Embellishing quilts, fabric art and mixed media has become very popular.  The artist might use simply a few items or can almost cover the piece in a technique called encrusted embellishing.
What types of embellishments are there?

Beads
Buttons
Charms
Scrapbook stickers
Handmade fabric buttons
Pieces of wood
Decorated CDs
Foil
Artificial flowers
Keys
Advertising buttons on pins
Postage stamps
Rubber stamping

Do you have any other interesting embellishments that you use? How do you use them?  What are your favorites?

How do you organize your beads and buttons for your artwork so you can find them easily?  Do you have great organization?  Or are yours scattered here and there in containers, in drawers, and on shelves?
What’s a good way to organize?

By size
By color
By color and size
By design
By artist
By era

My daughter has separated the small beads she uses for her embellishing into containers.  They are organized by color, then by size and design.  She puts these into small clear plastic containers she can see through.  Then she stores the smaller ones into a larger clear plastic box.  Thus they’re easy to …read more

I’d mainly thought of using buttons, bows and beads as decorative embellishments, scattered across a quilt or hanging, even a postcard, in light array. However, a major attraction in quilt art these days is heavily embellished or encrusted fabric art.
In these cases, the fabric may be patched or appliquéd. Or it might be a while cloth piece. These items, then, are heavily decorated with buttons, beads, bows, soda can rings, charms, keys, even small toys until no fabric is visible.
To become recognized in this field, the fabric/fiber artist usually develops a distinctive style or is noted for a particular type …read more

Here’s a fun way to glam up your scrapbook layout by using stickles!
Stickles: What is it?
Stickles is basically a glitter glue available in a huge range of fabulous colours that is manufactured by Ranger Industries who state that you can “easily write, dot, dash, draw and embellish on paper and rubber stamping projects, candles, memory album covers and more!” The fine point nozzle makes it simple to apply and control where your Stickles will go. If you are interested in adding a little bling to your project, this is a fantastic product.
Where Can I use Stickles?
Almost anywhere! …read more

**STICKY: Have you checked out Mad Cropper’s latest contest yet?**
A Cherry On Top has some great 4th of July themed scrapbook layout kits that you can use to scrapbook memorable moments of America’s Independence Day! They are on special so hurry and shop till you drop while they are at discounted prizes!

Celebrate freedom with this kit! The colors are soft and worn for an old-time flavor. The kit includes; 3 solid papers, 6 textured or patterned papers, 4 different frame styles, 2 wordarts, 1 star sparkle overlay, 1 flower, 1 fireworks cluster, 1 decorative trim, 1 stapled star cluster, 1 …read more

I enjoy dabbling in glitter, I just don’t like the mess it leaves on my hands after I’m done with them! Haha

Colors by Jennifer McGuire.
Supplies Glitter: Doodlebug; Liquid glue: Diamond Glaze, Judikins; Heart punch: Hobby Lobby; Foam letter sticker: American Crafts; Other: Thread.
If you’re a fan of glitters then here’s a trick that Jenny McGuire has written up that you can use for your scrapbook layouts or projects!

I remember making crafts with my mom when I was a kid. We always used glitter! Glitter always seemed to be the perfect finishing tough, didn’t it? Well it seems things are …read more

Ooohh, i love Fancy Pants..they’re so…fancy! haha Seriously, they are way too cute!

Fancy Pants Designs – Harvest – Posies
8 Handmade posies.2 different sizes!
orange, light brown, bark brown and green
These match the buttons felt and pins!

Fancy Pants Designs – Harvest – Pins
32 decorative pins. in hearts, stars, butterflys and flower shapes.
orange, light brown, bark brown and green

Close to my heart is celebrating September with Stamping Month and are giving away 15,000 My Acrylix Stamp kits to the first 15,000 to enter their online competition to win a grand prize worth $1000.
Make sure you visit their website during September for daily stamping tips.

Always wanted to embellish your paper bag? Why not do it with latest Papertrey product lines by ‘Capture the Moment’
Nichole Heady says
The patterned paper on this bag uses several images from Papertrey’s new floral set. I LOVE how purple hydrangea VersaMagic ink turns out when used on kraft paper. It is so vibrant. I also used the New Canvas Palette ink. It is a soft white and really helped to tie in my accent color in a muted way.

I love transparencies. They’re one of my favourite embellishments along with rub-ons and paints!

Paint Designs on Transparencies
To create her artistic look, Joey Whittaker scanned in hand drawn shapes, added digital dingbat flowers, and output the results on transparency film. Next, she painted the back of each element with acrylic paint. The opacity really makes the colors pop!� says Joey.
Self-Portrait with Girl No. 2 by Joey Whittaker
Supplies Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper; Paint: Delta Creative and Making Memories; Inkjet transparency film: OfficeMax; Fonts: Oedipa (text) and La Fleur Aux Dents (dingbat flowers), downloaded from the Internet; Other: Staples and small paintbrush.