Trading Butterflies {Swapping Smiles}

So happy to see you all!

Today's card is for three particular challenges:

1) Our Swapping Smiles Card Swap Group - going to Paula of "Look I'm Stamping" blog. The theme this month is "Butterflies and/or Flowers" - no flowers on my card, but three layers of butterflies should count!

2) The Butterfly Challenge where this fortnight the letter is "G" - for glitter and/or Grape Color.

My card uses both!

3) Stamplorations Theme and Sketch Challenge - where this month's challenge is theme and/or sketch - I used the THEME which is Stamps and Triplets 3 of anything (I have 3 butterflies and layers of 3 on each)

Remember WAY... BACK... WHEN? 

When stamps were only available on wood?

And unmounteds and digitals had not even been thought of?

I bought this stamp in THOSE DAYS, and, sad to say, it was a VIRGIN until this card!

It never had seen ink, so as part of my "using my stash" promise, here it is.

The image is gold embossed on each butterfly layer - 

the card base is stamped on SU Whisper White, where the Tombow Markers blended beautifully!

Then a layer of pearly vellum was gold embossed and fussy cut (including the antennae):

Finally, another layer of colored, fussy-cut, gold-embossed butterflies. The gold embossing looks striking in real life, making a nice contrast in texture:

Dimensional Glue was used on the butterfly bodies, and above and below the gold embossed "frame" of the image for added dimension.

The layers of wings were separated by shaping and tiny dimensional adhesive pieces.

If I could do it over again, I would have made 4 separate white punched edges for adorning each side of the pink glittered card frame, instead of measuring and punching a square - it would have fit better and been easier, too!

How the glittery frame was made:

1) die cut a scallop rectangle,
2) trim the outside to suit your card size,
3) "paint" with SNS Brushable Glue,
4) dredge with SNS Starfire Glitter,
5) adhere with dimensional tape.

My Tip for the Day is how to stretch your glittery dollar:

Purchase a very sparkly, colorless, transparent glitter like SNS Starfire G1017.

THEN...

Paint your cardstock and colored images with glue! 

Dredge on transparent or semi-transparent colorless glitter.

The result is customized glitter colors - whatever "color" of glitter you need on a project,

all from a single jar!

[pssst! just in case you did not know - adhered glitter can also be transformed by coloring it with watercolor markers (like Tombow) or alcohol markers (like Copics) and even inks from your pads!]

 Final result:

multi-colored, dimensional, glittery butterfly bodies-

clear "white" glittery border around the gold embossed frame-

"pink" glittery frame-

all from Starfire Glitter

Products Used:

• Image: Stamps Happen Inc "Butterflies" #90247
• Spellbinders Mega Scallop Rectangles LG
• Memory Box Curled Ribbons die cut set
• Martha Stewart Vintage Floral Edge punch
• Tombow Markers
• Glitter and Embossing Powder: Sparkle N Sprinkle Starfire Glitter G1017 (on pink cardstock frame, and dimensionally on white cardstock, and butterflies' bodies), Gold Detail EP (on all three layers).

Challenges I'd like to enter pretty please:

1. The Butterfly Challenge #49 - "G" is for Glitter and/or Grape. 3/8 (used both glitter and red grape color) (mentioned blog in my post above)
2. Chocolate Coffe and Cards Challenge #103 "Anything Goes" 3/4
3. Creative Fingers Challenges #103 "Anything Goes" 3/4 (winners post on chal #105)
4. Simply Create Too Challenges #103 "Use Pink or Red Only" 3/4 (winners may be announced week after)
5. Stamplorations Theme and Sketch Challenge (Feb M) theme and/or sketch - used the THEME which is Stamps and Triplets 3 of anything (I have 3 butterflies and layers of 3 on each) (mentioned blog in my post above)
6. Star Stampz Challenges (Feb 18) Monochromatic Challenge 3/4
7. Southern Girls (Feb 18) "Add A Little Sparkle To Your Life"  Glitter and Embossing Powder (on pink cardstock frame, and dimensionally on white cardstock, and butterflies' bodies), Gold Detail EP (on all three layers).    (sep post for winners)
8. Crafting for All Seasons Challenges - #120 "Three of Anything" (3 butterflies and layers of 3 on each butterfly) 3/2
9. Creative Moments Challenges - #87 Anything Goes with Embossing (The image is gold embossed - and the butterflies are triple layered and fussy cut, with gold embossing on each layer) 3/2
10. Inspiration Destination Challenges - #74 Anything Goes 3/2

Thanks for stopping by!
hugs,