Really Reasonable Ribbon February 2023 Blog Hop

     

Welcome to the Really Reasonable Ribbon February Blog Hop! We are changing things up this month! We have a THEME HOP this month...each of the design team ladies is going to be using OUR FAVORITE RIBBON STYLE! 

You should be coming to my blog from Ginny's Blog. After visiting me hop on to Kathy's Blog next! (The full blog list is at the end of the post.)

At the end of the hop, comment on the RRR Blog post, answering the question listed, for a chance to win a $10 Gift Card to the RRR Shop, plus one digital stamp set of your choice. The Design Team appreciates your comments, too!

My favorite ribbons are....gingham and plaid ribbons! I love the casual, country feel of gingham and plaid. I love it in every color, in mixed colors, in all the widths! Thankfully the RRR Shop carries LOTS of gingham and plaid! 

There are three different assortments in the shop just now, and I recently asked Bonnie to send them all to me so I can start to replenish all my plaids! Now, let's check out my project!

I created another stitching project! (To see the June sampler, click HERE.) I am having so much fin making these samplers, then finishing them with coordinating easels and ribbon toppers! 

The finished stitching is 9" x 3 1/4", and the full project is 11" x 4 3/4". I used 14 count Vintage Blue Aida cloth (it looks like clouds) and DMC floss. The pattern is Sampler of the Month - July by Country Cottage Needleworks. I purchased all 12 months from Fat Quarter Shop online. 

I did change some of the colors in the stitching to use a true blue and a true red, rather than what the pattern called for. I also altered the tree as it only had branches on one side. {grin} 

My ribbons are Navy Taffeta (the navy taffeta is out of stock, but there are other shades of blue and red available) and 5/8" Patriotic Plaid. I attached a metal star to the top of my bows. As always, I used the Bow-It-All tool to make all my bows!

And don't giggle at Uncle Sam's wonky, googly eyes! I tried French Knots and finally seed beads, and he looked odd no matter what, so I decided he was charming rather than strange. {smile}

I just love how this turned out. My only complaint, other than Sam's eyes, is that the white pennants and stars do not show up well on camera. They look fine in person, but my photo booth keeps washing it all out a bit.

And on that note, I just ordered NEW photo backdrops! The ones I have are old and have seen better days. And my booth (box) is falling apart. Time for some new things! I already struggle with the light in my new space, and I am sick of also struggling with my backdrops! Amazon to the rescue!

Here is what the back looks like. I pulled out some old Authentique paper, the Liberty collection I think. I have no clue how old it is, but I had just a few sheets left. I see all the internet ladies finishing their stitching with fabric covered chipboard, but...I have paper, not fabric! So...I am using what I have! 

I do put a little cotton batting behind the stitching, to give it some dimension. Oddly, I did have some of that in my stash! 

I love the little houses in this set of samplers and I can see stitching them for little ornaments or cards in the future! I have already started to stitch the August sampler, and it is just adorable, too! 

I love that there are so many ways to use ribbon! I love making a topper for my samplers out of ribbon. Again, I see all the internet stitchers using ribbon this way and thought...I got ribbon, baby! I am having a lot of fun getting back into stitching again after 23 years away! I am falling in love all over again! {smile}

Thanks for joining me on the Hop today! Make sure to hop along and see all the other projects!

Here is the RRR Blog Hop Order in case you get lost!
Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings
Ginny
Gloria - YOU ARE HERE!
Kathy
Cheryl
Bonnie
Karen
Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings

Really Reasonable Ribbon Supplies Used:

Trims: Navy Taffeta, 5/8" Patriotic Plaid

Adhesive: 1/4" ATG tape, 1/2" and 1/4" Scor-tape

Bow making tools: Zutter Bow-it-All

Other Supplies Used:

Cross stitch pattern: Country Cottage Needleworks (Sampler of the Month - July)

Fabric: Zweigart Artiste 14 count Aida Vintage Blue (Hobby Lobby), cotton batting from Amazon

Floss: DMC white, 3031, 869, 3363, 817, 744, 369, 754, 336

Chipboard: Grafix White

Cardstock: WorldWin Black

Printed paper: Authentique Liberty

Metal star: from my stash

Adhesive: Hot glue, Art Glitter Dries Clear Glue

Tools: paper trimmer, hot glue gun, scissors, bone folder and score board