Ribbon is one of the least expensive and easiest to find craft items in the world.  You don’t need a specialty craft store; your local Walmart has more of it than you will ever imagine.  And you don’t have to plan too far ahead.  If you buy ribbon in a variety of widths and colors, concentrating on colors you like and interesting patterns and textures, you will have enough to keep you busy.  Another thing ribbon is great for?  The emergency gift!  If you suddenly need a gift and wish it was a handmade one, don’t despair.  Head to your ribbon box, get your hot glue gun, glitter and various other craft supplies and in a half hour, you will have a finished gift in hand.

This page has ideas that never occurred to me and I am pretty creative in this sort of crafting.  It presents 50 ways to use ribbon in crafting.  But what I really like is that as I read down the list (which I printed and recommend you do the same) I thought of more ideas.  It is like a brainstorming session.

My favorite idea?  Well, I liked several but I would have to give the “blue ribbon” to tying a ribbon around a sketchbook or journal.  That has a nostaglic feel to it.  And I also like the idea of making a mobile out of dancing bits of ribbon - what a wonderful way to add some color and movement to hot summer day and keep flying bugs away at the same time. 

50 Ways To Use Ribbon

If the kids are stuck inside during a summer rainstorm (turn off the computer if it is a thunder and lightning storm, by the way) and are whining about being bored, try this Web site.  Consider it a form of a kid’s craft on the computer.  It is a great way to explore art through the National Gallery of Art and it could be a great way to inspire the kids on with a real paintbrush and paints. 

It’s an easy and fun site to navigate and spend some time on.  Just start clicking!  Then the interactive art can begin and who knows?  You may find yourself at the art store later picking up all kinds of supplies for your future Picasso.

NGA Kids - Adventures in Art

I realized today that I have sorely neglected an area of crafting that is very popular:  Embroidery.  This includes cross stitch, crewel, needlepoint, candlewicking and anything involving a needle, beautiful thread and a canvas, which in this case would be a piece of material.  Embroidery is a wonderfully relaxing hobby and the creations that can be made are unique and can become family heirlooms.  I started with embroidery when I was 10, and have tried just about every form of it.  It is a very artistic expression within crafting.

Embroidery Online has a great resource for people who enjoy embroidery.  They have an e-tips newsletter that can be custom designed for the type of stitching you do.  It is a weekly email that is sent at no charge to you - the hints and tips will improve your quality of work as you embroider and inspire you on to new ideas.

E-Tips From Embroidery Online

Did you know there is a great blog on the Internet by one of the DIY’ers on the DIY Network?  It is an interactive blog meaning you can participate too!  Ask questions, fuel your creativity with their ideas, and find the answers to questions about the crafts that interest you and your family this summer.  Summer is a great time for family crafts and this is a great blog for a lot of answers from DIY’ers to DIY’ers.  You can Do It Yourself!

Creative Juice Blog at DIY Network