The glitter and tiny seed beads on this dainty card create a dazzling bouquet—a sweet and sophisticated way to say Thank you or to celebrate a birthday, mother’s day, or wedding. Make the card with iridescent paper for an extra-radiant effect!
1. Trim the card stock.
Start with a blank folded card (Figure 1). Using a ruler or right angle, measure and mark a 41/4 × 51/4" rectangle on the card stock. Trim with decorative-edged scissors (Figure 1). It’s a good idea to practice cutting some scrap paper first, as it can be tricky to get the decorative corners to match up exactly.
2. Draw the bouquet.
Draw a bouquet in pencil on the card stock, using the petal, flower, leaf, stem, and bow shapes from the Sparkly Bouquet template provided (Figure 2). Be sure to leave room for a message, if you want to include one. Once you are happy with your design, retrace or draw your flowers with colored pencils or pens.
Stamp a message using your rubber-stamp alphabet kit, or hand-letter the message using colored pencils or pens (Figure 3). Let it dry.
4. Glitter the flowers, leaves, and bow.
(Note: Instructions in this step apply to Stencil 1. If you are using Stencil 2, see the Tapered Bouquet instructions under Variations for information about making the tapered petals.)
Open the file folder and lay it flat on your work surface. Place the bouquet drawing on top of the file folder. Decide on the glitter colors you will use for each part of the bouquet. Using the craft glue with ultrafine metal tip attachment, trace and fill in the areas that will have the darkest glitter color (Figure 4). Sprinkle the glue with plenty of glitter to get good coverage (the excess can be reused) (Figure 5). To remove the excess, tap the card over the center of the file folder (it works quite well to flick the back of the card with your index finger). Fold the file folder in half, and return the excess glitter to its container (Figure 6). Switch colors. If you find the glitter sticking outside of the lines, nudge it into place using a straight pin. Repeat for each color on your bouquet, working from darkest glitter to lightest, allowing each color to dry for a few minutes before continuing. Fill in the bow using the craft glue with the tip attachment and glitter. Let it dry.
5. Add beads to the centers of the flowers.
Place a drop of glue in the center of a flower. Pick up a seed bead using the tip of a straight pin and place it on its side on the glue dot, holding it gently in place with a finger as you remove the pin (Figure 7). Let it dry.
Apply glue or double-sided tape to the back of the card stock; center the card stock on the front of your blank card, carefully applying pressure to adhere (Figure 8).
Tapered Bouquet (Stencil 2). Make a bouquet with pretty tapered flower petals. Follow the original instructions with the following variations:
Before Step 4. Add the tapered petals.
On the stencil, tapers are indicated with a small circle. Squeeze out a dot of craft glue, and pull it into a taper by placing the tip of a toothpick in the center of the dot and dragging it in the direction you’d like your taper to go (Figure 1). Practice a few of these on scrap paper before working them into your project. Let dry until firm to the touch. Follow the instructions in Step 4 to apply glitter to the tapered petals, and then make the dots, stems, and flowers.
5. Add a ribbon.
Use an awl or utility knife to make holes or small slits on either side of the bouquet, approximately midstem (Figure 2). Using a large embroidery needle, thread the ribbon from front to back through one hole or slit, leaving a tail in the front, and then from back to front through the second hole (Figure 3). Tie a knot or bow on the front of the card, and trim the ends at an angle using scissors (Figure 4).
Mother’s Day bouquet. Make the bouquet, and rubber-stamp the word Mom on the front of the card. Accompany with a real bouquet of mom’s favorite flowers!
Wedding bouquet. To congratulate friends on their marriage, position the bouquet at an angle on the card, so it looks like it has just been tossed.
Save the date bouquet. Make this card assembly line–style: Affix the bouquet to a flat card that is preprinted with your wedding details. Stamp the words Save the date, or your wedding date, under the bouquet. If desired, include a second flat card printed with accommodation and travel information, and decorate this card with a sprinkle of glitter flowers. Be sure to mail the pieces in an envelope so that the glitter doesn’t get damaged.