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Friday, June 17, 2011

Butterfly Garden Card

Happy Friday, my sweet crafty friends! I hope you're on the verge of a glorious weekend. This busy-bee week flew by, but I'm confident this is the last time five silent days will flutter by between posts. That length is just unsparkly.

Earlier this week as I was commenting on some lovely cards, I stumbled upon a few challenge blogs I hadn't seen before. They're fabulous and listed below! I checked their weekly requirements and with those in mind, created one of my new favorite cards. This is for my sweet friend Dana, who loves butterflies as much as yours truly. The border flourishes I cut out replicate swirly lattices opening up into a butterfly garden. One reason butterflies are so stunning is that they're both whimsical and elegant, so I touched on both characteristics in this card. I wanted the overall theme to veer toward the elegant factor, so I embossed the interior gate panels and used liquid pearls (for the first time!) to decorate the main butterfly and line the ribbon. (I'm in love with this bottle of opalescent gorgeousness! I need to work on application, but that will improve with practice.) I think white-on-white is flawless beauty, so I made that butterfly the same iridescent white as the liquid pearls and as the lattice. Dana loves a pop of color, so I punched out some orange and green sparkly butterflies to incorporate one of the challenges. Since the paper is actually jellybeans, I was able to get a curve of white on the trims of the wings.

The black shadow base isn't the butterfly's shadow, exactly... it's to represent Dana, who so often has supported me, glued to my side, and made it possible for me to fly. :o) Something makes this card extra special. As I referenced in my introductory post last month, the avenues of creativity so often overlap in the most exquisite ways. As this card came to life, it inspired something for the writing side of me. A much needed spark for a story that's waiting in the wings to be written. Thank you, Dana! :o)


I bent the wings and pop-dotted the oval base for some dimension. (This was also the first time I used a genuine paper piercer! So much nicer than my previous way of using a needle, which loved to prick my fingers as I pushed it down.)


Here's the interior sentiment... carried along by the dancing butterflies. Her loving heart is beautiful. "Butterflies dancing beneath the afternoon sunshine carry your love from your heart to mine."


Thank you for fluttering by my blog today. Your visit sparklifies it beyond what I could ever add. :o) Tomorrow's Sweet Saturday is delicious, so be sure to check back soon! Chocolate chips and cinnamon will be waiting. :o)

Challenges entered:
 * Flutterby Wednesday (Use pink, orange, and green)
 * Getting Cricky (Anything goes)
 * Wacky Wednesday (Embossing)

Link-Up Parties! I'm including this at the lovely Alex's Made It Myself Mondays and Patches of Pink link-up party... please join in the fun! I haven't been able to play often of late, so I am excited to be participating once again. Inspiration abounds at both locations. :o)

Patches of Pink





Key Recipe Components:
 * Cricut cartridges: Florals Embellished, Storybook
 * Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder
 * Paper: Bazzill, DCWV, Papertrey Ink, SEI
 * Ribbon: Offray
 * Fiskars butterfly punch and corner punch
 * Miscellaneous: Liquid Pearls

Photobucket

14 comments:

  1. First I want to thank you for coming back to see my blog(craftycards4u2). Your words brought me much encouragement and peace. You my dear, I believe knows the same precious Lord I know. I hear Him in your words.

    Now about this lovely card of yours. It is quit beautiful and Dana will be so blessed by it. It's very feminine and sweet just like you. Hugs, Pam

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  2. Oh my goodness, Sweets! How in love with this card am I?! So much! I could stare at those curly Q swirls all day! *squee* The entire card is so feminine, sweet, and happy. Dana is very lucky to be on the receiving end of this masterpiece. :)

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  3. Beautiful card! I love the colors you used. I just recently found the flutterby challenge too :) You friend Dana is very lucky to have a friend like you!

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  4. WOW, Karen, this is just spectacular! I love everything about it...you did a fabulous job! Your friend is very luck to receive this gorgeous work of art :)

    Lisa
    http://indymermaid.blogspot.com

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  5. Thank you Karen for your sweet response. I will take you up on prayer any time I feel the need and you do the same. I promise to always stand with you. If I say I will I will. God loves you too. Be blessed, Hugs, Pam

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  6. WOW beautiful card, it is so detailed. I love butterflies. Great job
    Becka
    Getting Cricky DTM

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  7. This is just gorgeous! Stop by my Blog when you get a chance - I have an award for you. :)
    http://niftynitanotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/blog-award.html

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  8. I am in tears, Sunshine! I can't even believe what I am seeing!!! OMJ!!! It's PERRRRRRRFECT!!!

    *grabs you and hugglers you like never before*

    I know I don't even need to describe to you what this card means. I can't believe my eyes sis. This is just pure elegance and grace. A masterpiece in every way imaginable. *wipes away more tears of joy* I see every single ounce of my Sunshine's most gorgeous heart in every inch of this card. It sparkles with all the joy of your soul, sis. You are more special and more loved than you will ever possibly know.

    *wishes I could make you a card that stunning and meaningful*

    I LOVE YOU SUNSHINE!!!
    P.S. I have some more serious gushing to do with you tomorrow about this!!! WHEEEEEEEE!!! *hugglers you forever*

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  9. This is just absolutely beautiful--I love how the butterfly is springing off the card--the pearl bling--and the sentiment--just beautiful!
    Thank you SO much for playing along in my Simply Sunday Challenge.

    Big Cricky Hugs,
    K Andrew of Getting Cricky

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  10. Karen, I love all of your cards, but this one is simply exquisite! I too love butterflies, and the delicate and elegant details of this card are amazing! You are so talented my crafty friend and such an inspiration. Blessings to you! Sabrina

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  11. Lovely card and post, Karen!! I love how the butterfly looks like it's ready to take off!! :)

    Thanks so much for sharing your talent in the Getting Cricky Simply Sunday Challenge this week!! :)

    Amy :) at www.lovetocrop.com
    Getting Cricky DTM

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  12. Thank you all so much! Wow, you make my heart burst with joy... I appreciate your sweet comments more than I can say. :o)

    Hugs and blessings! :o)

    ReplyDelete
  13. This card is so beautiful..Just became your newest follower, Would love it if you decided to follow my blog.
    Minta

    http://mintascreations.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for leaving some love! Have a beautifully blessed day. :o)

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