Feb 25 2009
One Stamp Wednesday: Inset Rhinestones
Hello! I’m glad you could drop in for another One Stamp Wednesday, the day I dedicate to Post Office-friendly, no extra postage required cards. Today I focused on bling without bulk and made a gem-studded boho flower — almost like jewelry for your card. With the rhinestones set into the cardstock, rather than sitting on top, the card in the envelope presents a smooth surface for smooth sailing to its destination. I have weighed this card on our postal scale at work. With the inside writing panel lined with white cardstock, a crimped cardstock sheet to protect the front, and the envelope included, the whole works weighs in at 42¢.
I had a difficult time photographing this card and finally settled on this picture. I apologize for the poor quality. It’s much better looking in real life.
To make the flower, I started with SU!’s True Friend Boho-style blossom.
- Stamp it three times and cut out the parts as shown in the photo below.
- Punch two 1 3/8″ circles
- Glue the flower parts together, giving it a little dimension, but not too much bulk.
- Glue one circle on the back side of the flower. Set the other aside.
- Use a Crop-A-Dile to punch holes in the flower. The larger Crop-A-Dile punch did the center, and the smaller Crop-A-Dile punch did the ring around the flower center. I stretched the center hole just a little bit by inserting a pencil in the hole and running it around the edges, sort of pushing the edges out. I hope that makes sense. The photo below shows the assembled flower with its punched holes.
- Color the flower.
- After coloring, press the flower face down into Versamark pad, then emboss with Glassy Glaze (ultra-thick embossing powder). A pencil inserted through the flower’s center hole is a perfect tool for holding the flower during the embossing process.
- After the embossed flower cools, glue the other 1 3/8″ circle onto the back of the flower to give it a base behind the holes. The photo below shows the back of the flower and the Kaiser self-adhesive rhinestones (from Flourishes).
The largest of the rhinestones fits the center hole and the smallest rhinestones fit the smaller holes. I used a pencil eraser to push the rhinestones firmly in place. The large rhinestone was a bit more of a squeeze, which is why it’s best to try to stretch the hole first.
I used Alene’s Tacky Glue to adhere the flower to the finished card, making sure it was pressed firmly flat. I just love the flower! It could easily be made into a pendant or a brooch.
The three small rhinestones on the card’s sentiment panel are inset, as well. The designer paper provides lightweight layers and the ribbon is tied in such a way that it creates no excess bulk. All the rest of the card’s ingredients are summed up below.
It’s time for me to run off now…I hope we can do this again soon. Till next time…have a great day!
Stamps: True Friend (SU!) Paper: Chocolate Chip, retired SU! Apple Cider designer paper, Neenah Classic Solar White Ink: Palette Noir, Versamark, Chocolate Chip and Really Rust markers Accessories: Ribbon, copper cord, rhinestones, Spellbinders dies
Amazing! I love your flower, too. You always do such a terrific job of writing and explaining how to do things. I must try this - Thank You!
FABULOUS! I just love the effect that you achieved here. The dimension is outstanding!
Brilliant!
awesome flower, Leslie! You are right, it would make a fab pin or jewelry item!
What a beautiful flower! It goes so perfectly with your gorgeous card!
Wow! This is fantastic! What a clever and wonderful idea! Gorgeous Leslie!
Beautiful, beautiful flower! Thanks for the details on how to create it. Your card is gorgeous, too.
WOW, I had to pick my jaw up off the floor to comment!! This is stunning
What an amazing idea! And the technique would work
for so many things! WOW! Thank you!
This is amazing! I cant wait to try it myself! I even have this set!!!
Wow, this is fabulous! Thanks so much for sharing such a cool idea. I’m going to try this for sure. It looks gorgeous!!
such a pretty flower, just love what the embossing gives to it!
very pretty
It’s beautiful Leslie! Thanks for showing us how you did it!
Leslie,
What a fabulous looking card and the flower is totally amazing! Thanks so much for putting the flower instructions on-line, and in such detail.
Wonderful flower and clear instructions-thanks for sharing. Pretty card!
Wow! What a gorgeous card and wonderful idea! Perfect tutorial too!
WAY kewl. What a brilliant idea to inset rhinestones. Stunning card! :O)
I love that pretty, pretty paper…and your jeweled flower is incredible!! Thanks so much for all of the details, Leslie!! You are truly an inspiration!!
Wow, that looks so cool, Leslie! I love how the rhinestones fit in so perfectly. Thanks for the great instructions!
This is just beautiful, that flower is absolutely stunning!!
Holy Moly!! What a beauty!!
This is so beautiful, I’m honestly at a loss for words.
This is an incredible card and I LOVE the inset bling!!!!!!!!! I have a girlfriend who is the Bling Queen and will love to see this. Thanks for sharing your wonderful talent!!!
WOW; what an incredible card and tutorial; thanks for sharing; it’s awesome!!!
This is lovely!
OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Totally brilliant! I absolutely love this idea for mailable card jewelry!
aaaaaack! Are you kidding me?!?! The flower is SO COOL and you make it sound so easy (which I know it wasn’t!). Fabulous card Leslie! FABULOUS!!!
GASP that’s gorgeous Leslie! What a great tutorial too!
Wow, this is just too cool! I am going to print out your directions and I hope I can try this in the next month or so (and if not, I love looking at it).
Wow, Leslie……your flower does look like jewelry. Such a clever way to add so much dimension without bulk to your card. You continue to amaze me with your creativity. TFS your gorgeous card and tutorial.
Great card Leslie. Your flower certainly looks as beautiful as a fine piece of jewelry. Beautiful!!!
Joan
I am so glad that you did a tutorial on this lovely gem!!! I have got to try this…it looks just stunning!!
I would never tell it is made out of paper, Leslie!!! You are so very creative! Thank you so much for sharing all of the details!!!
Gorgeous, Leslie. thank you for the tutorial on this beautiful jewel!!! I see so many possibilities. Thank you for sharing with us… Blessings….
Wow! That is absolutly gorgeous.
What a gorgeous flower and great idea! It looks heavy, but glad to hear it made the weight! A lot of work, but the outcome was well worth the effort!
Now that is totally cool Leslie! And I like that its postage friendly! Very pretty card!
What lovely directions, I can hardly wait to try it. This created a beautiful card.
Hugs
Heather
Just too clever, Leslie! What a great idea, and it turned out just stunning! That ribbon is the perfect touch here. You are just amazing, and so inspirational. And thanks for reminding me about this stamp set and that dp. Linda
Leslie, what eye candy, this is stunning!