Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Butterflies in Flight


I once read of a story about a boy who helped a butterfly out of its cocoon after seeing it struggle. Waiting patiently, the boy watched for it fly away but sadly, the butterfly never left the ground. What the boy didn't know was that in his kindness to help remove the struggles, he did not let nature take its course the necessary means for the wings to fully form in the butterfly. Without struggles in our own lives, we will never conquer the obstacles barricading our freedom to fly, to become strong and beautifully individualistic.



Time for another wonderful sketch challenge at Skipping Stones Design! Using the butterfly from Victorian Summer I stamped it three times without re-inking between each impression. The background was created with the same ink and a lot of water. The card is finished with some lovely scroll work from Timeless Textures and a sentiment from Dandelion Wishes. I absolutely love that the majority of Skipping Stones Design stamps can be interchanged without much thought to complete a cohesive design.

I'd love to see what you come up with for this sketch! All the details are on the Skipping Stones Design blog, can't wait to see your creation! Did I mention that the winner receives a FREE stamp set? Yes, I'm serious!

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Office Max, (Kraft) Unknown Source
Stamps: (Victorian Summer, Timeless Textures, Dandelion Wishes) Skipping Stones Design
Ink: (Broken China Distress) Ranger
Embellishment: (Chevron Ribbon) May Arts

39 comments:

  1. Karen, this is just beautiful and I too love the blue.

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  2. i love that about SSD too! So easy to mix and match sets! How how you used that background stamp as a border! I'm going to have to try that!

    Beautiful card, Karen!!!

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  3. I LOVE your stories that go along with your cards. Today's story is so true. SO true!!!! Your card is beautiful, you truly are talented!!!! :-)

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  4. So serene Karen! I love the blue and I always love butterflies!

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  5. Oh Karen, I do love your stories...your story is oh-so-true...and although we probably don't appreciate the struggles that we go through, I believe that they are life learning lessons...things happen for a reason.

    Your card is so dreamy...that is what I think of it...dreamy.

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  6. Beautiful lesson, and an even more beautiful card. Two of my favorites on one card-blue and butterflies! Love the ribbon tab.

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  7. Gosh, you are the queen of pretty backgrounds! Lovely card!

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  8. wooooooow! Seriously amazing Karen!!!

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  9. Oh this is fabulous, love the monochromatic look and the tiny bit of fabulous May Arts ribbon peaking out...

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  10. love the moral of your story, karen:) and what an amazing card! love the water downed inking on your bkgd!

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  11. Totally stunning!! I think this is the most beautiful monochromatic card that I have seen for a long time!

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  12. Totally smitten with your gradient stamping of the beautiful blue butterfly, Karen! Simply stunning!
    Hugs,
    Aimes
    x

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  13. Gorgeous card. What is wrong with me? I wanted to cry reading your butterfly story.

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  14. Gorgeous, Karen! I love the monochromatic look, and there are so many great details. Thanks for the info on how you created it :) Your post about the little boy is so touching, too. Your blog is so great...I love reading it!

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  15. But how do you explain my ugly wings after all that struggle?? I demand a refund!! lol.

    Love the colors on that card, so beautiful!!!

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  16. What a lovely story and so true too :)
    Beautiful card Karen, it definitely gives the feeling of flight :)
    Jenny x

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  17. fabulous take on the sketch and that background is gorgeous! love love this beautiful card, Karen!

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  18. Wow! Blue being my favorite card I think I'm in love!!! This is awesome!

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  19. Very pretty, love that shade of blue and the layout is lovely!

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  20. Oh...love the touch of ribbon and all of the inking is fabulous!

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  21. Oh Karen! This is absolutely gorgeous! like jaw-droppingly gorgeous!

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  22. I gasped when I saw your card! It's absolutely stunning. And I loved your story about the butterfly!

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  23. This is amazingly gorgeous, Karen! I love the soft monochromatic style!

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  24. Love the way you make your own background paper and the butterflies are gorgeous...love hearing that story again.

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  25. It is such a beauty. Love the blue card, butterfly and background you created. Always enjoy reading the stories in your post.

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  26. Love the triple stamped image and your gorgeous background. :)

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  27. So soft and lovely, not to mention soooo creative.

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  28. Loved the softness or this card. Of course Butterflies are one of my favorites

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  29. Beautiful butterfly and a big congrats on your Moxie Fab win!!

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  30. Gorgeous Karen!
    and I love that sketch too ;-)

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  31. This is fabulous, and I love your blues!

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  32. Oh how I LOVE that great blue color! LOVE the butterfly too.

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  33. Absolutely gorgeous. Love the soft colors!

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  34. Stunning card Karen! What a lovely story!

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