Watercolor Wings Gate Fold {PP252}

Hey there friends, I hope you're having a great weekend.  Our family has been off work and summer camp since Thursday so we've been having a good time!  Oh how I wish the work week was 32 hours instead of 40.....sigh.  Anyway....this week at The Paper Players it's all about The Great Outdoors.  The amazing Ann is our host for this month's theme challenge:

From the first time I saw the Watercolor Wings stamp set, I've had the idea for a card with this type of fold in my head.  I was also inspired by this fantastic card from Stef Perry and the idea was born:

I wanted the butterfly to look like it landed on a fence or a barn door and thought the gate fold would be perfect!.  I used some retired Adventure Bound DSP for the "gate" but it could also be stamped with the Hardwood background stamp.  How many of you still have the Inspired by Nature stamp set with this big beautiful grass image?  I'll never sell mine and in Cucumber Crush, it made the perfect grassy border.  Although I didn't use any on my card, I took my color cue from the Cherry On Top DSP stack using Pool Party, Bermuda Bay, and Island Indigo for the butterfly with accents of Crushed Curry and Watermelon Wonder.

With all the elements in the center and the background stamping, it was difficult to figure out where a sentiment would go.  I debated whether I needed one but was able to make the sweet little Greetings Thinlits fit over the butterfly and open nicely from the center.  I was really pleased how well it cut and popped out from the new THICK Whisper White cardstock--no wax paper, no dryer sheets needed.  It worked like a charm!

The gate fold opens up to reveal the inside panel with another butterfly and this fabulous sentiment from last month's Paper Pumpkin kit.  I added some Watermelon Wonder dots to the sides to mimic the banner on the front of the card.  

This butterfly stamp set is sooo pretty.  At first I thought, do I really need another butterfly stamp?  But oh, this one is not like the others.  It's photopolymer so lining up each layer is easy-peasy.  There are three layers to the butterfly and each one is a separate stamp so you can create many color combinations.  I can't wait to experiment with some more colors!  One tip: I found it much easier to stamp the center body of the butterfly AFTER cutting it out with the coordinating Bold Butterfly Framelit.  It's easy to line up because it is completely clear and I found that I cut off part of the head or body if I stamped it before cutting.  

I am sure that the rest of The Paper Players design team have some amazing projects inspired by the great outdoors for you.  Be sure to pop over and check 'em out.  I hope you will join in the fun before our challenge closes on Friday, July 10th at Noon (PST).  Thanks for stopping by today!

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Anne Marie Hile (on leave) 

Claire Broadwater
 Jaydee
Joanne James
Laurie Schmidt   
LeAnne Pugliese 
Nance Leedy
Sandy Mathis

Amy Koenders
Jodi McKinney 
Lisa Elton