Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Butterfly Birthday + Giveaway



Today I have another Skipping Stones Design sketch and sample to share. This is my last sketch as guest sketch designer this month. Thanks, SSD, for the opportunity!!

Here is this week's sketch:


For my sample, I inked up a fabulous set called Dandelion Dreams ...



Love the beautiful floral, bird, and butterfly silhouettes! I started by repeatedly stamping the Happy Birthday sentiment in blue ink onto ivory card stock. I die-cut a scalloped circle using a Spellbinders Lacy Circles Nestabilities die. Last, I stamped the floral stems in brown ink. I stamped them a second time, slightly offset and without re-inking, for a subtle shadow effect, which you can just barely see in the detail photo below. The butterfly, done with a Martha Stewart punch, is in two layers for some extra dimension.



The banner along the top was made by putting together sentiment flags die-cut with a Li'l Inker Designs die and a striped border die-cut with Papertrey's Victorian Lace border die. The idea to use the sentiment flag die as a banner came from this card by Laura Pryor, owner of Li'l Inker Designs, and this one by Jen del Muro (thanks, ladies!) I placed 1/2-inch brown circles behind the flags so that they'd just peek out along the bottom. Some twine and buttons help make it look like a real banner. Teeny butterflies top each flag. (You could also use the banner area to personalize the card.)




I'm giving away one Dandelion Dreams set to a lucky commenter! Deadline to enter is Thursday, January 27 at 11:59 pm. I hope to announce the winner sometime on Friday.** Be sure to visit fellow SSD guest designer Jen del Muro for another giveaway opportunity! Also be sure to visit Skipping Stones Design for more awesome sketch inspiration from the SSD design team and special guests! To play along, link your creation over at SSD, too!

Thanks for visiting!




**By the way, I'll also be flying out to LA on Friday for CHA! Woohoo! If you'll be there, leave a comment or email me!

121 comments:

Crystal said...

Amy, I LOVE this card... love the detail work, banner, color scheme, how the stamped flowers pop on the light blue script... just beautiful ! What a great set too!

Handmade Creations by Stephanie said...

Soo Gorgeous as always love all the little details you add to your creations!!!

Chriss Blagrave said...

Love the details on this Amy! Those circles peeking beneath the banners, the silhouettes stamped over the sentiment label in the two different ink colours and the colours repeated for the butterfly, so pretty!

Maja said...

Gorgeous card. Love the butterflys and the matching of the colours that you've picked.
Hugs Maja

Luanne said...

Just love this! Your creativity really shows through on your unique pennant design, it's wonderful. I love this set too. Great sillouettes to stamp. Thanks Amy!

Brenda Weaver said...

This is beautiful, Amy! So many great details I hardly know where to start!
Thanks for providing us with some great sketches this month. I've loved working with them.

Danielle said...

What a gorgeous creation Amy and such a fabulous combination of colours together! You've used this set so beautifully and I really love how you've created the banner! Stunning work!
Hugs, Danielle

Aszczka said...

Very nice! I just love it.

Gladys said...

So so beautiful card Amy! Love how you use the die and stamp set!

Nancy Guse said...

Amy I love how you made the banner. Have a great time at CHA, make it special.

Jingle said...

Beautiful card, Amy, and SUCH a great sketch!

Shalvi said...

What a nice card! Thanks for the chance to win!

Alina said...

The card is gorgeous! I love the color! Thanks for the chance to win!

~amy~ said...

We have sooo enjoyed having you as our January sketch artist...thanks for all your hard work. Today's card is absolutely gorgeous...love all the details that you put into all your creations!

Andrea said...

Gorgeous as always Amy! Love the banner that you created!

Mary said...

This card is gorgeous and I love how the banner turned out. Beautiful as always!

wendy said...

what a beautiful card...whow ...what detail, a labor of love went into this I can tell
thanks

Margo said...

I think you should be called the Detail Diva - you have so much to look at , and admire,on all of your cards!!

Laura Pryor said...

Absolutely gorgeous, gorgeous, GORGEOUS!!!! I love the little circles you put behind the banner flags! It gives it such a unique look! Totally amazing!
Thanks, Amy!!!
~Laura

Donna said...

This card is beautiful! You are such an inspiration. Thank you so much for sharing your creativity.

KimCreate said...

OMG, soooo beautiful. I don't know how you come up with your ideas for ways to layer die cuts but you are a genius!
Kim

Unknown said...

