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

Creativity is the fuel that drives the crafter. It is an expression of ideas that brew about in our heads. Sometimes the creativity well runs dry though, and a little help is necessary. Other times it is fun to see what other people have created and expand our own ideas. “The Creative Life,” is a television show, with a corresponding Web site, that features everything from traditional crafting to the new recycled art so popular today.  

‘The Creative Life’ is your new one-stop show for step-by-step how-to segments and tips and techniques for creating unique items for the home. From decorative painting to building, gardening to cooking, sewing to home decor and everything in between, Cheryl does it all, and takes you on location as she explores every nook and cranny of ‘The Creative Life.’
The Creative Life Web Site

“The Creative Life” presents not only ideas but free patterns on the Web site.  If you have been unaware of this show, you can also find the PBS scheduling so you can watch the production in your local area.  You can also see different clips from the show.  For the crafter, “The Creative Life” is a “creative” approach to crafting that will be become a useful resource.

The Creative Life 

Do you have sore hands from knitting or crocheting?  I sure do.  My hands get so tired and feel so painful from marathon hours of knitting.  Many crafters have this problem.  Some crafting days I feel like my finger joints are on fire and the rest of my hands are just plain worn out. 

There are some things you can do if you have this problem.  As I said, it is a common problem with crafters and also with computer users.  With those of us on the Internet doing knitting blogs - well, we have a double whammy. 

The 5 X 5 X 5 hand workout is something that should help you a great deal.  Exercising your hands in a way to relieve pain and stiffness, will help you avoid repetitive stress injuries. 

On this page, you will also find a product called Handeze Massage Gloves.  This is another thing that will help hand pain during crafting.  They can be ordered online in several places and Berroco has taken any risk of getting the wrong size away.  They have a hand sizer that works right on your monitor. Set your screen resolution to 640 X 480 to have the sizer work accurately.

Hand pain is a difficult problem for crafters and computer users.  We love what we do and even when it hurts, we keep doing it.  There is no point in telling a knitter to stop knitting because of hand problems.  Taking care of your hands and taking some steps to ease problems through prevention can extend the time you can spend on the needles.

Is summer warming up your love life a little?  Those beautiful summer nights do make romance bloom in the air.  As fireflies flit by and you walk together on the sidewalk enjoying the beautiful evening, it seems Valentine’s Day must be at the wrong time of year.  There is something about summer that brings out love.

Sending a card is still one of the most time-honored ways to celebrate love.  Today, with the digital age and creativity blending together, there are more options than ever before.  I personally love this little “Two Peas in a Pod” card and you can do it all right at home with absolutely no skills at all in crafting. 

Two Peas In A Pod Card