Garnets
2024 Crafty Kickoff - Birthstones - Week 2
Good day, fellow crafters. Today I present my submission to the 2024 Crafty Kickoff IG Hop. The design theme for this challenge is birthstones. For those with a birthday in January, they have the privilege of having the birthstone of Garnet, a captivating gemstone known for their deep red hues. These gemstones have a rich history and are believed to symbolize friendship, trust, and loyalty. While red is the most common color for garnets, they can also be found in various shades, including green, orange, and purple. The name "garnet" is derived from the Latin word "granatus," meaning seed, due to the gemstone's resemblance to the vibrant red seeds of a pomegranate. In terms of metaphysical properties, garnets are associated with energy, strength, and revitalization. Whether worn as jewelry or used for ornamental purposes, garnets continue to be a popular choice, not only as a birthstone but also for their enduring appeal and cultural significance. I hope you enjoy.
To create the background for this card I first chose a red cardstock that was as close to a garnet color as I had in my collection and then trimmed it down to fit the Geo Screen Embossing folder from Spellbinders, featured left. I chose this folder because the look of it felt very cut gem-like in appearance. I then lightly misted the back of the cardstock with water to soften the paper fibers. This step allows the paper to bend under the pressure applied by the die-cutting machine with a reduced chance of tearouts. I placed the cardstock into the embossing folder and then ran it through my Gemini die-cutting machine a couple of times to make sure I had a clean image transfer. Lastly, I removed the newly embossed cardstock and set it aside to dry.
For the next stage, I moved to the focal point of the card. I chose to use the Honey Bee Helping Hand die set, featured below right, to cut out my hand and of course the manicured nails. I then adhered these together with Bearly Art liquid glue. I next used some Mustard Gold Nuvo Crystal Drops to create a band to fit on the ring finger and to it
applied some garnet-colored flatback rhinestones from Kat Scrappiness.
I next trimmed the embossed panel down to its final dimension and used it as a cover over a white card base which I adhered together with double-sided tape. Using more liquid glue I adhered the completed focal image into place.
Lastly, using my Cricut I created the sentiment, cut the label, and adhered it to the background panel. With that, I called the card complete.
Note: To support the creation of more content like this, I've included affiliate links for some of the featured supplies. Utilizing these links won't incur any additional costs for you, but it does provide a small benefit to me, allowing me to continue sharing my work with you.