So creative! Even when I don't have time to stay caught up on my other favorite crafters, I manage to always check yours! :)

Painter said...

Perfect card! Love all the details!
Thanks for the chance to win! I'm really mad about stamps )))

Oliwiaen said...

The way you use stamps is just breathtaking. Who would think of stamping the sentiment for a background? And the sketch is great too, really temtping ;-)))

JoAnn said...

Your card is gorgeous. Love the way you stamped Happy Birthday in the background and them stamped the flowers over. Every detail is perfect. TFS

Denise ~ Paper Ponderings said...

Beautiful card! The silhouettes of the flowers are incredible!

Leslie Rodriguez said...

Gorgeous card, Amy!! I love how you threaded your banner through the border punch, it looks wonderful.

Karen B. said...

Such a creative use of the banner in your sketch! Lovely card as usual.

Tammie Koehnen said...

Such a beautiful card Amy! Love the colors, designer paper, different punches and dies you used to create this gorgeous card. The images/stamps are amazing along with that gorgeous MS butterfly. Thanks for the chance to win and have a fabulous, fun, and safe trip to CHA!

Maureen said...

oh, everything is Amy-gorgeous on this one!! Yes, I've made up a new word using your name!! Love the banner idea and what a sweet set :)

Pamela said...

What a great card! Such perfect attention to details puts this card over the top- the banners through the Victorian edge die, tiny circles peeking out at the bottom,shadows for the flowers to give dimension, a double-punched butterfly and the tiny butterfly repeat on each of the banners- just beautiful!

Anke said...

WOW Amy absolutely stunning, your card is so beautiful.

Greetings from Germany
Anke

Donna said...

Gorgeous card! Love the color combination. Your attention to detail is amazing!

Ruth S said...

What a stunning card- thanks for the inspiration Amy. And thanks for the giveaway chance. That looks like an adorable stamp set. Really versatile!

Ina said...

Beautiful card. Love the colors.
Thanks for the chance to win your candy.

Marisa said...

Totally gorgeous! Love the colours and your use of the layout.

Belinda said...

I just love all of the different patterns in this card and the cute way you did the banner.

Tanya said...

Wow, another stunner, I am loving these colors! You always amaze me! Love your projects.

Carole RB said...

Hi Amy

You've made a very nice card. Thanks for the opportunity to win this super stamp set!

Have a nice week!

Asil said...

Beautiful card! Love the way you have created you own "patterned" paper - such a cool effect!!

Yo Glenn said...

Love the soft colors of this card -beautiful as always. The banner is so unique. Thanks for a chance at this gorgeous set.

Gretchen said...

Always love your creations Amy! This is just beautiful and I love how you did the banner- how creative! Have a great day!

Jovita AKA Tia Goofy said...

beautiful card! love all the details.

AHadley said...

This is a gorgeous set! I love how you wove the banners and the border on the top of the card - very cool look.

Playing with Paper said...

Oh my gosh this card is lovely!! I love the colors and all the details!! :)

Rebecca Ednie said...

I absolutely adore this card! It is tucked away in my computer files for inspiration. The way you interlinked the flags in the border is genius.

Lisa Lynn said...

What a wonderful card. I've loved your sketches. The colors are great and what a bow! The butterflies look so delicate. Love your cards!

Lady_Libellule said...

Absolutely lovely!!!

Ravengirl said...

This is so wonderful! I love that you covered your circle with the sentiment. That's an effect that I enjoy! And your banner is so cute and detailed! Wow, lots of work here!

Janet's Joy said...

I really love this card!! I need to get that butterfly punch!

Cary M. said...

I love the colors and the banner is very neat. Another wonderful card!!!

Pat R said...

All the detail on your card is amazing and the banner blows me away.
So beautiful.

Tami said...

Hi Amy! Love how you stamped a second time for the shadow effect. Got me to thinking about all the times i have messed up a little on the stamping and might have been able to pull it off as a shadow! lol! Really beautiful card, as always!

Wanda Cullen said...

Gorgeous as always!! Love the banner...maybe I can finally break out the MFT banner die that I ordered months ago and never used!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous card, lovely muted colours
& your own unique touch in the many details.

Mary Mac x

Linda Carson said...

Perfectly delightful artwork! Love it!

Kim C. said...

