All Purpose Butterfly Card

Butterflies and blossoms--so easy to work with, and good for every occasion.

Here is a pretty card that is perfect for a get well, or sympathy.

The seeming challenge here is getting those windows straight.  It's actually very easy!  Here is my low-measure method.

Start with a Whisper White card base, plus a card front measuring 4" x 5 1/4".  On that card, about 2/3 of the way up, make a little pencil mark right in the middle, which would be 2 1/2 plus 1/8th.  (ok, 2 5/8 for normal people.) 

(The angle of this photo really messes with the look of the proportions, but card really does have the correct dimensions.)

Flip the card upside-down for easier handling, and line your 1 1/4" square punch over the mark.  Use the mark only to center your punch.  You should place the paper down into the punch as far as it will go, keeping it centered only laterally.  Punch out the center window.









Now slide your punch over to the side, resting the paper against your finger.  This will be the correct distance to punch out the next window.  Be sure the paper is pushed down as far as it will go. Punch the side window.

Turn the card stock over and do the same on the other side, using your finger to stop the paper in just the right spot.  Again, be sure the paper is down in the punch as far as it will go. Punch!

 Your windows will look like this.  (Your spacing will look better than mine if you don't try using one hand to take pictures.)

Now lay the window frame on the card base, and slide it over just a little.  Make two little pencil marks to give you an idea of the height of your windows.

Do both sides.  When you put the window frame back, it will cover the marks, but of course you may erase them later if you like.

Sponge your sky from near the top of the card base to the center between the two pencil marks, and your grass coming up from just below the marks.

Be careful not to sponge all the way to the edge, to keep the edge of the card white.  You may use scrap paper to mask the edges if you are not sure of yourself.

Or, you may go ahead and color all the way to the edges in blue, green, or both.  Have fun.  Once done sponging, stamp your favorite flower or weed several times across the meadow that you have made.  I used Serene Silhouettes for my card. 

Stamp your sentiment on the window card BEFORE attaching it.  (That way if you smear, you can flip over and do over!)  The window may be popped up on dimensionals or taped flat with snail tape.  Add your butterfly and your pearls, and you're all done!

I would love to see your variations on this card.  Show me what you can do!