When I first saw the Swallowtail stamp in the 2013 Spring Catalog, I was mortified. There was no way that anyone could ever turn this gargantuan moth into something beautiful. I wanted to sooooo much to hate it, and I didn’t even feel the (usual) need to order it so that I could make it pretty. By golly, I was meant to hate this image. No such luck! Thanks to amazing stampers like Mary Fish and Windy Ellard, I’ve just ordered the stamp and am excited to receive it in the mail this week.
Today I am sharing a card I received from Windy Ellard at the Stampin’ Up! Leadership Conference in early January. Windy really captures the essence of this image. We often times look at a card and know we like it. This card is gorgeous, for sure. I’m going to tell you why I think her card is absolutely stunning (and I’m going to limit my list to just three things I like).
You’ve now seen the card, and I’m guessing you completely agree that it is stunning. I wish you were here (on my couch in my living room) so that you could see it in person. It’s a beauty!
- The card base. I’m a huge proponent of using solid card stock for the base of the card. It just seems like the best way to present a card. Lately, though, I’ve paid close attention to the use of Very Vanilla or Whisper White as the base for a card. I really like it – especially on a card like this. The image and sentiment aren’t too heavy, so the Very Vanilla base supports to the face of the card perfectly.
- Emboss resist. I have seen this Swallowtail image heat embossed, and I have seen this Swallowtail image beautifully stamped and painted, but I really love Windy’s decision to emboss resist the image here. She embossed the butterfly with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder and heat embossed it. After the image was set, she sponged around the butterfly with Soft Suede and More Mustard, making sure to fully color in the image but to allow the sponging to extend around the edges of the image. The ink doesn’t “take” where the embossing powder has set. These colors are gorgeous together, and her technique is flawless. Windy also sponges around the edges of the card front with Soft Suede, adding a lovely texture to the front.
- Simple sentiment. Windy beautifully pairs this sentiment from Blooming with Kindness with the Swallowtail. The presentation of the sentiment (no long banners, no frills) gives a perfect balance for this card front.
Stamp sets: Swallowtail, Blooming with Kindness Inks: Soft Suede, More Mustard Paper: Very Vanilla Accessories: White Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Stampin’ Sponges
Thank you for stopping by my blog today! I’ve enjoyed sharing Windy’s creation with you.
Brian
My Stampin’ Clubhouse. It’s not Brian’s Stampin’ Clubhouse – My Stampin’ Clubhouse belongs to its members. The My Stampin’ Clubhouse members have been named, and the induction ceremony was a blast! I’ve got a lot of great things lined up for the members, and I look forward to kicking it off. Here’s a link to My Stampin’ Clubhouse.
Are you gonna come see me? I’m going to be set-up at the Chocolate and Shopping Vendor Show this weekend at Cumberland Mall. Won’t you stop by and see me? Send me an email at [email protected] if you plan to stop by so I can look out for you.
That is so so nice! I may have to order this one myself having seen this. I love Butterflies, moths & Dragonflies (so much so I have a small Butterfly on my shoulderblade & a dragonfly on my lower back tattooed). I love the effect created by the Emboss resist & as you say the ccolours are perfect. Definately saving this to my ‘got to case’ list. Thanks for sharing Brian.
I hear ya! That darn Butterfly seems So Big! I just want to swat it! But Demonstrators around the world have been making stunning artwork with it! Looking forward to your rendition, Windy your card is gorgeous.
Love the tree house badge!
A beautiful card and surprisingly so easy. I love how this stamp lends itself to any color and many techniques. You really can’t do wrong with this stamp. Thanks Brian for featuring this one and thanks Windy for allowing Brian to share it with us all.
I have this big winged critter !! I have found out you don`t stamp something this big on the wrong type of paper. I don`t watercolor so I am not familiar with WC paper . I used 140 lb WC paper and inked him up with Stazon and ended up with a big blurry ,scarey looking thing that made you want to call Terminix Exterminators !! Fortunately my swap buddy Maria (who watercolors beautifully ) was able to change my mind about disposing of this “bug” . Now, I know that there is a future stamping adventure with this stamp by using the right product . (and I don`t have to have a can of Raid close at hand just in case ….) I like Windy`s end result …It seems that most people emboss him (if you can catch him )….. I will be back to bask in being a member with the secret handshake in this club ….tee hee …later
…the Mothman prophecies! eek!
Beautifully colored in warm colors, so the “Warmest Wishes” was perfect!
AHA! Another day, another learning experience. I would not have thought of using the same color for the front of the card as for the card base. Just that little bit of sponging really made the card front stand out. It is simply gorgeous Windy and Brian, thanks for featuring this card. I too would never have considered a huge butterfly/moth as a great card centerpiece. Yet here it is in front of me and it is knock down, drag out beautiful.
I thought the same thing Brian. Another butterfly from SU and this time it’s the Godzilla version! Ugh! But then, I would see one beautiful card, then two and so on. Well crud! Now I HAVE to have it! Windy’s card is just another example of why.
I have loved this stamp since I have seen it and this card makes it look even better. I can’t wait to see your card Brian when you use this stamp.
I couldn’t believe Stampin’ Up came up with a stamp that ugly and huge! You did a nice job on the card, but I will NEVER order this hideous stamp….and I hope I never receive one with this on it! I would throw it in the garbage before I even opened the inside – just the thought of touching the card gives me the creeps! That’s my two cents worth!
Wow, Marge! You really have strong feelings about this image. It’s how I felt at first, but I’ve been transformed. You’ll see another one on this site soon – I hope it won’t turn you against me. 🙂
Great surprise today to see my card and thank you Brian for liking it so much it made it to your three things category! I loved this stamp as soon as I saw it! I love how can sponge any color combo as along as you have the ink and no need to have matching card stock on hand. I did use clear emboss powder and not white but white powder would work too!
It’s a beautiful card. I wish I could mail it around to all of my blog readers (except Marge – I wouldn’t put her through it) so they can all see it in person. Thanks, Windy, for sharing!
Windy, I was absent from Brian’s blog yesterday and that’s why I didn’t comment on your beautiful card. I love this image, it’s BIG I agree but like my dear swap buddy Sonny said, if you get a good impression or heat emboss it, the results are fabulous. I took a look at real Swallowtails on Google and the SU image is totally accurate. Your card is lovely, the colors you used give this winged beauty a very soft and elegant look.
Thank you for sharing and congratulations on being featured on Mr. King’s blog, that in itself is awesome!!!!!
Well, I was thinking ….maybe Marge has a thing about large winged insects like some people feel about Clowns !!!! just saying ….
I thought the stamp was beautiful but huge when I first saw it…but like you and many others, we have all seen some really stunning cards using this ‘mammoth’ stamp….I don’t have it and have not yet decided as I have many other butterflies…but certainly do appreciate a really beautiful card….yes, like Windy’s and others. TFS!
I am not a fan of this stamp. Just isn’t my style. Windy, you did a nice job on your card. Plus, you were featured here on Brian’s blog. Way cool.
Lovely card, Windy. Thanks for sharing, Brian!!
I was not impressed when I first saw this stamp, either, nor the cards I had seen made with it. I do, however, LOVE this card! I don’t think I’ll be ordering this stamp anytime soon, but I do now like it better than I did before.