Kind Thoughts Brocade Stencil and Jumbo Grommet Tutorial

I was having fun with the Kind Thoughts Brocade Stencil again.. this time with one of the new In Colors, "Soft Suede".  Yummy color, isn't it?  (stenciled and stamped on a Sahara Sand Top Note Die).

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As you can see, I added one of the Jumbo Grommets with a Build A Brad in the center…I HAVE A CONFESSION… I was kind of afraid of these Grommets so I didn't use them until last week!! GEESH!!  How stupid silly is that??????????

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But these Jumbo Grommets are sooooooooooooooooooo easy to use!!!

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They come in 4 colors to a pack (white, vanilla, black and silver).

See those little "teeth"?  That's how we're going to set it…

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Place the grommet onto your card and place them both on top of the Black Foam mat that comes in the Mat Pack:

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Then.. how easy is this.. just PUSH WITH YOUR FINGERS!!

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Flip it over and push down those little legs with your Bone Folder!

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OK>> so HOW EASY IS THAT? What was I so afraid of?? 

You can add a Build A Brad, or a decorative brad,or a rhinestone brad, or a button in the center if you wish.. lots of possibilities!! 

Want to win a free package of them??  Leave me a comment and tell me what you like to put in the center of the Jumbo Grommets and I'll pick a random winner on Saturday at noon (CA time) and send you a pack!  Leave your full name and email address IN YOUR POST to be eligible (so I can contact you).

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113 thoughts on “Kind Thoughts Brocade Stencil and Jumbo Grommet Tutorial”

  1. Never ordered these because I thought they looked too big so would love to win some. Can picture beautiful ribbon tied through the center or the neat corduroy buttons by Stampin’ Up. Thanks for sharing all you do, Patty!
    Kathy McCloskey
    bdlakebum@yahoo.com

    Reply
  2. Gee, Patty…you’re afraid of those grommets??!!! I can’t imagine that—a gal with such a get-it & try-it kinda’ stamper?!
    Thanks for the tips; another helpful tutorial.

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  3. Very cool! I wasn’t sure how I’d use them when I saw them in the catty but I like the Build a Brad in the center. I also can see tieing ribbon through them or some type of flower in the center as well.
    Kathy Hatzke
    kathat@pacbell.net

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  4. I actually havent used mine yet, but after the easy directions I am going to start. I was thinking maybe some crystal effects with some glitter in the center. Thanks for the opportunity to win a package.

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  5. I’m scared of those grommets too! LOL I’m not sure how big the hole is, but I would try buttons, a paper-pieced image, or even a small flower with a pearl or rhinestone brad in the center of the flower. That would really make it 3D!
    Holly
    holly stamper at g mail dot com

    Reply
  6. wow that was easier than I thought it would be thanks for the tips. I agree ribbon would look great knotted through one. Thanks for the chance to win some. Love your blog

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  7. I love the look that the grommets give your artwork. I don’t have any yet, but I think that I like the large ribbon running through the grommet, as well as the build a brad that you used.
    Thanks for your inspiration,
    Teresa
    stamper64@comcast.net

    Reply
  8. I haven’t braved a purchase of these myself, but I recently tried mixing reinker with crystal effects and I think I would fill the hole with that wonderful glossy mixture 🙂
    Blessings,
    Beth

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  9. I like using them with ribbon or buttons in the middle but I kind of like that build a brad idea..hmmmm…I also like using them as “frames” with a sentiment word or image in the middle. Hope I win them. Thanks. Jane Mykleby
    janemykleby@yahoo.com

    Reply
  10. Patty,
    I didn’t realize they were so easy to use. I would like to add a build-a-brad in the center. What a great accessory!
    Mary

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  11. Thanks for another great tutorial. I think I will have to purchase them. I love the circle rhinestone brads so I would have to put of them in the middle to really add some bling.

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  12. I like the build a brad idea or I have seen a ribbon tied into a knot in the middle and the ends cut short. Very pretty card! I love the stencil!!! gslagle(at)nctc(dot)net

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  13. I had not tried them yet but you made it look so easy! I would love to put ribbon through them or a designer brad. Thanks for the great tutorial.

