May Arts is a leading distributor of high quality ribbon products, serving a wide variety of merchants from large retail outlets to home-based business in the craft and scrapbooking, gift, stationery, quilting, fancy food, floral, interior design and jewelry industries.  Since its founding, May Arts has built its business on a foundation of quality products, affordability, and outstanding customer service.

May Arts was founded in the early 1980’s in Greenwich, Connecticut. The original products were high-end silk flowers imported from Taiwan, which were decorated using quality ribbons. The decorative ribbons proved so popular among customers that the business gradually evolved into a dedicated ribbon wholesaler.

As a family-owned and operated business, May Arts began a long-standing tradition of quality, affordability, and exceptional customer service. We are dedicated to carrying on this same tradition by offering high quality products at competitive prices. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is always happy to answer your questions or to assist you in placing your order.

This challenge requires the use of ribbon. You can incorporate ribbon on projects in many ways, such as tying it around cardstock or creating an embellishment.  Additionally, make sure you use all of the colors on any paper crafting design (i.e., card, scrapbook layout, mini book, tag, gift bag, box, etc.). The main colors are highlighted in Polaroid inspired color swatches. If you want additional direction on the actual colors, Clear and Simple Stamp’s Simply Blue-tiful, Dish All the Dirt Brown, I’m A Princess Pink are sample hues for this challenge. Feel free to use other manufacturers, such as Stampin’ Up!’s tempting turquoise, chocolate chip, pretty in pink. Slight color changes for each hue are permitted, but try to keep the colors as close as possible to the colors listed above. Digital patterned paper options below are below to assist you with the colors, just in case you do not have any in your stash!  White or cream are optional color choices to add to your projects to create neutrality. Remember, colors can be incorporated into your project in more ways than cardstock. Don’t forget to embellish with your project with ribbon!

You have until Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST to submit your entries below.

The photos used in the graphic: Kid’s Knee High Socks, Kid’s Chair, Bracelet.

Upload a photo of your project to your blog or online gallery, such as Splitcoaststampers, Flickr, or Papertrey Ink, then copy the direct link to your project to the Mr. Linky widget below. If you do not have a direct link to your blog/gallery posting that features the challenge, your link may be deleted. If it is deleted, no biggie, just come back and re-link the correct link! Only links left in the Mr. Linky widget will be considered for challenge submissions.

NOTE: **If the widget fails due to technical error, try later or post your link as a reply comment to this post.**

We also have a Flickr Group available to share your projects. Please add your projects to Embellish Magazine Flickr group.

If you want to use the graphic above, feel free to, but make sure you right-click and choose the “Save Image As” choice to save it to your computer, then upload to your blog!

After the challenge ends, the design team will select six designers who created hot projects to highlight. Additionally, there will be a designer who will be featured and will win a sampler of May Arts ribbon. The challenge winner will receive the contents in the photo below. The featured designers and the winner will be posted next week. The winner must contact Embellish Magazine within 48 hours of the announcement. We reserve the right to select a new winner if the designer makes no contact.

Looking for some inspiration? I designed some digital patterned paper for you to use on any projects, but especially the projects you create for this challenge! Do you have the all of colors in your stash? No worries, simply download the patterned papers, print, and you can have the color challenge requirements fulfilled, just by using the paper!

All 3 patterned paper designs are compiled into a PDF file with a 300 DPI resolution and are 8.5″ x 11.” The images are for personal use only, not commercial, and may not be resold or distributed otherwise. To identify the paper in supply lists, please refer to it as Embellish Style by A New Design/Ashley Cannon Newell.

The digital patterned paper may be printed on white paper for best results. It is recommended that you use a matte presentation paper; however, cardstock and photo paper are other options to fit your taste. Don’t have a printer or paper? Visit your local office supply store. The print shop department provides printing services for a nominal fee.

The paper is available to purchase for $1.00. To purchase the digital patterned paper file, simply click HERE and click the “Add to Cart” button on the linked page and follow the steps, which will direct you to PayPal. Please ignore the “Sold Out” buttons.  The file will be available after payment.  After payment, you will be directed to a link which will provide the digital download. Digital downloads are limited to one download per customer, so please make sure when you download your file, it is to the location of your choice. If you select to pay by e-check, your file will not be available to download until the funds have cleared with your financial institution, so it is suggested that you select the credit card payment option.

Ashley used the ribbon to embellish her card in a traditional way.

