About Me

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I'm a retired primary school teacher, who started paper crafting in 2008, when I had a fancy to make my own Christmas cards. Since then, I have tried all sorts of techniques and styles - and I kind of like them all. I have been lucky enough to be on blog teams and large design teams and to do a bit of freelance demonstrating - and I love the challenge of working with different products. My crafting style is very varied - from junk journaling and art journaling, bookbinding and journal making, to quilting and patchwork - and of course I still make cards. This variety keeps me interested - and my crafty stash growing!! I'm always seeking inspiration for new projects.

Monday 23 January 2012

Crafty Cardmakers #60 - Use Beads

This week's challenge is hosted by Jack, and all she's asking you to do is "Use Beads"!! You can make your whole project from beads - or use them as embellishments on something you make!! Just make sure that the beads are there for everyone to see!!

The sponsors for this week are The Stamp Man who are offering a £10 voucher which can be spent online, instore or at any of the shows they are attending.


  
And Di's Digi Downloads who have a $10 voucher up for grabs!!


I really loved the idea of this challenge when I first saw it, and for some reason, the first thing that came to mind was to use the fibres that have been sitting in my stash for ever as a background for the beads. So that was where I started - with a handful of Opal Haze Crystillina and Silver Iris Angelina Fibres. I sandwiched them between some greaseproof paper and my iron had one of it's few outings out of the cupboard!! (I hate ironing with a passion!!)

I then used the largest of my XCut nesting heart dies to cut the shapes. To be honest it took several runs through my Cuttlebug for a good enough impression - and even then needed a little help with my trusty little scissors!! My intention had been to sew the beads on but it soon became clear that the fused fibres would not stand up to a needle going through it multiple times, and also that my patience wouldn't stand it either.

So I ended up sticking the fibre hearts to card for reinforcement, and used clear drying glue to attach the beads.


Now you may be wondering why I've gone for the arty style photography. Well - two reasons. Firstly I'm playing with a "new" camera (as in new to me, but previously owned by my other half) and decided to see what I could do with it. But also found that the straight on shots of the card did not do it justice.

The card is 8" square and it's really hard to see, but is covered with a sheet of white angel hair paper (think it was Papermania but can't be 100% sure). The larger of the two mats consists of silver pearl paper and white card embossed with That Special Touch Small Polka Dots mask. The edges have been die cut with an insert from the Spellbinders Classic Bracket Edgeabilities Set, the waste from which was used in the four corners of the card.

The smaller, vertical mat is silver pearl and white card embossed with That Special Touch Doodle Daisies mask. The edge of this one was die cut with one of the inserts from the Spellbinders Classic Postage Stamp Edgeabilities Set - and the waste used inside the hearts on the larger mat. And of course I had to use a little bit of white organza ribbon.



And so to the beads!!! They are part of a big cheap pack that I bought ages ago when I first started crafting - and have sat in my stash ever since. The white ones are like pearls and the clear ones have silver shot through the middle. I used them to edge the hearts, and for additional embellishment along both the die cut edges and the top and bottom of the card. Overall, I was pleased with the effect.

Go over to the Crafty Cardmakers Blog to be inspired by the work of the rest of the Design Team!! And then dig out those beads and get crafting - not forgetting to share your work with us over on the blog!! Happy Beading!!

I would also like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Pan Pastel UK  - Use 2 of Something - in this case the hearts
Stampalot Challenge - Monochromatic - silver (and white)
Corrosive Challenges - I {Heart} You
The Hybrid Chick Card Caravan - Punches/Dies  (the hearts and the decorative edges)
and also
Penny Black & More January Challenge - Love & Hearts 
Cxxx

22 comments:

  1. A real stunner Carole, the silver and white look so classy and the beads and fibre are fabulous. You've put so much detail and thought into your creation - lovely.

    Feebsy
    xx

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  2. Hi Carole , this indeed is a real stunner, love all of your bling and your arty photo shots too ! This must have taken forever.

    Marie

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  3. Really clean and classy design Ilovwe the bead work. Thanks for sharing the inspiration with us.

    Kerry DT Leader PanPastel UK

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  4. Beautiful project, those hearts look so pretty. Thank you for joining in with the PanPastel challenge blog
    Lindsay xx

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  5. wow what a stunning card, so elegant with and I love the way you've created those hearts. Thanks for joining us at PanPastel UK challenge and good luck
    Claire xx

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  6. Oh Carole - such beautiful card. It's simply gorgeous.
    Hugs
    Doreen xx

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  7. Super clean/elegant card, love the colour combo you have used which enhances the classy look. Thank you for joining in at PanPastel UK.

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  8. This is just amazing. You say you didn't have the patience to sew the beads but it must have taken ages glueing them. Gorgeous. xx

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  9. Such a stylish card I do love the colour scheme and the beads make it look oh so expensive!

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  10. Totally elegant, gorgeous beading details and design.
    Yvonne
    p.s. Thankyou for your lovely comment and yes it was a doily peeping out.

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  11. This is just beautiful. Would love to see a full on shot even if it didn't do it justice. I do like the arty shots though xx

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  12. Such a pretty design & such detailed work.
    Sally x

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  13. Beautiful design. I think it is lovely in silver and white. Great idea, great card. Thanks for joining us at the Corrosive Challenge.

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  14. Your card is lovely Carol and clever use of beads.

    Thank you so much for joining in our Monochromatic theme at Stampalot Challenge this month, good luck and look forward to seeing you again.

    Your card would also fit the theme at Penny Black and More where Stamplaot sponsor a prize.

    B x

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  15. Absolutely stunning! Thanks for joining us at Sir Stampalot this month.
    Pinky

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  16. very classy love all the sparkle thank you for joining us at panpastel uk
    linda x

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  17. Oh my word, this is just absolutely STUNNING! LOVE the white and silver scheme--so elegant! :)

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  18. Fab Entry, thanks for joining Penny black @ Allsorts challenge, Good luck.
    Happy crafting
    Tracy x

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  19. such a fabulous card. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Sir stampalot this month and good luck!

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  20. A very beautiful and elegant card. Thank you for sharing with us at Penny Black and More this month.
    Clare x

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  21. Very pretty and I love the way you have used beads,thanks for joining us at Penny black and more this month.
    Hugs louise

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  22. Beautiful! Thanks for joining the Card Caravan!

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Thank you so much for visiting my blog and leaving a comment!! I really appreciate it!! Cxx