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  14. Great card! I love the build-a-brad in the center. I’ll have to purchase some of the grommets and try them myself. They are quite impressive. I think I’ll try ribbon through the center or a small flower. Thanks for the photo tutorial.

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  15. Patty: I would think a piece of the 5/8″ GG ribbon tied in a knot would look pretty – the other thing I think that might be fun is filling the center with Crystal Effects and having a shiny center would create a different look. Thannks for this opportunity to win a package of these. Kadie

    Reply
  16. Such a beautiful card — I need to get that stencil for sure now that I have seen your samples. I have the large one so I can decorate my bedroom walls (really afraid to start tho). What do I use in my grommets? Well my favorite is to use ribbon through the hole and tie different kinds of knots/bows. I have not tried the build-a-brad yet, but will for sure now.

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  17. Oh well….me too; in fact, I have yet to use them – your bravery will be my incentive to give it a try! I think a beautiful gem stone would be pretty in the center. Thanks for sharing.
    Jan Castle castle77(at)comcast(dot)net

    Reply
  18. Gorgeous project! I like to bring a ribbon in and tie a knot in there on the grommets. I’ve also put them at the center of a Pretties flower, but they are pretty difficult to push through the fabric, just warnin’ ya!
    Staci – stampmiser@prodigy.net

    Reply
  19. OMG! I was expecting a lot more to the tutorial, so I had to laugh when I learned how easy it is to set a jumbo grommet! And here I thought it’d be out of my skill range, LOL!
    So now that I know how to set them, I WANT them (of course!)! I really like the idea of tinted Crystal Effects in the center with some Dazzling Diamonds. Or some beads. The Build-a-Brad idea is cool — but I’d have to get out of my comfort zone and experiment with those, too. (Really, what’s next? And who knew stamping could be such an adventure?)
    Joyce Spear
    stamperjoyce at aol dot com

    Reply
  20. Patty,
    I was wondering how to use them as well. I thought maybe I would need to use my croc-o-dile, but didn’t see how it would fit! It is so much easier to do. I am going to try them and put a button in the center, then both the grommet and the button will stand out. Thanks for sharing the tutorial.

    Reply
  21. I haven’t tried them yet either, I would tie ribbon through the center but also a piece of coordinating dsp in the center would look good too. So many possibilities. Thanks for the chance to win some.
    Paula Rough
    paularough@hotmail.com

    Reply
  22. Haven’t used them before, but I like the ribbon tied in the middle. Love your blog, you have such great ideas and techniques!
    Thanks!
    Barb Bird

    Reply
  23. OMG! We just used these in a class & I absolutely fell in love with them! You are so right! They are very easy & quick to use. We used the Build-A-Brad, which I love, but I can’t wait to try the new In Color polka-dot wide ribbon & tie a beautiful bow! Thanks so much for the chance to win a pack:)

    Reply
  24. This is a great post…I don’t have any of those brads and until now didn’t give it much thought as to how to use them, but you have sparked my – give me, give me, give me – gene…LOL I can think of several things to do with the center portion, a tiny round mirror, a tiny picture of the person you are sending the card too, a simple single word, a antique bead of button. Oh I gotta get some of these now!
    Deborah David
    deborah345 underscore 2 at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  25. I didn’t know they were so easy to use!! I must buy some now. I would think a lucky shiney new penny using a dimensional in the center would help to make a cute card.

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  26. Thanks for the great explanation! It does look easy. Now I can order someand I think I would use a variety of things in the middle…buttons, Build-a-Brad, or even some microbeads on sticky strip centers or chunky glitter. It all depends on the mood I’m going for. What great wheels for cars and trucks, a tire swing, an inner tube.. I can think of lots of uses! Thanks again, Tammy

    Reply
  27. I would stamp a tiny flower or something similar like the tiniest circle in the new circle circus set and them frame the image with the grommet!

