Technique Tuesday: Accents

It's our second Technique Tuesday!  Wahoo!  

The technique we are sharing with you today is: Using accents!  

1.  Sewing -  We have seen so many cards on Etsy or Pinterest that the designer has sewn somewhere on the card.  It looks so neat and adds such a great dimension to the card.  I have wanted to use that technique so many times, but I don't have a sewing machine.  It really does add something fun to a card, so I fake it.  Yes, fake it.  I use a fine point pen and I create stitching with the ink.  It still adds that look to the card without the actual thread.  

"Stitching" around the petals of the flower

2. Rhinestones - We use rhinestones a lot when we make cards.  They are great for any open space that you feel just needs a little something.  Rhinestones are also great for balancing the card.  If you put words or a stamp in one corner a grouping of rhinestones is the opposite diagonal corner will make the card seem complete.  

Grouping of 3 black rhinestones to offset the Happy Birthday

3. Ribbon - Ribbon can do so many things to your card.  You can use ribbon to: create a fun border along the edge of the card, cover a divide between two pieces of paper, anchor designs to the top of your paper, or just add texture.  

4. Buttons - Collecting different colors and shapes can become a hobby by itself!  Buttons are such a fun accent to add to a card.  You can use them to represent something on a card like the O in LOVE below or to make a flower or balloon.  You can use them as a border around the edges or to create words.  You can put coordinating ribbon through to pull other colors from the patterned paper to make the card look finished.  Buttons are such an easy way to add a little pizzazz.  

5.  Paper Flowers -  These are similar to rhinestones.  They add color and balance to any card.  You can group them or use just one.  Either way they look cute.  A large grouping looks like a garden which is very pretty on a card.  See card below Brads.  

6. Brads - We use brads as the centers for paper flowers or to make something moveable on a card.  Lisa used them to make the wings on my owl baby shower wings move.  We've also used them as corner accents which also held the paper together.  

7.  Baker's Twine -  I am obsessed with Baker's Twine.  It's just so much fun to use.  I like to criss cross it across cards, thread it through buttons and knot it for a messy look, or thread it through a button and make a bow.  No matter how you use it will look adorable.  I've also used it as the string on button balloons.  

Hopefully you found these tips helpful and will use them yourself on your cards.  

You can check out last week's Technique Tuesday here.

Happy Crafting! Lisa and Jess