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

Wednesday, September 07, 2016

Autumn Butterflies

Welcome, sweet crafting friends!
So glad you could make it for a little Dies R Us Inspiration today!

Those of us in hot, steamy Florida are longing for Autumn weather.
Autumn in Florida means decreased temperatures and BLESSEDLY decreased humidity!
That won't happen until the end of October. (wry laughing)
So in the meantime, I will 

Dream of Autumn on Butterfly Wings!

Hoping you will enjoy a few hidden tricks I've shared below...


click below for:
STORE
The following Dies R Us Products are being used:

Memory Box Delia Butterfly #98353
Memory Box Finn Butterfly #98351
Spellbinders Classic Scallop Rectangles lg
Cheery Lynn Tropical Flourish B127

Both cards are "U.S. Business Size" cards.
The first card uses Memory Box Delia Butterfly #98353 and Finn Butterfly #98351.





How to make your butterfly "self-fluffing".












Finished Butterfly on card (it automatically "fluffs" itself up):




Inside of the cards:

This idea would be beautifully done using any dies!





Tip: 

Use unheated embossing powder. 
The Sparkle N Sprinkle Brown Fizz has a blend of brown tones and a dash of autumn colored glitter in it. It is heat set on the filagree portion of the butterfly. 

However...

Because I don't care for the reflection of the double-stick adhesive behind the rhinestones, I sprinkled the same EP atop the rhinestone stickers. The EP around the rhinestones is not heat set. It affords a matching shadow for cohesiveness with rest of the card, and it gets rid of that pesky "shine" from the clear adhesive. Depending which EP you elect to use, the effect will change the appearance of your card! Here is a close up:


My designer paper is old, old, OLD. My mother-in-law and I purchased it back in 2003 at a quaint little stamp store in South Tampa. Being a butterfly enthusiast, she would love the cards!

Fun second card using the Cheery Lynn Large Lace Faerie Queen DL160 die set. It is a 2-piece set (the white background is cut with the 2nd, solid die). Beautifully frilly and delicate!


I die cut the golden pearlescent vellum first, then the brown layer. The brown layer is thick cardstock because I only wanted the tops of the wings to cut out. The rest is "embossed" or taped back into place (see view below) in order to show off the beautiful filagree of the gold vellum layer:


The Cheery Lynn Tropical Flourish B127 is coated with beautiful SNS Florida Beach glitter!



Hope you enjoyed today's ideas.

QUESTION PLEASE!

What is your favorite brand of White Pigment ink?
When embossing with white detail EP, I prefer using white pigment ink to VersaMark.
I used SU white on one card, and VersaMark on the other card. There is a big difference.
But I'm disappointed that my seldom-used SU pad is so concave! It is difficult to get a clean inking with it. So am in the market for another. What do you use?
Thanks for your input!

Products Used:


Playing in the Following Challenges please:
  1. 613 Avenue Create #189 Anything Goes with Optional Twist -  Colors of Fall (check weekly, 10/2)
  2. Craft Your Passion Challenges #328 Anything Goes 9/12
  3. Die Cut Divas September challenge "Fall Theme" 10/1 (sep post 10/2)
  4. Dragonfly Dreams (Sept 4) Monochrome 10/2
  5. Dragonfly Journeys #73 Social Butterfly 9/11
  6. Dream Valley Challenges #139 Monochrome 9/10
  7. Eclectic Ellapu Purple Challenge (Sept) "New Beginnings" 10/2 (the cards' interiors have a story about creating yourself - it is something new happening all the time - and a butterfly makes itself new) 10/1
  8. Inspiration Destination #102 Anything Goes 9/14
  9. Love to Craft Challenge Blog #2 Anything Goes 10/1
  10. Scrapy Land Challenges (Sept #49) Anything Goes with Dies 9/21(listed above)
  11. Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenges (Sept) Use EP or Loose Glitter) both cards use white EP in the sentiment, One card uses EP in the butterfly body and frill layer, one butterfly flourish uses glitter, the card interiors use glitter on the die cuts) 10/1
  12. The Corrosive Challenge (Sept #9) Anything Goes 10/2
  13. World Wide Open DT Challenge (Sept) 9/15
Stamping hugs, and best wishes for good health to everyone -

62 comments:

Annettes Hobby Rosettes said...

WOW WOW WOW, oh my gosh Donna this is just out of this work. Great work and so beautifully illustrated on your blog. Perfect.

Thank you for sharing with us here today at World Wide Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.

Annette DT Registered Owners/Admin for World Wide Open Design Team Challenge

Mrs A. said...

Speechless Dona. These are so so pretty and very luxurious looking. Thank you do much for showing how you get the fluffed effect. Send the tip about the Rhine stones. Certainly never thought of either of those ideas. Will be giving them a try . I bought that filigree butterfly second han

Mrs A. said...

