Tuesday 23 August 2016

Floats like a butterfly...

Hello there

Well, August has flown by and we've been really busy in the guest house this month. We did have a few days away at the Edinburgh Fringe, which was lovely, but not exactly a restful and relaxing break!

The Clarity challenge this month was fussy cutting so I thought I would create a card using some of the "failed" inky splodge prints left over from my calendar challenge attempt from last month, and the NDC butterfly stamp that has been sitting on my desk for many weeks just waiting for it's chance to shine. I also remembered to take my camera into the craft room, so there are a few more photos with the blog this month - not exactly a step by step because I kept forgetting to take a snap, but we all have to start somewhere!!!

First I stamped the Clarity NDC butterfly stamp, and Clarity butterfly verse onto one of the scraps of splodgy background scraps using black archival ink and left it to dry.






Next I stamped the butterfly stamp again onto another, brighter piece of scrap, and fussy cut 3 of the butterflies to use on my main project.



I trimmed down the background piece using a paper trimmer and framed it using a ruler and black sharpie pen.




 Before I stuck down the butterflies, I tried different positions on the background to see which composition worked best, and then I decided to have one hovering over the card, to illustrate the sentiment in the verse.

I cut a small strip of acetate, and made a small hinge at one end, and a larger hinge at the other end. I fixed the small hinge with double sided tape behind my backgroun piece, and attached one of the butterflies to the long strip. The second hinge part helps keep the butterfly "floating", but will flatten down to allow for postage.




It was a bit tricky to get a photo showing how the butterfly floats, and please don't look too closely at the mess on the top of my craft desk!!!






Finally I mounted the background piece onto an 8X8 white card blank, added a sentiment inside the card, and my signature personlised stamp on the back of the card.

Hope you like my interpretation of the fussy cutting theme, and I'd love to read any comments that you have - thanks, Susan x


20 comments:

  1. A brilliant way to incorporate 'left-overs' into a lovely piece of art work-wish my remainders were as good!!!) As for forgetting to photograph - I can't, as I never know which way the project heads. Thank you for continuing to support the monthly Clarity challenge and best wishes. ;~}

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    1. Thanks Shelagh, I really appreciate your kind comments, Susan x

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  2. I love the way you have used scraps, perhaps that is down to a good teacher. The floating effect finishes it off perfectly.

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    1. Thanks Julia - I think you're right, I would never have used up left overs and scraps before Barbara showed us how to! Hope you're OK, Susan X

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  3. Love how you have used this scrap background it has come out lovely. Good luck in the challenge and thank you for taking part. Xx

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  4. This is nice like the colour combination love your ideas good luck in the clarity challenge x

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind comments Crafty, Susan x

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  5. Wow Susan such lovely colours so pretty a beautiful verse crafting hugs xxx

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    1. Thanks Sheila - love the verse too, as it has such a great font! Susan x

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  6. Can't see why you called your background a 'Failed'inky splodge, it's beautiful and sets off your butterflies perfectly. Good luck in the challenge x

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    1. Thanks Lesley - you're probably right, it wasn't really a failed background, just wasn't what I was aiming for last month! I usually keep things for a while, as sometimes they will suit another project even if they are not quite right for the one I'm working on. Susan x

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  7. This is such a beautiful card Susan - a lovely piece of artwork.
    Thanks for joining in with us again and good luck in the August Challenge x

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  8. Just love it Susan. Your background is so full of colour and it really sets your butterflies off nicely. Beautiful work. Best of luck in the challenge xx

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    1. Thanks so much Emma - hope you're well and enjoying being a grandma? He's a cutie x

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  10. A great card Susan. I love the idea of the floating butterfly. Thanks for joining the Clarity challenge this month. Good luck x

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  11. So pretty Susan, colours are beautiful. Well done for your step by step, I always forget to take the photos as well. Good Luck in the challenge xx

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