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Embellishments
Jane ahausfrau02@yahoo.com
re: Tissue and Aluminum Embellishments
Here is another inexpensive, but beautiful and effective way to create
dimensional embellishments. This time, the tissue is craft tissue,
like the stuff that comes in shirt boxes or to wrap gifts.
Materials:
aluminum foil
tissue paper
white glue (school glue, PVA, etc.)
old paint brush
paper plate
paints
seed beads, glitter, sequins, etc.
How to:
1. Mold a sheet of aluminum foil into desired shape (roll it up/wad it
and then bend into shape). A heart shape is great for Valentin's day,
a half egg shape would be great for easter; try to keep it simple.
Smooth the surface of the aluminum as much as possible.
2. Tear the tissue into small pieces. Apply a layer of glue on the aluminum. Place pieces of tissue over the aluminum to cover. Repeat for several layers, set aside to dry completely.
3. When dry, decorate with paints, seed beads, glitter, etcTyra Smith Cloud9@netnet.net
I have a very distinct love of using feathers on my cards. As many of my designs are Native American in nature...feathers work Wonderfully!!! My sis Feathers showed me a neat idea..... let me see if I can describe it right...(Feathers, just jump right in here if I got it wrong) Take a stamp... stamp it on cardstock...color it a bit if you like. Then cut it out...not ON the lines...but cut AROUND it.... leaving some cardstock all around the stamped image. Now...take that stamped piece..and lovingly and gently crumple it up. YES...CRUMPLE it!!!! Now gently UNCRUMPLE it.... smooth it out...use pastels or chalks to add more color if you like. Now you have a very pretty stamped embellishment to use!!! sometimes I cut pretty patterns or flowers off wallpaper pieces and use those as embellishments. I LOVE to make little pieces from 3-D vinyl and use those for embellishments. Raffia.... fabric pieces..... pretty small rocks..... dried leaves.... dried/pressed flowers.... corn husks, Curly doll hair works for some things and gives a UNIQUE look to a card. I crochet (with tiny cotton thread and an even tinnier steel hook) borders and use those. Paper doilies....as well as small hand crocheted doilies. Fabric yo-yo's make nifty flowers... with a button for the center. 3-D Foiling Glue and foil make a classy and elegant touch. Shrink plastic parts and pieces. Leather scraps (you can buy a huge bag from Tandy Leather for next to nothing...) Lace scraps. Fimo Clay roses. Handmade paper can make beautiful embellishments.... I also like to take pics and scan them into my computer and print them off on cardstock .... like family pics and such. Used Postage stamps. Junk mail. I found a pretty little pic of a mermaid on a can of tuna fish...I cut that out and kept it to use later. Small plastic bugs... wiggle eyes...... small seashells..... large seashells....Clean sand...Dried herbs.... (they smell nice too!!!!) Dehydrated fruit slices.... (yes *I use my food dehydrator... but before using a dehydrated piece of fruit for an embellishment..I do use a sealer on it.) Curly wood shavings... sawdust.... Embellishments are more than just pretty add ons.... they give a sense of depth... add texture.... and can excite more than one of your senses at time!!! :-)
Cyndi T
I needed to make a thank-you card for someone who gave us corn to feed our squirrels. I used the actual corn husk folded in half (crooked) and mounted it on some natural-colored paper. I then mounted a stamp image cut out on top of the corn husk. It turned out really cool!
I needed to make a thank-you card for someone who gave us corn to feed our squirrels. I used the actual corn husk folded in half (crooked) and mounted it on some natural-colored paper. I then mounted a stamp image cut out on top of the corn husk. It turned out really cool!
amy Cadrmn2d@aol.com
i've used polymer clay to make small buttons and "plates" to glue onto stamped cards. some of the ready-made clay "canes" sold at craft stores are beautiful, and i can make a couple dozen buttons from a cane.
i've used polymer clay to make small buttons and "plates" to glue onto stamped cards. some of the ready-made clay "canes" sold at craft stores are beautiful, and i can make a couple dozen buttons from a cane.
