and who just doesn't love a butterfly!

hi all
well it was the turn of my Butterfly Basics stamp set from the new Spring/Summer catalogue to make an appearance this time - and coupled with the matching Butterfly Thinlits Dies (available as a very welcome bundled offer) and Petite Butterfly punch - I certainly had the makings of a card!

and with a first time appearance - just perfect for the current challenge over at CASology where,  courtesy of the absolutely lovely lady that is Darnell, and her own challenge NBUS  challenge no. # 3, (NBUS (never-been-used-schtuff!) - is the order of the day for both.

though am sure am not alone in applying that to a lot of 'schtuff' I already have!!!

I stamped a Whisper White topper in Soft Suede, tried my hand at a bit of blending/ painting with my Stampin' Up  ink pads  ('puddling' a bit of ink in each of the lids) and using  a blender pen for the actual 'painting'.

I punched/die-cut a couple of butterflies and before I knew it,  added the large sentiment from the same set and my card had come together!

Unusually for me I made a tall portrait format card this time - as think this suited the overall styling a lot better given the quite large stamp I opted to use from the set.!

I chose Calypso Coral as my base colour as this teams perfectly with the designs in  the lovely 'Best Year Ever' Designer series paper, that I used as the matt for my card.
Just one of the  items you can order for free with a qualifying spend of £49 during Sale-a-Bration.

A few Stampin' Up! basic pearls to finish off, and I was done.

I was pleased with the overall effect... but if I have one criticism - I think I should have either opted for a darker stamped image for colouring or better still,  improved on the photography!
What do you think?

But  talking about colouring - I really must investigate the lovely 'Blendabilities' range by Stampin' Up! - available in all sorts of colour families - and even more special in that these sets feature in the current Sale-a-Bration catalogue. Choose any one of the packs as listed, with a qualifying sale of £49. - Brilliant!

Stampin' Up! Supplies for this card:

Just click on the items to easily access them in my on line store  (There's a  printable version of the supply list at the bottom left of the scrolling items) 

Pay just  £4:95 whatever the size of your order, to have them shipped straight to your address. 

Am happy to answer any questions you may have. If you would like to find out more,  or would like me to place an order for you, you can email me or contact me on 01438 820829 if you would rather.

Well we finally achieved our goal and got caught up  with last film in 'The Hobbit' trilogy.
Bit of clever marketing in my book, the way I see it..

It did leave you exactly at the start of the Fellowship of the Ring - as far as I can recall - uhm makes me think perhaps I need the box set to start my viewing all over again. 

til next time

Happy stampin'!

Jan x