Many of my students have lamented that when it comes to tying bows, they end up in knots more often than not. If that sounds like you, then you'll appreciate this little video which shows you how to make perfect bows every time. It's short and simple, with just the facts on how to tie perfect bows using a great little gadget called Bow-Easy. If you'd like a printable version of the tutorial, head on over to Mill Lane Studio where you can download and print a step by step pdf. It will have you mastering the art of tying bows in no time. 'Til next time..... If you can't get enough of My Tutorials and you want even more inspiration,  click here to find my books and printable pdfs...

Whilst I was demonstrating how to tie perfect bows with the Bow-Easy at the recent Scrapbook Expo in Brisbane, one of the onlookers (a visitor from New Zealand) spoke to me afterwards and suggested I could tie a double bow. She was quite adept at using the Bow-Easy herself so she quickly demonstrated how she did it. I didn't catch her name but I just wanted to thank her for sharing her idea and I thought I'd share it with you too. You need to get to figure 4 on the Bow-Easy tutorial first and then follow the pics below. 1. Wrap the tail around the legs a second time so that it looks like this. 2. Push the tail through the slot and pull it through to the other side. Pull the tail towards you but leave some slackness in the loop you've just formed. 3. Wrap the tail up and over the loop and then back through the loop and out to the right hand side. 4. Tighten the knot by pulling it to the centre and then pull it firmly until the knot is tight. 5. Slide the bow off the Bow-Ea......

What a fantastic weekend it was at the Scrapbook Expo....... It was great to meet so many of you at the Stamp Antics stand and be able to demo the Bow-Easy first hand for you. I bet you never thought tying perfect bows could be so simple! Remember, if you get stumped with the instructions that come in the package, then head over to my website and go to the Tutorials page where you can download and print some really clear, easy to follow instructions with step-by-step photos. The Core'dinations card stock was another popular demo. I happily sanded, scrunched, inked and tore away at the card stock and produced lots of bits which will be great additions to cards later on. Here's a bunch of the cardstock I was working on. I'll make them up into cards later on and post those also. As you can see, I really enjoy working with the Black Magic collection..... I just love the contrast between the black and the core colour when you sand it back..... it's definitely my favourite!...

This weekend Brisbane plays host to the annual Australasian Scrapbook and Papercraft Convention. Brisbane is the only city this show comes to which is so exciting for all us Brissie girls. I really look forward to it because of it's unique mix of retailers with scrapbooking, cardmaking and jewellery supplies all happily residing under the one roof and the friendly and relaxed atmosphere. I'll be demonstrating for Jenny at Stamp Antics using some of the newest Krafty Lady Art Moulds including that gorgeous frangipani which has been so popular. I know Jenny's stocks are already dwindling so you'll want to be early to get one of these. I'll also be playing with the Core'dinations cardstock range and as I mentioned last month, I'll be demonstrating how to tie bows using the Bow-Easy tool. You won't believe how easy it is once you know how! I hope you'll stop by (stand 18-19) and say hello - I'd love to meet you! So to whet your appetite with a sampli......

You might remember my post about the Bow-Easy bow making tool a while ago. I've just heard that Jenny from Stamp Antics has them in stock at the moment and can ship them Australia-wide ($9-95 incl postage!). Give her a call at the shop (07 3393 3022) or send her an email and she'll be happy to help you out. Jenny has asked me to demo the Bow-Easy at the Australasian Scrapbooking & Papercraft Expo (Brisbane Convention Centre -Queen's Birthday weekend 7-9 June). So if you'd like to see how to use it first hand, stop by the Stamp Antics stand....

This post edited 3rd April 2008. I've replace the photos of the black ribbon with a bright orange/yellow ribbon - much easier to see the detail! So, how do you get the tails of the bow to sit in a straight line with the bow instead of having the tails dangling down? Here's how I do it........ Follow the tutorial on how to use Bow-Easy up to Figure 9. Hold the tail in your left hand and pull it up and over the loop. The tail is actually underneath the loop so with a little bit of manoeuvering, you will be able to get it to sit on top. Now it should now be aligned with the bow loop. Tighten the tail on the right hand side (as in Figure 12 of the tutorial) and then pull it in line with the loop. This is easier to do with the right loop than the left because it is already sitting on top. And then the bow will sit in line with the ribbon! Easy!...

I've been playing around with my bow tying tool this morning. I usually make pretty good bows without using the tool, but when I need to make dozens of perfect bows (as was the case recently for my son's 21st birthday) then I reach for my Bow-Easy tool. I remember buying this tool at SDU (Stamping Down Under) many years ago. I got a great demonstration from the lady who sold it to me, but when I got it home I was baffled by the directions that came with it and I just couldn't remember how she'd done it. I've pulled it out a number of times since then and had a go, but more often than not, I didn't make a bow of any sort, let alone a perfect bow. But when I had to make the 60 bow ties for the invitations, I managed to work it out. Seeing as those instructions were a little difficult to follow, I decided a tutorial was in order. So if you'd like to see what a Bow-Easy is and how to use it, then click here ....