BEADED PAPER CARDS

CARD WITH BLACK BEAD DETAIL

CLOSE-UP DETAIL OF BLACK BEAD CARD

 I seem to have amassed a huge quantity of seed beads for reasons that have been lost in the clouds of time.  Even although the quantity used in these examples barely make a dent in the collection it is one way of putting a few to a good use.

These super quick cards are just a combination of some Graphic 45 paper a couple of diecuts (Spellbinders and Cuttlebug) and a few seed beads, sewn on with gold thread.

If you pierce the holes prior to sewing there's less chance of tearing the paper.

CLOSE UP OF CARD WITH IVORY BEADS

YELLOW 3D FLOWER

YELLOW CARD WITH 3D FLOWER

I have to confess that I use this technique a lot so I'm cheating a bit  this week.  It is, however, something I haven't done a post on before, so it might be of use to someone as an idea to try.

The stamps are from Martha Stewart.  The three flowers (all of slightly different shape and of decreasing size) have all been stamped on 150g paper, cut out and then reassembled with foam sticky dots between each layer to make a 3d effect.  

The thing I have done which is new to me, is use yellow ink!  I know it sounds silly but I think I have somehow managed to stamp for the best part of thirty years without ever owning a yellow ink pad before now!!!  White mesh and two different embossing patterns give the overall card a nice textured look (and feel), although its not at all the sort of card I would usually make.

GLITTER BALLOONS

GLITTER BALLOONS

As you can see, the glitter and dimensional magic is still out on the craft table.

The glitter I've used in this example is an extremely chunky one (some may go so far as to say cheap and nasty).  Every time I've tried to use this is just sort of collect in clumps and bits fall off the page.  Before consigning it to the rubbish I've given it one last try.

For this sample I've die cut balloons (using a Cuttlebug die) form acetate, and applied the glitter to the underside using dimensional magic instead of glue so the top is glittery but smooth.

The picture (I've cheated and drawn in some "strings" digitally) doesn't really do the end result justice.  Its not a hundred percent fine (you can see where I've failed to fill to the edge in the smallest balloon) but I'm happy enough with the end product to put the glitter back on the shelf instead of in the bin.

HEARTS WITH DIMENSIONAL MAGIC

DIMENSIONAL MAGIC OVER GLITTER PAPER

DIMENSIONAL MAGIC WITH GLITTER SPRINKLE

This week I've been playing with dimensional magic and glitter.  I have to confess I'm not very good at using either of them.   Tempted as I am to throw up my hands and declare that "its all no good,"  I know that what I really need to do is practise using both, so.......
The first sample is just a piece of Kaiser paper with glitter already in place, stuck to a wooden heart shape and covered with a layer of dimensional magic.  I inked the edges with gold ink first, although you can't really see this in the picture.  The dimensional  magic tones down the glitter a bit but the result is OK.  The second sample is on a die cut of thick card, painted pink, then covered with dimensional magic with glitter sprinkled on top.

Two of the issues I have with dimensional magic and similar products are that I almost always end up with bubbles and that the material I use as a base almost always buckles. Both have been avoided here.....really its a matter of not rushing things.  I let the dimensional magic flow of its own accord, resisting the urge to shake or squeeze it, and then carefully popped the few little air bubbles with a pin.  ( I even had the heat gun out in case I needed to smooth them out with this but it proved unneccessary).  As for the second issue, it didn't arise due to the thickness of the bases.  I guess I should try some other samples using thinner bases and perhaps sealing them first?  Perhaps for a later post.........