I know, I know…this is a huge departure from my usual style…please tell me you like it!

It all started with this sketch from Retro Sketches:

So I then sat down at my paper bin and started going through it, pulling out this, and then that, then another…this is my favorite part of designing, just letting it flow and going with it. I came across this 6×6 pad from My Mind’s Eye called Lost and Found: Sunshine and just fell in love with all the beautiful patterns and colors.

Next came stamps. I still had my order from Stampin’ Up! scattered all over my work top so I browsed them and found this totally amazing and awesome stamp set called Butterfly Basics. In my humble opinion, whoever designed this stamp set should be given a raise and a corner office so they can make lots more in this style!

I chose a pattern paper to stamp over because I wanted to keep with that aged, vintage-y feel. I stamped in Crumb Cake, Sahara Sand, and Soft Suede with the sentiment stamped in Early Expresso. I tried it first in Tuxedo Black but it was toooo harsh.

Next came le papillon, or the butterfly (sorry I was feeling French!) die. Isn’t this die A-M-A-Z-I-N-G?? I know, right?!? Love. I have seen some pointers out there in cyber space to use a dryer sheet to help ease the die out of the metal, so I tried it and loved it! The layer goes: cutting pad, paper, dryer sheet, wax paper, die, cutting pad. I cut two dies and then layered them to give a shadow and help my blue butterfly stand out. I loved the blue paper and the contrast it provided with the others colors on the card, but felt it was just a bit harsh. So I pulled out my Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink and distressed the butterfly a bit. Then of course I had to add some to the rest of the card…

All of the paper you see, except for the card base, is pattern paper. I hope you don’t think it’s too much, I couldn’t seem to stop layering!! Please, please, stop and let me know if you like it! I’m nervous about stepping outside of my box, lol!

Thank you so much for stopping by and if you would like to have more information regarding any of these Stampin’ Up! products, please visit Stampin’ Pretty. Mary Fish is my upline, a hugely successful demonstrator, and a very kind and talented lady! I know she would be happy to answer any questions and help you order.

Wishing you joy and blessings!

Products Used:

Cardstock: Vintage Cream by Papertrey

Pattern Paper: Lost and Found: Sunshine by My Mind’s Eye

Ink: Soft Suede, Early Expresso, Crumb Cake, and Sahara Sand by Stampin’ Up!

Stamps:  Butterfly Basics by Stampin’ Up!

Dies: Butterfly Thinlits Dies and Envelope Liner Die by Stampin’ Up!

Tools:  MISTI by My Sweet Petunia

Embellishments: generic gold sequins