My blog is called "Creative Smiles" because my designs are the result of incorporating mistakes. With fumble fingers that drop whatever they are holding - repeatedly, it takes a lot of giggles, smiles and creative patience during my crafting process. xx

Saturday, October 01, 2016

Embossed Butterflies

YAYYY! You are here!
I am positively overjoyed you could stop by for a visit.
I've rolled the red carpet out, just for you...

NOW we can begin LOL...

Happy October, everyone! It's a wonderful new month with great opportunities!
(you may have noticed the change in my blog header)

AND...

Happy World Cardmaking Day to my Paper Crafting buddies!

I've tried to incorporate some Autumn theme colors on my projects BUT BUT BUT -- here in Florida, we have only seen the slightest hint of Autumn, with temperatures declining a few tiny degrees, and the leaves scarcely beginning to fall off the oak trees.

Hope this finds you doing well!

To find the winner of my Blog Candy, please click here.

Psssst! As a thank you to my loyal readers...

New Blog Candy HERE!

and FINALLY...

It's time for another Crafts Galore Encore Challenge! 
(and I have two cards to share)

We always enjoy seeing the wide array of art uploaded to the challenge,
and hope to see many more this month!

Our theme this month is: 
Anything Goes. Cards, Tags, Recipes, Knitting -- 
anything at all!


Our Prize Sponsor this month is KennyK
The winner gets to choose 3 digital stamps of their choice from the KennyK Store! 


First, the easy-peasy 5" x 7" card with wet and dry embossing --
The Stampin' Up! butterfly is embossed with gorgeous 
Sparkle N Sprinkle Patina Gold EP281.
After fussy cutting the butterfly, I adhered it to pine cardstock, 
and fussy cut a dark halo around the image.



Lush designer paper sets the stage using the sketch from another fantastic challenge - Sunday Stamps.



Oh! The pain I felt... cutting into this resplendent designer paper! Ouch! (giggle)
 It's quite old, and something that just looks pretty to these eyes! LOL 

I also used the colors from Dragonfly Journeys Challenge Blog.

Three white droplets of Nuvos Crystal Drops brighten the page a bit.



 Crimson Copper Brilliance ink brings out the pretty dry embossed background.

Die Cut sentiment makes this an "all occasion card".





My second card uses the same butterfly image in the same EP, 
same designer paper, 
and 
same background paper.

At 5.5" x 8", this pretty card has a red, gold-flecked, punched leaf border, 
with the same Die'Sire Rose Vine embossing folder, 
this time embellished with a bit of Gold Galaxy Brilliance ink. 



tip:
Memento Cottage Ivy was stamped on the Hero Arts Sentiment. Because it is a water-based dye ink, I knew it would not dry well on the pearl vellum; so, I heat set the sentiment with clear detail EP. Now the stamped sentiment is raised, and won't smear.


tip:
The butterfly also has a bit of Gold Tinsel EP in the body and top corners of the wings. In real life, it looks "distressed," and mirrors the Gold Tinsel embossed edges around the 3 vertical designer papers.


tip:
To make the punched scallop bottom stand out a bit, a 3/4" strip of double-sided Tear-ific Tape was applied to the inside of the card, coated with Gold Tinsel and Russet EP
to provide fun color and interesting texture:



Inside:



The Stampin' Up! Butterfly has been colored with Tombow Markers on Ivory CS, fussy cut with a slight "halo" around the edge, and wings are bent with dimensional adhesives under the "poofy" parts (technical word there).

Card Front:



tip:

The card front is layered, so it's easy to coordinate the inside by following these steps:

The layer is a brick-poppy red panel.
Continue the butterfly theme by die cutting a shape:


It's beautiful just as it is:


Continue the distress look from the front, using the same Gold Tinsel embossing powder:


Outline the butterfly image with VersaMarker pen, apply EP, heat set:


Glue the front panel in place so the back of the red panel shows through.
Adhere the butterfly die cut, or leave as is:



Thanks for stopping by today!
Hope to enjoy your creations on the




Products Used:
  • Embossalicious Die'sire Rose Vine embossing folder
  • Sparkle N Sprinkle: Nuvo Crystal Drops White, Patina Gold EP281, Russet EP223, Gold Tinsel EP385, Clear Detail EP,  3/4inch Tear-ific Tape, Memento Cottage Ivy Dye Ink, VersaMarker, VersaMark
  • Stampin' Up! Butterfly stamp
  • Hero Arts Sentiment stamp
  • Martha Stewart Laurel Leaf, Vintage Lace punches
  • EKSuccess Scallop punch
  • Cheery Lynn Monarch Butterfly B668
  • Memento Cottage Ivy Dye Ink, VersaMark Ink, Fired Brick and Worn Lipstick Distress Dye inks, Crimson Copper Brilliance Ink, Gold Galaxy Brilliance Ink
  • Tombow markers (butterflies)
  • Impression Obsession Top Edgers Words DIE434-K