I just love this stamp set and what you did with it for your card. Love the color choices and you always pick such perfect punches to make your borders.I always get such a kick out of the way you decorate the insides of your cards. I have enough of a challenge to get the outside done.

Janet said...

What a beautiful card! Love you color choices. Thanks for the chance to win.

Ashley Newell said...

Stunning card, Amy! I will be at CHA again this year! :D

Kaye said...

Such a beautiful card and I love the colors.

Kim H. said...

All of your cards are gorgeous -- but I really love this unique stamp set!

Darlene said...

Amy, What a delightful card! Your attention to detail always inspires me. Thank you for sharing your creations with the rest of us. Also, the set would be wonderful to win!

kksb said...

Your banner, as is your card wonderful. Love your work. I would like to win this set. I enjoy Skipping Stones stamps. Your Birthday Hare card was terrific. I hope you have a wonderful time at CHA. You inspire me.

gocanucksgo said...

Gorgeous card! I love the colour combo and how you did the banner. Keep up the great work =)

Frances said...

The card is absolutely fabulous, loved the sketch. tks. Frances

Anonymous said...

This is the prettiest card I've seen! I love the color combo and arrangment!

stampcz@frontier.com

solka said...

Your card is fabulous as usual!
Absolutely stunning color combination!
Love all of your creations!

Marthamh2 said...

I really like how you did the banner, and the colors are great. Thanks for the chance to win.

Carrie said...

Amy I LOVE your blog. I lurk here and gather inspiration from you all the time. I can't wait to see what you've created next and this creation is so beautiful. I love how you put everything together.

Jessica said...

This is gorgeous, love the colors and your banner is fabulous.

irishgalkelly said...

Amy,
Beautiful card and amazing sketch! Love the color combo, so soft and pretty. Your banner idea was so clever with the dies and your stamped images are perfect. This was just so inspirational today. Thanks!!

Anonymous said...

I like how you repeated the Happy B-day sentiment on the background circle of this beautiful card...really like the colors and banner, too!

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous card. Love the circles and lacey circles. The double stamping gives such a soft shadow. It all looks wonderful.

Hope you have a great time at CHA!!

Beth Greco

Cathy said...

Amy this card is lovely. The banner detail is fabulous and I love the Happy Birthdays behind the flowers! Just lovely!

Mary-Ann Maldonado said...

You are an amazing designer, I follow you daily!!! Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Love your work as always.
very detailed work. Great job
Olendia

Anonymous said...

Fantastic card! Love the banner and butterflies! -Mary R.

Stacy Simpson said...

Beautiful card - LOVE that victorian lace border. This new stamp set looks WONDERFUL!

Anonymous said...

That butterfly card is so pretty as well as all your work. I just love your blog. You have such beautiful ideas. Thanks for sharing.

Bev J. said...

Beautiful card and design-love that stamp set!! Thanks for a chance to win.

Jenn said...

Your card is so beautiful! I absolutely love it!! Thanks for the inspiration and a chance to win that beautiful stamp set!

creativearts said...

As usual, Amy, your card is beautiful! Great detail work, layout, lovely papers, etc. This stamp set is fabulous!. I love all nature stamps and would love to add this set to my collection! It has such nice designs and all in one set! Thanks for the chance to win.

BettyAnn Arrasmith said...

What a gorgeous card! I love your interpretation of the banner! Everything just fits so well. Thank you for sharing. Also thank you for the opportunity to win the Dandelion Dreams set!
BettyAnn

Conniecrafter said...

Oh my this is just gorgeous, love every little detail, colors, design, stamping, just perfect.
If I do a card inspired by one of your desigsns, is it Ok if I link back to your blog and card?
Thanks, Connie

grandmalee said...

Stunning card!!! The colors are so yummy, and I love how you brought in all of the dimension! This stamp set looks like it was made just for this card especially how you put the small butterflies on the pennants. I love all of the sentiments on this set...how versatile!

Beth Norman said...

As always your card is beautiful. Your banner is awesome. They certainly are the trend, arent' they.

kANNAdyjka said...

This unbelievable how you can master a card-a real master piece, another one!!!
The stamp set yummy yummy and the combo of the colors you used perfecto!
Greetings from BC!

Dottie said...

I love the soft colors of this card. They are beautiful and what's great is this can be used with many sentiments and be very appropriate. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Kristin Eberline said...

