Insider Tips

Emily here, sharing my storage solution for ribbons with you today. When I first started scrapbooking, I didn't have a plan for my ribbons and so as they began to accumulate, I started shoving them into a large ziploc baggie. I thought it would be great because I could see them all. I found this didn't work too well because the bag wasn't pretty, so I kept it out of sight. I rarely would pull it out, and when I did, the ribbons would be all tangled, even more of a deterrent to using my stash.

A few years ago, I decided I wanted to have my ribbons out where I could see them, so I began the hunt for a cute wire basket that would hold everything. I found the perfect one at an antique store. Armed with a couple of bags of wooden clothes pins and some pins, I sat down one morning with my bag of ribbons and started winding them around the clothes pins. I could usually get two or three different varieties on one pin, then I'd carefully secure each end so I wouldn't get poked as I was hunting through the basket.

I keep the basket out on my desk and because I can see my stash, I find I use the ribbons a lot more. For this layout, I wanted to use ribbons to frame the photo. I found two varieties that matched the paper and fabrips easily because of my storage system. I've been able to bring my ribbons with me to crops and have even inspired a few fellow scrappers to try this storage system out. I hope it will get you thinking as well!
Supplies: Patterned Paper - Mud Pie; Fabrips - Pink Houndstooth; Alpha - Chipboard Alpha StickersTan, October Afternoon; Ribbons, Flower, and Pin - Maya Road

Comments

[Suz]

Cute lo Em! (I have a 13 year old boy too!) Me? I organize my ribbon in an old fashioned glass candy store container/cookie jar with metal lid. It sits on my desk next to my Mac, right where I can see/use/enjoy. Love your ribbon storage solution. Great antique find! TFS. :)

[ANNETTE A.]

love the page layout and love that old basket...thanks for sharing

[Amy baldwin]

I love the convenient ribbon idea, and your layout is very cute and fun! I love the title!

[Laura Sawyer]

How did you secure the ends of the ribbons? That's my biggest problem. Don't want to use sticky tape because of the residue and pins prick me.

I like the idea of a big see-through container that can sit right next to me though. Thanks.

[Amy S.]

Thanks for the great idea! Love your page!

[emily pitts]

Laura, I use pins and hide the pointy end inside the clothes pin.

[Corrie B.]

I use this storage idea for ribbon too. But instead of pins..I use those very small clear rubber bands to hold it on the clothes pin :)

[Michelle LaPoint Rydell]

I love your ribbon storage Emily! So cute!

[Bad Joan]

Great storage idea! Thanks for sharing.

http://www.blog.badjoan.com