Designer Challenge Monday with Becky Fleck!

Happy Easter Monday, everyone! I don't know about you, but I seriously over did it in the jelly bean and chocolate bunny department yesterday. And no, you are never too old for an Easter basket, as my mother says to me every year when she presents one to me. *blush* So, while this challenge should be "How to lose the three pounds I put on over Easter weekend because I ate too many Peeps," I think we'll get on with some scrappy fun instead! So put the jelly beans to the side and let's get started.

We all love dimension on our pages, but sometimes the bulk makes it difficult to store them in page protectors. And when you heap it on a card, the Post Office doesn't hesitate to punish you with another ounce or two of postage! Here's a fun technique that gives you all the dimension you love, but lays flat for storage or mailing.

 
supplies: patterned paper, buttons (BasicGrey); butterfly punch (Martha Stewart); ink (Ranger); baker's twine (The Twinery); seam binding (Hug Snug); dictionary paper

As you can see from this layout, rows and rows of small punched butterflies add so much dimension and tactile interest to the page. But the great part about this technique is that all of those lovely, little bugs will lay flat for storage or mailing. How, you ask?

 
 

After punching out the butterflies from patterned paper and dictionary paper, I folded each one in half and then gently flattened them again. I glued them to the page by applying adhesive only to the center body of each butterfly. Once all of the butterflies were in place, I gently lifted up on the wings. Paper has memory, so even when this layout is placed in a page protector, when it is slipped out, the wings will pop back up again for instant dimension.

Here is the sketch from Scrapbook PageMaps Vol. 2 that this layout was based on:

 

I hope you'll join me again on Wednesday, where we'll try this same technique on a card! Enjoy your Easter Monday, everyone.

~ Becky Fleck

Thank you Becky for a great sketch, a great challenge and a great technique!  We also just came across another fun technique to share.  Would you like to learn how to make the Maya Road Zipper flowers that we featured in our Most Wanted from the spring issue that look like this:

Then just click here http://mayaroad.typepad.com/mayaroad/2011/04/zipper-flower-video-tutorial.html!  Perfect for Mother's Day gifts!

Just a reminder to make sure you have May 7th circled on your calendar!  This is National Scrapbook Day and not only do we have our very talented team on deck to deliver some fabulous challenges, we have a BIG announcement to make.  Yes, it's BIG...really BIG!  We cannot wait to share!  In fact, it's killing us to keep it until then and I am pretty sure we'll have some hints in the upcoming days.

See you tomorrow!

~ Catherine

 

Comments

[Debbie C]

Great layout. I love using my butterfly punch so this was a great project for me to see.

[Tracey]

Gorgeous layout!! Love this sketch too! Must add it to my to-do list!!

[Melissa Joyes]

Thanks for sharing, Becky! It is a very sweet layout! And I love the zipper flowers! Can't wait to try these!

[Tanya R]

What a talented lady! Love the butterflies.
Hugs
Tanya

[Kathy (krolski)]

Beautiful LO! Love the butterflies!
Can't wait to hear the big announcement!

[Bobbi-Lynn]

That is a beautiful layout, and that tutorial for the zipper flowers is awesome.

I agree, you're never too old for an Easter basket. My 15 yr old was suprised she still had one. I plan on giving my kids an Easter basket even when they are adults. They may be grown up one day, but they will always be my kids ;-)

[Tona]

Thanks for the tip. I have to mail out 99% of the cards that I make. My post office is used to me coming up to the counter & saying, "I have another lumpy card to mail out".

[Kim]

I love the butterflies Becky. Thank you for the inspiration.

[Pamela McGillin]

I really like the use of the patterned butterflies on the same patterned paper, I will definitely be using this idea, thank you.

[Cindy Groh]

Lovely Layout. The butterflies are so fun and love the little girls hair and smile. What a doll.

[Bernadette]

great idea! thanks for sharing!