Saturday, April 21, 2012

Butterflies - The Good Stuff

I'm happy that you have come by for a visit.  It's nice to have visitors.  I have made some wonderful friends thru my paper crafting.  And, we always give each other ideas and inspiration.  
I have also had the opportunity to bond with my grandchildren in a way that is different from their parents.  When my grandchildren come to visit, we always craft something and bake something.  And yes, they help! Or should I say, they do it all, and I supervise and give assistance.  By doing these things, we share something unique and special.  And their parents are busy.  Heck, we are all busy.  And so, this allows us to create.  Together.  Un-hurried.
My oldest granddaughter has spent at least one day/night a week in our house since she was born.  So, to say the least, we have connected the deepest.  But, her brother is a super close second.  I tried my hand at machine quilting, and I finished their rag quilts earlier this week.  They came out pretty good, for my first (and second) attempt on this adventure.   Anyways, sorry for the rambling.  My oldest granddaughter loves to take my empty notebooks and write in them.  Doodle.  Draw.  Add stickers.  Color.  She's pretty creative.  
So, when Rudlis @ Our Creative Corner, gave us a 'Butterfly' challenge, I knew exactly what I was going to do.  Alter an used spiral notebook for my oldest granddaughter, using butterflies!
Rudlis, gave us an inspirational photo, to help our creative souls.  Here is her photo:

Beautiful, isn't it?  Ok, so back to me talking about meeting some amazing ladies and bouncing creative ideas off each other.  My friend, Charlene, owns her own scrapbook store.  How super cool is that?  Anyways, she carried stuff I'd sell, if I had a store of my own.  And one of my new favorite paper companies is Authentique.  There are two reasons I buy their paper:  It's good quality heavy weight card stock, and it's beautiful!  And I'm talking beautiful to everyone.  They have different lines, to cater to your taste: feminine, masculine, shabby, modern, etc.  They don't do embellishments, like ribbons, buttons, etc, but they use common colors, so matching it is never an issue.  So, you can use stuff out of your stashes.  Doesn't that feel good?
Here is the spiral notebook I altered with this new pattern paper: Delightful


Isn't this just beautiful?  I just love the papers and the girl-y feel to it.  So, like I said, you can add your own 'stuff' to it.  
The seam binding and silver glitter paper I used are from Stampin' Up!.  The buttons are from Paper Trey Ink.  The tile piece is from Prima Marketing.  And the paper doily is from Martha Stewart.  But, it all matches!
I used a butterfly die to cut the checkered butterfly.  I made another multi-loop bow (ok, this has got to be my all time favorite bow!) out of crinkled seam binding.   I tied some linen thread thru the button, and hot glued both the bow (to the butterfly) and the half faux pearl (to the front center of the button).
For the paper doily, I just cut two circles out of paper and stamped on the top one.  Used foam tape between them.  Same goes for the paper blossom.  I punched three different sizes of pattern paper, crinkled the circles and then adhered them together with foam tape.  I hot glued a butterfly tile the front.  And I stamped 'the good stuff' on the banner piece.  I'm pretty happy with how this turned out.  Now, I hope my oldest granddaughter likes it!  Keep your fingers crossed!
I have had some folks ask me what it is that lures me to birds, butterflies, bees, ok, anything with a set of wings.  To me, there is something magical about a creature who can fly.  Sounds pretty basic, but to me I project a 'freedom' onto that ability. Limitless.  No restrictions.
Now, get your fingers inky and join us in this weeks challenge of butterflies!  Don't forget to tell us why you like butterflies.

6 comments:

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Beautiful Sharon! I love this whole idea! Gorgeous colors as well. This is fun and beautiful!

Debbie said...

Beautiful and I'm sure your granddaughter will love it!

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Sharon
I have just returned from a few days away with Rob so I am a little late in commenting this week, I am so excited/inspired about what I have seen creatively for this Challenge, my goodness everyone has come out of the woodwork on this one.
I enjoyed your post very much and how I can relate, I only have one Grand-daughter, so you will understand why I call her Precious, we too spend time in the craft room.
What you have made this week is full of love, it is oozing with softness and an undemanding delicacy, just enough pretty elements with out being to mature, you have the balance just right, and I agree the PP is lovely; bright and happy. Your 'treasure' will delight in this journal, and it will be very special to her.
The machine quilting brought a smile to my face, Ha I never managed to have it as perfect as when I did it by hand.
Smiles:)
Sue

Kristin said...

This is pullin' at my girly heart strings! As the mom of 2 girls, I could see them both loving this book. I had no idea that SU now has glitter paper and seam binding! I'm off to check out the catalog on-line now.. Have a great week!

MarcyK924 said...

FABULOUS Sharon! Those papers and embellies are so pretty together! I love the assortment of b'flies, especially the pink and white check! Hugs, Marcy

Meihsia Liu said...

Gorgeous Card, Sharon. Love it with so many amazingly beautiful details and soft colors. Hugs