Paper Crafter's Library

I must have missed the first round of these yummy candy like embellishments because only recently I have discovered them for myself and can’t seem to get enough of them.  Then, when I realized I could make my own, there was no stopping me.  Let me show you some of the cool ways crafty ladies have been incorporating them in their projects.

The color and layers on layers really stood out on this card.  There is so much fun going on in this card.  The enamel dots are just perfect for adding more color.

Card by Kathy Martin photo courtesy of Card-Blanc

The little splashes of color in this mostly monochromatic card are just perfect.  They can set off splatter marks as well as add extra texture.

card by Suzanne Dahlberg photo courtesy of Freshly Noted

Kimberly made her own “enamel dots” in this next card, out of paper.  I just love the creativity and the color pop is awesome.  If you look closely, you can also see the texture she created with them as well.

card by Kimberly Crawford photo courtesy of For the Love of Paper

The contrasting color and texture in this card is just awesome.  It looks like the perfect card for a birthday girl party.

card by Pearl Gateway photo courtesy of Pearl Gateway

This next card is super sophisticated as it uses so many cool trends in one.  Between the letter shadowing, triangles, die cuts and enamel dots and sequins, Jeanne hits all of the trendy points perfectly.

card by Jeanne Jachna photo courtesy of A Kept Life

The soft pastel colors of some of the enamel dots are perfect for traditional baby cards.  This one is just adorable.

card by Laurel Beard photo courtesy of Papercrafts by Laurel

I just love how Lindsay used the coordinating dots to match her watercolor strokes.  Beautiful work.

card by Lindsay Amrhein photo courtesy of Note to Self

I was also floored with her use of the black dots too.  I have to remind myself that back looks awesome beyond a background color.

card by Lindsay Amrhein photo courtesy of Note to Self

Enamel dots are awesome as an accent but also look great incorporated into designs too.  I love them at the center of these pinwheels.

card by Rebecca Deeprose photo courtesy of Paper Primrose

I just adore the sunflowers that Kim created using multiple sized enamel dots in the center of the flowers.

card by Kim Hughes photo courtesy of Paper Smooches

This tag art is just fabulous.  The multicolored rain is so awesome.  Ronda uses the dots as central elements for her designs as well as accents throughout these pieces.

tags by Ronda Palazzari photo courtesy of My Mind’s Eye Blog

This bubblegum machine was just the sweetest thing I have ever seen.  The gumballs look almost edible.

card by Karolyn Loncon photo courtesy of Paper Therapy

I have read several blogs that have DIYs on making your own enamel dots.  Because once you start using these, you really want access to a lot of them.  Making your own can be a less expensive option.  The recommendation is to use Pony beads or Perler beads.  However, Perler seems a better solution because they are designed to melt and don’t give off odor when they are melting.  One site mentioned to stand the beads up on a non stick cooking mat/ranger mat/parchment paper and to heat them in an oven at 325 for about 20-25 mins until they are melted and the dimple is gone.  (We have not personally tried this.)

Of course you can also buy an assortment of fun colors and really cool shapes too.  Check out a few of the brands I found.

So go ahead,… make something pretty.

                                                                                        

 

 

by Aliya White

 

 

 

I’m so glad to know that I’m not the only card maker to have ‘nothing’.  That feeling–it happens with all of us at one time or another:  The Brick Wall.  No ideas, no motivation, no inspiration with/for or about anything creative.  We endlessly search for that ‘something’ that will re-ignite our flame of creativity.

For some of us, that first tiny spark could be found in a cool, crafty blog that you just happened upon; a new technique that you’ve put off trying; a fabulous embellishment you rediscovered in your stash or a new trend outside of your usual, crafting box.

For today’s Trendy Tuesday, I’m going waaay outside of the paper crafting box and stepping inside the photographic effect of Bokeh.  Bokeh (BOH-kay), in my simplest interpretation, is that out of focus region in the background of photos when the main focal point is in focus and within a shallow depth of field–Very technical indeed!

When the focal sources are points of light or light reflections, you see this in photography….

Photo Credit:  hdwallpapers.in

The Bokeh effect doesn’t necessarily have to be circular–Hearts, squares, diamonds, any shape can be incorporated into this ghostly and striking technique.

Photo Credit: iskin.co.uk

In stamping, that effect is being transitioned into a clean and simple style for card designs, with BIG WOW effect.  Think–2nd and 3rd generation stamping, with different colors of ink and you can achieve the look of Bokeh in your stamping projects, too.  What’s even funner still is, Kimberly attached white sequins to really bump up the Bokeh effect on her card to mimic sunspots!

Sunshine card by Kimberly Crawford, image source For the Love of Paper-MFT April Release

Heat embossing, as Amy presented here on this card, not only gives the card texture, but an emboss-resist for the inks she used for her background.

Embossed Bokeh card by Amy Rohl, image source Ink About Me-MFT Release Countdown

Although my online research did not find any other stamp manufacturers out there right now offering a line of Bokeh specific style stamps, My Favorite Things released this Bokeh Builder set this past April that will help inspire your own style of Bokeh flavored cards.

image source My Favorite Things

Here are a couple of more samples created with the Bokeh Builder set.  Debbie uses a top layer of vellum to soften her Bokeh effect of bright, vibrant spots of color.  She’s keeping that main, focal image of her sentiment in focus and her background blurred–just like you see in photography!

Bright Future Bokeh card by Debbie Carriere, image source A Simple Diversion-MFT Countdown

Jodi’s Bokeh background is colorful and fun and a perfect match for the sentiment she stamped in gold and embellished with a couple of sparkly, gold enamel dots!  Her background reminds me of shimmers of sunlight bouncing off of water; orbs of yellow, blue, orange, all shiny and metallic-like (can you tell I’m ready for Summer?).

Stand Where it’s Shining card by Jodi Collins, image source Stamping A Latte-MFT Release

Never fear!!  You don’t have to have the Bokeh Builder set to achieve your own Bokeh effect in stamping.  Look at what this clever card maker did…. Lydia’s interest in photography and technology led her to create her stunning blue Bokeh background, with *Spoiler Alert* a pencil eraser!!  Love That!!

Bokeh Blue Butterfly card by Lydia Fiedler, image source Understand Blue

And remember, Bokeh doesn’t have to be round in shape to be considered Bokeh.  This die-cut butterfly card that Pam created, uses varying shades of pink card stock and vellum to achieve her Bokeh effect.  Again, that top layer of vellum acts, almost, like a camera lens capturing those out of focus background elements.  Lovely and Elegant, indeed!

Elegant Pink Butterflies by Pam Strobel, image source Stamp and Stretch

Now, when you happen to hear your picture-taking hobbyist friends and colleagues talking about the cool effect of Bokeh in photography, you can confidently join in the conversation and take it to another level by talking about the fabulous card designs you’ve bee creating using the Bokeh effect in stamping!!  — Shari