The Little Details

    

• Fabric
• Ribbon
• Ric Rac
• Lace
• Cord
• Trim
• Twill
• Raffia
• Hemp
• Jute
• Ribbon
• Embroidery floss
• Mizuhiki Cord
• Twistel
• Yarn
• Paper wire
• Magic mesh

• Run fiber, fabric, trim, ribbon, etc … along one or more edges of your page to create a page border.
  
  
• Pages aren't the only things that can benefit from a border -- try running your fiber, fabric, trim, ribbon, etc … around a photo, a photo mat, a journaling box, or even along the edge of a tag!
  
  
• For an elegant border, use a border punch along the edge of a mat or frame, and then weave fiber, fabric, trim, ribbon, etc … through the lace work of the punched design.
  
  
• A single strand of fiber can be perfect if you are looking for something simple. But simple doesn't have to mean boring! Imagine a gold metallic strand on a solid black background paper, for instance.
  
  
• Grouping several strands of fiber together can have a lot of impact. If your fiber is too thin to accomplish what you want, combining several strands could give it the needed bulk. Try combining different types of fiber, fabric, trim, ribbon, etc … mixing colors or textures. Thread through a few strands of metallic fibers for some sparkle.
  
  
• Clump or braid fibers together. Lay them next to each other. Or weave fibers together.
  
  
• Where you position your fiber border can make a difference. Let your border overlap your photo or journaling box instead of always running beside it or you can have it come off the edge by stapling it.
  
  
• It's easy to jazz up a fiber, fabric, trim, ribbon, etc … border. String on a few beads, buttons, or charms. String several fibers together and tie a few random knots for visual interest. Tie little bit of other string to your lengths of fiber. Leave one end loose and tie it into a tassel or bow.
  
  
• Carefully align eyelets, hole punches, or slits along the border of a page or mat, and weave your fiber, fabric, trim, ribbon, etc … through it.
  
  
• Space brads along the border, and weave fibers around the brads.
  
  
• Cross Stitch or embroider a border. Don't forget to punch the holes into your paper BEFORE you begin sewing or use your sewing machine to punch the holes for you.
  
  
• Take your fabric, ribbon, twill and stamp on it, paint on it, use your makers, rub-ons and even your printer!!!
  
  
• You can take Fabric Stiffener and stiffen your fabric, then use your larger punches on it

• Create a pattern by lightly tracing your title directly onto a cardstock strip (or use your computer to print the title in a very light gray). Then apply a thin line of glue over the lettering, and gently apply fiber to the glue (toothpicks work better than fingers for nudging the fibers into their exact position).
  
  
• For a different look, sew your title. Reverse the image of your pattern and print it onto the back of your cardstock strip. Prick evenly spaced holes along the lettering before stitching the fiber using an embroidery needle.
  
  
• Cut your title out using an Xacto knife and adhere fiber, fabric, trim, ribbon, etc … behind it. You can also adhere these items to the back of stencils as well.

• If the decorative elements of your page seem cluttered, the "hanging" technique may help give your layout a more unified feel.
  
  
• Use fiber, fabric or ribbon to create a "clothesline." Dangle your embellishments from it or string together your title letters on it.
  
  
• Use fiber, fabric or ribbon to hang letters, photos, journaling boxes, or accents from the top of your page. Or use the fiber, fabric or ribbon to hang any of these items from each other - like star embellishments hanging from the bottom of a journaling box or individual letters of your title hanging vertically down the side of your page.

• Twist fibers, fabric or ribbon into simple shapes....like flowers, stars, hearts, spirals....and glue them onto matted squares. Or glue them directly onto your page, if you prefer.
  
  
• Fibers make beautiful tassels. Loop a colorful tassel through the eye of your tag. Or hang a row of tassels from the bottom of a mat to create a fun fringe.
  
  
• Don't forget bows !! Simple or elegant, a bow can be the perfect touch.
  
  
• Fibers, fabric or ribbon make fun 3-D enhancements to your die cuts. Reins on a rocking horse, strings on a cluster of balloons, lacings on a shoe, stems for a flower garden. Fuzzy strips of eyelash fibers for a Santa's beard or a kitten's tail. Coiled centers for a die cut flower, sun, or wheel. Let your imagination carry you away!
  
  
• Use raffia or jute to create bales of hay or to stuff a scarecrow.
  
  
• Create movement on your page by using fiber on your page to look like wind, steam, or water.
  
  
• Coil fibers, fabric or ribbon for wheels, suns, flower centers or just to use as a decorative embellishment on your page
  
  
• String buttons, beads, or charms to just about anything for some extra pizzazz.
  
  
• Use buckles and hooks from old clothes with ribbon, twill and fabric

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