    Reply
  28. I haven’t tried them yet. I think I would like to use our jumbo brads in them or ribbon. Thanks for the tutorial on setting them. I was wondering if flattening the bsck with our wooden blocks would work. I wrote on my blog about that when I use brads. The prongs on the back are flattened and they are so nice looking on the front. http://tarheelstamper.blogspot.com/2009/05/branch-out-card-and-flattening-brad.html is the post bout it.
    Thanks for the chance to win the jumbo grommets.
    Tammy Howell
    howe1472@bellsouth.net

    Reply
  29. Ever since I have seen them, I have wanted to get them but was also not sure how to use them. This idea has been stuck in my head: put them on the side of a ship and put the little people from all in the family behind the gromet window or making a Noah’s arc with animals looking out. Or even better yet, make the pop up cake die into a boat and use them on there as described above. Oh the possibilities…..

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  30. Now I am wondering why I was afraid to try the couple I was given. I will surely want some grommets now! It looks so easy. Will go great with brads.

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  31. Thank you again Patty for a really helpful post. I too have avoided those grommets because, unlike everyone else, I *don’t* like my cropadile and never seem to get it to work right. I thought I had to use it with these as well. Guess you have enabled me to add one more thing to my July 1 order… but what are fellow demos there for! Have a great day!

    Reply
  32. Coolness! Have wanted to try these, but I think I was a little afraid, too! I think I might try a flower from the pretties kit. Thanks so much for sharing all your great projects! lgplettatgmaildotcom

    Reply
  33. Oh your card is so beautiful. Thanks for the step by step on these grommets. I have been eyeing them but like you I have been wondering how difficult they would be to use. I have seen them with a knotted ribbon in the center. That is probably what I would try first.
    Thanks for the chance to win.

    Reply
  34. Great tutorial, Patty! I would use a little index print photo of the face of one of my precious grandchildren in the center. It would even be cute made into a sort of “photo bouquet” with a flower punched behind each one.

    Reply
  35. I like to use them to frame a small stamped image or put a ribbon knot in the middle…if that makes sense!! :o) Thanks for sharing as always….I love to visit your blog and see what’s new.

    Reply
  36. WOW…that was easy. I’ll now think abut getting some. I’d try buttons or ribbon, but I do like your idea of the build a brad. Very neat!
    Thanks for the opportunity to win some.
    Carol Shier
    c.shier@sympatico.ca

    Reply
  37. I haven’t ordered these yet, just seemed so big. Love what you did with the build a brad a courdory button might be pretty too. jmniffer

    Reply
  38. Patty you are so bad! Now this is another item I will be adding to my list for the 1st. I have never tried them yet but I love your idea of the build-a-brads in the center. I love working with the BAB.

    Reply
  39. Yikes! I was scared of these too! Thanks to your tut, it looks so easy! I’d like to see some wide ribbon with a knot in the center. If I don’t win, I’ll have to get some. Your card is great!
    Jeannette

    Reply
  40. I have to admit that I wasn’t sure what to do with them when I first saw them but I LOVE your Build-a-Brad in the center. That gets me thinking that it may be interesting with a penny or a dime on it…

    Reply
  41. Thanks for trying the grommets. I like grommets, I just thought these looked too big for a card. Now I know better. Love the site. I’m new and learning A LOT exploring your site every day.
    Sue McNeill
    ssmcneill@hotmail.com

    Reply
  42. Thanks so much for showing how to use the grommets. I have not ordered them because I wasn’t sure how to use them but they will definitely be on my next order, plus they are part of the bulk order products … hmmm. Yup, need to get them! I really like how you incorporated the Build a Brad into the grommet. Can’t wait to try them! Thanks again :o)
    Jayne
    stampinjayne@yahoo.com

    Reply
  43. I wasn’t aware of how easy they looked to use, I never ordered any because I thought they would be too hard to fool with. Live and learn every day! I would probably add a large rhinestone to the center or built up a large pearl inside the center. How about some antique jewelry pieces, or big yellow bee. Lots of ideas now, see what you do to me! saboatman@cableone.net

    Reply
  44. I think I would try some Crystal Effects topped with dazzeling diamonds in the white ones on a winter card. I don’t have any to try this idea so winning some would be great.
    Darlene L
    djstamper2003 at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  45. I like the brad inside the grommet. I’ve also seen ribbon tied in the opening. I’ve ordered the grommets & waiting for them. Thanks for all the great ideas.

