Thursday, January 9, 2014

Butterfly Card: An Oldie but a Goodie

Quite a few years ago I did this little card on The Carol Duval Show and just recently I revived it in a card making class called "Re-use, Recycle & Rejoice!" The colorful flapping wings of the butterfly are thanks to recycled magazines. Here's how to make it:

Materials:
Cardstock in white - folded card (5 1/2" x 4 1/4") 
                                Framing panel (3" x 4 1/4")
Cardstock in metallic gold - Framing panel (4" x 2 3/4")
Cardstock in black - Framing panel stamped with the butterfly and embossed in gold (3 3/4" x 2 1/2")
                                5 1/2" x 4 1/4" piece on which to glue the colorful butterfly wings
Old magazines (food magazine and travel magazines are the best)
MSRS Cloisonne Butterfly stamp
Versamark inkpad
Mirror Gold embossing powder
Heat tool
Scissors
Gluestick
Tape
Craft knife
Pencil
Pop dots or foam mounting tape

Steps:

Select a page from a  magazine with lots of vibrant color.
Stamp the butterfly directly onto a section of the page you like (be sure the spot is large enough to accommodate the stamp.
Sprinkle with gold embossing powder and heat until shiny and smooth.
Roughly cut the butterfly away from the page.
Cut the wings away from the body of the butterfly.
Using a gluestick, glue the two wings to the large black piece of cardstock as shown. 
Draw a tab on the black cardstock at the inside center of  each wing as shown.
Now cut each wing out carefully. You will have two sturdy wings mounted on black cardstock with a tab on each one.Set these aside.
Stamp and emboss the butterfly again onto the small black cardstock panel.
Using a craft knife, cut two slits between the body and the wings large enough to accommodate the tabs on the colorful wings.
Insert the two tabs into the two slots and tape them in place on the back of the butterfly panel as shown.
Assemble the framing layers onto the folded card.
Use some foam tape on the white frame to lift it away from the folded card body (making a nice shadow effect).
Press the wings flat for mailing.
Enjoy!















6 comments:

Hetty said...

Great card! I think the butterfly is a wonderful stamp for many occasions.

Jan Castle said...

I remember that! Certainly a GORGEOUS butterfly! Thanks for the memories Mike...Love it!
Jan

kiwimeskreations said...

Love it - I don't have your stamp, but I have another one that may 'work'. Thanks for the inspiration.
Blessings
Maxine

kiwimeskreations said...

You inspired me!! see
http://kiwimeskreations.blogspot.co.nz/2014/01/welcome-thank-you-for-visiting-my-blog.html

Thanks
Maxine

Raevon said...

Great cards and tutorial. TFS Michael.

Deborah Bertolin said...

Another beautiful creation from the heart and mind of Michael Strong ... love it!

Thank you.
Deborah