International Art and Soul Challenge 53

Our challenge for this fortnight is to use sequins and/or beads in your creation. So, it can be a card, clothing, jewellery, whatever you like, so long as it's got some sequins or beads on it.

Years ago, I used to do a lot of cross stitch, and I decided to try a set of cross stitch patterns I had as tree decorations, but to make them a little more robust and sparkly, instead of using embroidery thread, I used a fine thread to attach seed beads to embroidery paper. Those decorations are still in use each year, and last Christmas, I was inspired to try the same technique.

I still had some gold-toned embroidery paper and lots of seed beads, so I attached the beads in a simple Christmas tree pattern in two shades of green with a gold background.

The beads aren't all from the same manufacturer, and some are transparent and some opaque, but I rather liked the overall effect.

To complete, I die cut some gold card using a Spellbinders die, cutting the same shape twice. I attached some gold ribbon to one piece, and then stuck the two together with gold sides facing out. And finally, I attached the beaded panel to the front.

And that's the result. The earlier ones aren't backed at all, since I did those in my pre-papercraft days, so I'm not sure how long this one will last, but I suppose time will tell.

I hope you can join us this time.