It's in the details...

Hey all!  I'm excited to share my first ever PTI newsletter project with you today!  If you're like me, you think that the little details are really what make a card interesting and give it that little extra something that makes you look twice. 

Well, today I'm going to show you a little technique that is soooo easy and uses the most basic tools. It's not a new technique, but one that I think can very easily add some spunk to your projects...It's piercing!  I love the look....you can make it contemporary looking, or it can give your projects sort of a vintage, lacey look, depending on the materials you're using and the patterns you are creating. 

Let's get started....

There are several tools you can use...you can purchase a basic piercing tool like this one from Making Memories.  But you really don't even need that!  I usually just use a heavy-weight needle...any sharp, pointy object will work, really!  You'll also want something to use as a mat.  A foam stamping mat, a mouse pad, or just a piece of fun foam will work. 

Then just think about all of the ways you can use piercing.  You can trace around a design like I did for this flower.  Just lay your stamped design on your mat and begin piercing.  Try to keep the spacing as even as you can for a polished look.

Used your stamped images as a guide...notice how I pierced inside each little scallop on the inside of the flower.  It really makes the image pop. 

And then consider making your own designs, rather than just following the stamped images.  I wanted to create some trails for my butterflies.  I drew them lightly with pencil first, so I'd have a guide to follow.  I also wanted to pierce a line beneath my sentiment, so I drew a pencil lines as a guide there as well.

Then just follow your pencil lines and erase them when you're finished.

It's also fun to jazz up your background stamps with a little piercing.  Just follow the design and do as little or as much as you want!

It's a great way to add texture and dimension....

On this next card, I stamped a bunch of background images using Fresh Snow ink on Kraft cardstock.  I then added lots of piercing to give it a lacey look. 

For the flower and leaves on this card, I cut them out around the piercing.  I love the way they look!

I also added some piercing around the scalloped edge and around the outside edges as a frame.

 

 Well, there you have it...two cards using very basic supplies...stamps and cardstock with a few buttons thown in, but it's the details that make them special!  Try it...it's kind of addicting!  :-)

 
Butterfly Card:
Stamps:  Blooming Button Bits, Butterfly Kisses, Giga Guidelines, Background Basics: Diamonds
Ink:  Fresh Snow, Hibiscus Burst, Spring Moss, Pure Poppy, Orange Zest
Cardstock:  Rustic Cream, Pure Poppy, Orange Zest
Other:  Spring Moss, Hibiscus and Orange Zest buttons, Rustic Cream button twine

Flower Card:
Stamps:  Blooming Button Bits, Background Basics: Diamonds, Background Basics: Retro, Giga Guidelines, Background Basics: Petal Power
Ink:  Fresh Snow, Hibiscus, Spring Moss
Cardstock:  Kraft, Stamper's Select White, Hibiscus Burst
Other:  Rustic button, Rustic Cream button twine