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Thursday, 11 July 2013

Butterflies galore......

Hello Friends

For quite some time now I have been lusting after a butterfly shadow box in a famous UK retailer that is 'never knowingly undersold' but I did not want to pay the price.  So I challenged myself to make one from an 8" square blank shadow frame that I had in my stash along with a Martha Stewart around the page butterfly punch.


The frame was base coated with Fresco Finish in Mermaid as a base, covered with a crackle medium and then over painted with Fresco Finish Vintage Lace. (click on the photo for a closer look)


I took a piece of white card and worked out where I wanted the butterflies to be and then punched them out (not easy to get it mathematically correct but I was happy with the result).  To create a background for the cut out butterflies I took some Bo Bunny paper from the Country Garden Almanac collection and placed this behind the punched areas.  I stamped over the parts of the paper not already covered in script, with a Hero Arts Newsprint background stamp, using Ranger Black Archival Ink.  I then took the cut butterflies, raised the wings and then glued down the body only, back onto the cut out shapes.  I coloured some pearls with Broken China Distress Marker and placed three on each body.


To finish off I added some ready made flowers and twisted the stems to add some interest.

I would like to enter this frame into the following challenges:

Sunday Stampers - Show some depth
Ali-Craft - butterflies
Altered Eclectics - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp and Show - a little stamping (behind the butterfly wings)

As ever, thank you for looking and a special thank you if you take the time to comment.  Big hugs, Anne xx
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60 comments:

  1. Annie11 July 2013 at 22:13

    Oh that's so pretty.
    Hugs,
    A x

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  2. Sue11 July 2013 at 22:21

    Oh wow Anne that is amazing! I love it your so very creative hun huggles Sue xx

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  3. Words and Pictures11 July 2013 at 22:35

    So beautiful, Anne - and how wonderful to have something you created yourself over something shop-bought. Ethereal, delicate and oh so lovely, with wonderful crackle on the frame - a brilliant make!
    Alison x

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  4. Almo11 July 2013 at 22:45

    Hi Anne, this is lovely, much prettier than the ones in the shops. I love the added interest of the crackle frame and background colour behind the butterflies, complimented also by the flowers. Just beautiful. Hugs Mo x

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  5. Sue11 July 2013 at 22:56

    This is so beautiful Anne. I think it is far nice than any I have seen in the shops. I love the delicate butterflies and the crackle frame looks gorgeous
    hugs Sue xx

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  6. Astrid Maclean11 July 2013 at 23:07

    Oh Anne this is so stunning and I bet it is at least as beautiful as the one you saw in the shop and so much more satisfying to have made it yourself. Love everything about this, - wonderful crackle, gorgeous with the white on white, elegant and classy and the flower just finish it of perfectly!!

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  7. Rita11 July 2013 at 23:29

    What a stunning creation Anne. It must surely give you a lot of satisfaction knowing it was all your own work. Hope your enjoying this fabulous weather. Hugs Rita xxxxx

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  8. Cathy11 July 2013 at 23:46

    Gorgeous project Anne, love the crackle frame with the hint of blue and the flowers set it off beautifully. Fantastic idea, Cathy x

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  9. craftimamma12 July 2013 at 01:03

    This is stunning Anne. Fabulous crackled frame and very cleverly done butterflies with the gorgeous paper behind all finished off perfectly with the flowers. Who wouldn't wish to have this beautiful creation on their wall.

    Hugs
    Lesley Xx

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  10. Kath Stewart12 July 2013 at 05:44

    wow Anne your butterfly creation is stunning...love the crackled frame and all those fluttering butterflies...a wonderful piece of art...hugs kath xxx

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  11. Unknown12 July 2013 at 06:13

    This is lovely Anne,

    Thank you so much for sharing it with us on the Ali-Craft challenge
    I need a new picture for the bedroom wall, you have inspired me to make omething crafty
    Ali x

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  12. Jacky12 July 2013 at 06:42

    Anne - this is so pretty and such a great idea. I might have a go at something similar as it is really effective. I love the crackle effect. Hugs, Jacky

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  13. ...the yorkshire fox...12 July 2013 at 07:01

    ...oh Anne this is lush!! simple effective and beautiful, love it...Mel:)xx

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  14. May12 July 2013 at 07:06

    WOW...Anne I Love this...The butterflies are Gorgeous...What a fabulous idea for home decor...Maybe for your new room perhaps!!Love the crackled frame & the colours... Simply Beautiful work.... Hugs May x x x

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  15. Brenda Brown12 July 2013 at 07:13

    What a fantastic butterfly box Anne, I love the crackle effect you have achieved on the frame and I marvel at how you managed to line up the butterflies so perfectly. You did a fantastic job with it.
    Have a great weekend.
    hugs {brenda} x0x

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  16. Barb Cady12 July 2013 at 07:57

    Lovely box Anne, you have given me an idea for a friends birthday present, although I don't have the all over punch which works so well on your piece! Great idea for behind the butterfly wings! Xx

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  17. Elaine12 July 2013 at 09:37

    Love this Ann....Perhaps you should sell it for £40 or so. It's better than those you see in the shops for the same price. Love how you've kept the butterflies white with patterned paper behind!!