Blogger whipped my comment how rude of it when
I hadn't finished speaking!
Was trying to say that I had bought that filigree butterfly secondhand on eBay and not only did
I not know the name or make of it but I was unaware it had a backing part do thanks god bleating up that little mystery. Hugs Mrs A.

Mrs A. said...

Now I am really cross with blogger that is not what I said.
So thanks for clearing up that little mystery .
Third time lucky.
Hugs Mrs A.

Maryvonne Coussé said...

Oh My ....!! Gorgeous Donna !!!loooooovvveeeeeeee !!!!

sarascloset said...

Donna, both of these cards are beautiful beyond words! I love the layered butterflies and the sparkle! thank you for this amazing tutorial on how to fluff the wings and adding the EP to the rhinestones! I'll be sure to pin this for future reference! But, my goodness, those colors just look so rich! Gorgeous! I hope you win every one of your challenges! Thank you for all your amazing comments on my blog! You made me feel like a queen! big hugs to you!

KraftyKoolKat said...

Wow Donna, this has taken my breath away. Such beautiful work. Not only is butterflies my favourite thing but your creation with them is awesome. I have said it before sweetie, you are one very talented lady.
Hugs
Cathy
xxxxx

Jackie T said...

Oh wow Donna they are both stunning those butterflies are amazing. Thank you for the step by step. You are a very talented lady. Take care. Hugs Jackie

KarinsArtScrap said...

wowwwwwwww these are stunning Donna.
so elegant and those colours are fab,
did you say you need my address [ hahahaha ].

Gr Karin

KT Fit Kitty said...

Wow, Wow, and more WOW! Donna, these are breathtaking! I think these have to be my favourite cards of yours of all time! Thank you for sharing how you achieved so much dimension on the butterflies. So impressive! I've never tried anything like this before. The inside of the cards is as lovely as the outside! Whoever receives these cards is going to be blown away for sure! As for the answer to your question, I love Hero Arts Unicorn, and I think you will be very happy with it as well.

Linda said...

Donna, these are absolutely gorgeous!!!

Ann Greenspan's Crafts said...

Donna, such gorgeous cards that totally caught my attention right away. Love your tutorial and how you got the butterflies to look like they are sitting there, fluttering on your card like they do on a flower. Striking paper and color choices for this time of year. I wish I had the patience to put as much time and effort into my cards as you put into yours. Such a wonderful talent!

Lori Kobular said...

Oh my gosh!! These two butterfly cards are absolutely gorgeous! I love those fluffed up butterflies! The background is beautiful too! I can't believe who amazing the butterflies look! I LOVE these cards!!

Silvis Kreativstube said...

Hallo liebe Donna,

wow ist das wunderschön geworden. Vielen lieben Dank für die Erklärung wie du diese wundervollen Karten gearbeitet hast. Die Farben sind wunderschön. Da wird mir beim anschauen ganz warm ums Herz. Ich bin absolut begeistert.
Bei der weißen Tinte habe ich bisher immer die von SU verwendet. Ich bin damit relativ gut zurecht gekommen. Manchmal schmiert sie leider etwas. Man muss sie sehr vorsichtig auf die Stempel auftragen und lange trocknen lassen.
Ich hoffe du hast meine G-Mail bekommen. Ich wünsche dir noch einen wunderschönen Tag. Ganz liebe Grüße Hugs Silvi

Wendy said...

WOW! these are stunning, so gorgeous!...
Thank you for sharing with us here today at World Wide Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.

Wendy DT World Wide Open Design Team Challenge

Sue said...

Hi Donna, WOW! Absolutely stunning cards. Those butterflies would make a lovely mobile.

Hope you are having a fab week. Sue

Shona Erlenborn said...

Let me answer the question first as I just lost my comment, when I went to look at the embossing pad!! Brilliance Moonlight White is what I use, when Versamark is not enough.

On to the cards, Flutterly gorgeous! You are amazing with these fingertips. Those puffed up butterflies with their sparkly rhinestones and swirls look like they are flying off to mystical places. I just love the autumnal hues too. Simply stunning work!

McCrafty's Cards said...

These are absolutely stunning Donna, I like everything about them, and thank you for showing us how to do it!!
Kevin xx

pam said...

Absolutely stunning cards Donna, love butterflies and these are gorgeous, love the moment you have created with the layer, great idea and thanks for the tut.
love the backing paper and beautiful colours.
Hugs Pam x

Shona Erlenborn said...

Breathtaking Donna! Simply gorgeous, love the beautiful autumn hues. The fluffiness is so realistic together with their sparkly swirls - those butterflies are flying of to somewhere mystical I am sure.

brenda said...

