Friday, February 13, 2015

Spring Butterflies...Inkspirational Challenge #76 ~Photo Inspiration, The Card Concept #28~Romantic Roses, Happy Little Stampers February CAS Challenge~Embossing, Winnie and Walter~Join in to Win, CAS-ual Fridays #136~Must Love Watercolour

Hello...and welcome to Inkspirational Challenge #76, where we're inviting you to design a card inspired by this gorgeous photo!  Be it the colors, the theme, the woman, the blooms, the trees, or the whole scene, we are excited to see what catches your eye!
Speaking of gorgeous photos, check  out who our Guest Designer is...


Yes *fist pump*...our marvelous, exponentially awesome, creative and witty, Darnell!  Her card is a work of art; her blog, a guarantee to put a smile - of the mega-watt, beaming kind - on your face! Please be sure to leave her some love when  you head over to visit, and do include my fabulous team-mates in your journey as well:


Okay, before you go any further, just to give your fair warning.. it's baaaaccckkk! Yes, my beloved butterfly 'affliction'  has returned in FULL force! I 'may' have added to my butterfly collection recently, however, today's butterfly is not a newcomer...just one of my many favourites brought out to play.   Not only are the winged friends back, but, I even ventured so far as to bring out my distress inks and give them a wee test-run to see if our compatibility is improving.  Jury is still out...

I drew inspiration for my pearlized water-coloured  butterflies (I tried to use some of Dawn's techniques from WPlus9...practice needed), paired with the wonderful Spring die from Winnie and Walter and birch tree embossing folder, from the trees, as well as the colours (pale pink of the blossoms, tans/greys of the woman's dress and skin tones).




I didn't add occasion sentiments to the 'spring' because...well, I liked them as they were. Once I have a person and occasion in mind, perhaps I'll add a deep brown and white embossed sentiment...label style.  Then again, maybe a 'just because' Spring card is alright, too.

Hope you enjoyed my 'translations' of the photo; I'm looking forward to seeing your dazzling interpretations in the gallery.  The winner will be invited as a Guest Designer for a future challenge. I'd love if it were YOU!

I'm also sharing my card at:
The Card Concept #28~Romantic Roses


Happy Little Stampers February CAS Challenge~Embossing



ETA: Also adding (Feb. 15th) my water-coloured butterflies to CAS-ual Fridays #136~Must Love Watercolour


Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!
Hugs,

39 comments:

sandie said...

Fab take in the photo. That EF has such a deep texture and the gorgeous sentiment and butterfly is all that is needed to make this a stunning card x

Jeanne said...

Well, between you, me and the fence post, I think your cards are fabulous. Not sure where the incompatibility issue is at all. I love butterflies as well, but have a hard time using them on cards for some reason. Yours are beautiful! I hope your day is filled with love and joy!

~amy~ said...

Oooohhh...love your spring inspired cards! The embossing is awesome!

Kim M said...

These are so so pretty, Carol! Love the tree embossed background and your pretty little butterflies. Gorgeousness! :-)

Pia Larsen said...

Ooooh, I spot CBS and W&W......so I actually learned something new today....Yes, apparently Carol is obsessed with butterflies!!! LOL :o)

Carole said...

These are simply gorgeous.......great combination and take on the photo. xx

Marina said...

What a great take on the photo inspiration - those trees are great and this card makes me long for spring.

Susanne Vargas said...

Beautiful butterfly spring cards! They give me hope that spring might come eventually even though the temperatures and the amount of snow on the ground let me think that it might take a while... Oh well, it's only February after all... Love that embossing folder!

Monika Reeck said...

two really beautiful card you made
i dont know which one is better than the other
both are so sweet and elegant
love the much white space on it
Clever used all that Die cut or embossed Love love love this Miss C

Monika Reeck said...

I am sorry I was wrong there are three cards hehe....
adorable three spring card..now its corrected right :) LOL

Geri said...

You can post 100 butterfly cards and I will never get tired of seeing them! These pretties are no exception! Your inking is perfect! Soft and flawlessly blended! Love your variation of colors...all look fabulous on the ef tree!

Darnell said...

Oh, garsh, Carol, you have me blushing! Thank you, but I must say I'm not blushing as well as your fabulous butterflies! They look sensational against the birch forest in spring time!! (It's wonderful to be a teamie with you this week!) Happy Valentine's Day and weekend!! Hugs, Darnell

Kay Miller said...

Oh my heavenly goodness!!! These are all so pretty! You do know I have a long standing love affair going on with birch trees don't you? Well I do, and I LOVE that embossing folder! I must have it! I would never think to pair it with the butterflies, but it works so brilliantly!! Carol, these are totally fabulous! Hugs and happy Valentines day! :)

Loll said...

