Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Birthday Butterflies

Today is my last post on the a2z Blog as I'm stepping down from the DT at the end of April.  I want to thank everyone at a2z for giving me this great opportunity.  Today's card started with making a stenciled background using the wonderful Numbers Background stencil--a GREAT deal in the Sales/Retired section.  I inked the stencil with 4 Hero Arts colors, spritzed with water & laid it on a watercolor panel.  The look wasn't what I wanted, so I laid the stencil back in place & used daubers with the same ink colors.  That worked well, but the colors didn't flow from one to the other.  A light coating of Gesso totally changed the look & saved my panel from the trash can! I dry embossed it & sponged on a couple shades of brown adding to the artistic look & bringing out the embossed design.
a2z April number 2Each HA butterfly was stamped & embossed twice--once on kraft cardstock & once on watercolor paper. After watercoloring with the same inks, I added a very light covering of Gesso & sponged with brown ink. Clear Wink of Stella & Hero Arts gems give them shimmer & shine while hemp cord is wrapped around the bodies with the ends used for antennae.  The HA sentiment was heat embossed on the kraft card front & then the background panel was trimmed to fit.  I attached the colored butterflies to the kraft ones only in the middle & bent the wings slightly up before attaching them.
WOS up closeHope I've inspired you to join the current challenge to use a stencil on your project.  Links to my supplies are in the a2z Blog Post.  Feel free to use my code, GRETA15, to get 15% off a minimum $25 purchase.  I'm entering the Things with Wings challenge at UnikoLayers & Dimension at Virginia's ViewIn the Garden at Die Cut Divas, & Pixies Snippets Playground.  Thanks so much for all your support & taking time to visit my blog.
Grab button for Uniko Studio ChallengeApril/May Challenge: Layers and DimensionsDie Cut DivasPixies Crafty Workshop

36 comments:

  1. The butterflies are gorgeous! beautiful job watercoloring them! Love the shine from the wink of stella. Another amazing creation, Greta!

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  2. I love the soft colors on the kraft. The butterflies are beautiful and the shine is so pretty. I also love the split panel. Gorgeous.

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  3. Excuse me for a moment whilst I go find a napkin to wipe my drool up.... This. Is. INCREDIBLE! I love the brightness the gesso gives it and the whole artsy background. The colors are so soft and delicate - just like your glittery butterflies! This is totally going on my pin board so I can admire it later. You are SO talented!

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  4. Love the delicate shades on your stencil and my oh my do I love your butterflies. Hugs Mrs A.

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  5. This is stunning! Love the vintage colors and feel to this. It seems you put a lot of work into this card but it was way worth it!

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  6. Wow, this is so beautiful Greta. What an incredible save....had you not mentioned it no one would have known that you didn't plan this whole thing out. This rises to the top 3 fave cards of mine of your art! You need to revisit this technique.

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  7. Gorgeous card Greta. I love the background you created and the pretty butterflies.

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  8. Love how this turned out, Greta, and kudos to you for keeping on when your results weren't as expected.....I love the soft colors you achieved, and these butterflies were the perfect embellishment to your lovely background!

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  9. Hello Greta,
    Oh I am so pleased you did not give up and went back to work on the Bg, it developed beautifully. It has a warm feel and the butterflies are perfect to complete the look.
    Smiles:)
    Sue

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  10. Just beautiful, Greta! The background is stunning and worth all the effort!

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  11. So pretty, loving the soft pastel colours. Thanks so much for joining in on the Uniko Studio Challenge. Hugs Bev x

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  12. Oh, my! Gorgeous soft colors and lovely butterflies, Greta! Such a wonderful birthday card. The recipient of this card will be very pleased!:-)

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  13. this is pretty darn amazing, greta!! the background and the butterflies are gorgeous!!

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  14. Greta, Greta, Greta!!! This...is...incredible!!! Oh my stars, love the soft vintagey look!! You WILL be missed on the DT, you've done an amazing job ;)

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  15. Wow ~ I love the butterflies in motion look and the pretty pastels on kraft. Even the little rhinestone butterfly bodies are adorable too. Great card, Greta!

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  16. Double wow from me Greta - this truly is a stunning work of art. So glad you persevered with it - what a beauty. LOVE the background and those butterflies are really lovely.

    Hugs

    Di xx

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  17. Beautiful! Love the soft colours you've used!

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  18. Absolutely gorgeous! Stunning background!

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  19. stunning Greta. The final background turned out so pretty. A really shabby chic look. Love the butterflies. You have been very inspiring on the challenge blog.

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  20. Oh this is pretty! Lovely butterflies!!

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  21. This is my new favorite card of yours, GG! I mean, WOW, this is absolutely gorgeous through and through and A+ for using snippets, too!! Hugs, Darnell

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  22. Kudos to you for not giving up on this card, Greta! It turned out absolutely unique with the shabby chic look!

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  23. A fabulous and striking vintage style card.
    thanks so much for playing along at Uniko Studio.

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  24. What a beautiful card! Love the texture and sparkle, and those butterflies are wonderful!

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  25. Absolutely beautiful butterflies! I love the colors and what an amazing background you created, just love it!

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  26. This is stunning, such a romantic and vintage feel to the card and your background turned out a dream.,thanks formjoining Uniko x

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  27. Beautiful card Greta, the whole thing is stunning, I love how the gesso softened the colours and your butterflies look amazing, Cathy x

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  28. Wow! Another stunningly beautiful card Greta!
    You are an inspiration to us all!!

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  29. This is such a gorgeous card, Greta! I love the vintage feel of it and your butterflies are just beautiful!

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  30. Fabulous card and thanks for sharing your trik on the butterflies, they are stunning!!

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  31. WOW...WOW...Greta, what a beautiful work-of-art!
    That lovely background really caught my eye...it's simply FABULOUS!
    Don't you just love using gesso? I know I do!

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  32. Beautiful antique flavor and colors. I love the wink of glitter too.

    So glad you joined us at Die Cut Divas.

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  33. Gorgeous card, Greta...those butterflies are superb!

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  34. What a GORGEOUS card! So well done, and love those sparkles! Thanks so much for linking up to the Uniko Studio challenge!

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  35. Adding yet another 'gorgeous' to the list you've received! Your perseverance and design innovation paid off marvelously...stunning background and those butterflies...oh my! Love this!
    Hugs~c

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