One of my most favorite card-makers is the insanely talented, Virginia Lu! She creates breath-taking, gorgeous cards but what I like most about her is how kind and complimentary she is to fellow crafters. When I first started blogging my cards a few months ago I had some website issues and at one point my comment feature went down. I had entered a card into Virginia’s monthly challenge, Virginia’s View Challenge, and when she couldn’t find a way to comment she actually found me on Facebook and sent me a message to let me know that my website wasn’t working! Such a sweet gesture for a complete stranger really spoke volumes to me about her character. Since then I’ve noticed how often she comments on so many blogs and her words to other crafters are always so genuine and encouraging!
A few months ago Virginia started a Monthly Stamp Study on her blog and it’s one of my favorite card-making series. I love how she takes a single stamp set and showcases it in so many different ways. Often I buy a stamp set with a single idea in mind; after I create that one card, the set gets filed away. One of my New Year’s resolutions was to use more of the supplies I already have and get a little more work out of them! After following her series for a few months, I asked Virginia if she’d mind if I borrowed her idea and she gave her blessing! So here’s my first stamp study!
I chose to use the Altenew Painted Butterflies set. I got this set in November and I think I’ve only used it once which is a total travesty because this stamp set is AMAZING!
It’s a multi-layered stamp set…each butterfly is formed with three stamps and the set contains eight butterflies and five sentiments. You can literally make hundreds of different cards with just this single stamp set! So I didn’t create a hundred cards but I did make six! My goal was to use a variety of colors, techniques, and styles and I’m pretty pleased with how the cards turned out. It’ll take way too long to try to describe each card; but, if you’re interested in knowing more about any of them, leave a comment and I’ll let you know! I think the first and last cards are my favorites, what do you think?
Many thanks to Virginia for encouraging me to start this series and thanks, as always, to you for visiting! 🙂
My favorites are the first and third cards, but they are all lovely! Great inspiration, Jess! I’m trying to get good enough to post a picture of a card soon.
I am blushing as I read your post, Jess (big smile here!!)! You are so SWEET! I love that you took this stamp set and gave it so many looks! From CAS to the more earthy design, each one is lovely! I can’t quite pick a favorite….but I am really loving the 5th and 6th ones! You really work magic with this stamp set! I hope that you continue to stretch your stamps! Thanks for making me day!
Thank YOU Virginia! I can’t wait to see the next set you choose! 🙂
I love this feature of yours. Amazing that you featured a stamp set that I have been considering getting. Those butterflies are amazing, and I love all the different ways you used them. Thanks so much for linking up at CASology. I’m so glad I found your post.
Thanks Joyce! I definitely recommend getting the set…it’s amazing! And I’m really excited that I found CASology! I look forward to playing along! 🙂
This is the most fabulous idea EVER. And I must have missed it on Virginia’s site. I too have this set and have not used it. NOW I will. I can’t wait! THANKS SO MUCH!!! I can’t wait for more!! And thanks to Virginia for inspiring you!
Thanks Amy! Yes, you should definitely experiment with this set…it’s almost foolproof to create gorgeous butterflies! I just ordered the new floral set Altenew released and I’m hoping it’ll arrive this weekend! 😉 Please leave a link if you blog about your experiments with the stamp set! I’d love to see your cards!
Wonderful feature! So many creative ways to use one stamp set, and those butterflies are beautiful! You are so right, Virginia is an amazing person, and you, my friend, are too!
Thanks Kara Lynne!
Hi, Jess! It is lovely to have found your blog. Your style of writing is a pleasure to read. Your adoption of rescued pets speaks volumes about you and your character. Thank you. Virginia is an amazing woman and it is sweet that she blushes and lets you know too. I think this too shows a very humble character. Jess your cards are a delight and I am sure that Virginia would agree that you are the perfect student. I cannot tell you which is my favourite as I love them all. However in regard to techniques I do find your first card intriguing because of the watercolouring is very organic and the splatter is a perfect touch! Thank you for sharing, you are extremely gifted.
Susan, thank you SO much for your kind comments and I’m glad you stopped by! I’m guessing you must live in Australia…I’d love to go bird-watching there! 🙂 And with all the ice and snow around here the idea of a green garden sounds like heaven! 🙂 I hope you’ll come back and visit!
I’m Thrilled I just found you on SCS Jess. Your CAS Style is stunning. I loved all your butterfly cards, but I think 1, 3 and 4 were my favorites. I just could not narrow it down any more. Now I am going to spend some time on your blog 🙂 TFS Can’t wait for Stamp Study #2. BTW, everything you said about Virginia is so True!
P.S. keep looking at your #1 card. Exactly how did you do your watercolored grey background? Love the swirly effect and how you added your spritzed. Do you use distress inks? TFS
Hi Nancy! Thanks SO much for your kind words! I actually used Peerless watercolors for the first card. Put rubber cement over the butterfly and then laid down a very light wash of grey for the background. Let that dry slightly and then added darker “splotches” and let those blend in. I let it dry naturally to avoid sharp dried edges. Then used Peerless watercolors to paint the butterfly. When I finished the butterfly I still wanted a little more color so I dipped the brush in the dark pink and flicked it around to get the spatter! I was actually trying to catch up on my SCS uploads…my newest stamp study was completed yesterday and can be found here: https://www.allthesparkle.com/stampstudy2/