Supporting these fine on-line challenges:

  1. A Bit More Time to Craft Challenge #29 "Anything Goes" 10/15 (sep post)
  2. Anything Goes with a Create TLC Element (Oct) "Anything Goes" (this is my first entry using any images)11/1
  3. Cardz4Galz Challenges #32 Autumn/Fall Colors 10/10
  4. Classic Design Team Open Challenge Blog - (October 1) Anything from a DT 11/1
  5. Crafting With Friends #28 Anything Goes 10/7
  6. Creative Craft Challenge #72 "Anything Goes" 10/6
  7. Creative Fingers Challenges #117 Anything Goes 10/13
  8. Dragonfly Journeys Challenge Blog #76 Fall Festival of Colors 10/16
  9. Eclectic Ellapu Purple Team October Challenge 11/1 (tab)
  10. Fashionable Stamping #115 Autumnal Colors must use rubber stamp (sentiment and butterfly) 10/9
  11. Just Add Ink #331 Just Add Wings (butterflies) 10/5
  12. Just Keep on Creating Anything Goes Link-Up (Oct) Anything goes 11/1
  13. Little Miss Muffet Challenges #147 Anything Goes 10/4 (in tab)
  14. QKR Stampede #211 "Cut It Up" (dies, scissors, punches) (used all 3 methods) 10/6
  15. Sunday Stamps Challenges #SSC136 Sketch (shown above) 10/7
  16. The Artistic Stamper - (Oct) "Patterns" loosely interpreted 11/1 (few days aft sep post)
  17. The Crafty Addicts #25 "Anything Goes/Pattern Paper" 10/10
  18. World Wide Open Design Team Challenge  #14 (Sept 15-Oct 15) Anything from a DT 11/15


Stamping Hugs,

57 comments:

Linda said...

What gorgeous, creative cards, Donna! And your header is absolutely stunning! I hope you are having a great weekend. Hugs. :)

Jackie T said...

Hi Donna your cards are gorgeous those butterflies are stunning. Take care. Hugs Jackie

Sue said...

Hi Donna, What beautiful cards.

Hope you are having a lovely day. Sue

cotnob said...

Gorgeous cards Donna, beautiful colours and such opulent designs - your butterflies are stunning.
Pauline
x

SD pooja said...

Happy World card making Day n Happy Autumn too ,wishing you lots of warmth ! I totalky loved the butterfly vibrant colors n the sheen from embossing look fab !

Maria Valente said...

Wow, thank you sharing your creativity, Donna! I've visited your blog and love it!
You've left a question on my blog about the glue I used to adhere the embossed vellum to that stenciled background. I simple put tiny drops of glossy accents on the back of the white embossing. As the lettering isn't extremely thin, the glue is invisible on the right side of the paper. In the end, to avoid any warping, I put the card under somehing heavy.
And that's it! I hope I have answered your question!

Sending hugs and a big thank you for your kind words
Mary

KT Fit Kitty said...

Wow, Donna, you've made some more amazing butterflies! Love, love, love! Absolutely gorgeous! Loving the fall colours too - my favourite season! Happy World Card Makng Day to you!

Hugs,
Kitty

Andree said...

Two amazing cards Donna. I love the rich colours and gorgeous papers you've used. Your techniques (and tips) are wonderful and those butterflies look so beautiful xx

Sharon said...

Your cards are gorgeous Donna. Love the embossed background, the flowers are lovely and your vibrant butterfly is stunning.
Hope you are keeping well.
Hugs Sharon. x

Jean Bullock said...

I just saw your cards! My eyes are happy! The colors are absolutely opulent!

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Gorgeous cards Donna, with loads of embossed and glitter detail, love them. The inside butterfly is quite beautiful, I have that die it was fun to see what you do with it. I hope your weekend is going well, it certainly is Fall here today, rain and all :) Hugs, Shirleyxxx

Verna Angerhofer said...

Your cards are both so gorgeous and so elegant looking with the gold accents. I love that background paper too. It has a vintage look to it and almost reminds me of a tapestry. At any rate, these are both so beautiful.

Dorothy S said...

So pretty - the butterfly is stunning. Thanks for joining the QKR Stampede weekly challenge - Cut it Up. Dorothy S, DT member

Shirley said...

How zingy and vibrant is that butterfly Donna. Rich, lush, opulent and more springs to mind, definitely reminds me of something from the middle east, mystical and very spiritual. Love both makes.

Hope your weekend is going well.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

Sherri said...

WOW! That says it all! GORGEOUS butterfly and beautiful design! I'm so glad you could join us for the QKR Stampede weekly challenge!

MaryH said...

