CCM&M #112 - Paper Piercing/Pricking

Our host for this challenge is Josephine. She would like to see some decorative paper piercing or pricking. If you would like to then stitch the holes that you have pierced, then please do so - but no faux stitching.  Please note that this is NOT paper piecing - but paper piercing.

Our sponsor this time is Crafty Sentiments who are offering 3 images of the winner's choice.

For my card, I chose to use Benson Bear - Birthday digi image from our sponsor. I have never done any paper piercing before, so thought I would look it up to make sure I had all my facts correct. So, I have learned that it is also called Ornare - and that there are loads of templates out there. I found a lovely site called Gem's Cottage that has some great printable templates at very little cost. I have used one of the templates from the Oval Frames set. 

I also learnt that you pierce from the back to the front to give it more texture - and that the size of the piercing tool and the material underneath all affect the finished look. Not having any of the proper tools, I went for a large needle and a piece of foam that some large brads came embedded into. 

I coloured the image with my Promarkers:

Benson - Satin, Blush, Saffron, Tequila Sunrise, Tan, Cinammon and Peony

Parcel - Oatmeal, Starfish, Ginger, Tea Green, Frosted Jade, Marine, Cool Grey 1,2,3 and Black

This was then cut with a Spellbinders Oval, and inked while still in the die with Tea Dye DI. The blue scallop circle is Bazzill card, and I used more of this and some orange for the matting. A piece of grey grosgrain ribbon is the finishing touch.  

The paper piercing was done on a piece of white pearl card from my stash. I decided not to add any more embellishments as I wanted the paper piercing to really stand out as a feature of the card. 

I am really pleased with how this turned out, and am looking forward to seeing what you all can come up with! And don't forget that the Mixed Media challenge is running concurrently through the next two weeks. Check out all the inspiration on the Crafty Cardmakers and More Challenge Blog. 

Don't forget to leave a comment if you are following my blog for the first time. And for those of you on Facebook, I now have a page just for my crafting stuff - please feel free to 'like' my page - it's called (surprisingly) Papercraft By Carole. Am still finding my way with it - so bear with me!! 

I would like to enter this card into the following:
The Paper Players - Clean and Simple (hope this counts - sorry if it doesn't)
Crafty Calendar Challenges - Animal Antics

Back soon with more!!
Cxx