Another really beautiful display of gorgeousness Donna, you have achieved such lovely depth of colour and detail.

B x

Olga Fink said...

Wow just Wow! these are amazing! gorgeous creations!
I don't have white ink so I can't input on your question.
xoxo Olga

Carole J said...

Gorgeous butterfly cards, Donna, and a fantastic tutorial! You're such a talented crafter! Thanks for sharing your process. xx

Patti Krauss said...

Absolutely beautiful butterflies and I love your colors. Thanks for joining us at Craft Your Passion Challenges! - Patti (CYP DT)

Becky said...

Those are gorgeous dies. What a fantastic card. And the colors are perfect for it.

As for white ink, I am currently using a Gina K white ink pad, which I like, but I recently bought one of the Distress Ink pads in white pigment (I think it's picket fence). I haven't tried it yet, but will let you know.

cotnob said...

These are absolutely stunning Donna, beautiful butterflies and gorgeous colours - so rich and opulent.
Pauline
x

Beebeebabs said...

Wow wow wow absolutely beautiful - love everything about them - great job as always and have a fabulous week!!!

Beebeebabs said...

Have a fabulous weekend - forgot today is Friday lol

crafty-stamper said...

WOW both cards are absolutely amazing love that beautiful B.paper and gorgeous butterflies-great step by step and tips too
Carol x

Lisa said...

Oh my wow, Donna, these are absolutely, jaw-dropping gorgeous!! My gosh, I love, love them!! The colors are incredible!! I love how you've made the butterflies fly right off the paper!! The sparkle is amazing!! And your tutorials are perfect, too!! These are show-stoppers my friend!! Thank you so much for playing along at Scrapy Land!! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Pia S said...

I've learnt so many useful tips from this blogpost, the fluffy butterflies look totally amazing layered up like this and how you wiped out the sticky borders of the rhinestones is such a great idea. I've always thought of butterflies as something summery, but here they are perfectly autumn like. That old paper is gorgeous. Love the idea of decorating the inside as well, with a technique I've never used. I absolutely love these cards and this post! Well done, Donna!

CRAZYCRAFTSHED said...

Both gorgeous card's Donna
Thank you for sharing with us here today at World Wide Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.
xx

Dianne DT for the World Wide Open Design Team Challenge

coldwaters2 said...

Wowwwww Donna these are sensational, wonderful, magnificent and oh so very beautiful, those butterflies look awesome the step by step tutorial is fantastic love the amazing colours and designs, exceptional work.
hugs
lorraine x

Jeannie said...

Hi Diane! Wowza! Your creative talents are just mind blowing! Your tutorials are magnificent and these butterflies never looked more beautiful. I'm waiting for some Fall weather here in Arizona too!

Thanks so much for joining my challenge this week :)

Jeannie T.
Dragonfly Journeys

SewPaperPaint said...

I could fly away with these butterflies my dear! Seriously! ;0 I just love this, especially that you repeated the process inside the card. Stunning! You are the die cut queen indeed! I use Versamark for all embossing, but I heard that using Colorbox with dies is less likely to cause the EP to fall off when you cut. I think my Colorbox pads are dried up! So haven't checked this out, but used to use them all the time when I first started out. Hope that helps! Hugs, Autumn

MaryH said...

I'll echo Mrs. A with saying "Speechless". You are simply amazing to figure out how to create this look. It's gorgeous, and looks quite complex, so I'll have to read & do each step. Appreciate the time it takes you to photo each step, as it's Uber helpful. Also loving that rich marbled background on each of the cards. The butterflies are gorgeous, and your treatment techniques certainly made each die stunning in a way that just seeing the metal die, could never be shown. I checked all the Reaction boxes! And my favorite pigment white is Unicorn (think it's Hero Arts). I have several white die & pigment, but the Unicorn works the best for me. TFS & Happy Saturday evening. Hugs

Jean Bullock said...

Stunning cards and wonderful tutorial. I have no preferences when it comes to white pigment ink. Have you tried Versa Color? They are made by the same company. Their pigment inks are so juicy and stay moist a long time.

Bernardine Cuttino said...

This is so stunning. The details on this beauty are spectular. Fantastic tutortial.
Hugs

Carole said...

Super creations & instructions, thanks for playing along with our Monochrome Challenge @ Dream Valley this week. Good Luck
Happy Crafting
Carole xXx

Sue said...

Your cards are amazing. Those puffed up butterflies are gorgeous. Love the gold velum layer. What a great technique for making the butterfly actually look like a beautiful butterfly when the recipient opens this wonderful card. And your detailed instructions are always the best. Gorgeous, Gorgeous cards. I use the Color Box cat eye pigment ink pads in frost white. They last forever, and because of the cat eye shape, and small size they fit into small areas easily.