Love the new fall look on your blog! LOVE both these deeply rich colored cards too. The paper designs go so well together, and the paisley pattern made me think of the Persian motifs. Looks so nice with the embossing done in copper over the kraft c/s. Those butterflies are just amazing in the depth of color and the gold shimmer. I like the trio of patterned rectangles that are double matted in the rich autumn shades. Always love it when you share the fabulous tips...so very helpful. Congratulations to your candy winner. Went out to follow her blog (and did), but see she's not posted since 6-2015...so didn't leave a comment. TFS & hugs. (and yes, Fla. will eventually get some of its own type of autumn-ness!)

Katy said...

Wow! Those butterflies are gorgeous!! :) Love both of your cards! :)

Annettes Hobby Rosettes said...

Oh my gosh Donna, the work you have done on this creation is amazing and so wonderfully illustrated on your blog too. The end result is just perfect. Nice work.

Thank you for sharing with us over here at Classic Design Team Open Challenge and best of luck with your entry.
[Annette Registered Owner/Admin for Classic Design Team Challenge]

Joyce Ann said...

Wow!!! That butterfly is just crazy beautiful! Thank you for joining up this month at Eclectic Ellapu and good luck in the challenge.

McCrafty's Cards said...

Wow Donna, you have blown my socks off with this absolutely stunning butterflies they look so beautiful and rich, both cards are beautiful and I know who ever opens an envelope and finds one of these inside will feel truly special, outstanding work!
Kevin xx

maria's knutselplezier said...

Hey Donna, both your cards look amazing, great colours , great backgrond and the butterflies look amazing in there Autumn colours!!

Have fun!!
Huggs
Maria

Rachael said...

Gorgeous cards - I love those butterflies, they are simply beautiful! Thanks for joining us at Crafting with friends , good luck!

coldwaters2 said...

Wow Donna you have brought the wonderful feel of Autumn into our lives with these stunning creations, the gorgeous colours, butterfly and card designs are superb, fantastic creativity from one awesome crafter, I also love the new blog header, thank you for sharing
hugs
lorraine x

Silvis Kreativstube said...

Hallo liebe Donna,

wow, wow,wow, was für wundervolle Karten du gestaltet hast. Ich bin von deinen Schmetterlingen begeistert. Die Idee mit dem embossten goldenen Rand finde ich total Klasse. Das sieht super edel aus. Wie könnte ich an diesem Werk einfach vorbeigehen ohne dir mein allergrößten Respekt auszusprechen. Ich liebe deine Werke. Sie sind immer etwas ganz besonderes. Hugs Silvi

Lori Kobular said...

Donna both of these cards are amazing! I LOVE the paper you used! The butterfly is gorgeous too! Well I didn't spend World Card Thinking Day making cards ~ instead I went to an all day scrapbook event and had tons of fun! But I will be back to making cards very shortly!

Beebeebabs said...

LOL you crack me up - have a fabulous day and a great week!!!

suzARTe said...

I absolutely love this card Donna, the butterfly is simply amazing and really stands out, so beautiful, there is so much colour and dimension on this card, just great. I love your blog header as well, we do get some of the lovely fall colours in Australia but nothing like what is in the picture, I will have to see scenery in real life like this one day.Thanks so much for sharing your creation at
Anything goes October link-up, Just keep on creating
Susan xx

CdeBaca Crafts Gallery said...

Amazing work! This is so wonderful

As.I.Do.Rodos. said...

Fantastic card . Thank you for joining us at Creative Craft Cottage challenge good luck Ginny DT for Creative Craft Cottage
My Blog As I do Rodos

Monica said...

Hi Donna,

Thank you for your sweet visits and comments. Aleeza is an animal lover so we took her to SPCA to play with the animals. I love animals too but am not sure of the hygiene and commitment factor that comes along with adopting a pet. I did grow up with dogs though and as I did not have to physically take care of them, it was all very nice.

Now to your wonderful cards - they are stunning and just so beautiful. Like an Indian saree full of charm and elegance.

Lots of love,

Monica xxx

brenda said...

Hi again Donna,

Just saw your link at Fashionable Stamping Challenges and popped back because I know I hadn't noticed it on your list and see my comments is not here anyway so goodness only knows what I did to that that I posted it, or at least thought I did. So again will say what a beautiful card this is, love the background and that super Butterfly which looks as thought it just might take flight at any moment and thanks of course for joining us at FSC.

B x

Monika Reeck said...

I love your card
the DP is stunning
the way you colored embossed folder is great
the butterfly wooowww dobble stunning
your folowing our sketch so adorable
Adorable card miss lady
many thanks for joining with us at Sunday Stamps
hugs
Monika

http://cheryl-cherylscreativeatcscards.blogspot.co.uk/ said...

oh well my dear what can I say,they are simply stunning the colours,deisgn and layout and all the wonderful pictures just first class hugs cheryl xx

ccheney said...