Charlene layered the ribbon, creating dimension on her card design.

Maile used the ribbon to create tag embellishments.

Mariana embellished her card by creating decorative border with the ribbon.

Sarah ruffled her ribbon to dress up her card.

Tina used the ribbon as a decorative border.

Challenge ends Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 11:59 PM EST

Image Photo Credits: purple dress, vintage luggage chair, Escada

We are so thrilled with the previous challenge response! We are happy to see everyone was inspired to create and start those Valentine’s projects. For clarity, we have altered the challenge post a bit so you can identify each section with ease. We hope you like our new and improved changes and value your feedback.

This challenge requires the use of stripes. You can incorporate stripes on projects in many ways, including stamping, cardstock, patterned paper, and embellishments. We have provided some patterned paper options below! Additionally, make sure you use all of the colors on any paper crafting design (i.e., card, scrapbook layout, mini book, tag, gift bag, box, etc.). The main colors are highlighted in Polaroid inspired color swatches. If you want additional direction on the actual colors, Clear and Simple Stamp’s Kraft Like a Rockstar, Dish All the Dirt Brown, Purplicious are sample hues for this challenge. Feel free to use other manufacturers, such as Stampin’ Up!’s kraft, chocolate chip, elegant eggplant or Papertrey Ink’s kraft, dark chocolate, and plum pudding. Slight color changes for each hue are permitted, but try to keep the colors as close as possible to the colors listed above. White or cream are optional color choices to add to your projects to create neutrality. Remember, colors can be incorporated into your project in more ways than cardstock. Don’t forget to embellish with your project with stripes!

You have until Thursday, January 28, 2010 11:59 pm EST to submit your entries below.

Upload a photo of your project to your blog or online gallery, such as Splitcoaststampers, Flickr, or Papertrey Ink, then copy the direct link to your project to the Mr. Linky widget below. If you do not have a direct link to your blog/gallery posting that features the challenge, your link may be deleted. If it is deleted, no biggie, just come back and re-link the correct link! Only links left in the Mr. Linky widget will be considered for challenge submissions. If the widget fails due to technical error, please post your link as a reply comment to this post.

We also have a Flickr Group available to share your projects. Please add your projects to Embellish Magazine Flickr group.

If you want to use the graphic above, feel free to, but make sure you right-click and choose the “Save Image As” choice to save it to your computer, then upload to your blog!

After the challenge ends, the design team will select six designers who created hot projects to highlight. Additionally, there will be a designer who will be featured and will win a sampler package of all of Clear and Simple Stamps newly released products valued at over $100! The challenge winner will receive the contents in the photo above. There are also other additions to this prize pack that cannot be shared at this time! Just think, you will be one of the first to have these great products! The featured designers and the winner will be posted next week. The winner must contact Embellish Magazine within 48 hours of the announcement. We reserve the right to select a new winner if the designer makes no contact. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started in designing some cute projects!

Looking for some inspiration? I designed some digital patterned paper for you to use on any projects, but especially the projects you create for this challenge! If you do not have stripes? No worries, simply download the patterned papers, print, and you can have the challenge requirements fulfilled, just by using the paper!

All 6 patterned paper designs are compiled into a PDF file with a 300 DPI resolution and are 8.5″ x 11.” The images are for personal use only, not commercial, and may not be resold or distributed otherwise. To identify the paper in supply lists, please refer to it as Embellish Stripes by A New Design/Ashley Cannon Newell.

The digital patterned paper may be printed on white paper for best results. It is recommended that you use a matte presentation paper; however, cardstock and photo paper are other options to fit your taste. Don’t have a printer or paper? Visit your local office supply store. The print shop department provides printing services for a nominal fee.

The paper is available to purchase for $2.00. To purchase the digital patterned paper file, simply click the “Add to Cart” button below and follow the steps, which will direct you to PayPal. After payment, you will be directed to a link which will provide the digital download. Digital downloads are limited to one download per customer, so please make sure when you download your file, it is to the location of your choice. If you select to pay by e-check, your file will not be available to download until the funds have cleared with your financial institution, so it is suggested that you select the credit card payment option.

Now, here are some great designs by the new design team using Clear and Simple stamps. Thanks for participating in the challenge! Don’t forget, you can also hop over to Clear and Simple Stamps to gear up for all of your paper craft project needs! Enjoy!

