VELLUM BUTTERFLY

Are you familiar yet with the exquisite Butterfly Thinlits Dies that can be found on page 26 of the Occasions Catalog? Two of the three dies in the set produce very finely cut-out and detailed butterfllies, in two different sizes. The larger of the dies, measuring 3 3/4" x 4 1/4", fills up the majority of a classic 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card front. That is the die that will be used on this card.

When I first got my Butterfly Thinlits, I had lots of fun making butterflies in an assortment of cardstocks and Designer Series Papers. All of a sudden, it occurred to me that one of these large butterflies cut out of some of Stampin' Up!'s Vellum Cardstock would be really elegant. 

When I pulled out the folder holding my Vellum Cartstock, I discovered to my delight a few quarter sheets of it EMBOSSED! I had done this for a long-ago project, didn't use it all, so stuck it in the folder. And proceeded to forget about it. Until now! 

Just for kicks, I ran this embossed Vellum Cardstock through my Big Shot with the largest butterfly die. It was beautiful. When combined with Blackberry Bliss and Smoky Slate cardstocks on a Whisper White base, the effect was truly beautiful. 

Since the Butterfly Thinlits are new in this catalog, I thought my girls would enjoy recreating this card at my February Stamp-In Workshop. Every time I looked at the completed card, I thought of a title, "It's All About The Texture". Because it really IS all about the texture. Three different embossing folders are used!

The embossing folder I'd used for my butterfly is actually retired, but I think any number of the current folders would give an equally satisfying image. I did like this embossing though because it was mostly swirls, which I thought were very conducive to the grace and beauty of a butterfly.

Another wonderful aspect of using Vellum Cardstock is that, after die cutting the butterfly, the wings just naturally bend softly forward, giving the impression that the butterfly is ready to take off from the surface of the card. It is lacy, lovely and very dimensional.

After I had completed the card, it really bothered me that the butterfly did not have antennae. I noticed that every single card I found on the Internet created with the butterfly die sported no antennae. But this lack did bother me. So I set out to figure out how to add antennae to my butterfly. I tried a couple of things, none of which pleased me at all. The vellum is so crisp and almost stiff, so I wanted my antennae to match in this look. 

Finally, I had it figured out, and I'm pleased with the effect. From the excess Vellum Cardstock after cutting my butterfly, I trimmed off a sliver of vellum, and tied it loosely in a knot in the middle. As I told my workshop girls, we have to be gentle; after all, it IS paper. I then adhered it to the butterfly's head with a bead of green glue.

Here is a close-up of how the antennae look in place on my butterfly. The piece is very sturdy on his head, so I don't think it will be going anywhere.

I thought cutting out this butterfly without too much fuss was going to be a challenge. So I watched a few videos about how to do this in the most efficient manner. It seems the secret to success lies in a very specialized sandwich.

From the bottom:

Magnetic Platform

Cutting Plate

A new dryer sheet (a cheap one from the dollar store)

Embossed Vellum Cardstock

Wax paper in a size to cover the butterfly

Butterfly Thinlit

Cutting Plate

Once you're finished building this sandwich, you are ready to send it through the Big Shot. And . . . voila! a gorgeous butterfly. A little note here: The wax paper butterfly that results is pretty enough to use on another project. The dryer sheet can be used a few times until it becomes too ragged.

How'd you like to try this card? Here's how:

Supplies:

Blackberry Bliss Cardstock

Smoky Slate Cardstock

Whisper White Cardstock

Vellum Cardstock

Big Shot

Butterflies Thinlits

Beautifully Baroque Embossing Folder

Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder

Ovals Collections Framelits

Basic Pearls

Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive, a.k.a., green glue

Glue Dots

Corner Rounder Punch

Wax Paper

Dryer Sheets

Instructions:

Fold a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" piece of Whisper White cardstock in half, creasing well with a bone folder.

Adhere a 5 1/4 x 4" piece of Blackberry Bliss cardstock to the card base.

Run a 5" x 3 3/4" piece of Smoky Slate cardstock through the Big Shot inside the Beautifully Baroque Embossing Folder. Round the corners with the Corner Rounder Punch. Attach this to the card.

From a 3 1/4" x 4 1/4" piece of Blackberry Bliss cardstock, cut a 3" x 4" oval with the Ovals Collection Framelits. Run this oval through the Big Shot inside the Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder. Adhere this to the card slightly raised from the center.

Emboss a quarter sheet of Vellum Cardstock with your preferred Embossing Folder. I love the swirls and loops of the folder I used.

Once again, using the Magnetic Platform, this will be your sandwich from the bottom up:

Magnetic Platform

Cutting Plate

Dryer Sheet

Embossed Vellum Cardstock

Wax Paper

Butterfly Thinlit

Cutting Plate

Run this sandwich through the Big Shot. The butterfly should peel off with a minimum of effort.

Adhere the butterfly to the oval with a single Mini Glue Dot. Cover the Glue Dot with a pearl or two or three.

To make the butterfly's antennae, cut a verrrrry thin piece from the scrap vellum from making your butterfly. Trim it to about 2" - 2 1/2" in length. Tie a single loose knot in the center and form the two ends into antennae. Glue in place on the butterfly's head with green glue. Set it aside to dry completely.

Thinlit

Smiles.