Bonnie Lass
How about dried hot peppers, tiny pinecones, moss, sunflower seeds, pressed flowers, leaves, all that nature stuff!! Then add a touch of sinamay ribbon and wallpaper or exotic paper with your stamped image. Don't forget the brass charms!
How about dried hot peppers, tiny pinecones, moss, sunflower seeds, pressed flowers, leaves, all that nature stuff!! Then add a touch of sinamay ribbon and wallpaper or exotic paper with your stamped image. Don't forget the brass charms!
Linda
Well, I like to actually sew buttons on my card with a very narrow piece of ribbon and tie a bow with it. I also like to use layers of paper, since I have learned how. I like to use a piece of mulberry paper torn to look jagged and then cut a piece of card stock with fancy scissors. A friend of mine who got published in Stampers Samplers uses scraps of paper some are only 1/16 of a inch wide and about 4 inches long. (pieces after cutting down a card) She layered them on her card kind of like a tick tac toe board but very askew. Then she stamped her items (coffee pot) cut them out and layered them on top. It was very cute, and since then I have been saving all scraps of paper to do this kind of stuff. I like to use buttons, ribbon, lace and raffia to embelish my cards.
Well, I like to actually sew buttons on my card with a very narrow piece of ribbon and tie a bow with it. I also like to use layers of paper, since I have learned how. I like to use a piece of mulberry paper torn to look jagged and then cut a piece of card stock with fancy scissors. A friend of mine who got published in Stampers Samplers uses scraps of paper some are only 1/16 of a inch wide and about 4 inches long. (pieces after cutting down a card) She layered them on her card kind of like a tick tac toe board but very askew. Then she stamped her items (coffee pot) cut them out and layered them on top. It was very cute, and since then I have been saving all scraps of paper to do this kind of stuff. I like to use buttons, ribbon, lace and raffia to embelish my cards.
StampinSis stampinsis@juno.com
I've actually started using wall paper. Not the whole piece. I did the bird house swap and found some wall paper that had raised lines. I cut them then enough and used them as the sticks for my bird houses. Another card I did had strips of flowers around the main theme. I cut the strips and put them on the card on the sides to just add a little touch to the card. For valentine's day I made my daughter's valentine cards. I used wallpaper that had minature hearts and cut it in the shape of a heart and then stamped a bear holding a heart and mounted it in the middle of the wallpaper heart.
I've actually started using wall paper. Not the whole piece. I did the bird house swap and found some wall paper that had raised lines. I cut them then enough and used them as the sticks for my bird houses. Another card I did had strips of flowers around the main theme. I cut the strips and put them on the card on the sides to just add a little touch to the card. For valentine's day I made my daughter's valentine cards. I used wallpaper that had minature hearts and cut it in the shape of a heart and then stamped a bear holding a heart and mounted it in the middle of the wallpaper heart.
NATURAL EMBELLISHMENTS
For specific information regarding the legal issues of using feathers in your artwork, see the Feathers-Legal Issues tip file located at the left.
Kathy McDonald kmcdonal@saturn.vcu.edu
Feathers - we have a downy woodpecker and occasionally I find one of his feathers (white with black specks) along with many other birds. I've always thought it would be neat to use miniature pinecones but haven't done so. Pine Needs for fishing poles. There's a fan shaped fungi that grows on dead logs in the woods. It dries nice and hard and takes watercolor beautifully. I've even seen it used in jewelry (yes being sold in a store) - earrings and pins.
Feathers - we have a downy woodpecker and occasionally I find one of his feathers (white with black specks) along with many other birds. I've always thought it would be neat to use miniature pinecones but haven't done so. Pine Needs for fishing poles. There's a fan shaped fungi that grows on dead logs in the woods. It dries nice and hard and takes watercolor beautifully. I've even seen it used in jewelry (yes being sold in a store) - earrings and pins.
FranRShaw FranRShaw@aol.com
I like to dry my own pansies. They dry amazingly fast and are very easy do get right!! PLUS they are just the right size flower to make a nice focal point. to dry them, I just place some paper towels in the middle of the phone book, then lay my pansies front side down insuring that the petals are flat. Place another sheet of paper towels on top and close the book. In 3 days, they are DONE!!!
