Technique Blog Hop - Yo-Yo Flowers

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop!  This month we are highlighting the “Yo-Yo Flower” Technique as shown on page 27 of the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book!  This blog hop is a great big circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork incorporating this technique. 

If you are coming from Joy'sBlog, you are on the right track! 

The technique in the Idea Book uses border images cut from the Art Philosophy Cartridge. While I use that cartridge almost daily (it is quite fabulous) I thought today I would show you how to do the same technique with ribbon. It's really pretty easy and the outcome leaves a beautiful affect on any project you are creating.

Here's how I made mine:

1. Gather your supplies: ribbon, thread, needle, flower center. I used both a wide and thin ribbon to show that this technique works well for both.
2. Thread needle and tie knot at end. The thread color doesn't really matter since you won't be seeing it in the final product. For demo purposes I used red for the contrast.
3. Sew running stitches along the length of one side of the ribbon. This doesn't have to be perfect. If it did I wouldn't do it. I AM NOT A SEWER!
4. When you get to the end start pulling your thread. The ribbon will start to gather forming a circle.
5. When you are satisfied with your flower you will want to finish the ends and connect together. You can sew them if you want but I'm simplifying it further and using glue dots to hold it in place.
6. Trim your thread and finish your project!

I finished off my project by repeating the steps above with a smaller grosgrain ribbon and layering the flowers. A little bling center and my card is complete!

Supply List:  Dark Chocoloate Ribbon (Z1617), Cranberry Grosgrain Ribbon (Z1103), Embroidery Floss, Bling Assortment (Z1466), Needle, Glue Dots, Kraft Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock, Scoring Tool, Cranberry Ink (Z2116), Two-Step Background (D1473), Sanding Block

Thanks for stopping by!  Please continue onto Debi's Blog where you will find some additional artwork highlighting this technique!  Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you thought of my variation and happy hopping!