Ashley Cannon Newell My card highlights the Banner of News stamp set; a perfect invitation stamp set.

Charlene Austin Charlene used the Love stamp set to create her fun, clean and simple card; a perfect stamp set for Valentine’s Day!

Maile Belles Maile used Believe in Words II stamp set. This set is so diverse and a perfect addition to your collection.

Mariana Grigsby Mariana used the Woodlands stamp set to create this fresh card; a must-have stamp set.

Sarah Martina Sarah used Summer Sentiments stamp set to create this warm and inviting card. This set is perfect to add to your collection with lots of sentiments!

Tina Fussell Tina used the Home stamp set to create this one-layer card. An essential stamp set for any stampers’ collection.

Challenge ends Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST **Extended until Friday, January 29, 2010 at 10 am EST due to Mr. Linky error**

We’re back this year with a fun and fresh challenge sponsored by The Cutting Cafe.  The Cutting Cafe is your one stop shop for affordable printable stamps and cutting files.  Designer and crafter, Regina Easter owns and operates The Cutting Cafe and offers a wide array of digital images.  The shop provides great information and tips on how to use digital files.

The focus of this challenge is on Valentine’s Day.  We want to offer some inspiration for the upcoming holiday so that you can feel confident in starting your heart-filled projects.  This challenge requires the use of hearts in any way, such as stamps, punches, or patterned paper.  Additionally, make sure you use all of the colors on any paper crafting design (i.e., card, scrapbook layout, mini book, tag, gift bag, box, etc.).  The main colors are highlighted in Polaroid inspired color swatches.  If you want additional direction on the actual colors, Papertrey Ink’s pure poppy, true black, and sweet blush are sample hues for this challenge.  Feel free to use other manufacturers, such as Stampin’ Up!’s real red, basic black, and pretty in pink.  Additionally, various color hues are permitted, but try to keep the color combination as close as possible to the colors listed above.  White or cream are optional color choices to add to your projects to create neutrality.  Remember, colors can be incorporated into your project in more ways than cardstock.  Don’t forget to embellish with your project with hearts!

Upload a photo of your project to your blog or online gallery, such as Splitcoaststampers, Flickr, or Papertrey Ink, then copy the direct link to your project to the Mr. Linky widget below.  If you do not have a direct link to your blog/gallery posting that features the challenge, your link may be deleted.  If it is deleted, no biggie, just come back and re-link the correct link!  Only links left in the Mr. Linky widget will be considered for challenge submissions.

After the challenge ends, the design team will select six designers who created hot projects to highlight.  Additionally, there will be a designer who will be featured and will win 3 digital images of his/her choice from The Cutting Cafe.  So, what are you waiting for?  Let’s get started in designing some cute Valentine’s projects so you can win some new digital images to use in the future!

We also have a Flickr Group available to share your projects.  Please add your projects to Embellish Magazine Flickr group.

If you want to use the graphic above, feel free to, but make sure you right-click and choose the “Save Image As” choice to save it to your computer, then upload to your blog!

Photo credits from left to right: M&Ms photo by disneychick, red mini clothespins can be purchased at Paper Source, listen to your heart photograph by ninakupenda81.

Looking for some inspiration?  Check out these great designs by the new design team and thanks for participating in the challenge!  Don’t forget, you can also hop over to The Cutting Cafe to select some digital images to use for your projects because they are affordable and are available really quickly to use!  Enjoy!

Ashley Cannon Newell

My card features The Cutting Cafe’s Valentine Borders + All About Valentine’s Day printable stamps. Guess what the inside says?

Charlene Austin

Char’s card features The Cutting Cafe’s All About Valentine’s Day + Valentine’s Set One printable stamps.

Maile Belles

Maile’s card features The Cutting Cafe’s All About Valentine’s Day + I Love You background printable stamps.

Mariana Grigsby

Mariana’s card features The Cutting Cafe’s All About Valentine’s Day + Huge Frame + Heart background printable stamps.

Sarah Martina

Sarah’s heart-shaped card features The Cutting Cafe’s All About Valentine’s Day + Huge Heart Frame printable stamps.

Tina Fussell

Tina’s coloring book features The Cutting Cafe’s All About Valentine’s Day + Sweetheart background printable stamps.  See more on her blog!

The challenge ends Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 11:59 PM EST.  If the Mister Linky widget should fail, please provide a direct link to your project in a reply comment to this post.