Sunday Sparkle

I can't even tell you how excited I was to see Silke Ledlow as the Featured Stamper on Splitcoast today! She creates the most gorgeous things, and her crisp, clean style is positively enviable. She was also one of the first people to comment here and in my SCS gallery when I first started creating and posting, so for that reason, she'll always be extra special to me. Her words of encouragement meant, and still mean, so much to me! So here's to Silke!

I chose this stunning card to CASE. It's one of those cards that's just perfect already, so you're inclined not to change even the tiniest thing. But the challenge "rules" do require you to change at least two things, so I kept the layout and stamps, but changed the colors, paper, and ribbon. I also left off one layer (gasp! I don't think I've EVER done that!!), the rhinestone brads, and the piercing. I went over my butterflies with a clear Spica pen for some sparkle.

First I cut a rectangle from one of the Le Jardin patterns and a scalloped mat from Always Artichoke using Nestabilities. Then I stamped three butterflies in Artichoke craft ink onto the Le Jardin. I stamped another three butterflies in Always Artichoke on a scrap of Very Vanilla, trimmed out their wings, and adhered them to each of the first three butterflies using a drop of liquid glue. I received a few comments in my SCS gallery referencing the "black" butterflies. I took a second look at the photo, and I suppose they do look a little black. They're Artichoke IRL. The top part of the background is another pattern from Le Jardin, and the bottom is Very Vanilla. All of this is layered onto an Always Artichoke card base.

Tip: I had a time trying to get that sentiment on there straight and centered. After botching it twice trying to eyeball it, I relented and got out not just my Stamp-a-ma-Jig, but also my zero-center ruler - definitely a favorite in my "toolbox," perfect for those times when you need precise placement.

Stamps: Kind Thoughts
Paper: Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Le Jardin designer paper
Ink: Always Artichoke craft
Accessories: classic and scalloped rectangle nestabilities, dimensionals, 3M quick-dry liquid glue, clear Spica pen, blue taffeta ribbon, artichoke grosgrain, stamp-a-ma-jig, zero-center ruler