As promised, today I’m going to do a tutorial on one of the bows I use a lot and a corner treatment.  The theme of today’s tying lesson is non-square knots!  As you know, square knots (left over right, then right over left or vice versa) lead to such pretty cards.  Today, however, we will make ugly knots!  They have a purpose, though, and the ugly part get covered up.  So grab some ribbon and let’s get started!!

Single or double bow 

First decide the size of your bow.  Wind the ribbon back and forth:  three times for a single bow, five time for a double.

 

The first picture shows the single, the second shows the double.  Click on any picture to see it larger (sorry they are a bit blurry…still learning how to take good tutorial pics).  Cut your ribbon and set aside (you’ll have to fold it again in a minute).  Cut a second length a bit longer than the paper layer you want the bow to tie around.  Put the second layer down flat on your work surface, refold the “bow” and place it face down on your straight piece (the bottom becomes the front of the bow).

 

Now, start tying your knot except it will NOT be square.  In my case I tied it left over right then left over right again.  You’ll see that the knot is not pretty to look at. 

 

The reason you do this is to get the tying section to run parallel to the bow.  If you do a square knot, it will be perpendicular (that can have its uses, too).  If it doesn’t lay just like you want, you can turn one of the long pieces over to see if that helps. 

Now flip the ribbon over and you have your bow.  Use your bone folder to “fluff” up the bow as desired and put it on your card!!

 

 

Of course, now that I have this bow I had to make a card for it!!  I used the Mojo Monday sketch challenge 127 again to make this fun little card.  I really do love this layout!!  Since the ribbon is Old Olive, the rest of the colors were inspired by the Color Throwdown challenge CTD81.  They chose Olive, Brown and Pink/White this week.  So pretty together!

 

Corner Treatment

This one is even easier.  First, cut a generous piece of ribbon for your corner.

 

Cut a second, larger piece (mine was about 9 inches).  Using the larger piece to tie, make another “ugly” knot.  Both ends will easily go one direction (see the next pictures).

 

Just flip the ribbon over and the other side is pretty!!  Yea!!

 

Using Mini Glue Dots, attach the knot to where you want it to be on your card, then tuck the ends under and secure with additional Mini Glue Dots.  You may have to pull and adjust the ribbon a bit to get it just like you want it (this is true with the bow, as well).  Once it is on your card, trim the ends.  Easy peasy!!!

 

If you have any questions, let me know and I’ll try to clarify them!  Thanks for dropping by to visit!!  Oh, and don’t forget to let me know if you try it.  I’d love to see your cards!

Card 1  Stamps:  A Flower for All Seasons, Short & Sweet; Paper:  Sweet Pea DSP (Occasions Mini), Old Olive, Pink Pirouette (ret), Chocolate Chip; Ink:  Pretty in Pink, Old Olive, Close to Cocoa, So Saffron; Accessories:  Olive Taffeta ribbon (Holiday mini, ret), Blender Pen

Card 2  See Where, Oh Where, Is Spring

All products are Stampin’ Up!