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  18. Annie12 July 2013 at 09:44

    Gorgeous shadow box Anne, so chic . I love the colours you have used with amazing crackle. Hugs Annie x

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  19. Rocky12 July 2013 at 09:57

    It's beautiful and so much better than 'the other one' because you made it yourself.

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  20. JoZart Designs12 July 2013 at 10:00

    It may not have cost you as much but it is no doubt far lovelier than the one in that store...... it is also worth far more in many ways and you certainly should not be undersold!
    Enjoy your weekend......
    Jo x

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  21. rachel12 July 2013 at 10:46

    absolutely beautiful anne - really a fabulous gift to yourself and so cleverly put together too! I bet you has fun making that. great idea to colour the pearls with yor distress markers - fabulous!!!! Hope you're feeling a little better now! Big Hugs rachel xx

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  22. Doreen12 July 2013 at 10:48

    This is just gorgeous,love it.xxx

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  23. http://blog.timetocreate.com.au/12 July 2013 at 11:21

    Anne this is so elegant! You have done a wonderful job! Understated and delightful!

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  24. Mary Jo 12 July 2013 at 13:20

    It turned out fabulous!
    I have been wanting to something similar as well!

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  25. Joan12 July 2013 at 14:14

    Fabulous!

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  26. scrappymo!12 July 2013 at 14:58

    This is going to look so lovely in your home...good for you for creeating your own. And I bet your own take is much niocer too!

    The DP you used behind the butterflies is perfect!

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  27. TwinkleToes2day12 July 2013 at 15:40

    Absolutely gorgeous Anne! I love that crackle finish and the butterflies are so very pretty backed by the script paper. Clever you! :0) Mo x

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  28. Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans12 July 2013 at 16:42

    Hi Anne, what a gorgeous butterfly frame and lovely idea to make your own instead of purchasing one, you will treasure this I am sure. Love the subtlety of the painting and colours and the butterflies are so delicate , perfect for the frame. Love it. Thanks so much for joining in the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge. Tracy x

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  29. pearshapedcrafting12 July 2013 at 17:01

    This is beautiful Anne, and unique! It is also probably better than the one you saw! Where else would you find a frame so creatively crackled? Chrisx

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  30. Anonymous12 July 2013 at 17:08

    A gorgeous piece of home decor Anne and surely much more satisfying knowing you created such beautiful yourself compared to paying money to a well known store.
    Love the colour choice, in fact everything about it is perfection.
    Have a lovely weekend.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  31. Carole Z12 July 2013 at 17:09

    My word Anne, this is so beautiful! I have seen the one in the shop & I would hang yours on my wall rather than that one any day! You will definitely treasure this one more as well ..beautiful, big hug Carole X

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  32. Anita Houston The Artful Maven12 July 2013 at 17:22

    I am blown away that you challenged yourself to make the version of the pricey one....BRAVO!!! This is soGORGEOUS!!! I love the crackle and tiny stamping behind the butterflies! A super FANTASTIC!!!! Thank you for stamping a little with us this week here at Simon Says Stamp & Show!!!

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  33. Karen P12 July 2013 at 17:42

    Methinks I am going to be making a couple of these as Christmas presents for family - thank you Anne! I will, of course, link back to you if I do copy your idea Anne. I would love one of these for myself too - I just need to find the square blank frames next. Fabulous piece of work Anne, I think you will inspire a lot of us crafters with this. Have a fab weekend Karen x

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  34. Anonymous12 July 2013 at 18:19

    This is just fabulous, great make.

    Thanks for joining our challenge at Altered Eclectics.

    Moira DT.

