A few well chosen embellishments can help to give a professional finish to a rubber stamping project. There are a wide variety of embellishments available from brads and beads to ribbons and bows.
Embellishments are used and applied in different ways depending on the type of embellishment and the project. Some embellishments, such as brads, also serve a practical purpose and can be used to apply items or secure layers used in a project.
A huge variety of ready made embellishments are available, however these are also easy to make or customize.
Some of the most popular embellishments include:
Embellishments are used and applied in different ways depending on the type of embellishment and the project. Some embellishments, such as brads, also serve a practical purpose and can be used to apply items or secure layers used in a project.
A huge variety of ready made embellishments are available, however these are also easy to make or customize.
Some of the most popular embellishments include:
Brads
Kate Pullen
Brads are traditionally thought of as a paper fastener. Over recent years, however, brads have become a decorative as well as functional accessory. Many brads that are available today are mini works of art, with jewel encrusted versions, or brads with highly ornate designs hand painted onto the surface, in addition to the wide selection of colors. Brads are ideal for adding interest to a project such as embellishing the center of a rubber stamped flower. Brads are self fastening and the prongs of the brad are simply poked through a hole in the paper or cardstock and bent outwards.
Ribbons
Kate Pullen
Ribbons can add detail to a rubber stamping project as well as providing a feminine touch. Any type of ribbon can be used to embellish rubber stamping projects and while there are specially designed paper craft ribbons available, equal success can be had with odds and ends of ribbons left over from other crafts or projects. This can also be a great way to recycle ribbon and ribbons reclaimed from antique items can give a unique touch to a rubber stamping project. Ribbon is ideal for framing a rubber stamped image or for giving a decorative edge to a project. Ribbon can be stuck to paper or cardstock using a suitable glue.
Stickers, Peel Offs and Rub Ons
Kate Pullen
Stickers suitable for embellishing rubber stamping projects are available in a huge range of shapes and styles. 'Peel offs' and 'rub ons' are types of stickers. These are a great way to add some additional detail to a rubber stamping project such as edgings or corner decoration. Stickers are also a useful way to add text without needing to use text or alphabet stamps. Stickers are generally sold by the sheet.
Bows
Kate Pullen
Bows are a popular way of embellishing projects and can add a three dimensional touch to a design. These traditional embellishments complement a wide variety of stamping designs from wedding invitations to birthday cards. Bows in a variety of sizes are readily available from stamping and craft stores, however they are easy to make and bows can be tied from pieces of ribbon, scraps of fabric, lengths of interesting yarn - even thin strips of paper. Bows can be easily attached to rubber stamping projects using adhesive or by actually tying the bow through holes in the card or cardstock.
Shapes
Kate Pullen
Shapes cut from cardstock or chipboard are ideal for embellishing rubber stamping projects. These are readily available from craft stores. The shapes can be stamped or painted to add further interest. Shapes can be added to rubber stamping projects using a suitable adhesive. Glue dots or double sided tape will raise the image and give a more three dimensional finished effect.
Card Toppers
Kate Pullen
Card toppers are typically used in card making and are handy embellishments for a variety of rubber stamping projects. Card toppers are ready made items that are widely available. The choice of topper will depend on the project and they are fixed in many different ways. Many card toppers come with a self adhesive tape to make fastening them to a project simple. Card toppers are a quick way to finish handmade stamped cards.
Stitching
Stitching as a form of decoration is very popular at the moment and can be achieved in a variety of ways. In addition to real stitching using a needle and thread, you can embellish a project with the effect of stitching by using stickers, rubber stamps or drawing fake stitches using a fine pen. This is known as 'faux stitching'. Both faux and real stitching can be used to give an interesting edging to a card and can be particularly effective when used on layered cards.
