April 23, 2008

A TOUCH OF NATURE

Oooh, hump day again!!! It is pouring rain here today so I will be sitting in my stamp room and playing - what a hard life, huh?! The card you see here is one I made for a sketch challenge over at Chris and Lesli's new site PagePlans. I did flip the sketch around a little bit to match my layout for my stamps, but hey, the sketch is just a starting point, right?? I really like this sketch and was pretty happy with the way my card came out. I used my A Touch of Nature Stamp Set, I just love these stamps and am so glad I finally ordered it!! I see myself using it alot! The card base is Ruby Red card stock. There are three different papers on top; the piece running down the side is from my So Saffron Prints Series as is the large piece across the top - I just flipped it over to use the other design and cut it slightly smaller to let the Ruby Red card stock show through so there was more color than just all the yellows. The sentiment is stamped in Brown Stazon on Naturals Ivory card stock, then mounted on a larger piece of Ruby Red card stock. I punched the corners of both pieces using my Ticket Corner Punch, added two vintage brads, and some faux stitching. The bottom layer is a piece of So Saffron card stock. The butterfly is stamped in Brown Stazon on Naturals Ivory card stock twice, one of which I cut out. Both butterflies are watercolored using my Stampin' Write markers. I mounted the one on top just slightly so the butterfly would have a 3-D feel to it. Then, I cut the Naturals Ivory into an Oval, and mounted it on a piece of Ruby Red card stock that was cut into a slightly larger oval. I then faux stitched around the whole thing. I used piece of So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon to run down the seam of the paper, and outlined it in Ruby Red Stampin' Write Marker to give it some color. Lastly, I added three build-a-brads with the center being punched from a piece of Cutie Pie Designer Series Paper because those flowers are Ruby Red in color and matched my card so well. I hope you like it!! Now, off to stamp - whoohoo!
**NOTE** The swap is filled so that post will no longer be at the top. For those who are participating, just ensure you keep track of the dates! All swaps must be to me no later than 16 May with a SAS pre-paid envelope so I can mail yours to you!

39 comments:

Jens Place in Space said...

HI! Love your blog! Wow congratulations on your retirement from the service! My friend is just finishing up 20 years in the Marines. Thank you for all you've done, seriously. I really need some stampin up stuff. I'll email you and see if I can order something through you or what I can do ok.

Manna said...

This is beautiful, Alex! Love how you did the butterfly, very elegant!

Anonymous said...

wow chickie, love this card. My word that butterfly looks real!!!!!
You just play your heart out today!

Debbie - StudioBeeCreations said...

Alex....the B'fly is BEEEEautiful....love the pOP!!!coloring is go-jus!.....and the stitching!!....you blow me away...I still do not believe it is FAUX!
creative blessings, Debbie

corinnesomerville said...

Holla my friend !!

We had rain just at bedtime last night....it was so nice to fall asleep to the rain..by this morning the sun was shining :)
Love this card....so cute and a great layout.
How's your hand feeling? Take care of yourself !

Courtney said...

Absolutely beautiful butterfly!

~Denise Lynn~ said...

Love it! Great colors and of course I love that stitching. That butterfly is gorgeous! :)

You start stamping early don't you...I need to get moving! LOL! :)

Dawn Easton said...

Hi Alex!

Wow this card is beautiful! Your butterfly is stunning!

Michelle said...

What a gorgeous card Alex, I just love what you did with that butterfly!

Jennifer Buck said...

You did such a great job with this sketch! Love that butterfly! Wow! This is just beautiful! Thanks for playing! :)

Lauren said...

This is super cute. The flower brads are the perfect touch!

Ana Baird said...

Awesome card! Love the colors and butterfly!

Charmaine (CharmWarm) said...

This is just gorgeous, Alex! WOW! That butterfly is stunning!

Melissa said...

SO lovely Alex! You know I can't resist those butterflies!

Many Blessings,
M.

suzann said...

That butterfly is soooo pretty!!

Dawn♥ said...

Lovely card Alex! Love the scalloped oval shapes and the colors ROCK! Beautiful design!

BarbK said...

Oh, this is a lovely card, Alex. Great job. Have fun playing today!

Beth Norman-Roberts said...

Wowzers, this is gooooorgeous. Love all the details, and the 3-D butterful. Yup, I was a day ahead with my post. Thanks for noticing; it was changed. Sorry to hear you're having rain. It was nice here so I spent the morning cleaning the backyard.

kathleenh said...

Pretty! I love how you have the butterfly wings lifted.

Ila said...

Gorgeous!! I love that butterly..so dimentional!!

Natalie said...

Great card, the butterfly looks like it just landed on your card. x

Marlou McAlees said...

ooooh this is beautiful alex, very nice work!! :) must check out the new site :) hugzz xx

Denise ~ Paper Ponderings said...

This is absolutely gorgeous! You amaze me.

Gina said...

Great card, I have missed quite a few days so just catching up, can not believe how busy you are and how you fit it all in :)
Gina xx

Misty said...

What a wonderful card. We have beautiful weather today...so I've been out digging up rocks...don't ask. Have fun.
Misty

Dawn said...

I love this. It's really great.

Risa said...

Your card is beautiful and I love your butterfly...the colors are fantastic and look so real!!!!
malieta:)

Rose Ann said...

Your butterfly is so gorgeous!! I love your stitching and brads that you built!! Awesome, girl!!

Deb said...

fabulous card Alex, this is so beautiful and elegant

Robyn said...

I love this one, too!!!!

Erin... said...

beautiful!! the butterfly is amazing!

Melody (lacyquilter) said...

Beautiful card. Love the double butterfly.

Diane said...

Gorgeous card Alex!! That butterfly
is beautiful!!! Love the color combo you used!

Chris said...

Alex,
this is such a beautiful card. i love the butterfly, it just looks so real. thanks for playing along!!

Alexandra Lundgren said...

This is a really beautiful card. I can see myself needing this stamp set very soon. They way you did the butterfly is just lovely.

Lesli said...

Alex - this is such a beautiful card - thanks so much for participating :)

Ashley said...

Oh, How BEAUTIFUL!! I love it!!!! CONGRATS by the way!! Have a great weekend! hugs, Ash~

jjcreations said...

Your butterfly is beautiful and I like the brads too. Joan

Nancy Riley said...

Wowzers! Love the colors, faux stitching, and build-a-brads! Awesome card!