In the world of scrapbooking, ribbons are your friends.
Not only are they easy to work with, but ribbons are also extremely versatile. My recent ribbon kick has included creating more than just a bunch of girly-girl layouts. In fact, I used scrap ribbon I had leftover from the holidays to craft a couple of very masculine page designs. I paired the winter blue and white ribbons I used on a variety of Christmas gifts with mint green and cream colored ribbon to create a frame for a multi-generational grandpa/father/son layout.
In addition, I used ribbon with frayed edges to embellish a surfing-themed layout featuring my brother and nephew. I actually frayed the edges of the ribbon myself to make the wave (made of ribbon) look as though it was being blown by the wind. Another way to embellish a masculine layout with ribbon is to use long pieces to connect buttons or bottle caps. You can then attach your ribbon/button/bottle cap creation to your page as a border.
Ribbons also come in handy when designing spring-themed page designs. My mom is a genius at making ribbon flowers that can be attached to layouts to add a pop of color. I only know how to make basic ribbon flowers. To do so, simply cut four equal lengths of ribbon, and then fold each ribbon in half. Next, arrange the ribbons in a circle, so it looks like you have eight petals. Once you have the petals laid out, adhere them together with glue dots. Finally, use a brad or button to give the flower a decorative center.
If you are really talented you could sew elaborate ribbon flowers, such as roses and irises; however, keep in mind that bulky blooms will make it difficult to close your scrapbook. You might consider using a series of tiny ribbon flowers rather than a couple of big ones, if you are concerned about size being a factor.