I like to dry my own pansies. They dry amazingly fast and are very easy do get right!! PLUS they are just the right size flower to make a nice focal point. to dry them, I just place some paper towels in the middle of the phone book, then lay my pansies front side down insuring that the petals are flat. Place another sheet of paper towels on top and close the book. In 3 days, they are DONE!!!
Vicky Lomeli vickyl@c2i2.com
I juse some small twigs and also some strips of palm leaves from my palm trees in my backyard. When we went to the mountains my kids collected some tiny acorns and I love to use them in shaker cards. Sometimes I use natural raffia on nature cards too, because it has such a natural look to it.
I juse some small twigs and also some strips of palm leaves from my palm trees in my backyard. When we went to the mountains my kids collected some tiny acorns and I love to use them in shaker cards. Sometimes I use natural raffia on nature cards too, because it has such a natural look to it.
Rubrwoman Rubrwoman@aol.com
So far on this subject I've used twigs from my yard, seashells from my beaches here, real sand, barnacles (small ones too), real leaves - dried and fresh, the meshy bark stuff from the palm/coconut trees here in FL, dried sea oats - once...dang thing started falling apart on me. Haven't used since. I'll have to think of more later.
So far on this subject I've used twigs from my yard, seashells from my beaches here, real sand, barnacles (small ones too), real leaves - dried and fresh, the meshy bark stuff from the palm/coconut trees here in FL, dried sea oats - once...dang thing started falling apart on me. Haven't used since. I'll have to think of more later.
BRUSHCPA BRUSHCPA@aol.com
I grow dianthus (pinks) and they make lovely pressed flowers as well. Also try coleus leaves-I save those for Christmas. And a sprig of any type of pine tree is a nice addition. Finally, I'm an avid birdfeeder, so I always seem to have plenty of small feathers to use-my prize ones are the occasional cardinal feathers I find!!!!
I grow dianthus (pinks) and they make lovely pressed flowers as well. Also try coleus leaves-I save those for Christmas. And a sprig of any type of pine tree is a nice addition. Finally, I'm an avid birdfeeder, so I always seem to have plenty of small feathers to use-my prize ones are the occasional cardinal feathers I find!!!!
Heppner Heppner@aol.com
I pick up twigs... tiny little things when I'm out for a walk. Sometimes I use them as they are, other times I'll wrap raffia, embroidery thread, or wire around them. I also use gold or silver spray paint to paint them. I use fabric leaves... sometimes paint them gold or silver. What EVERYONE needs would be a can of gold spray paint and a can of silver. You can even spray your glossy white cardstock with it! Birdseeds, tiny rocks, tiny shells, twine, brass findings, beads... moss....
I pick up twigs... tiny little things when I'm out for a walk. Sometimes I use them as they are, other times I'll wrap raffia, embroidery thread, or wire around them. I also use gold or silver spray paint to paint them. I use fabric leaves... sometimes paint them gold or silver. What EVERYONE needs would be a can of gold spray paint and a can of silver. You can even spray your glossy white cardstock with it! Birdseeds, tiny rocks, tiny shells, twine, brass findings, beads... moss....
merideestamps@juno.com (Meridee! Weilert)
I've used plain ol' dirt on glue pen, around a locomotive stamp I have. Oh, and broken twigs off branches to impress into penscore for a spiffy background. Then "bind" the card with a flexible piece of twig. Lots of Lichens on the branches around here too (WA); they make nifty patterns in penscore, probably wouldn't look too bad attached to a card either. I'm sure all that moss in my lawn had got to be good for something too; maybe a shaker card with little round stones ("rolling stone gathers no...")
I've used plain ol' dirt on glue pen, around a locomotive stamp I have. Oh, and broken twigs off branches to impress into penscore for a spiffy background. Then "bind" the card with a flexible piece of twig. Lots of Lichens on the branches around here too (WA); they make nifty patterns in penscore, probably wouldn't look too bad attached to a card either. I'm sure all that moss in my lawn had got to be good for something too; maybe a shaker card with little round stones ("rolling stone gathers no...")
macp@richmond.infi.net
I have used the little seeds from maples that look like feathers to make angel wings.
