Cutout Butterflies

A couple of months ago, I attended Stampin' Up's annual convention here in Melbourne. One of the highlights of convention is seeing fellow demonstrators present a Workshop Wow on stage - they are all so clever, and we always come away with some nifty little trick to share with out customers.

Kirsty Brown showed us a stunning way to use our Beautiful Butterflies Sizzix die. I would try to explain it, but a picture would do the job way better. Here's my take on her nifty technique:


And a closeup:

I'm not sure if it shows up in the photo, but I spritzed the Bashful Blue butterfly with a Frost White Shimmer Paint spray after embossing it.

Once you have the positioning correct, these double cut butterflies are a snap to make - just ask the ladies I taught it to the other week!

Supplies used:
Stamp(s): Baroque Motifs, Vintage Vogue
Ink: Pear Pizazz, Concord Crush
Cardstock: Conford Crush, Pear Pizazz, Whisper White, Bashful Blue
Other: Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, Finial Press Em3/16" Corner Rounder, Basic Rhinestones

Brighten up winter

Here's a little eye candy to brighten up your dreary winter days ... completely inspired by a project in the monthly publication that Stampin' Up! demonstrators receive (anyone who's seen the original will know which one I mean).

Whereas the original was a beautiful 12x12 scrapbook page with a spray of stamped and punched flowers down one side, I simplified the idea down to a standard (if slightly bumpy) greeting card.

It was a lot of fun to make each flower, trying to be sure and get each one a little different from the next.

Supplies used:
Stamp(s): Party This Way
Ink: Melon Mambo
Cardstock: Peach Parfait, Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight
Other: 1-3/4" x 7/8" Oval Punch, Decorative Label Punch (Autumn/Winter Mini Catalogue), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (Carryover Products), Floral Fusion Sizzlit, Blossom Party Sizzix Originals Die, Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, Finial Press Embossing Folder, Basic Pearls, 5/16" Jumbo Brads

Concord Flowers

I loved this card the minute I saw it. I can't decide if it's the colour scheme (how well does River Rock go with Melon Mambo and Elegant Eggplant?) or the layout. In an attempt to find out, I made my own version - and yes, I know, it's pretty much a straight copy. I was low on mojo the other night when I did this, and couldn't find my own creativity :-(

Anyway, aside from using Concord Crush instead of Elegant Eggplant (just a personal preference), changing out the stamp on the panel and using my embossing folder to dress up the Melon Mambo layer, it's pretty much the same card.

I might have to try this colour combo for other projects - it's certainly eye catching!

And here's a close up of the little butterfly - spritzed with a shimmer mist made from Frost White Shimmer Paint ... so cute.

Supplies used:
Stamp(s): Inspired by Nature
Ink: Concord Crush
Cardstock: Melon Mambo, River Rock, Concord Crush
Other: Finial Press Embossing Folder, Top Note Sizzix Die, Beautiful Wings Embosslit