Back by Popular Demand
Back in the days when I was running an arts program for a senior citizens center, I created a greeting card project that was particularly enjoyed by my class. I pinned a photo of that card on my Pinterest page and it generated some interest with at least one request for the details of its construction. I thought I would post that information here where it could be accessed by any interested parties.
While I give the details of how I made this card and the particular materials and colors I used to make it, everything is negotiable. You are free to use whatever color scheme and materials you want or you can use this layout as a jumping off point and go in a different direction. I have seen many other variations of this layout on the web and they are all lovely. So make it your own and have fun with it.
Black and Gold Spirelli Butterfly Card and Envelope Front w/ tag
Card interior showing butterfly image stamped with watermark ink and dusted with gold mica pigment powder.
Materials List
Black card and envelope (This card is 5” x 6.5” but you can use any size or color you prefer.)
Patterned paper for card front cut ½" smaller than card dimensions
Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Scalloped Ovals Large dies
Thin cording or string - approx. 40" (crocheted beaded thread used here but metallic thread would be lovely)
One die cut corner accent (Cuttlebug Vintage corner dies used here.)
Six daisy-like flowers, 3 black and 3 gold
3-4 leaves (copper metallic leaves used here)
Three large sequins for flower centers
One two-part butterfly: one part openwork, the other solid
White tag for envelope front (Optional: I used one to make addressing easier on a black envelope but can be omitted if using a light color envelope.)
Small punched butterfly (optional)
One card liner for inside of card
Mounting foam tape
Cellophane tape
White glue
Ballpoint glue pen
Embossing stylus and molding pad or mouse pad
Rubber stamp of butterflies (optional)
Watermark ink (optional)
Pearl-Ex (optional)
Card Front:
1. Cut patterned paper ½ inch smaller than the card front.
2. Glue patterned paper topper in center of the card front, leaving an even ¼ inch border all around.
3. Using the scalloped oval dies, cut a black oval with the largest die and a white oval with the next largest size.
4. Glue black scalloped oval in the center of the topper.
5. Glue ornate corner into the upper left corner. Use ballpoint glue pen for precision glue application.
6. Choose a valley between two scallops in the lower right hand area of the white oval and tape a one inch end of cording onto the back behind the valley.
7. Wrap cording around to the front of the oval across to a point on the left side of the oval somewhere near the “equator”. (Refer to photo.)
8. Wrap cording around to the back and return to the starting point.
9. Continue wrapping five or six times, each time wrappng the cord up one scallop on the left and returning to the starting point on the right.
10. When wrapping is complete, tape the end of cord down on the back of the oval and snip the end of cord close to tape. The wrapped cording should be angled to the left with the starting point on the bottom right and the wraps fanning out on the left.
11. Place a one inch square of adhesive foam tape in the center back of the wrapped oval. Cut another one inch foam square in four and attach those pieces near the top, bottom and side edges. (If using a beaded cord like I did, avoid placing the square over a bead.)
12. Remove the protective paper backing on the foam tabs, carefully position it in the center of the black oval and gently press it down to stick it into place. The white oval will be popped up above the black oval, giving the card some dimension.
Butterfly
1. If using a purchased paper butterfly or die cutting a one piece, bend the wings back slightly on either side of the body so they are lifted. SKIP TO STEP 3 BELOW. Otherwise, go to Step 2.
2. If you are die cutting a two part butterfly, cut the solid part in gold and the openwork part in black. Glue black openwork butterfly on top of the solid gold butterfly using a ballpoint glue pen for precision. Bend the wings back slightly on either side of the body so they are lifted.
3. Glue the body and antennae only onto the upper right quadrant of the white oval, angled towards the upper right corner. DO NOT GLUE THE WINGS DOWN. They should remain lifted.
Flowers
1. If you are making your own flowers or purchasing flat flower die cuts, manipulate the petals so they curve down using a ball end stylus and a foam pad. (A mouse pad works nicely here.) NOTE: If you are purchasing flowers with dimension, skip to step 4 below.
2. Stack and glue flowers together with a dot of glue, gold flower on top and black on bottom. Offset flowers so lower petals are visible between the upper petals.
3. Stick large black sequin in center of flower.
4. Glue leaves to the underside of the petals. Omit this step if your purchased flowers already have leaves.
5. Mount the flowers on a square of mounting tape and stick into place at the bottom right corner of ovals, hiding the start point of the spirelli.
6. Glue extra leaf in between the flowers, if desired.
Inside card
1. If using a black or dark card, glue card liner in place so a greeting can be written. (Not necessary if using light colored card stock.)
2. Optional: Stamp butterfly image on inside left of card with watermark ink and dust with PearlEx. (This looks best on darker cardstock.)
Envelope
1. If using a dark envelope, glue tag onto envelope front to allow for addressing.
2. Stick a gold butterfly or small flower over tag hole to hide it. Alternatively, you could tie a coordinating ribbon through the hole instead.
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“Crafting is messy. Embrace the chaos.” - Gitana the Creative Diva