Should I Stop Adding Embellishments to My Cards?

If you're a card maker, scrapbooker, or journaling enthusiast, you've probably asked yourself this question at some point. Should I stop adding embellishments to my handmade creations? It's a valid question, especially when you consider the time and effort that goes into adding those extra little details. But before you banish sequins, gemstones, rhinestones, enamel dots, and more from your crafting repertoire, let's take a moment to consider the pros of using embellishments.

What are embellishments?

Embellishments in card making are like the sprinkles on a cupcake, the cherry on top of a sundae, or the glitter (literally and metaphorically) in a crafter's life. They are the little extra touches that take a card from basic to breathtaking. Think of them as the accessories of the card making world – they add flair, personality, and pizzazz to your creations. From sparkly sequins and shiny rhinestones to delicate lace and charming ribbons, embellishments come in all shapes, sizes, and textures. They can be used to accentuate a theme, add dimension, or simply make a card more visually appealing. So, whether you're a minimalist who prefers a subtle touch or a maximalist who believes more is more, embellishments are the perfect way to elevate your card making game and make your creations truly stand out.

Why You Shouldn't Stop Adding Embellishments to Your Paper Crafts

Embellishments are the icing on the cake when it comes to crafting. They add that extra touch of pizzazz, sparkle, and personality to your projects. Here are a few reasons why you should keep on embellishing your handmade cards and other creations.

1. Instant Dimension

Embellishments like sequins, gemstones, and enamel dots add instant dimension to your crafting projects, making them visually interesting and dynamic.

TIP: When adding card making embellishments, most crafters follow the rule of thirds. But you can always be creative with yours and embellish to your heart's content. 

2. Creating Focal Points

Embellishments can be used to draw attention to specific areas of your project, creating focal points that command attention. Plus, they look so pretty!

3. Adding Personality

Whether you prefer a touch of elegance with gemstones or a pop of color with enamel dots, embellishments allow you to infuse your personality into your handmade cards.

4. Sparking Joy

Let's be real – who doesn't love a bit of sparkle and shine? Embellishments have a way of bringing joy to both the creator and the recipient of your handcrafted masterpieces.

Must-Try Cardmaking Embellishments from Altenew

Now that we've established the importance of embellishments, let's take a moment to highlight Altenew's line of cardmaking embellishments.

• Sequins: Altenew sequins come in a variety of colors and sizes, allowing you to find the perfect match for any project. Each set has a mix of 3mm, 6mm, and 8mm sequins, and is packaged in an adorable glass container with a cork stopper.

• Gemstones: Our brand new Gem Sparkles have been the talk of town since their release last month! They come in various sizes and colors: Metallic Gold, Silver, Clear, and Iridescent. These exquisite adhesive-backed stones glisten with a captivating lustrous shine, ensuring your artwork dazzles with elegance. With three versatile sizes – 3mm, 6mm, and 8mm – you have the freedom to let your creativity shine. Read more on How to Use Gems in Card Making.

• Enamel Dots: These colorful little dots are perfect for adding a pop of vibrancy to your projects. These adhesive enamel dots coordinate with our fan-favorite signature ink color palettes and will be the perfect embellishment to elevate your works of art! They feature versatile dots, as well as heart and star shapes, in lots of beautiful colors.

• Metallic Thread: If you're into subtle embellishments, then our metallic thread is for you! Perfect for adding that extra bit of shine without drawing too much attention, our metallic threads come in three gorgeous colors: Enchanted Gold, Antique Gold, and Silky Lilac. You can even use these threads to sew on your handmade cards, scrapbook layouts, or journal pages.

• Wood Veneers: For a rustic and organic touch, wood veneers are the perfect addition to your crafting arsenal. They come in different sizes and shapes, and can be used as-is for a natural wood look or colored with your favorite paint, ink, or markers.

• Stickers: The most common stickers used in cardmaking and scrapbooking are chipboard stickers, cardstock stickers, and alphabet puffy stickers, but you can use various types of stickers to embellish your creations. Our range of stickers are perfect for sealing envelopes, scrapbooking, journaling, weddings, party favors or just adding a special touch to your packaging.

• Washi Tapes: If you think washi tapes are just for scrapbooking and journaling, think again! Not only can you use these nifty crafting tools to add quick, stunning backgrounds on your handmade cards, you can also cut them up to DIY your own design.

Discover other Altenew embellishments for card making in the video below.

Now that you've been introduced to Altenew's fabulous embellishments, it's clear that there's no need to stop adding those extra special touches to your handmade projects. In fact, we'd love to hear from YOU!

What is your favorite way to embellish your handmade cards and DIY crafts? Share them in the comment section below.

Other Ways to Embellish Your Projects

Embellishments come in other forms! Did you know that you can use any of your stamps, stencils, and dies to embellish the inside of your card? Read more on how Jaycee did it here.

So, should you stop adding embellishments to your greeting cards, scrapbook layouts, or journal pages? Absolutely not! Embrace the power of embellishments and be as creative as you want to be.