Here in the UK this summer there’s a once in a decade phenomenon where Painted Lady butterflies are emerging en masse. So I went with the news and painted the Butterfly Square as a Painted Lady butterfly. I’ve linked all supplies at the end of this post. Compensated affiliate links used where possible at no cost to you.
WATERCOLOURED BUTTERFLY
I started this card by die cutting the Butterfly Square die from a cold-pressed watercolour card. I then referenced a photo online and painted the butterfly part of the square with Daniel Smith watercolours. I started with a rich blend of yellows and oranges, then dried that layer and painted the black details, dried that layer and then added white gouache spots.
For the background, I stamped the Cosmos Bloom Background set in clear embossing ink on Fog card and die cut with a Rounded Corner Rectangle die. I added a strip of patterned paper to overhang, and then foam mounted on a panel of Ivory card splattered with black paint which in turn was foam mounted on a card base cut and scored from Neenah Desert Storm card.
I added Gina K Connect glue to the back of the Butterfly Square and a piece of foam adhesive under the left wing of the butterfly to give dimension and then adhered onto the Fog panel. For the sentiment, I stamped a greeting from the Thanks & Encouragement set in clear embossing ink on Black card and white heat embossed. I then die cut with the matching Word Mix 1 die. However, I felt the sentiment banner was a little heavy for the delicate butterfly, so I trimmed away the border to give a smaller sentiment banner, which felt more balanced.
As a final touch, I added a trio of Nuvo Sugared Almond droplets that I’d previously squeezed out and dried ready for use. As I look at it now, that little Nuvo drop, I think that is slightly darker so will be an English Mustard one. They all go well though and draw the eye to that pop of colour from the butterfly.
SUPPLIES
You can find links to the supplies I’ve used below; click on the picture or shop icon to get taken directly to the product. Where available I use compensated affiliate links which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you! Items marked with an asterisk (*) were provided by a store or the manufacturer. You can read my affiliate and product disclosure here. I genuinely appreciate your support.
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Summary of the project which gives all the views of the card in one photo :D I’d love if you pinned and called by on Pinterest :D
Stunning card Debby. Really beautiful. The design of the card is so unusual. I love the colours you used to paint the butterfly. It is so realistic. Your work is always amazing. Thank you for your endless inspiration.
Stunning!! Debby, it looks like the butterfly is landed on you card, so realistic, awesome!
My husband and daughter are walking Hadrians Wall on this moment and one of the first days they where near New Castle there was a big garden behind a museum and there where hundreds of the Painted lady butterflies.
She send me photos of that. beautiful. Here, the Netherlands, are also more Painted lady butterflies than usually.
Thank you so much for your stunning card and inspiration.
This is REALLY BEAUTIFUL, Debby! I have LOTS of butterflies where we live too! ;) So, I understand your mimicking the ones present with you there now! They ARE BEAUTIFUL!!! You’ve done a WONDERFUL JOB with using several new products from SSS on this card! BEAUTIFULLY DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)<3
What a delightful card, Debby! Your butterfly is simply stunning. I love the way you balanced the composition by the addition of the black and white striped paper and by trimming down the sentiment. Brilliant!
So very pretty!
Debby, the butterfly phenomenon must be amazing to see. You’ve honored the event so well with your beautifully crafted card. tfs
Your butterfly is AMAZING! The water colors are perfectly lifelike! Simply stunnng! I never cease to be amazed by your artistry. Thank you for sharing your talent.
I’m so very thankful you share these beautiful cards.