2 Rhinestone Brad Hints & Anniversary Baroque Card

Sorry this is a little late. I took my kids to the libray and it took longer than I had planned.

I need to explain the color choices for this card. This is for my DH next weekend, for our 25th wedding Anniversary. The Burgandy, Pink and Blue were the colors for our Wedding. With that said I'll explain the card.

I antiqued it by sponging both Timber Brown Stazon and Brilliance Starlite Silver. I used my SU paper piercer & mat pack to pierce the corners of the burgandy and then antique it, because after 25 years we are a bit aged. This Is me winking;) The light blue layer, I distressed the edges putting alot of the silver on the roughed paper edge and then sponging the Brown. I added 4 Silver Antique metal brads by Creative Impressions. I didn't have quite a light enough pink so I stamped the silver image on to vellum and then adhered it to my light pink using frosted squares for vellum from Creative Memories. After adhereing and trimming I sponged with Timber Brown. I did not sponge with silver on this layer. I trimmed the corners with my SU Ticket Corner punch. I stamped the small flowers with Bravo Burgandy and then adhered it to the blue background. I added 5 2mm diamond Hero Arts gemstones on this layer. Next I stamped off the large flower once after inking with bordering blue and then used the Rock N Roll technique to add my Brilliance Starlite Silver dewdrop ink on the edges. I stamped twice on Whisper White. I cut these out and then distressed the edges with Timber Brown. I picked the best looking one, and I punched a hole in the center with my 1/8th circle punch. I used a large pink Rhinestone brad in the center. This brad is either one from the Target dollar that I picked up a year ago or a MM one from the assorted pack. I then mounted the flower on a 1/8" dimensional. Lastly I used my Stardust clear pen to add the silver stiching around the perimeter of the card on the Chocolate Brown cardstock base. I haven't decided if I want to stamp "Cherish" on the card yet. I am not certain if it would take away from the masculine look.

Hint: Some friends of mine have been complaining that they can not get the rhinestone brads flat enough on their cards. I have used two methods that I think work well. Both are used in different situations depending on what you are mounting the stone on.

1. Bend the prongs tighter together with jewelry pliers under the stone, getting rid of the air gap and then mount.
2. My favorite way is to used the Rubber handle on the punches, I use the make the hole, to press down firmly after mounting the stone. The rubber handle protects the stone and it doesnt slip. (EDIT: I have the fiskars foam rubber handles.)

Until Later ...Happy Stamping!