Monday, March 25, 2013

Easter Butterflies...CAS(E) #20 and CAS-ual Fridays 95

I have the most amazing husband. Ever!  Saturday, he returned home from a two and a half week work-related trip, where he was involved in various facets of a national sports championship.  Imagine my surprise when he 'discovered' a little package had 'magically' appeared in his suitcase and 'could only be' meant for me:  a butterfly die!  Yes, you read that right!  My husband entered a craft store, selected a butterfly die (proving he does listen when I babble on about what's on my card-making wish list...bless him for his patience, although he does get this funny glazed look...) on  his own (so he claimed) and bought it for me.  Amazing gift in all respects: thoughtful, heart-warming, delightfully surprising.  The die: Memory Box's Vivienne Butterfly.  Absolutely exquisite!!

Thrilled with my new 'treat' - and knowing that he'd appreciate some time on his own to work on his road bike - I set to work to create Easter cards for my mom and dad, and my sister and brother-in-law.  CAS(E) this Sketch #20's pocket themed sketch inspired my 'vision' - and then once I was done, I realized my cards, with their printer-generated sentiments were 'stamp free', the requirement for CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #95.  One beautiful die, two challenges to aspire to, and  a fantastic husband:  blessings, plus!!

Here's CAS(E) this Sketch #20:


and CFC #95

Here are my two cards, with their 'ever so slight' differences...

First for my mom and dad:

and then for my sister and brother-in-law:


Added bonus: a first time outing for my new EP For the Record 2 paper.   Stunning patterns. If you look closely at the 'pockets,' they feature the flowered paper, accented along the top with small orange polka dot and yellow dots-and-diamond patterns.  The butterflies are cut from the same paper, selected to match colours in the pocket.  Love the butterfly die!  LOVE!  (My pockets are a bit 'big'...hmmmm)

Thanks for dropping by.  Hope your day is filled with rose, tangerine, lemon, lime and blush pink...colours of spring; colours of Easter...




10 comments:

wienerhoneymooners said...

Lovely pocket fun of SPRING butterflies! Hope they fly my way!

Today was the first day al year we could board temps hit 60F! Yahooo, tomorrow too they say!!

Great days to YOU!

Love your FUN Hippo Hooray too!

Marlena M. said...

Your husband is a true gem! I love these intricate butterflies and how they are fluttering from their pockets~

Ardyth said...

Beautiful - love the gorgeous fresh colours and the movement of the butterflies! Thanks so much for playing along with us at CAS(E) This Sketch this week!

Kim S said...

You are SO lucky. I can give my husband precisely what I want as a crafting gift - I can even give him store links and everything to make it easy - and he STILL won't get it. He says "I have too much". He has just never learned that gift giving is about what the person wants not whether he thinks they need it. I say again...you are SO lucky!

Alice said...

love the delicate butterflies. very pretty card! thanks for joining us this week at CAS-ual Fridays Challenge!

Greta said...

You are truly blessed, Carol--thanks for sharing your fun with us! That die is incredible! I have the solid butterfly & a friend sent me some die cuts using the one you have that goes over it. I know your cards will bring smiles.

JD/ Jill said...

Beautiful cards...I have that same exact die...(somewhere...smile) It is lost in my craft room. It must have flown away. That was very thoughtful of your husband to do that for you...

Pamela said...

Wow, those are such VERY intricate butterflies! Thanks for joining us at CAS-ual Fridays Challenge!

N@ Ali said...

oh wow, you are a lucky lady indeed! that die is lovely and so are your cards! thank you for joining us at CTS ; )

Shannon J said...

These are SO pretty Carol! I am in love with that die - so soft, pretty and delicate. You matched them perfectly with your paper choices too. Perfect for spring and perfect for Easter! You have a knack for creating "happy"! That's how I always feel when I see your cards :)