cross stitch years ago but it started to bother my hands a bit so I stopped.

What scrapbook magazines do you read? I have subscriptions to Creating Keepsakes, Simple Scrapbooks, and Scrapbooks, etc.

How thick is your cardstock and paper stash? Too thick to measure! I hoard paper like there is no tomorrow!

Are you an organized or messy scrapper? Messy while I am scrapping (I am what I call a “spreader”) but organized in between projects. I clean up and put back every tool, etc. in its proper place before starting the next project.

THANKS, Angie! It's been wonderful having you as a Sister!