Writing on Pearls - Say Again?

Didn't someone once say (some say it was Plato; some say it was Aesop), "Necessity is the mother of invention"? At any rate, one of the most appreciable traits of a craftsperson is resourcefulness! It's always fun to use an ordinary object as a craft element or to stretch the intended purpose of an object. So... have I got your attention? Read on!

Stamps -

Floral Border stamp set
"sisters are forever" block stamp

Papers -
Pink Parchment half-sheet, folded
Sea Green designer paper
White card stock
White card stock scrap
Dark Sea Green card stock scrap

Inks -
Versacolor Old Rose, Celadon, Olive;
Encore Metallic Gold
Archival Black ink

Tools, Etc. -
Label dies - (I used Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Four S4-190)
Medium Circle Punch
Cuttlebug embossing folder - "Victorian"
PopIt! Shapes - (I used Square)

Embellishments -
Gold Paint Pen
Adhesive Pearls - Pearl
Green Fine Point Sharpie Marker
Embroidery thread
Yellow watercolor pencil or equivalent

Instructions -
Use one of the larger Labels and cut a hole in the Pink Parchment half-sheet.

Edge the inner portion of the cut-out with the Gold Paint Pen. Line the card with the Sea Green designer paper.

Then run the White card stock through the die cutting machine with the label the next size down. Stamp it with the following images and inks.

Mini Dogwood Cluster in Old Rose ink (stamp a second time before reinking to add some depth)

 

Mini Redbud Leaf Solid in Celadon ink

 

Tiny Pine Branch in Olive ink

Tiny Big Wing Dragonfly in Archival Black ink

Edge the label with the Gold Paint Pen and attach it to the card base using PopIt! adhesive tape.

Make Sentiment Medallion -
On the White card stock scrap, stamp "sisters are forever" in Olive ink.

Center the sentiment in the Circle punch and punch out.

Use Gold ink and the Tiny Pine Branch to make a border around the circle. 

Then edge with the Gold Paint Pen. Next, make a slightly larger circle using the Dark Sea Green card stock and glue it behind the piece you just stamped. Glue the resulting medallion to the card, under the stamped dragonfly.

Make Embellishments -
FLORAL

 

On a White card stock scrap, stamp the Flower in Old Rose and some Leaves in Olive.

  

Cut them out, edge them with the Gold Paint Pen and attach them to the card underneath the sentiment medallion, using a PopIt! to lift the Flower.

DRAGONFLY
On a White scrap, stamp the Dragonfly in Archival Black Ink.

When the ink dries, use the Yellow watercolor pencil and color it in. Cut it out and mount it with PopIt! Shapes to the card, on top of the Dragonfly you stamped earlier.

PEARLS
This next step is a fun new trick. I wanted to bring out some of the greens from various elements on the card-- but with a little punch. All this time my adhesive pearls have been just sitting there doing nothing but look pretty so I decided to put them to work. I decided to customize them with a Sharpie marker!

Here are a couple of tips before getting started:
You know how a marker needs help getting started sometimes? Make sure to scribble a bit on a scrap piece of paper to get the juices going before you start writing on the pearl. I also left the pearls stuck to the packaging while writing.

I used three of the tiniest pearls in the package as centers for the cutout flowers. Just scribble a little bit on the top of the pearls so some white remains. This gives added dimension that you wouldn't get if you colored the pearl solid (I tried it).

Then spell out the L-O-V-E (or any other sentiment you wish). Here, I used only the largest pearls in the package to spell out my word, but I'll bet that it would look good to graduate the pearls.

Once they're dry, they're ready for you to place on the card.

See how the partial scribbling gives some dimension to the flowers?

BOW
I used three different colors of embroidery thread. Braided them loosely and then tied knots in the ends to keep the braid formation.

Once you've put everything together, you can add a little tiny tipped glitter glue to the card--and you're done!

What do you think? Just enter your comment in the comment section below for a chance to win the Floral Border stamp set. Today's winner is Janet Sisk, who will be receiving the Floral Vine Border set from last week. Congratulations Janet! 

Until next week, Happy Stamping from Susan and rest of the gang at Rubber Stamp Tapestry!

Comments

[Janet Sisk]

OMG! I can't believe I won! WooHoo! I love RST stamps. Thanks so much.

[Mary Mac]

Great idea to write out your sentiment on pearls. Another beautiful card Susan.

[Linda w]

Beautiful card Susan. I don't think I could write those letters so tiny but I love the idea.

stamp on...

[Denise Bryant]

You are too clever.... love the coloring and writing on the pearls. It is a beautiful card. Love all the details on it.
DeniseB

[Debbie from Missouri]

Apparently, writing on pearls is all the rage for this week's comments! I would not have thought of that...thanks for the tip.

[Michelle Adams]

Wow - this one knocked my socks off! This is so so so gorgeous! I would never have thought of writing/coloring the pearls - but what a great idea!

[Cindy L]

Cute card! I do love my sistas!

[Elaine Allen]

Susan -

Another lovely card. I love you ideas for the pearls, and you have very neat and pretty handwriting too!

Elaine Allen

[Judi Graham]

Super idea with the pearls and I will try this one!!

[Ink-Pattie]

you've outdone yourself again! love this idea, and the resulting card is awesome.

[Lynda]

Love the pearls!
Love the butterfly just about to land on the sentiment!

[Debbie]

That is one fantastic card!

[jo]

I've seen the idea for coloring pearls before, but not writing on them...............how clever!

[sue wisniewski]

What a good idea. I've painted the gems before but never thought of using them as letters! You did it again! stamping sue

[Phyllis M.]

REally great idea writing on the pearls. I have colored them before but never written on them. Pretty card and great tut also. Thanks for sharing.

[Sarah B]

More new ideas to try. Who would have thought of writing on pearls? Well, obviously someone with a very neat and steady hand but I think even I can get a good result with your tips. Another beautiful card. Thanks again for your technique blog and wonderful samples.

[judy]

I would never have thought of using pearls let alone writing on them. That's why I like checking your projects out. You never disappoint. Thanks--I am going to round up some pearls. Judyb

[Susan S.]

Fantastic! Love the re-purposing and the stamp set. Yummy colors, too.

[Audrey]

Love the card and the added pearls are wonderful. You always do such amazing work!!

[Susan Z]

Love the use of the tiny pearls.
Yes, my sisters are the best.

[Margaret]

What an awesome idea. Who would have thought of writing on the pearls! The colors you chose on this sample are exquisite too.

[Lynne K]

Very pretty - love the colours. And what a wonderful idea with the pearls.

[Margaret McGlaun]

Outstanding! Love the colors and the lettered pearls.

[Wendy Bekx]

The color combo is my favorite part-that lovely mint green and peach screams spring!!

[PAM G]

NOT CRAZY ABOUT THE COLOR COMBO OF THIS ONE, BUT SOME GREAT NEW TECHNIQUES PRESENTED! THANKS FOR THE INSPIRATION!