Beautiful card! And thank you for all the details and tips you added! Thank you for joining us at Creative Craft Cottage. Cindy (DT)

crafty-stamper said...

Fabulous blog header and stunning cards,love all the layers and rich colours,beautiful embossing and such vibrant striking butterflies love the little tips too
Carol x

DonnaMundinger said...

Thanks so much for visiting my blog and your lovely comment. What fabulous all occasion cards, Donna. The rich colors are just yummy and I love the tips you've added, especially the gorgeous way you finished the inside. I'm your newest follower (we Donnas need to stick together. LOL) xxD

http://cheryl-cherylscreativeatcscards.blogspot.co.uk/ said...

Hi hun I just wanted to give you my email as you mentioned it in your comment on my blog,mines not working correctly so here it his encase you need it love cheryl xx
cherylbaker94@outlook.com love cheryl xxx

Sue said...

Donna, both cards are stunning. And no wonder, with all the techniques and materials you have used, must have taken you hours to make these two cards! Love, LOve, Love the butterflies, they look so real. Fabulous colors and the design of the card is so pretty too. Awesome, creative cards, thanks for sharing how you make the butterflies too.

Hugs
Sue

Cazro said...

Wow, such a stunning project, so much detail and an amazing tutorial, absolutely fantastic. Overwhelmed. Thanks for playing along with us at Cardz 4 Galz. i've sent you an email. Caz DT

aussie aNNie said...

How gorgeous is this It is one awesome creation. xx{aNNie}

*Vicki* said...

Wow Donna! Your butterflies are absolutely gorgeous! Love the papers, colors and wonderful design!! The addition of the EP is eye popping!! ;) Awesome as always! HUGS

Judy McKay said...

Stunning card Donna. Beautiful colours. Thank you for joining us at Eclectic Ellapu this month. Judy DT

Diane said...

Beautifully created, the butterfly is amazing!

NanaConnie said...

Hey, Donna, congratulations on being this week's winner at QKR Stampede! Woohoo. :-D

Dr Sonia S V said...

Oooh Donna...what a stunning creation...so in love with your butterfly
Cheers
Dr Sonia

Caro´s kreative Welt said...

Wow, what a beautiful project....fantastic!
Thanks for joining us at FSC.
Greetings Carola

Desire Fourie said...

Wow Donna these are stunning creations with awesome autumn hues. Just love the lush rich feel to them. Its perfect for our 4th ‘ATG with CREATE WITH TLC’ challenge. Thanks for sharing your talent with us. Good luck and hope to see you play with us again.
Hugs
Desíre
{ATG with a CREATE WITH TLC Element}
{Doing Life – my personal blog}

EdenLand Designs said...

These are both stunning cards!! Love the regal colors you've used, and the butterflies are fabulous! Thanks for playing along with us at Creative Fingers!
Susan - DT

Jeannie said...

Hi Donna! I thought I had already commented here, but I guess it was just in our email conversation about how beautiful this card is! The colors are just spectacular and your tips and pictures are so helpful. Thanks so much for promoting and joining my Fall Festival of Colors Challenge :)

Jeannie T.
Dragonfly Journeys

Lisa said...

Hello my friend!! I'm back from vacation catching up on all of your beautiful projects I've missed while I've been gone!! WOW!! I am totally blown away by your gorgeous cards!! The papers are stunning!! The butterflies are the most beautiful I've seen!! Each detail is perfect and I love seeing how you put these together!! Huge congrats to your blog candy winner!! I hope you are doing well, Donna, and having a wonderful October!! Big hugs sweet friend :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Maryvonne Coussé said...

Absolutely Fabulous!Gorgeous ! And a great tutorial !
Thanks for joining us at Carz 4 Galz Challenge blog and Good Luck !
hugs !
Maryvonne - DT member

CraftyPaws said...

Gorgeous cards and great tips! TFS and inspiring! Big hugs, Kristina

aussie aNNie said...

Hi De, just popping back into say hello and thanks for always commenting on my work. Your question re pumpkins, yes we used them a lot on cooking, well I do and my fav is pumpkin soup and scones....oh and in with mashies and spring onions...hugs..xxx

Sue said...

Your cards are gorgeous Donna, the butterflies are absolutely stunning and I love all the information you have shared on how they were created.
Thank you for stopping by my blog and for you kind comments.
hugs, Sue xx

Nancy Hill said...

Love the technique of glitter around the butterfly negative. Love the deep warm fall colors. Gorgeous cards. Hugs

Jennie -The Artistic Stamper said...

Gorgoeus patterned card ! Thank you for joining in with The Artistic Stamper Creative Challenge :)

Granmargaret said...

Lovely work. Thank you for joining the challenge at A Bit More Time to craft and Creative Fingers. Hope to see you again next time.
Thank you for your comments on my blog.