I have used the little seeds from maples that look like feathers to make angel wings.
Jeffrey Hitchin santa@serv.net
I've used feathers in the past. I did this as an embellishment to a nice background I'd created and didn't really want to cover up with a bunch of other stuff, so I glued down a feather that I'd bought in a pack of feathers and then stamped a word or two from my rubber poetry set and then embossed the word or words. It looked really sparse and interesting. Leaves or pieces of leaves could also work, and if they're dried leaves, it's natural confetti!
I've used feathers in the past. I did this as an embellishment to a nice background I'd created and didn't really want to cover up with a bunch of other stuff, so I glued down a feather that I'd bought in a pack of feathers and then stamped a word or two from my rubber poetry set and then embossed the word or words. It looked really sparse and interesting. Leaves or pieces of leaves could also work, and if they're dried leaves, it's natural confetti!
carol brown rubberbug3@juno.com
I use grasses in paper-making. And I add small twigs to certain styles of stamping. And I use fresh leaves as "stamps", too. I also impress a bunch of garden "stuff" into my Penscore for some cool backgrounds.
I use grasses in paper-making. And I add small twigs to certain styles of stamping. And I use fresh leaves as "stamps", too. I also impress a bunch of garden "stuff" into my Penscore for some cool backgrounds.
Laurie M." annie-laurie@juno.com
I've use twigs from our apple tree and cut them down to about 3-4".. glued to vellum at the top, which has been either stamped on or printed on...and then rolled up..as a scroll. I did this for the Design element swap. I also like to use dried leaves, we have Aspens in our front yard and I like to use them embedded in to UTEE for book covers. I used a bay leaf once...instead of adding it to my stew ( LOL) I painted the front with Autumn gold pearlescents pain, it looked pretty on the cover of a journal. and don't forget to try cinnamon sticks and whole cloves.
I've use twigs from our apple tree and cut them down to about 3-4".. glued to vellum at the top, which has been either stamped on or printed on...and then rolled up..as a scroll. I did this for the Design element swap. I also like to use dried leaves, we have Aspens in our front yard and I like to use them embedded in to UTEE for book covers. I used a bay leaf once...instead of adding it to my stew ( LOL) I painted the front with Autumn gold pearlescents pain, it looked pretty on the cover of a journal. and don't forget to try cinnamon sticks and whole cloves.
italic@swbell.net
This idea may be self-evident, but I like to take a stamp with foliage and flowers, roughly actual size, such as the PSX botanical stamps, color the stamp with markers except for the flowers themselves, stamp the image, then add pressed flowers at the ends of the stems where the flowers appear on the stamp. Nice combination. This also works for stamps with feathers, sticks and other objects that attach easily to a card. Or alternatively, rubberstamp the flowers but add actual pressed leaves.
This idea may be self-evident, but I like to take a stamp with foliage and flowers, roughly actual size, such as the PSX botanical stamps, color the stamp with markers except for the flowers themselves, stamp the image, then add pressed flowers at the ends of the stems where the flowers appear on the stamp. Nice combination. This also works for stamps with feathers, sticks and other objects that attach easily to a card. Or alternatively, rubberstamp the flowers but add actual pressed leaves.
fligamapoof@juno.com (E. E.C. deMars)
Made some adorable birdhouses and used a lot of twigs, bark, etc. to make the roof, a porch, a deck, then mossy stuff for plants by the doors.
Made some adorable birdhouses and used a lot of twigs, bark, etc. to make the roof, a porch, a deck, then mossy stuff for plants by the doors.
Betty Goetz Betty.Goetz@noaa.gov
I have a number of `interesting' chicken breeds and they do meet their occasional demise. They free-range during the day in a fenced acre. If I'm lucky, it's not an aerial predator.....cuz they seem to take the whole critter (sigh). Anyway, I have a bag of feathers just waiting for the right application. I especially like the partridge rocks and the silver and gold laced wyndottes feathers. My brother-in-law gets any barred rock roosters....cuz they use the hackle feathers for tying bass flies.
