Mojo Monday Swallowtail Elegance

I have been dying to use this stamp!  I saw the Mojo Monday sketch early this morning, and just had to get the Swallowtail background stamp out.  I knew I wanted to color it in, rather than just stamp it on a piece of colored cardstock, so I went the whole way with the card.  I have to admit, I struggled a bit with this card this morning.

As you can see, the sketch called for a square or circle card, I just couldn’t stay in those shapes, I tried and tried…and then finally forgave myself and pushed the height of the card up a bit.  I love the end result and I think you’ll love my process in getting to this beautiful finish.

Creative Tips:

• I purchased the clear mount Swallowtail stamp by accident.  I forgot that this was a background stamp – those I usually like getting in wood mount because I only stamp them upside down, so why not have it’s own block each time?  I was surprised to find that I liked it on my clear block – so I saved a little money!
• I find that it is too hard to use a stamp this large in the traditional sense.  Place your stamp up (rubber up) and lay your cardstock on top.  Use a piece of scrap paper to cover and then your hand to transfer the image to it by rubbing over your paper gently.  You’ll get a better image every time!

• I embossed the Swallowtail stamp in Basic Black Craft Ink and Clear Embossing Powder.  I wanted to have a defined black that helped keep my coloring in its place.
• I started out wanting to use a 3.5”x3.5” piece of Ultra Smooth Whisper White card stock, but it wasn’t large enough to show the butterfly image, so I chose a 3.5” x 4” piece instead. This caused the dilemma for me with the square size, and I just needed to push the final card size to 5.5” x 6”.  I’m going to make my own envelope using the Diagonal Simply Scored Plate. You can get this free right now during Sale-a-bration!  Click here to find out how.

• I colored the Swallowtail image in Summer Starfruit and Tangerine Tango Markers.  I wanted a little lighter color for the blue, so I chose to use my Island Indigo with my Blender Pen.  I went over the edges in certain sections a few times to add depth to my coloring.
• I covered the entire image with a VersaMarker and then embossed the image in Clear Embossing Powder.
• I then brayered the background in Pool Party. and Sponged the edges in Chocolate Chip.

• I chose a small greeting so that the butterfly image was my focus.  I stamped the Swallowtail in Pool Party ink on Pool Party card stock and cut out a strip.  I made a banner flag from that with my 1” Square Punch.  I stamped my greeting and sponged the edge lightly in Chocolate Chip. I used the 1” Circle Punch to add a burst of Summer Starfruit cardstock behind my banner flag, and finished it off with a large Pearl Basic Jewel before popping it up on Stampin’ Dimensionals.
• I used the 1” Square Punch to add a few banner flags to the bottom of my image in the new Sale-a-bration Designer Series Paper – Sycamore Street.  You can get that free with a $50 order until March 22nd!  Click Here to find out how.

• I used my bone folder to flare the banner flags out a bit.  Be sure not to have adhesive on the exposed portion to do this.
• To finish my card, I added a little Paper-Piercing using the Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack and Stampin’ Mat. When I do this, I like to pop that panel up with Stampin’ Dimensionals so you can see the color through the pierced holes.
• Since the Swallowtail image was so large, I wanted a good sized knot.  I chose a retired Satin Ribbon in coordinating Chocolate Chip.

I really love the end result.  I’ve really been on a brayer kick lately with my Creative University series classes coming up next month.  We’re going to feature Brayering Creative Scenery in February.  So here are a few simple brayer tips for you:

• Be aware of how you are storing your brayer.  The roller should never rest on a flat surface (Including putting it back in the box!).  It will take on the flat shape and you will have a difficult time getting a smooth look.  If that’s happened – you may just need to splurge for another brayer – don’t worry, they’re only $12.50!
• Most important tip I can give you – Start off your paper and end off your paper.  When you start or end on your paper, that’s when you get those harsh lines.
• If you are having a problem with lines – check the edges of your brayer.  When you cleaned it, did you roll out the edges too?  Probably not!  Ink can build up on the edge of your roller as well.  That’s the usual culprit!

Online Brayer Class

Do you want to learn how to make creative scenery cards?  Try our Brayer 101 – Introduction to Creative Scenery online class.  You’ll learn how to master this technique using a brayer to create unbelievable scenes that will leave you feeling like an artist.  Find out more here.

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Stamp Sets – Swallowtail (129216c, 129213w), Kindness Matters (122902c,122900w)  Ink –Pool Party (126982),  Chocolate Chip (126979), Black Craft Pad (102192), Summer Starfruit Marker (2013-2014 Collection) (126856), Tangerine Tango Marker – Brights Collection (119702),  Island Indigo (126986)  Paper – Whisper White (100730), Pool Party (122924), Chocolate Chip (102128), Sycamore Street (Sale-a-bration FREE item) Cool Tools – Stamping Sponges (101610), Brayer (102395), 1” Square Punch (124094), 1” Circle Punch (119868), Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack (126187), Paper-Piercing Tool (126189), Stampin’ Pierce Mat (126119), Clear Embossing Powder (109130), Blender Pens (102845) The Perfect Finish – Pearl Basic Jewels (119247), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon – retired