March 15, 2013

BUTTERFLY ARCHES

Butterflies. More butterflies. What can I say? They're beautiful -- and Stampin' Up! does such a wonderful job creating lots of butterflies for papercrafters to use in their work. 

This card features butterflies created from the Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die (page 193) and the Beautiful Wings Embosslits (page 189), both run through the Big Shot, to grace the smallest of the arches.


At first, when I was designing the card, I simply stacked the three butterflies, but they were blah. They needed something more. Out come the Stamping Sponges (page 179) and I softly sponged the edges of all three butterflies, as well as the raised embossing on the smallest of the three. 

The two arches overlapping to form the front of the card add interest and grace. A button and ribbon from the Sale-A-Bration Sycamore Street Ribbon and Button Pack are the perfect finish for this delicate card.


And the two arched gates screamed out for emboss resist. Don't you agree?? Now, that being said, are you surprised to discover that the only card stock used in this card is Naturals Ivory? 
Ah, sponging!


Adding a precious sentiment from the Curly Cute set (page 138) echoes the arches and swirls.


A word of warning gleaned from my experience though: When you are sponging the edges of the arches, give a few beats for the ink to dry before closing the card. Take note of the {stupid} inked arch above my greeting from my learning experience. Grrr. 

Oh, and one more thing: the card measures 3 3/8" x 5 3/8". The smallest arch is 3 3/8" tall at its highest point, while the taller of the two is 5 1/4" tall. 

To recreate this special card . . .

Supplies:
Creative Elements stamp set (page 126)
Curly Cute stamp set

Naturals Ivory card stock

Island Indigo ink
VersaMark ink

Pool Party Ribbon
Pool Party Button
Card Template (see measurements above)
Big Shot
Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die
Beautiful Wings Embosslits
Craft Knife
Cutting Mat
Heat Tool
Embossing Buddy
Clear Embossing Powder
3/16" Corner Punch
Simply Scored
Stamping Sponge
Sponge Dauber

Instructions:
Cut out card shape. With the smaller of the two arches tucked into the upper left corner of the Simply Scored, score the card at 3 1/4" and 6 5/8". Crease well on these score lines.

Fold the larger of the arches in first from the left, then the smaller arch from the right Keep in mind which side of the arches face out, and rub the Embossing Buddy well over the larger arch. With VersaMark ink, stamp the flourish twice on the large arch. Sprinkle with Clear Embossing Powder, and heat to emboss. Repeat this process on the smaller of the arches, but only stamping the flourish once.

With the Stamping Sponge, rub in circles with Island Indigo ink over the embossing. Darken some of the areas in the same fashion, but this time using a Sponge Dauber. Do this to both arches. Sponge the edges of the card. BE CAREFUL ABOUT CLOSING THE CARD BEFORE THE INK IS DRY!

Use the Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die and the Beautiful Wings Embosslits to create three butterflies from Naturals Ivory card stock. Sponge the edges of all the butterflies as well as the embossed portion of the smallest. Adhere the butterflies together. Tie a small piece of crochet cotton in a knot through the holes of the Pool Party button. Attach this to the center of the butterfly pile with a glue dot.

Open the card flat, and lay it on top of a cutting mat. With a craft knife, cut a small slit along the fold of the smallest arch about an inch above the bottom. Insert Pool Party Ribbon through the slit, and tie in a bow at the far right side.

Attach the butterfly over the ribbon with a few Stampin' Dimensionals.

Stamp sentiment inside the card in Island Indigo ink.

Butterfly
Smiles.








33 comments:

  1. Hi Linda,

    This card is so beautiful! I just love the color and the design of the card. Saw it at Craft Junkie Too.

    God bless,
    Anita aka Nit
    Www.nitscreativecorner.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Anita! I appreciate your kind words. :>)

      Delete
  2. What a beautiful card. I love the arches and the butterflies really make the card. Thanks for the tip and booboo.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Linda, how beautiful! And here you're another Wisconsinite. Yea! Found you on 'It's Overflowing...' linky party today. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Linda, I’m Anne from Life on the Funny Farm (http://annesfunnyfarm.blogspot.com), and I’m visiting from the Creative Home Acre Blog Hop.

    This is so beautiful! You're quite the artist. Do you have an Etsy shop?

    Thanks for sharing this. If you ever get a chance, stop over to my blog to say hi! Have a great day…

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Anne! I do have an Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/PaperSeedlings :>)

      Delete
  5. Such a beautiful card and lovely colours too.

    Thanks for linking up!

    Sarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity

    ReplyDelete
  6. So pretty! I love the color and the sponging is marv!
    I found you today at That DIY Party's Linky. I hope you can stop by my blog and leave a comment, too!
    ~ Megin of Vmg206
    www.vmg206.blogpsot.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I absolutely love the colors you used on this card and the butterfly embellishment was the perfect addition! Great job :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Every time I see your work, I want to go to my studio and start crafting! This care is really lovely - the color you chose is stunning!

    Thank you for linking up to the In and Out of the Kitchen party! I always look forward to seeing what you bring next week!

    Cynthia at http://FeedingBig.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cynthia! I hope I do inspire you to go to your studio and start crafting! :>)

      Delete
  9. Oh yea, that's gorgeous! The sweet butterflies look nice stacked like that, and the inking is perfect. I love the embossing! And I was surprised it was only a neutral color card base that you used! Pretty pretty!!!
    Hugs,
    Doni

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Doni! You are always so so sweet! :>)

      Delete
  10. Very beautiful card! I love the colour so much and the butterfly is lovely. Have a good day. I am now a Follower of your Blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Judy, for your lovely comment and for becoming a Follower! :>)

      Delete
  11. Such a cute card! I love butterflies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sara! I love butterflies too! Can you tell? :>)

      Delete
  12. Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing on The HomeAcre Hop! Hope to see you tomorrow at:
    http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/03/the-creative-homeacre-hop-8.html

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love the way this card came out. How beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing with Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop. Have a great week.
    Debi, Charly, Marci, and Suzan
    http://www.adornedfromabove.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Debi and Charly! Thanks also for letting me share with Adorned from Above! :>)

      Delete
  14. Hi Linda, I wanted to let you know that I chose your Butterfly Arches card as my host favorite at the In and Out of the Kitchen Link party. It will be featured at tonights party!

    I look forward to seeing what you bring to the party tonight!

    Cynthia at http://FeedingBig.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so so much for featuring my card! I really appreciate it! :>)

      Delete
  15. We just had to feature your beautiful card on Inspiration in Progress today! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is beautiful. Saw this posted in "Not Baaad Sunday" and had to have a look. I love the Pool party colour.
    New follower

    Handmade at Warratahstree

    ReplyDelete
  17. Why, thank you, Shannon! I love everything you said about my card! :>)

    ReplyDelete