I have a number of `interesting' chicken breeds and they do meet their occasional demise. They free-range during the day in a fenced acre. If I'm lucky, it's not an aerial predator.....cuz they seem to take the whole critter (sigh). Anyway, I have a bag of feathers just waiting for the right application. I especially like the partridge rocks and the silver and gold laced wyndottes feathers. My brother-in-law gets any barred rock roosters....cuz they use the hackle feathers for tying bass flies.
The Bentley's kbob@theriver.com
I have a friend that raises emus and the feathers are really great. Out cactus are now blooming-so beautiful-don't know how I could save those pretty and delicate blooms, they don't keep their color when dried. The mesquite has pods in the late summer. The pine always has pinecones. The rosemary bush or whatever it is with the tiny fragrant leaves is something I always thought would be great in paper. Finally on the tour of my yead is the Yucca, which is used by indians for making baskets (I think) and I have always thought it could substitute for raffia.
I have a friend that raises emus and the feathers are really great. Out cactus are now blooming-so beautiful-don't know how I could save those pretty and delicate blooms, they don't keep their color when dried. The mesquite has pods in the late summer. The pine always has pinecones. The rosemary bush or whatever it is with the tiny fragrant leaves is something I always thought would be great in paper. Finally on the tour of my yead is the Yucca, which is used by indians for making baskets (I think) and I have always thought it could substitute for raffia.
Gracepaper Gracepaper@aol.com
I made a great card with a beach scene, I glued on real sand, and tiny shells, used tulle for netting and spread on blue nail polish ( my teen's) for the water. It was very interesting.
I made a great card with a beach scene, I glued on real sand, and tiny shells, used tulle for netting and spread on blue nail polish ( my teen's) for the water. It was very interesting.
HorsKrzy0 HorsKrzy0@aol.com
I got my hands on some peacock feathers and have used them in my work. The small, thin parts of the feathers make great butterfly antennae and the big "eye" part on the end of the feather lends itself to many applications. Ever consider gluing real ants to those picnic cards? (Am I gross or what?) I think dandelion seeds would be a pretty embellishment.
I got my hands on some peacock feathers and have used them in my work. The small, thin parts of the feathers make great butterfly antennae and the big "eye" part on the end of the feather lends itself to many applications. Ever consider gluing real ants to those picnic cards? (Am I gross or what?) I think dandelion seeds would be a pretty embellishment.
James & Susan Shotwell chfarm@mnsinc.com
I've used the strips of bark that come off of white birch trees for embellishments. I used a large enough piece to make a backdrop for Stampfrancisco's 3 bare trees that I stamped, cut out, and mounted. It turned out kind of neat. I still have a bag full of the bark I collected a couple of years ago at a campground up in Saranac, NY. I've also used feathers and small sticks.
I've used the strips of bark that come off of white birch trees for embellishments. I used a large enough piece to make a backdrop for Stampfrancisco's 3 bare trees that I stamped, cut out, and mounted. It turned out kind of neat. I still have a bag full of the bark I collected a couple of years ago at a campground up in Saranac, NY. I've also used feathers and small sticks.
Kate Whitridge whitridg@achilles.net
I went for a long walk early in the Spring and picked up a variety of twigs. My favourite is very thin, with little knobs on it - sort of delicate. I also found some tiny pinecones - I discarded the pine needles because they started to turn brown and disintegrate. In terms of flowers, I like to pick Statis(sp?), which dries very well by itself. And high on my list of "Things To Do" is take a stroll around Pinks Lake, about a half-hour drive from my home, which has an abandoned mica mine, to see if I can actually find some mice shards.
I went for a long walk early in the Spring and picked up a variety of twigs. My favourite is very thin, with little knobs on it - sort of delicate. I also found some tiny pinecones - I discarded the pine needles because they started to turn brown and disintegrate. In terms of flowers, I like to pick Statis(sp?), which dries very well by itself. And high on my list of "Things To Do" is take a stroll around Pinks Lake, about a half-hour drive from my home, which has an abandoned mica mine, to see if I can actually find some mice shards.
