This summer, Hot Off The Press released Brad Dress-Ups: Lightweight metal shapes that attached to paper with coordinating brads. Because the name “Dress-Ups” came close to another product on the market, we’ve changed the name to Brad Buddies. The first release of products will be in Brad Dress-Ups packaging; subsequent packaging will say Brad Buddies™. The product itself remains the same!

Metal embellishments are hot—for scrapbookers, card makers and paper crafters, metal is the medium of choice! This month, Susan and LeNae use the newest metal embellishments on a card and layout, and share their tips and techniques. Take a look!

Cardmaking

Remember the Rule of Uneven Numbers? Keep this design element in mind when working with large metal embellishments. Here, designer Susan Cobb created a simple, effective border by aligning three Brad Buddies™ along the right side of her card. Spring Brad Buddies™ and Cardmaker’s Earth’s Palette Creative Pack used here.

Susan’s tip for attaching a Brad Buddy™: I just place the metal shape—the flower, “bloom” or butterfly—onto my paper and use a pen to mark dots through the brad holes. Then I remove the metal shape and use an X-acto® knife to make small hole at each dot. That makes it so much easier to insert the brads!

Scrapbooking

Designer LeNae Gerig applies the Rule of Uneven Numbers to this sweet page, creating a border with a twist! Notice the “woof” and “world’s best dog” Brad Buddies™ accent the Definitions Ephemera on the border, while the puppy face embellishment is on top of the photo. LeNae chose the Dog Brad Buddies™ and Flea Market Fabrics sarapapers™ . Her gingham brad, mini brads and ribbon are from Flea Market Fabrics Embellis-abilities™.

LeNae’s tip for enhancing a Brad Buddy™: I wanted the debossed words on “world’s best dog” to stand out, so I used a fine-tip Sharpie® marker. It’s a quick and easy metal altering technique, and I love the result!

Bonus Design: Bon Voyage Card

LeNae framed her Definitions Card Quote focal point with two embellishments from the Travel Brad Buddies™ pack. She started with the Cardmaker’s Earth’s Palette Creative Pack and added matching Earth’s Palette Ribbons.

LeNae’s tip for altering a Brad Buddy™: I altered the luggage tag and compass embellishments by sanding them lightly to highlight the raised areas. Simply swipe the Brad Buddy™ with a fine-grade sandpaper, then sand the brad that will attach it. Start with a light touch—you can always go back and sand off some more paint.

Love the Brad Buddies™? Then be sure to check out the complete line! Want more ideas—and tips for classes? Then be sure to check out the latest techniques in our Brad Buddies™ Weekly Webisode.