Simple Accents

• Satin ribbon glued along an edge adds old-fashioned elegance
  
  Start your ribbon card by folding a long rectangular piece of cardstock in half to make a single-fold greeting card. Use a bone folder to make the fold crisp. Once you've done this, you can start adding ribbon embellishments.
  
  The simplest type of ribbon card is a card with a satin ribbon glued along an edge. This is elegant and simple, and is often used on wedding invitations and thank-you cards. To add a twist to this method, try weaving a ribbon through the cardstock. Simply make a number of parallel vertical slits, then weave the ribbon through. If you have enough time, you can cover the front of the card with ribbon weaving. Tuck the ends under the last slit, or simply leave them hanging for a crafty look. If you leave the ends showing, be sure to put fray-check or starch on the edges to ensure that they won't ravel.
  
  

Ribbon Closures

• The slit ribbon closure, before tying the knot
  
  Use satin ribbon to make an elegant ribbon closure. There are many ways to do this. The simplest is the basic ribbon closure: glue a ribbon all the way around a card in the center, leaving three inches on each end for the knot. Make sure you cut the ribbon ends along a diagonal to add elegance.
  
  Another type of ribbon closure, slightly more elegant than the basic ribbon closure, is a slit ribbon closure. Take a craft knife and cut two parallel slits---one in the card's fold, one on the back of the card about a centimeter from the other edge. String the ribbon through the slits so that the ribbon shows on the front of the card, but is hidden on the back of the card. Knot the ends of the ribbon to close the card.
  
  

Bow tie Embellishments

• A simple bowtie
  
  Try adding a bow tie to the front of the card. One way of doing this is simply to hot glue a pre-made bow to the card. However the bow can easily become dislodged. For a long-lasting bow, use a small hole punch or a craft knife to make two small holes very close together in the front of the card. Then, simply string the ribbon through the holes and make a bow---just like tying a shoe. Leave long tails for extra elegance.
  
  Tip: the bow doesn't have to be satin. Organza adds a crisp and formal effect and is often used for wedding invitations. Grosgrain ribbon gives a vintage look. Experiment with your materials until you find one that works the best.