February 14, 2015

VELLUM BUTTERFLY

Are you familiar yet with the exquisite Butterfly Thinlits Dies that can be found on page 26 of the Occasions Catalog? Two of the three dies in the set produce very finely cut-out and detailed butterfllies, in two different sizes. The larger of the dies, measuring 3 3/4" x 4 1/4", fills up the majority of a classic 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card front. That is the die that will be used on this card.

When I first got my Butterfly Thinlits, I had lots of fun making butterflies in an assortment of cardstocks and Designer Series Papers. All of a sudden, it occurred to me that one of these large butterflies cut out of some of Stampin' Up!'s Vellum Cardstock would be really elegant. 

When I pulled out the folder holding my Vellum Cartstock, I discovered to my delight a few quarter sheets of it EMBOSSED! I had done this for a long-ago project, didn't use it all, so stuck it in the folder. And proceeded to forget about it. Until now! 

Just for kicks, I ran this embossed Vellum Cardstock through my Big Shot with the largest butterfly die. It was beautiful. When combined with Blackberry Bliss and Smoky Slate cardstocks on a Whisper White base, the effect was truly beautiful. 

Since the Butterfly Thinlits are new in this catalog, I thought my girls would enjoy recreating this card at my February Stamp-In Workshop. Every time I looked at the completed card, I thought of a title, "It's All About The Texture". Because it really IS all about the texture. Three different embossing folders are used!


The embossing folder I'd used for my butterfly is actually retired, but I think any number of the current folders would give an equally satisfying image. I did like this embossing though because it was mostly swirls, which I thought were very conducive to the grace and beauty of a butterfly.

Another wonderful aspect of using Vellum Cardstock is that, after die cutting the butterfly, the wings just naturally bend softly forward, giving the impression that the butterfly is ready to take off from the surface of the card. It is lacy, lovely and very dimensional.


After I had completed the card, it really bothered me that the butterfly did not have antennae. I noticed that every single card I found on the Internet created with the butterfly die sported no antennae. But this lack did bother me. So I set out to figure out how to add antennae to my butterfly. I tried a couple of things, none of which pleased me at all. The vellum is so crisp and almost stiff, so I wanted my antennae to match in this look. 

Finally, I had it figured out, and I'm pleased with the effect. From the excess Vellum Cardstock after cutting my butterfly, I trimmed off a sliver of vellum, and tied it loosely in a knot in the middle. As I told my workshop girls, we have to be gentle; after all, it IS paper. I then adhered it to the butterfly's head with a bead of green glue.

Here is a close-up of how the antennae look in place on my butterfly. The piece is very sturdy on his head, so I don't think it will be going anywhere.


I thought cutting out this butterfly without too much fuss was going to be a challenge. So I watched a few videos about how to do this in the most efficient manner. It seems the secret to success lies in a very specialized sandwich.

From the bottom:

Magnetic Platform
Cutting Plate
A new dryer sheet (a cheap one from the dollar store)
Embossed Vellum Cardstock
Wax paper in a size to cover the butterfly
Butterfly Thinlit
Cutting Plate

Once you're finished building this sandwich, you are ready to send it through the Big Shot. And . . . voila! a gorgeous butterfly. A little note here: The wax paper butterfly that results is pretty enough to use on another project. The dryer sheet can be used a few times until it becomes too ragged.

How'd you like to try this card? Here's how:

Supplies:
Blackberry Bliss Cardstock
Smoky Slate Cardstock
Whisper White Cardstock
Vellum Cardstock

Big Shot
Butterflies Thinlits
Beautifully Baroque Embossing Folder
Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder
Ovals Collections Framelits
Basic Pearls
Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive, a.k.a., green glue
Glue Dots
Corner Rounder Punch
Wax Paper
Dryer Sheets

Instructions:
Fold a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" piece of Whisper White cardstock in half, creasing well with a bone folder.

Adhere a 5 1/4 x 4" piece of Blackberry Bliss cardstock to the card base.

Run a 5" x 3 3/4" piece of Smoky Slate cardstock through the Big Shot inside the Beautifully Baroque Embossing Folder. Round the corners with the Corner Rounder Punch. Attach this to the card.

From a 3 1/4" x 4 1/4" piece of Blackberry Bliss cardstock, cut a 3" x 4" oval with the Ovals Collection Framelits. Run this oval through the Big Shot inside the Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder. Adhere this to the card slightly raised from the center.

Emboss a quarter sheet of Vellum Cardstock with your preferred Embossing Folder. I love the swirls and loops of the folder I used.

Once again, using the Magnetic Platform, this will be your sandwich from the bottom up:

Magnetic Platform
Cutting Plate
Dryer Sheet
Embossed Vellum Cardstock
Wax Paper
Butterfly Thinlit
Cutting Plate

Run this sandwich through the Big Shot. The butterfly should peel off with a minimum of effort.

Adhere the butterfly to the oval with a single Mini Glue Dot. Cover the Glue Dot with a pearl or two or three.

To make the butterfly's antennae, cut a verrrrry thin piece from the scrap vellum from making your butterfly. Trim it to about 2" - 2 1/2" in length. Tie a single loose knot in the center and form the two ends into antennae. Glue in place on the butterfly's head with green glue. Set it aside to dry completely.

Thinlit
Smiles.




10 comments:

  1. What a pretty and delicate card! Adorbs!

    Thanks for joining the Link Up this week!

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  2. It's a beautiful card. I can't wait to try this one when my dies get here.

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  3. This is so fragile and lovely. It makes me think of Valentine's Day! (: Stopping by from Anti-Procrastination Tuesday! I'd love a visit back here http://www.andieconn.com/diy-orange-stamped-lampshade/ (:

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  4. Wow how beautiful this card is that you made Linda! This would look gorgeous put into a frame. I love it and thanks so much for stopping by today and commenting about the Maeve Binchy book. My mom gave me that book to read and I'm glad I read it. Take care.
    Julie
    Julie's Lifestyle

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  5. These are very beautiful.
    Julie
    Thank you for linking up with #wordlesswednesday
    co-host - http://www.julieinthemaking.com/

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  6. This is really pretty. Well done. #CreativePrincessParty

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  7. So pretty Linda! Thank you for sharing on Found & Foraged!

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  8. Very pretty butterfly, using vellum creates nifty effects.

    Thanks for sharing on the Oh My Heartsie Friday Feature!!
    Have a great weekend, Karren

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  9. Linda, you always share the most beautiful paper crafts. Such great tutorials too! Thanks so much for linking to the This Is How We Roll Thursday link party! I can't wait to see what you share next week!

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  10. That is absolutely beautiful! Thanks so much for joining us at the #HomeMattersParty - please share us with your friends, and we hope to see you again this Friday!

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