Amy, this is stunning! I LOVE how you changed up the flag banner presentation by threading the flags through the border die! So clever, girl! The way you stamped your silhouette flowers on top of the birthday sentiment paper you created is gorgeous and I love the layered butterflies. Soooo pretty ♥

I thought you played along with the Color Throwdown when I first looked at your card :] The colors are pretty close!

Annette P. said...

Both the sketch and your card are beautiful! I love the colors you used and the creative use of the banner. I would love to win this stamp set, thanks for the chance!

LeAnne said...

Amy, this is stunning! I love how you used Laura's little banners with the die...just brilliant!

Christine said...

Amy, your card is stunning and so is that stamp set. I love the butterfly theme. They are my favorite artistic element to use when I am making cards or layouts. Love the dreamy flower prints too. Thanks so much for all of the inspiration. You have more eye candy on your blog than anyone I know. I just love your work!
xoxo, Christine

Karen Wedding said...

I love your card. I even have the ribbon already, so I'm halfway there. Cute card.

dpkennedy said...

Every time I look at your cards I think "why didn't I think of that?!" and your banner is no exception! I love how they go through the decorative border and have butterflies on them! This card is nothing short of amazing!

Barbara said...

Love the use of the border punch to enclose your banner.

slbt17 said...

WOW! Love this card - love the flags, and the circles behind it, love the colors, love the 3-d butterfly.... wonderful!
Love this stamp set too - it would find a good home in my house!
Thanks for the inspiration.
Sandra ltb

debbie said...

Love your work - this card is particularly cute! Thanks for giveaway.

Sue Shockley said...

Amy, you never cease to amaze! All the elements on this card are beautiful together. TFS>

mypaperpleasure said...

Lovely card, your creations always surprise your bloggers, especially the banner, it is sweet. Thanks for the chance to win the candy

Lora said...

Just found your blog and I love what I see. I'm just trying card making - I've been scrapbooking for 10 years but never really got into cards. I see lots of inspiration here so I've become a new follower.

imsteelefullofscrap said...

Absolutely GORGEOUS!!! Love the colors you chose and the butterflies!!!!

Anonymous said...

Love your cards. You are truly a gifted artist! Thanks for the chance to win and gift! Dawn

Gunilla/Nilla said...

You make the most fantastic cards. I+m often at your blog to get some inspiration.
Thank you for the chands of winning these wonderful stamps.

Hugs from Sweden

TYJ419 said...

Your card is beautiful! Love all the details.

Carole said...

Absolutely beautiful! I found you're blog when Linda from Paper Boutique posted the card and your link

Lilian said...

such a gorgeous card! I love the color combination and how you layered the butterfly... and the pearl accents are fabulous! :)

TinaH said...

Absolutely beautiful - LOVE this card! You are so creative, your blog is such a nice treat, thank you too for the chance to win!

Luv 2 Create said...

Amy,
What a beautiful card. Your color coordinations and design elements are wonderful. Love it.
Marcie

Pat said...

Beautiful card...love the colors and the butterflies.

Cindy said...

Love this card! It is the most unique I've seen in a long time. Just found your blog and love it.

Peggy said...

I love your card. Your work is gorgeous. I found your blog today through The Paper Boutique. I am a new subscriber. {Hugs} Peggy M
Stampnmore at aol dot com

{Chrissie} said...

This is one of the most beautiful cards I've ever seen! Fantastic job!!!

Babe O'Mara said...

Love your cards and your attention to details. This is a great stamp set and I'd love to win it. Thanks for the chance.

Babe
youiesmom@att.net

Kerie's Kafe said...

Your card is just soooooo beautiful ~ thank you so much for sharing!
I am now following your blog :-)
www.kerieskafe.blogspot.com

Love to scrap Lyndra said...

I love the colors that you used on this card Amy. I especially love the butterflies on the banner and the large one.

Thanksd for the chance to win.

dbjb1519 at yahoo dot com

Debbie said...

What a beautiful card! I have added your blog to my list of faves! :)

Unknown said...

Amy, I love this card and this stamp set has to be one of the prettiest silhouette sets I have seen.

SandraMc said...

This is a beautiful card! I love the colors.

Craft Me This said...

Love all the detail in this card.
BEAUTIFUL!

Jessie/knightrone said...

This is STUNNING!

Ann Kranitz said...

This is just stunning. I have enjoyed your sketches at SSD this month.