PEP tangles - my Zentangle Inspired Art blog

Monday 15 July 2013

The Same But Different

I've been struggling to make a card for several days but nothing has been coming together. There are good reasons for this: we are about to have our house valued prior to selling plus my husband had knee surgery in the middle of May which has meant that I've been wearing a lawn maintenance plus woodland management hat as well as being head gardener. Seeing my frustration my husband suggested I make one I'd made previously - I adapted that idea by making a variation of my design HERE using Chocolate Baroque instead of Penny Black stamps. 

front of card
close-up showing sentiment panel & tone on tone
background stamping
close-up showing shine of wet embossing,  iridescent
glittering, pearlescent & matt white contrasts
 plus shaped dimension of butterfly 
inside of card
close-up of corner stamping

When I was working with the butterfly I had a vague idea that I'd read somewhere about painting with Liquid Pearls & thought I'd try it (I just diluted a drop with a little water & applied it to the butterfly's wings using a paintbrush). I was quite thrilled with the results & decided to leave the very edges of the butterfly wings plain white so as to provide a touch of contrast without introducing any specific colour to detract from the iridescent shimmer of the Stickles used for the body & wing spots. 

Recipe
Stamps  Chocolate Baroque UDLSP0153 Just Butterflies (butterfly), UDLSP0155 Delightful Damask (sentiment) & UA4SP0146 Big Flowers (background & inside of card).
Inks Fired Brick Distress Ink (background), VersaFine Onyx Black (sentiment), VersaFine Onyx Black with Stewart Gill Ultrafine Embossing Powder (butterfly), VersaFine Satin Red (inside of card).  
Pencils/Markers etc… Memento Tuxedo Black Dual Marker (edging cardstock), Crystal Ice Stickles Glitter Glue, White Opal Liquid Pearls (colouring butterfly wings). 
Cardstock Whites & assorted blacks in various finishes from stash.
Paper Textured red from stash.
Dies Spellbinders Nestabilties Labels 16 (sentiment), Sizzix Bigz Die – Elegant Flourishes (swirls).
The pearls are Papermania.

14 comments:

Sandra said...

Lovely card Paula. It's great when you can use other stamps to recreate a favourite layout.
Hope Richard is recovering OK and that the valuation reflects how lovely your house is!
Sandra

Elaine said...

This is smashing Paula. I love the contrast of the black, brick red and white, it makes a bold and uncluttered layout. The extra detail pn the butterfly with pearlescent painting and pearls is lovely. I always admire how you go the extra mile to decorate the inside of the cards too. I am sure the recipient will be delighted to receive this.

Aquarius said...

This is dramatic with your choice of colours. Love the way those swirls turn into really impressive antennae for the lovely pearly butterfly. Great attention to detail with the inside too. Take care in the heat!

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Beautiful Paula! I like the flourish with the Butterfly and great background. Black, Red & White are a bold contrast which makes a striking design. The stamping in the background is great. You sound like you have a lot on your hands, surgery for your husband, all that work along with house selling is a LOT! I hope you have time for Zentangle to relax :) (I've been learning Zentangle, taking a 6 week course with a book, having fun with it). Take care, Shirleyx

jackiescrafts said...

This is gorgeous Paula but of course butterflies are my favourite. I love how you have added the liquid pearls to the wings but have left the edges white

Jackie x

Jean said...

A beautifully striking card Paula. The butterfly is lovely with it's pearly wings. I never thought of using Liquid Pearls like that.
It sounds like you have been very busy, I hope you are keeping well. Do take care in this hot weather.
Jean x

Sally H said...

It is gorgeous, Paula! Love the sparkle - very elegant. Hope the patient is well on the mend now, and you are not suffering too much in the heat.

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

You are a good spouse, and it seems the Lord blessed you with a supportive husband. That was a great idea to reinterpret a previous design. I need to remember that. Thank you for the kind words you left on my blog. Blessings, my friend!

alexandra s.m. said...

"Madame Butterfly" is the first that came to my mind upon seeing your beautiful creation Paula. I love the asian feel, the way you placed the butterfly...and the Liquid Pearl idea is brilliant!

Thank You! I hope you can start to relax soon...

xx

Heather said...

Tell me about Paula, I've but my up for sale and it seems 1001 need doing and it's stolen my brain - it's so hard to get going isn't it??? At least I only have one apartment, not a whole house and loads of woodland and grass - hang on in there!!!!
Meanwhile your card is gorgeous, a stunning colour scheme and such a beautiful butterfly!!!

hugs
Heather xx

craftimamma said...

Hubby's suggestion was definitely a good one Paula because this a gorgeous card. Very dramatic but tempered with the beauty and delicacy of the butterfly. Must remember your use of those flourishes for the antennae.... it's a brilliant idea.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Kathy said...

beautiful Paula and so artistic. Oh my you have a lot on your plate right now. Sending you big hugs and hope your house sells fast. Hugs, Kathy

Cathy A said...

Oh dear Paula sounds like you have a very full life at the moment, I think this card is very striking with the red and black, I love how you have positoned the butterfly so that your eye is drawn accross the page.

Anonymous said...

Hi Paula, hope you & Richard are having a nice weekend. That is a beautiful card. I love how the black looks against the red. Thanks so much for the very kind comments on my blog.