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