Gothic Arch - Butterfly Entomology

 My first gothic arch for a group swap with the theme of "wings".  I used TIm Holtz distress oxide inks for the background and Crafty Notions fusible film and angelina fibres to make the butterflies for my Butterfly entomology gothic arch.

 

I used a piece of kraft card measuring  6  x  4 inches, shaped into an arch.

Tim Holtz distress oxides in:- wild honey, twisted citron, antique linen and lucky clover.

I gradually layered up my colours until I got the mottled background that I was looking for.

I decided to use a combination of the following stamps to background stamp my card:- 

Visible Image music on, world off  (ink splat)  & mesh-ellaneous  (distressed mesh)

wooden block red rubber border stamp

wooden block red rubber stitched square stamp

I found some info on butterflies which I printed onto cream paper and aged the torn edges with a little Tim Holtz vintage photo distress ink.  This will make my centre topper for the arch. I also used some button (slightly translucent) washi tape and some gift wrap twine.

I used the stitched square block to stamp onto parchment paper using memento ink. These will form the plaques the butterflies will sit on.

Now the base for my entomology gothic arch has been put together, adding 4 enamel embellishments, all that's missing is the butterflies.

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To make the butterflies I used some red rubber butterfly stamps (I think these were by Crafty Individuals), Crafty Notions fusible film in crystal aurora, angelina fibres in raspberry sparkle and a piece of baking parchment.

First I inked my stamp with jet black stazon ink and placed a layer of the fusible film onto the stamp.  Be careful not to move the film around and smudge the inked stamp.

Add some fusible fibres and and place another layer of the film on top. Alternatively, make a sandwich of the film and fibres first and then place it on your inked stamp.

Place your folded baking  parchment on top and using a warm iron ( I have a small iron I use just for crafting) press down for 5 seconds, lift an repeat, rather than running the iron along the stamp as you don't want to smudge your embedded image.  This process is a bit of trial and error to gauge what works for you, so have a bit of a play first before creating your project.

I kept checking to see how well my butterfly film and fibres were fusing together whilst using the iron. As I wanted a more translucent look on the butterfly wings I only used a a small amount of the fibres, spreading them out between the film.

I cut my butterflies out and layered them up, using a little pinflair glue gel to stick them together in the centre.  When the light hits them you get all the colours of the rainbow in an iridescent glow.

I used some pinflair glue gel to stick my butterflies onto my gothic arch.  Im really happy with the outcome.

Adding this project to the That's Crafty - Spring into action challenge

Also the Mix It Up - ATG with a twist - create your own background

And  Creative Artiste - ATG Mixed Media

Happy Crafting

ATC backgrounds using an Acrylic Chalk Mousse Medium

Two Artist Trade Cards made on a Tim Holtz distress oxide ink background with an acrylic chalk mousse medium and angelina fibre dragonflies.

Whilst in Lidl the other day some art stuff caught my eye. This box of pastel acrylic mousse mediums with a chalky finish, looked really interesting.

I had some of the background I made for my heart plaque left which I made using Tim Holtz distress oxides inks in frayed burlap, pickled raspberry, abandoned coral and candied apple.  I thought that this would make an ideal background for the ATCs especially as it also had a chalky finish.

Using a mandala stencil I first used the pastel blue mousse. I have a few craft boards for the various crafting I do, so that I don't get paint, ink and gesso over them all.

This was really easy to use and the mousse settled and dried quite quickly.  I then repeated this process with the lilac as you can see above.

While they were drying I made the dragonflies using some of the angelina fibres and film by Crafty Notion

Using some baking parchment underneath,  make a sandwich with the film (I've used crystal aurora) and the fusible angelina fibres ( I've used sugar plum).

Using a warm iron gentle smooth over the area. I have a small iron I use for crafting and temperatures vary depending on what you use.

It should look something like this, fused together 

On its own it would make a great background but it also die cuts really well. Film & Fibres is one of those craft products you buy for a project and often forget about. When you re-discover it again in your stash you remember just how versatile it is.  I have in the past used my stamps with this and made beautiful iridescent butterflies with it.  Something I will do again and put in a blog post for the future.

Once die cut it makes a beautiful rainbow coloured embellishment.

I used a small amount of the raspberry sparkle angelina fibres under the label Free which I stamped using the same backing paper. I glued the dragonflies and fibres to attach the label with a little pinflair glue gel.

With a parchment tool I pricked the edge of the label

The light catches the wings beautifully

finished off with a few pearls and backed onto some coordinating card.

Entered into:-

Allsorts Challenge

Simply Papercrafts

Happy Crafting