Paper flowers and colored butterflies

My friend Eileen Hull is hosting a linky party featuring Spring craft projects using her Sizzix dies. I started out with a beautiful vision of paper flowers and incorporating my own butterfly art. However, when I started making the project, as pretty as I thought it was turning out, I wasn't sure it fit what I saw in my head and wasn't feeling like it was finished. So I opted for a much more straightforward project, the pretty paper wrapped mason jars.

Today I was looking through my photos from yesterday's project and decided I'd share with you my original project idea. I used Eileen's Scalloped Box Sizzix die to cut out scalloped edged pieces of paper, accordion folded them and stitched together to make flowers. I also used a couple embossing folders with my Sizzix Big Kick to create a textured pattern on some foamboard.

I then took a tissue and some DecoArt bronze metallic paint to create a pretty colored look on the black foamboard. Using the tissue allows you to spread the paint without the brush marks while wiping off excess at the same time.

There is a purple tint behind each of the flowers. I created this look using the tissue and chalk ink from Clearsnap. Using the same tissue concept, I applied a bit of purple ink to the edges of the flower as well. Then, using a Q-tip and more Clearsnap ink, I colored the butterfly, blending a bit more with a tissue.

I'm not calling this project finished yet. It needs something added and I haven't quite figured out what they is…. if you have suggestions, I'm all ears!  I did, however have a ton of fun experimenting with the materials I wanted to use and am happy with how the different techniques worked out.

You can get this butterfly digital stamp from my online store.

You can get the Sizzix die by Eileen Hull from a number of retailers both on and offline.

You can use these same techniques in your own craft projects. Try embossing a variety of materials with your Sizzix machine. Add color using paint or stamping ink and practice blending colors using all kinds of materials. Play with color combinations, textures and explore how you put your projects together. There isn't just one right way to do anything, so get creative and see what you come up with!