Kazadoodle kazadoodle@one.net.au
Hmm, the use of natural embellishments - I like stamping on bark - this looks great with the petroglyphs and primative art stamps. Pigment ink works best because you can emboss it, and therefore prevent it from being soaked up by the bark. I also like to use cork - either stamped or just as an "add on".
Hmm, the use of natural embellishments - I like stamping on bark - this looks great with the petroglyphs and primative art stamps. Pigment ink works best because you can emboss it, and therefore prevent it from being soaked up by the bark. I also like to use cork - either stamped or just as an "add on".
ecv500@juno.com
If any of you have Calla Lillies, press the petals. Take the white part and unroll it. Press it and it ends up looking like a piece of white leather. It is so cool and you can stamp on it too.
If any of you have Calla Lillies, press the petals. Take the white part and unroll it. Press it and it ends up looking like a piece of white leather. It is so cool and you can stamp on it too.
Tyra Smith Cloud9@netnet.net
I was playing around in my craft room the other day, trying to figure out how to make a nifty embellishment to put on the front of a hand made book I was making. I wanted something "natural" .. from nature, but also wanted something that would last, and not come apart if handled. So I made a really neat oval attachment using bark, presed flowers and 3-d crystal lacquer. I used paper birch bark...because you can pull apart the layers and and have a "thin sheet" to use for just about anything..This bark DOES take a stamp and ink very well. So, I cut an oval out of the bark, using my deckle paper edgers. Then I take some YES glue and a flat brush..and apply a thin coat of glue here and there. Next I take the pressed flowers and greenery and gentle arrange them in a pleasing fashion on the oval, being sure NOT to let the flowers go off the side of the bark oval. Let this dry for a little bit, the YES glue does dry fairly quickly. Next I took my bottle of clear 3-d crystal lacquer and applied it gentle over the flowers, you will end up covering the entire oval and pressed flowers with the crystal lacquer. I found, if you apply a small "ring" of the crystal lacquer around the outter edgers of the oval...and allow this to dry a bit.. you can then go and apply the lacquer over the rest of the surface without it running off the edges. The "ring" of 3-d crystal lacquer acts as a barrier a bit, and holds the rest of the lacquer on the oval without letting it spill off. Let it dry over night..and you have a beautiful natural embellishment that would look nice on many things! The 3-d crystal lacquer acts also as sealant over those flowers...so it's sturdy, yet beautiful
I was playing around in my craft room the other day, trying to figure out how to make a nifty embellishment to put on the front of a hand made book I was making. I wanted something "natural" .. from nature, but also wanted something that would last, and not come apart if handled. So I made a really neat oval attachment using bark, presed flowers and 3-d crystal lacquer. I used paper birch bark...because you can pull apart the layers and and have a "thin sheet" to use for just about anything..This bark DOES take a stamp and ink very well. So, I cut an oval out of the bark, using my deckle paper edgers. Then I take some YES glue and a flat brush..and apply a thin coat of glue here and there. Next I take the pressed flowers and greenery and gentle arrange them in a pleasing fashion on the oval, being sure NOT to let the flowers go off the side of the bark oval. Let this dry for a little bit, the YES glue does dry fairly quickly. Next I took my bottle of clear 3-d crystal lacquer and applied it gentle over the flowers, you will end up covering the entire oval and pressed flowers with the crystal lacquer. I found, if you apply a small "ring" of the crystal lacquer around the outter edgers of the oval...and allow this to dry a bit.. you can then go and apply the lacquer over the rest of the surface without it running off the edges. The "ring" of 3-d crystal lacquer acts as a barrier a bit, and holds the rest of the lacquer on the oval without letting it spill off. Let it dry over night..and you have a beautiful natural embellishment that would look nice on many things! The 3-d crystal lacquer acts also as sealant over those flowers...so it's sturdy, yet beautiful