Victorian butterflies colide with Shabby Chic

I love when creative days like today happen.

I sat down to make a couple of cards this afternoon, not even knowing where to start. One of the cards I made didn't even use the stamp I had originally picked to use (you'll see that one on my blog when GinaK posts it on her blog, as it's a card using her new Make a Wish set).

The card that you see here was just one of those "wing jobs." (oh my goodness.....I make myself laugh sometimes....."wing job"....ironic, since I used a butterfly stamp for it! HA! I need to get more sleep, me thinks.) I took out the butterfly stamp from the Touch of Nature set and let my mind wander. I didn't have a vision of a finished project in mind, but in the end, I have a card that I absolutely love.

There are times when I have things in mind that I want to create. Some of them turn out exactly like I envisioned it. There are times when I have things in mind that I want to create, but they turn out to be something completely different than what I envisioned. And then there are times when I sit down and don't have anything in mind except to just let my mind wander and let the stamps lead the way.

I actually had cut and torn a totally different piece of patterned paper to use for this card. I even had it adhered to the card. I ended up tearing that one off (of course, I tore it off carefully so that I could use it on another project sometime...chances are, though, it'll end up stuck to the back of something on my desk and I'll forget where it went....haha!). I chose something with a bit of dark purple for a Shabby Chic look.

I used the new Wild Wasabi cardstock for this card. I also used Sahara Sand (under the purple patterned paper, which is from the Old World stack by Die Cuts with a View). I embossed the butterflies with clear embossing powder on Sahara Sand cardstock and then sponged over them with Wild Wasabi and Backaroo Blue ink, then cut them out. I wanted to retain the Sahara Sand look for the butterflies, but I also wanted to have them embossed. This is one of the BIGGEST reasons that I absolutely ADORE clear embossing powder. Never underestimate the magic of this special powder! It can create stamping miracles! :) I can't even begin to recount all the containers of clear powder that I've gone through. TONS of that stuff! It's a staple for me!

I added some ivory organdy ribbon across the patterned paper, along with a couple of ribbon charms (by Making Memories). This really softened it up a bit and added some extra Victorian charm to the design.

I used the "thanks" image from the Much Appreciated stamp set in black ink at the bottom right of the card.

The real magic that I love about this card is the 3-dimensional butterflies. I was talking to my friend, Jen, on the phone after I sent her the files for these pictures over IM. I was so excited about this card and wanted to know what she thought of it. She said that the butterflies looked like Belgian lace. I hadn't really thought of them that way, but she's right. Looking at them in more detail and up-close, they really DO look like Belgian lace. Especially when done on the Sahara Sand cardstock. They just have that time-worn look of old lace.

This card is definitely not one of those cards you want to put in an envelope and then in the postal system. It's a very dainty and delicate card with lots of dimension and could easily get chewed up by the postal machines. But it would make a beautiful hand delivered card for a very special "thank you" card.

I cut my foam square (Pop-dot) in 3 very thin strips so that I could place a strip under each of the butterflys' bodies. I folded up their wings a little bit to give them even more dimension and make them look like they had just landed on my card.

As Jen and I were talking, she gave me another color combination to try out with this card concept and I have everything I need for it, too! I'm going to try that out this weekend and you'll be seeing it here sometime early next week.

Have a wonderful night!

Happy Creating!

-Stampin' Mama

Supplies:

Stamps: "Touch of Nature" and "Much Appreciated" sets (both Stampin' UP); Cardstock; Wild Wasabi, Sahara Sand, patterned paper from Old World stack (Die Cuts with a View); Ink: Buckaroo Blue, Basic Black, Wild Wasabi, Versamark; Crystal Clear embossing powder; foam squares; embossing gun, narrow ivory organdy ribbon; stamping sponges; ribbon charms (Making Memories); glue dots (to hold down ribbon charms)

Comments

[Linda SS]

Fabulous card! So delicate and the prettiest color combo. Thanks for sharing:)

[Samantha]

This is beautiful! Those butterflies look amazing, wonderful job!!!

[Melissa (SCS: stampin_melissa)]

Erika, this card is really so lovely. You are right, it would make a wonderful hand-delivered thank you card!

[Lourin]

I love the Rich Bold Color of this one!
WOWIE!!!!
I can only imagine how beautiful it is IRL.
Hugs, Lourin

[adrienne]

Those are just beautiful!!!

[Monika/buzsy]

Fabulous card. Love the colors, the ribbon, the cut out butterflies... TFS!

[Bee]

I love this card! The colors are awesome, this Wild Wasabi with the Backaroo Blue are really great, it packs a lot of punch.
The embossed butterflies are awesome, I really have to start using this technique, I admit I'm a little scared to burn the paper but I guess you learn from the mistakes....:-)
I also really like what you did with the background, likely dragging you blue inkpad over the green paper, it gives more dimension to the card...

Somebody who gets a card like that for a thank-you sure would feel the love ! ;-)

[Gena]

The butterflys look like they're made of lace! This is such a beautiful card. The colors are great together and the ribbon and charms are just the perfect touch.

[jean]

Hi Erika!
I have a question on the butterflies which are absolutely beautiful! You said you stamped them on Sahara Sand and then embossed them with clear embossing powder...did you stamp them with versamark? Then the green and blue showing from behind them is the blue and green ink over the dried embossing powder? I am new to fancy techniques and appreciate your help.
Thanks!
Jean

[Mary C. Anderson]

I love when you have creative days too becuase I get to enjoy whatyou have made. :) This card is stunning Erika. I must make the time very soon to make some butterflies.They are so beautiful in real life and on card-stock. I hope you keep having your wonderful creative days.

Mary

[Kim Leach]

Just gorgeous, Erika! The butterflies are my favorite part because of your technique wiht the embossing powder. Very beautiful!
Kim

[Aimee]

These butterflies looks so beautiful... TFS

[Jane]

Wow, this card is STUNNING!

Jane

[Alison]

This is simply stunning! Those butterflies look exactly like lace - that was my first thought. And I love the colour combos - you are getting better than ever!

[pwnmom]

Love this card!! Absolutely beautiful.

[Brenda]

Your cards are amazing....I LOVE this one with the butterfies, I have this set, my daughter gave it to me for Christmas one year. I really MUST try making this card.You are right, it isn't one to put postal, but then it would be better to give it in person then you can see their reaction to its beauty....I must reread what you posted about it because I read at one point you love using clear embossing powder yet it looks like you used white. I see I have misunderstood something. Which embossing powder did you use for this? I am sorry there is so much to read here,lol, I probably missed it.I jumped in and decided to comment ,in my excitement,and haven't read everything ..I am so glad I found your site,it will go in my favorites for sure and I will be checking in regularly now....I hope you keep creating for a lonnnnng time, it will be a real treat to pop in and see what you are up to. Do you have a special craft room? I don't but wish I did, I guess I better get stamping and selling them maybe I can build a room on hahaha. What is your all time favorite technique??
Thank you for using techniques that will stretch us to grow as we try your creations....Have a splendid day! Happy stampin'! Brenda