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  35. Darnell12 July 2013 at 18:42

    Now, see, that's one of the things I love about you, Annie, you rock the "Can Do" attitude! Your shadow box is nothing short of magnificent and I wager that it is even more beautiful than the one on sale! I also wager that you'll win the challenges! You're awe-mazing!! xxoo Darnell

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  36. Margie12 July 2013 at 18:45

    I love this Anne and how much more satisfying to know you made it yourself! Gorgeous colours and the design is so elegant. Love, Margie x

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  37. Lynn Holland12 July 2013 at 21:52

    You've done a fantastic job Anne it's wonderful xx

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  38. JoZart Designs12 July 2013 at 21:55

    Thanks Anne for checking up on the toad. Oddly enough there is a large colony of protected Natterjacks on the coast North of here so maybe you are right I had wondered if they could change colour too.
    Love those butterflies, nice having another peek!
    jo x

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  39. dottielottie12 July 2013 at 23:26

    Hi Anne, your butterfly shadow box is B E A utiful.I love everything about it, your hand crafted piece of art is worth so much more than anything that has been mass produced. Hope you have a sunny place for it to hang and be admired.
    Hugs Lottie x

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  40. mark gould12 July 2013 at 23:40

    Wow Anne, so much better than a shop bought piece, love the fresco paints on the frame and the half pearl bodies. x

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  41. Claire12 July 2013 at 23:54

    Hi Anne! Wow that really is stunning!! I know exactly which shop you mean too but yours is so much nicer as its totally unique! Claire xx

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  42. Hels Sheridan13 July 2013 at 11:29

    Absolutely love it... have seen the one you are on about and I think yours knocks spots off theirs... loving the floral arrangement too, nice touch... Thanks for joining in with the Sunday Stamper x

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  43. Chris13 July 2013 at 11:46

    I think yours is so much better too Anne, it's really beautiful and I bet it'll look gorgeous when it's up on the wall. Amazing how you got it all worked out with the punching too! Chris xxx

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  44. Inkypinkycraft13 July 2013 at 18:25

    What a beautiful and elegant make....this will look beautiful onthe wall....hope things are improving for you, thanks for all your kindness hugs trace x

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  45. Stamping With Bibiana13 July 2013 at 23:08

    beautiful project. Thanks for sharing with of of us your creation!
    keep in touch!
    Bibiana

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  46. Jenny Marples14 July 2013 at 08:03

    Personally I love your version far better. What a fantastic display. Hugs, Jenny x

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  47. Paper Profusion14 July 2013 at 12:03

    Yours Anne is much much prettier and should cost far more if retailed! Precision perfect punching - dont know how you managed to get it so wonderfully aligned. I love the crackled frame colours and the lovely balancing flowers. Very very pretty! Sorry I'm late visiting - I've been availing of the sunshine! Nicola x

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  48. Dianne 14 July 2013 at 14:25

    Well Miss Anne, I haven't seen the one you have lusting after, but it CAN'T be a beautiful as the one you created, it's just stunning,loooove the frame with all that crackle the white on white is stunning with the peek behind and the lovely script what a stunning make my dear, thanks so much for sharing and inspiring us to try to it :O), have a wonderful day...

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  49. Kelly 14 July 2013 at 15:01

    This butterfly box is on my long list of things I want to make. Love how elegant and clean yours is, just perfect. I love the crackled frame too, compliments the butterflies.
    Hugs Kelly

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  50. toni14 July 2013 at 17:52

    Anne this is absolutely gorgeous! Although i apreciate there is loads of work in this fabulous piece, the simplicity of the design is beautiful. I love it ! X

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  51. MaryH14 July 2013 at 20:05

    Had to smile at your 'lusting' comment. I guess that is what we really do, just never thought of it that way :-) Your butterfly box was just lovely, and thanks for showing the crackling too. So very pretty. Looked to me like your b/flies were aligned quite perfectly too. You have your desired butterfly box, at the price you wanted...I'd say that was a well done job, well done! And as always, done with your usual style. TFS

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  52. Sue14 July 2013 at 20:28

    I am more than sure that your box is better made. It is stunning Anne.

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  53. May14 July 2013 at 23:06

    absolutely stunning! Thank you so much for sharing, and for joining us this week at Simon Says Stamp & Show!

    May

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  54. Beverly14 July 2013 at 23:42

    How lovely! I love the butterflies. Thanks for entering the Altered Eclectics Challenge this month. Hope to see you again and again!

    Bev Cole
    AE DT

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  55. Craftychris15 July 2013 at 11:18

    ooh this is amazing! The painted frame is awesome and those butterflies look gorgeous! I am sure yours is much better than the one in the shop! xx

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  56. Candy C15 July 2013 at 12:00

    What a stunning project, Anne. I love the simplicity of it's appearance...although I know it was not a "simple" make. :) It's beautiful! <3 Candy

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  57. The Crafty Goat Girl16 July 2013 at 10:09

    Beautiful project! Thanks for joining in over at Ali-Craft this month, Heidi x

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  58. Neet16 July 2013 at 13:23

    No wonder this post generated so many comments - that is truly fantastic! Brilliant!
    Hugs, Neet xx

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  59. Marjie Kemper16 July 2013 at 15:20

    So elegant! Love your frame, and the peek through under the butterflies.

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  60. Felix the Crafty Cat17 July 2013 at 20:59

    I love this, it has a beautiful clean finish and looks so pretty.
    Angela x

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