    Reply
  46. I have never used a jumbo grommet before and most likely never would have without this wonderful tutorial. I like the idea of a build a brad in the center but am enjoying reading the other ideas. Thank you.
    Cheryl Sims

    Reply
  47. Patty,
    I really enjoy your blog. Thanks for sharing all the wonderful things you create. I have these jumbo grommets and have tried to use them with the crop-a-dile. It was very frustrating. :0 Thank you so much for sharing a better way to apply them.
    Jenn L

    Reply
  48. I thought that these were interesting when I first saw them they would look cute with a little flower in the middle as well. Thanks for sharing!
    Danita

    Reply
  49. Beautiful card! I love putting the half pearls from the pretties kit in the center. Thanks for sharing.
    Clara Sanchez
    csanchez @ alum.mit.edu

    Reply
  50. I love this card!! Beautiful color brown, can’t wait to add it to my collection! I like putting contrasting DSP or cardstock in the middle and filling it with crystal effects, or putting ribbon around the brad. These are great, I hope they are in the new catalog!

    Reply
  51. Wow! Your card is gorgeous! I love the look of the jumbo grommets! There are so many things you could do with them. I saw some designer buttons that would look great and also might try rhinestones!

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  52. Very kewl–so many possibilities!
    How about placing a grommet on top of a large flower–so the grommet would be the center?
    These would look super in all sorts of bright summery colors.

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  53. I just used the grommet for the first time last week. I had pulled up the two ends of the ribbon thru and tied a knot. But i’s sure the clear or colored fire brads would be great too.

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  54. I was terrified of mine too! I asked my upline (Joann W. in Huntsville,AL) to show me. She did – still scared! Finally, I tied a knot of ribbon and used a glue dot to stick it in the center of my grommet! Ta Dah! Ribbon will cure anything!

    Reply
  55. I have lots of jumbo brads, and never used them. I had absolutely no idea what to do with them, much less, putting something inside of them. I loved looking at all the responses you got, I hope to try them soon.

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  56. Thanks for the tutorial, looks like fun. I would probably use a bunch of my buttons that I have been stashing. They look like lots of things would work. Bling is always good.

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  57. I think I would tie a knot with ribbon for the centers of the grommets but I have never tried them so I really don’t now what to do with them.
    Thanks for the op to win!
    Char in So Cal
    {scrampaddict} {at} {cox} [dot} [net}
    darn spammers! LOL

    Reply
  58. Other than putting ribbon through them, I cut a piece of ribbon, with a little glue on the back and put the grommt over the top. Another is to put a dew drop in the middle or add glitter to the center.
    Doreen P

    Reply
  59. I’m like that too. Don’t wanna try that, then I found out later, than sooner, that’s it’s really so easy to use! Thanks for continuing to inspire us all!

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  60. I like having ribbon pop out of the grommet. Thanks for bustin’ the myth about these whopper gromments and inspiring us.

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  61. As soon as I heard they would ruin your crop-a-dile, I developed a fear of these. I guess I should have listened to those who told how easy they actually were. I love these now (although have yet to purchase)! So many great ideas have already been posted but I imagine some crystal effects for depth and before it dries, stick a flower brad through just to be raised slightly from the center. Can’t wait to get some and start playing.

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  62. Your way looks so easy! I have some since I have the big cropadile but I forgot how the infomercial said to use the grommets. I can use them now with your tutorial. I will no longer be stupid I mean silly either LOL

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  63. Are you kidding me?? that is super easy!! I’ve never ordered them becuse I couldn’t figure out how on earth to attach it! THANKS!!!!
    I too love the ribbon knot. Wow… know what I’m getting soon!

    Reply

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