Hugs
Sue

Arlene said...

Amazing cards. I love the tutorial on the butterfly. The colors are amazing. Beautifully done.

So glad you joined us at Die Cut Divas.

Borqna said...

Bravo !
You are my favorite for the 613 Avenue!

Sheryl said...

Wow! These are absolutely stunning! They are breathtakingly beautiful.
Those butterflies are awesome.
Glad you dropped it onto the front porch at 613 Avenue Create.
Hugs Sheryl DT member xx

CdeBaca Crafts Gallery said...

Wow!! A+ This is spectacular. So vintage looking...soo gorgeous. Thank you for the tutorial. Will be trying!

Desire Fourie said...

These two butterfly creations, are out of this world!! Just jam packed with gorgeousness Donna. So adore the lush goldness and the fluttering butterflies which just landed on their favourite spot in the woods!
Hugs
Desíre
{Doing Life – my personal blog}

April said...

These are truly a work of art. Gorgeous!

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

oh my dear,what creativity you have at your fingertips,just brilliant I adore butterflies,and these are amazing,all the wonderful pictures,you show us just percect sweetie,stuningly beautiful hugs Cherylxxxxxx sorry hun i dont use white ink,hugs Cherylxxxxxx

Maryvonne Coussé said...

Fabulous !
Thanks for joining us at SCRAPY LAND Challenges blog and good luck !
Maryvonne DT Member

Dr Sonia S V said...

WOW what an amazing butterfly you have made
Cheers
Dr Sonia

Chana Malkah said...

Donna,
Lady this is an outstanding project and I was totally blown away (as were so many others.) I love everything about this card, particularly the palette. Your design tells a story and even without your narrative, that story would have been very clear to me. I love it when a designer's POV is so clearly articulated. Cogent, cohesive and beautifully executed.

Thanks for sharing the fabulous tutorial. With your permission I would love to share this on my "Here's A Place To Start" blog. It is a place for new crafters to help build their confidence and for seasoned crafters who may just be looking for new ideas.

Thanks for taking such a beautiful stroll through our neighborhood at 613 AVenue Create!

Hugz,
Chana

Sandy (Cheesy) said...

Donna, this is an amazing work of art. The colors are so rich and those butterflies are really flying! Thanks for all the work you put into your instructions. I know it takes a lot of time and effort, and we really appreciate it.

Shirley said...

I am definitely going to give this a go Donna. Love the step by step such a detailed layout as usual.

Another Donna special.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

Unknown said...

YOWZA! Simply Fantastico! Your butterflies are beyond beautiful! I love the 3D effect you have perfected here, the close up photos are so easy to see your step by step helpful hints. These are GORGEOUS! WOW!

ellyscard creatief said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ellyscard creatief said...

Amazing creations. Found you on The Divas that cut.
Gr, Elly

CherylQuilts said...

Oh, Miss Donna, you are AMAZING! I so love your cards, and the step-outs are so helpful. It's amazing how you put these together and make the most gorgeous cards! Yes, we are still "in the thick" of the heat here in South Florida, but we at least have a nice breeze. Hoping your weather cools down for you soon! Hugs, sweet friend!

Cindy C. said...

These butterflies are spectacular!!! Thanks for the tutorial! So nice to you linked up at Die Cut Diva's.

Aileen said...

Ohhh my good ness, just came to have a look and got to this absolutely wondrous butterfly page, I cant believe how amazing these cards are. So hope I find the time to do them, they are just stunning. After flowers butterflies (well actually they are probably equal in my choices.) Thank you so much for asking me to come visit, totally worth it. Will follow through email now.

Jo Ann said...

This is amazing. Thank you for linking your project with us at 613 Avenue Create. Hope you come back to join us again. Have a blessed week.

JO ANN
http://jatterburycreations.blogspot.com

Cathie Borowski said...

Wow - I love everything about these cards, the multi die cuts, the fluffability of the butterflies, the colour scheme, the pattern paper. Everything works together so well. Thanks for joining the Diecut Divas Fall and Fall Holidays Challenge. Cathie DT

Irena Stefanova said...

Love what you're working on and so very glad you shared with us in the Love To Craft Challenge Blog's September Anything Goes challenge! Thanks a lot for the tutorial!!!
Hugs,
Irena, LTCCB DT

Pam Sparks said...

wow - your butterfly cards are gorgeous and I love how you achieved the dimension for the wings! Taylored Expressions just came out with a new white ink pad that is awesome! Very inky and inks and stamps really well! Good luck deciding! I think I have a half a dz more white ink pads in the stash. ugh. lol