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You can add ribbon, decorative brads, more cardstock layers, highlighting certain areas with a white gel pen, glitter, buttons, bows, flowers ... just about anything.
I have a bookmark shaped card on my work table that lists in alphabetic order possible embellishments and paper effects, and I pull it out when a card needs something more but I'm in a quandary over what I might add. I've been adding items on to the list and need to consolidate them into a new list. It's probably up to 3 dozen ideas! String, tag, Flowersoft, flocking, and so on. You probably have a lot more sitting around than just ribbon, flowers, and brads.
I like sparkle, so I can always find a place to add a rhinestone, or Stickles, or even outline my image with a Stardust metallic pen. Clear is my favorite for this option.
Lately I've been adding buttons, too. Three small ones in a row seems to work on a lot of my cards.
Here's a card I just made that has it all. I usually go for "more is more."
My go-to embellishment lately is rhinestones. Teeny tiny ones, great big ones, love 'em. They're great for accenting sentiments or for adding to little nooks and flourishes of graphic elements. You can even color clear rhinestones with a Sharpie or Copic marker for custom colors. Here are a couple of my cards using rhinestones:
my go-to is piercing...subtle but a little something...
This is exactly what I was going to suggest too. That and sometimes a little dry embossing using my score-pal or depending on the card I might use glitter.
My go to little extra embellishment is stickles. I love the way they look. I usually use Star Dust just cause it goes with everything. I don't have that many stickles, but I do have a lot of glitter colours, so I use that quite a bit also when I need a specific colour.
If you have a particular card you're wondering about, the Constructive Criticism thread is a good place to ask. What lifts one card might not work for another.
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I'd say stickles, rhinestones or pearls. I always use ribbon too.
One thing KWerner does on her videos (Make a card Monday and Finally Friday) is use a white gel pen for faux stitching and it really make things pop. I love to drop in each Mon. and Fri. and watch her create!
__________________ All I want is the chance to prove money won't make me happy!
Lately I have found that putting a mat around your paper punches up the card. To explain better, if you are putting several pieces of paper to a card mat each piece with a darker cardstock. Also raising pieces off the card with pop dots works too.
You've received great suggestions (I love the chocolate and coffee one best). My suggestion is to try to add something that adds texture/dimension to the card (such as ribbon but it could be sponging or distressing the edges of the cardstock) And if it also adds some sparkle or shine it's usually even better (imo)!
If the card is mostly one color, try adding a bit of contrasting color (a red sentiment on a black-and-white card, an orange flower on a blue card, etc.)
Most of my cards don't feel finished until I add stitching. I love the look it adds. I also use lots of buttons, twines, ribbons, and rhinestones. Glitter, flock, and glossy accents are great finishing touches on winter and Christmas images.
If I've "completed" a card and it doesn't feel quite right I usually add stickles to a collage or vintage style card or I use my black ZIG pen and add some tiny doodles around the edge to a cleaner style card.
I love the idea from GypsyRoseStamper to have a list of possible embellishments handy...I need to do that!
I bought a Sizzix die set with swirls, and I've been using a lot of them lately--either by themselves or with a flower or snowflake on top. I like the list idea, too!
I made a Fall birthday card today and put the punched out leaves through Cuttlebug embossing folders to add dimension. They really look great that way!
I like to put three brads/pearls/rhinestones in a row in one of the corners. This gives a good pop to the card, plus it's usually easy to do once you have the card already made.
Bling for me too.. rhinestones, pearls.. whatever. I also LOVE the look of stitching on a card.. it really makes it look finished, even if it's just faux stitching. Black matting also works to dress up a card.
For me, when I have this struggle when I am looking at a card going "ok, what in the world does this need?" It seems like my problems are layout issues. SO, I try not to adhere everything until I have had a chance to rearrange, look at the layout. Etc. Trial and error for me! Sometimes I even start over if it's frustrating enough!
I have WAY too much embellishments/accessories. SO, I always have options. Maybe having TOO many options is my problem.
My go-to embellishment lately is rhinestones. Teeny tiny ones, great big ones, love 'em.
Totally with you on this one! they've become my single biggest addiction lately!!
Also, I know not everyone is a fan of the look, but for me I need to add some ink distressing!! I just love the warmth/depth it adds to everything from sentiments to patterned paper! LOVE it, and I so need it on my cards (I feel "naked" without it :grin
I like to put three brads/pearls/rhinestones in a row in one of the corners. This gives a good pop to the card, plus it's usually easy to do once you have the card already made.
What do you add to a card that needs