All of them are so pretty Carol!! Especially love the soft pink with the gray sentiment. That tree embossing folder is amazing!! Thanks for playing along at Happy Little Stampers! xx

Deepti said...

Oh my , I love the simplicity of these cards, love the soft colors of the birdies :)

Bobby said...

Butterflies are always a good way to go, Carol. You did a great job coloring them. I don't know what your situation is with Distress Inks but I'd say you're bell on the way to conquering them.

Angela said...

Cards with this much CAS beauty and texture and fun design should be seen everywhere, Carol! Thank you for sharing them at The Card Concept!

Kim Heggins said...

Beautiful, simply beautiful cards Carol! I have to agree with Geri about your butterfly cards they are always so stunning and your embossed background, just makes your sweet little guys shine!

Julie B said...

What a fab trio of cards Carol, love the embossed birch trees. Those butterflies are gorgeous, so looking forward to seeing the real ones fluttering across the tops of the grasses in the fields outside. :)

Kylie said...

Beautiful set of cards, Carol and with my favourite - butterflies! That embossing folder is so cool! Thanks so much for playing along at Happy Little Stampers xx

Dana said...

Yes!! Spring i am ready!!! really ... ready!! hehe!! Gorgeous cards!! I love how you colored the butterflies, very pretty!!

I Card Everyone said...

I couldn't choose... don't ask me - I'd love any one of these to flutter by!!! Fabulous...
=] Michele

Marisa said...

I am right there with you re: butterflies :) So good to use them with spring in the air - at least it is here! Even some cherry trees are blooming in the area - crazy for February!! Love the EF you used for the BG and lovely butterflies indee :)

LauraJane:) said...

Thanks for joining us at The Card Concept! Your card evokes that peacefulness found in the inspiration photo.

Shauna said...

Very cute Carol! I like the clean design and the embossed trees are perfect for the inspiration photo! Your butterfly and sentiment placement are lovely.
- Shauna

Brenda said...

You have described Darnell perfectly Carol! She cracks me up and her talent leaves me amazed with my jaw hanging on the floor. Just like you do to me too! OMGosh these cards are stunning! I love the birch tree embossing folder and those butterflies, oh my those butterflies are stunners for sure!! You and your distress inks look like you played well together to me! I love just the spring sentiment on these cards, it simple but oh so elegant and just fits! Hugs, Brenda

Yoonsun Hur said...

Totally amazing cards! Thanks for playing with us at the Card Concept!

Barb Ghig said...

Oh, what a gorgeous trio of cards! I love all the color combos and how much texture you achieved with your embossed birch trees for your background! Beautiful coloring on the butterflies, too...you've certainly done a great job on Dawn's technique! Best of luck in the challenges...hugs to you!

shirley-bee said...

These are all wonderful, Carol!

Kerin said...

Gorgeous! I love the birch tree background, and your butterflies are so beautiful! Thanks for joining us this week at The Card Concept :)

Anita in France said...

Such lovely butterflies, Carol ... gorgeous against the birch tree background ... it's what we had here last week (we had a warm snap ... it's gone!) Hugs, Anita :)

Nonni said...

This card is beautiful in all colors, Carol! I love the embossed bg and the softness of your butterflies... No wonder you are addicted to them, they are so pretty! Great cards! xxx

Jeanne J. said...

Beautiful cards! I love the contrast of the deep crisp embossing to the soft butterflies.

Vicki Dutcher said...

Very cool use of embossing! Well done--

i'm with the band said...

These are so pretty, and what a great embossing folder! Thanks for joining us at CAS-ual Fridays!

Taunya Butler said...

I happen to think that you NAILED this - right to the wall, as one would say!!! Love how you interpreted the inspiration photo and then turned around and inspired me SO VERY much with your beautiful and soft, sweet, beautiful Spring cards!! Love each one and the jury should not still be out with you and distress inks - looks to me like you are becoming a pro with them!!! Hope you are some place that makes you smile, and with people who make you feel loved and oh, so treasured - cuz that is what you are a TREASURE - of the most valuable kind!!! Enjoy your weekend!!!

Michelle said...

Carol, beautiful trio of cards! Happy your butterfly fetish is back...they are wonderful! Thanks for joining us at CAS-ual Fridays!

Shelly said...

Ooooh...beautiful cards! Thanks for joining us at CAS-ual Fridays!

Pia Larsen said...

Yay, congrats Carol on your win on the Winnie & Walter Challenge :-)