Thursday 26 May 2016

Faux Aperture, Butterflies, Woodgrain

I wonder if you have any dies in your collection that you like, but barely use...

...and if you barely use them, I guess the question must be 'why'?


My card today uses one such die.

My Memory Box 'Peaceful Butterfly Wings' die, to be exact.


It's a gorgeous die...  don't get me wrong.  But in terms of design I've found that my tastes are changing.  I'm slowly (and yes, I DO mean slowly) finding out what works for me.  What 'I' want to create essentially...  and that's different from when I just started out by buying every pretty die that I liked and could afford to hoard.
So either I get this die to 'work' for me or off it goes to my 'For Sale' pile.
That was the plan.

This is what I came up with...






It's not as 'girly' as some of my other craft makes...  and it's certainly not cute.  But it still has a touch of my much loved nature theme.

So I guess the question is this...
Do I like it?

I think so.
I like the layout for sure and I'll definitely use it again...  and I like how the tiny butterflies are folded out and in.  It's visually more interesting - and I like to make things that are a little bit 'different'.

But I am wondering if this aperture panel is unnecessarily too busy for the card?
What do you think?

I like it enough to try again...  so this die gets a reprieve for now, at least.
What I'm trying to do is to use this die in such a way that it looks 'less busy' than it really is.
It might be a labour in vain, but I need to be sure...




Supplies Used:

Dies:
Memory Box 'Peaceful Butterfly Wings'
Memory Box 'Blissful Butterfly Border'
Memory Box 'Woodland Branch'
Spellbinders/Nestabilities 'Circles' (large)
Impression Obsession 'Tied Line'

Embossing Folder:
Crafts Too 'Cherry Blossom'

Other:
Linen Cardstock
Altenew 'Woodgrain Bark' Paper
Foundation 'Rich Cocoa' Cardstock
Brown card from Stash (Tim Holtz)
Mirri Card
Vellum
Foam Pads




Challenges I'm Entering...

Butterfly Challenge
Challenge #55   'A is for Aperture &/or Apricot'



Simon Says/Wednesday Challenge
(Anything Goes)



Make My Monday
(In The Garden)






Just before I go, I should probably mention that I used a LOT of foam pads on this card to stop the butterfly panel from being squashed.  That way the butterflies that are folded 'in' stay folded 'in'...  as opposed to getting flattened!!!



Hope you are having a good day...

Donna. x

28 comments:

  1. It's a fantastic card, Donna! I just love how you combine earth tones with the white and all the variety of nature textures.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Olga :)
      I always go for lots of texture on 'no ink' cards.
      Hope you're having a good day...

      Delete
  2. Well Donna sweet friend, I for one, LOVE it! I don't think that it's too busy at all! I think it's sophisticated looking and visually very interesting - each time I look at it, I notice another detail I missed previously - and I love the 'inny' and 'outty' of the butterfly wings (if that makes any sense). Have a very lovely day! Hazel xx
    My Card Attic

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for your very kind words, Hazel :)
      Donna. x

      Delete
  3. I think it's not too busy. You worked with a lovely color combo and the result has a touch of elegance and simplicity. It makes the card look chic. I love it!

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  4. I love it too. What's not to love? xxx

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  5. Hi Donna, another here who loves this card, I like the butterflies in the circle aperture, great texture on the outside with wood effect..
    Pam xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Pam :)
      I always feel uncomfortable posting something I haven't tried before!
      Busy day?

      Delete
  6. This is a beautiful card Donna - I love everything about it :-)

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  7. A really stunning card Donna. I love the woodgrain background with the white butterflies and the branches give a special touch. Great texture and a very elegant card. I LOVE it. Barbxx

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Barb :)
      Have a lovely week... X

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  8. Well I most certainly don't think the aperture is over the top. It contains the cut out butterfly element perfectly. I love the wood grain. Thank you for fluttering by my challenge . Hugs Mrs A.

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  9. Love those white butterflies with the dark wood grain! This is a gorgeous design! You definitely should keep that die!

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    Replies
    1. Do you know NOBODY has confessed to having dies that they barely use! I suspect some serious denial's going on... it can't just be me, can it?
      Glad you like the card, Bonnie.
      Thank you...


      Delete
  10. I love it and I also love the way you used the aperture to totally change the look of that butterfly die.
    Must admit I've bought many dies because they looked so fabulous and then had them sitting in the cupboard unused. I know it's hard but now I try only to buy dies that I'm sure I will use more than once!
    Thanks for fluttering by Mrs A's Butterfly challenge - Andrea GDT xx

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    Replies
    1. I knew it couldn't just be me!!! I now only buy dies if I'm sure I will get good use out of them... I guess that's the difference between knowing what you like to make and just starting out. (It's my starting out pile that seems to be getting the 'heave Ho' treatment)!!!
      Thanks for taking the time to comment...
      I believe I may be meeting you in July (Darnell/B'ham New Street)..?
      Donna :)

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  11. Absolutely stunning. I adore your butterflies.
    Thank you for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge this week.

    Jo x

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  12. I think your design is fantastic, Donna! You've certainly given if a ton of interest with all the lines and texture that you have used! I don't know about the aperture because I need to see the die without one, but I do like that the aperture draws the eye to the ins and outs of the butterflies playing. I'd love to see how it would work with a white-on-white card, with or without a white circle frame ... that might be gorgeous? Enjoy your day!! Hugs, Darnell

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Would you believe that I have been contemplating using this die as a white on white card?! I just haven't decided what to do about incorporating some texture into it as yet or what other dies I might use with it. A trial run is what gave me the 'in' and 'out' idea, so I'm getting there!
      Hope your travel plans are coming along smoothly. What on earth are you planning to do with your 3 hour stop over at B'ham New Street station? Can't wait to find out... X

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  13. Sorry Donna, I should have fessed up that I have a few dies that were 'must haves' but rarely get used no. However, as I love them all I can't see me parting with them!
    Xxx

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    Replies
    1. Well.... at least you know you love them :)

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  14. love your latest creations tone on tone...great creations
    cheers
    bibiana

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