Hi Everyone. Happy Sunday.
It's the fabulous Nance's turn to host our Paper Players challenge this week and she has a wonderful CAS theme for us.
Well, this was a challenge that was right up my alley. The only problem? I couldn't work out which of my butterfly stamps I should use.
In the end, I went with the IndigoBlu Big Butterfly stamp. I love how big and bold this stamp is and decided that I would use a simple watercolor technique with silver embossing. Here's a closeup of the watercolor:
I love the mix of the blues and greens with the silver embossing powder – and the extra texture that the embossing powder adds.
To add a little more interest, I used my Studio Katia and Stitched Rectangle dies to frame the butterfly and to ground it.
Here's my finished card:
I hope you will join us and play along this week. As usual, if you are looking for some inspiration, you have to look no further than that of our amazing design team:
On a personal note:
It seems that Old Father Winter has decided that he is not going to let go of his grip this year. Last Saturday we were dealing with temps in the high 80s. Today….. 42 and wet, windy and what seems to be never-ending rain. It's rained most of the week and it's been cool most of the week – and we have more rain for the first 3 days of next week, too. I think this means that our Farmer's Markets will be opening a little later than normal this year 🙂
However, it is wonderful to see some of "our" birds coming back. The Orioles have arrived – they are pretty skittish when they first arrive and I am only able to capture a shot of them through the window – but it is wonderful to see them
I apologize for the photo – but it was taken through the window and through the screen…. but you can still see how beautiful he is and I am in love with how the yellow and black feathers blend together.
It's amazing the amount of birds eating the jelly this year. We even have a Robin that visits and we have never had a Robin at the jelly before.
It's also wonderful to see the ferns reappearing. I swear these things grow right in front of your eyes. One day they are not there – and the next they are a foot tall. I am really happy that we have managed to keep them and that they come back every year.
They have grown even more since I took this photo last weekend. If the rain stops tomorrow, I will try and get out and take an updated photo for you. It really is looking amazingly green out there and the trees are in full leaf.
I'm hoping to spend some time in my craft room tomorrow and, if I do, I will have some cards to share with you this week. In the meantime, warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a little lift tonight.
Hugs
Jaydee
Card recipe:
- Stamp: Indigo Blu Big Butterfly
- Paper: Neenah Solar White. Arches Hot Pressed Watercolor
- Dies: Studio Katia Rectangled. My Favorite Things Stitched Rectangle
8 Responses
Your card is stunning! I enjoyed reading your blog this morning and seeing your nature photographs. It brightened my day even though the sky is blue with no clouds in sunny, HOT southwest FL. Do you prefer hot pressed or cold pressed watercolor paper?
Karen, thank you 🙂 Ah! Good question about the cold pressed vs hot pressed. I generally go for the hot pressed purely because I like that it has much less texture than the cold pressed. The cold pressed soaks up a lot of water, so if you need a heavier water application for your coloring, then that is a good choice. I generally don’t use a lot of water, and like the fact that I can emboss better on the hot pressed (because it has less texture)… so that’s why I like it.
Oh… and it’s still drizzling and grey and cloudy here 🙂 I bet you are loving your warmth and blue skies in Florida.
hugs
jaydee
I am swooning, Jaydee! Your silver embossed butterfly is stunning and the watercolored blues and greens beautiful. Love the titled angle and your textured embossing adds so much interest. Thank you for the tip on the hot vs. cold pressed watercolor paper–I never knew the difference. Stunning creation, my friend! Thanks for making my challenge shine!
Your beautiful butterfly is stunning Jaydee – love that you went with one big one – it really show off the embossing and watercolouring to full effect. I feel like I learnt something today re watercolour paper too – I prefer a smoother paper, but I never new the difference between hot and cold pressed so thanks for enlightening me!
Wow…gorgeous butterfly…beautiful embossing.Love the soft pretty look to your card!
Have a great week!
WOW! What a gorgeous butterfly, Jaydee! Wonderful silver embossing goes beautifully with the colors. And light texture on the background is perfect for this big butterfly.
Jaydee this card is just so stunning. Love the big butterfly, and it is amazing with the embossing and watercolor. And that Oriole, wow just as stunning! Such vivid colors. I love to watch the birds in my part of the world too, wish I knew all their names like you do. Have a great day 🙂
Beautiful card – LOVE those soft colours with the embossing. And of course I just love your bird photo – he’s so pretty!