Saturday, November 3, 2012

Ribbon Organizing...With a Deck of Cards

Since I missed Thrifty Thursday due to the power outage this week, I thought I would share Thrifty Thursday on Saturday...better late than never!!

Ribbon. We all have it and we all love it. We buy it by the spool or we buy it by the yard. The big thing is how to organize it. I've had lots of ways over the years, but this idea is for the ribbon you have that's not on a spool.

The thrifty part is you use an old deck of cards!!





Isn't this the cutest thing!!


This is how I kept my stray ribbon before...well, still do until I get them all on cards.


Great for storing, not so great for wrinkled ribbon.


As a side note, this is how I keep my spool ribbon. Click here to see that post.


I've had emails asking how does the tension rod fit through the spool. Some spools work great...


Others...I make the hole myself with a screwdriver or anything handy!! Lol


Back to the cards...you can also use expired or used up gift cards or those "fake" credit cards you get in the mail.


The "fake" credit cards are a little more sturdy because they are plastic.




The deck of cards, however, comes with so many right away. You can wrap all your ribbon at once.


Start with the design edge if you have one. It's just to make a notch so the ribbon doesn't slip off.


Cut top and bottom.


Now cut a small slit in the card to catch the beginning of the ribbon as you're wrapping.


Small slit.


Now take your mess of ribbon and start wrapping.


Catch the end piece in the slit first.


I put a pin in the end, but keep the point buried, so we don't get pricked.


Wrap them all on their own cards and you are good to go!!


Who knew a deck of cards would be so important in my sewing room.



Happy Thrifty Thursday...on Saturday!!
~Karen~

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26 comments:

  1. Great idea - thanks for sharing it.

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  2. Neat and space saving never mind the time saved from not having to untangle and iron your choice.

    Instead of using a pin to hold the end when wrapping trim I take a couple of loose stitches with whatever thread is in my hand sewing needle. Reasons, pins can rust [it is from the your skin oil], they can leave a larger hole or catch delicate threads and pull.

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  3. You are so so clever! I'm pinning this one and using it ASAP.

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  4. Great idea, Karen. Now, how do you store the ribbon-wrapped cards?

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  5. This is a great idea. I have lots of old cards and lots of messy ribbon.
    Thank you for sharing!

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  6. Tada! Another great idea!

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  7. I don't know how you keep coming up with such great ideas! I like that the cards are uniform size.

    In stitches,
    Teresa :o)

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  8. Hi Karen,
    Wow ...what a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing ^_^
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    Hugs from Portugal,

    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

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  9. Karen,
    Another genius idea! I may even use this idea for the ribbon that is on spools since it seems that this would take up less space. My spools are stored inside plastic bins, not on a rod like yours are.
    I have some spare vertical blind slats that I may cut to size and use in place of cards.
    Thanks for sharing!
    June

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  10. Here is a couple of ideas to go along with this: 1: While you are out "thrifting", look for a used hot curling iron (or buy a cheap one somewhere) and use the low or medium setting to "press" your ribbon as you are taking it off the cards to use. 2: Take your cards and punch holes in the side you don't have ribbon on and put them on the large rings and they can hang on the rods as well.

    Wanda
    http://wandas-quilts-crafts.blogspot.com/

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  11. I need to do this very, very soon! Thank you Karen.

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  12. Great idea!! I have 6 baskets filled with ribbon - all messed up. I've been wrapping them around some cardboard, but the problem really comes how to stash those...

    When you've added them on the cards, where do you put them then?

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  13. Then what do you do? put them back in the crates? Nice labels btw.

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  14. You do realize that with this nifty idea of yours, I'll be able to buy lots and lots and lots (more) ribbon and lace. Do you think my hubby will be happy? lol Thanks for the great idea.

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  15. This is one of your best yet, Karen! Thanks! We certainly have many sets of playing cards that are not full. I also have a lot of those formica samples, that are a drop smaller than the cards. Got them from my handyman husband when he got an updated set. They are hard, but a nick with a saw would be good for tucking the ends in. Sturdier than the cards. Now I know what I've been hoarding them for! Sounds more like a tool time Tuesday! You can probably get an old set from your hardware store.

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  16. I store my ribbon by wrapping it around an old fashion style clothespin. The playing card idea is a good one too and free....especially if you have a casino nearby, you can get used decks of cards for free. They punch a hole in them, but they are practically new. You could also wrap your embroidery thread on the cards too.

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  17. what a great idea! So simple and practical. Love your blog, thanks for sharing this and all your other great ideas.

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  18. Great idea! But I love the tension rod for the spools. I have boxes of ribbon that I picked up at a yard sale. Thought I would resell on my ebay store, but theres too many I like. Problem there being, where to store so I can see all my pretty things!!! Thx!!

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  19. Super idea! I knew there was a reason not to pass up decks of cards I see at yard sales. Now to transfer my ribbon stash to them using your fantastic idea. Thanks for sharing.

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  20. This is a fantastic way to store ribbon and use up old cards! Thanks!

    Hugs,
    Jo

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  21. Never liked those little tiny cards for embroidery floss, so this card appeals to me and some of my unruly floss. Another one of those "why didn't I think of that." Enough room to actually write the color number!!!
    Really appreciate all your inventive tricks.
    sue

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  22. Terrific idea! I have a blog and I was wondering if I could share this posting because many of our store customers are always wondering how to store the ribbons they purchase by the yard, including me! Hope to hear from you soon. I am so glad to have discovered your blog.
    debbie

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  23. What a great idea. I need the Plastic card printing machine, where i can get the best one?

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  24. Creative use of Plastic cards , that helps a lot in organizing things...

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