Hello Friends, How are you? Before we get started I wanted to let you know that I have some time set aside this weekend to try and get to all of your works of art that you uploaded to my blog. I will feel much better when that happens. 🙂
A Starbucks run has been in my routine as of late and this card was 100% inspired by one of their gift cards. Lawn Fawn’s “Flutter By” was the absolutely perfect stamp set for my Starbucks inspired card. (see the gift card at the bottom of my post)
Today my coloring will be with distress inks and I have always liked distress inks but, today I fell in love!!  Seriously L.O.V.E. I smooched the ink pads on my craft mat, added a little water and applied the color to my watercolor paper. Peacock Feathers, Mowed Lawn, Ripe Persimmon and  Dusty Concord were such a beautiful combo. (I used a broad brush...this set is so reasonable and has a great variety of brushes.)
I was in a rush so I practically threw the color on, didn’t play with it and left it to dry.
When I came home and the paper was dry I was so impressed with how vibrant the colors were and just oh so beautiful. I tell you I am in love! This was the first time I used SSS white embossing powder and fell in love with that too lol. (Ah… in case you are wondering I used this embossing ink)
The butterflies were embossed with white embossing powder. I picked up the ink the same way as I did for the background but, with a smaller brush and I added some yellow.
I heat embossed the sentiment on some pastel vellum  and taped it to the back of the watercolor paper. I used some foam tape for dimension and I was finished. All  I need to do was cut out a few butterflies. See you tomorrow for the Mama Elephant Giveaway and I tell you…. it’s a AWESOME!!Â
CARD SUPPLIES AND LINKS: click on any of the thumbnails below:
Dawn T says
wow Kathy – today you have made an awesome card. The background turned out so amazing.
Heike A. Vogel says
Hi Kathy!
Your card looks great!!!
I’ll have to get the stamp!
Sometimes it’s hard to get creativ Material in Germany and shipping is expensive…
The mistitool and a bunch of clearstamps are on my “to-by-list”…
Nandini says
Gorgeous!
Ann B says
Gorgeous card Kathy! I love your beautiful butterflies, and YOU inspire me 🙂
Niki G. says
Holy guacamole that’s BEAUTIFUL Kathy! Your take on the GC for inspiration is perfection.
Marianne says
I always love seeing how crafters translate inspiration from their daily lives into their cards and today is no exception. Your card turned out beautiful, Kathy.
I understand completely that you haven’t had time to come and take a look at everyone’s work. I haven’t even had time to colour everyday, yet here you are, colouring and crafting and posting every single day! You’re amazing!
Marianne x
Irene says
Lovely card. Distress Inks are just the best for so many techniques…love the colors that you combined!
SonjaK says
Oh that’s so beautiful! You did an amazing job creating this card from with that gift card in mind.
Brandi R says
Wow these are GORGEOUS!!!!!
Carol (HB) says
Oh my, this is so beautiful! I’ve been watching your various watercoloring techniques and your tips/tricks are so inspiring. Thank you!
Lisa M says
LOVE it Kathy! And you have inspired me to try this! I need to get messier with my inks! 🙂
Ruby N says
I love that inspiration can be found anywhere 🙂 This is pretty! Looking forward to seeing how you use the shoes stamps 😉
Kathy Racoosin says
I haven’t forgotten 🙂 thanks Ruby
Sandra H says
Wow this is so creative l just love how you did this and thank you for sharing it your card is amazing xx
Dolly says
Very pretty!!
the dimensional butterflies look AWESoME I love the watercoloring on them!! TFS!
Jackie says
O M G! That background is gorgeous! I love the way the colors blend together, and the butterflies look like stained glass. I really must carve out some time to play soon. I want to try this.
Marissa M. says
That is SO beautiful! The white embossing powder really seems vibrant. Love it!
Cheryl W says
Absolutely gorgeous! I really LOVE your card today.
Somber Scribbler says
Wow, just wow!! I didn’t know you could do this with Distress Ink. I’m sending this to my artsy aunt, she’ll love it!
Tricia Ann says
Your butterfly card is so beautiful. It definitely inspires me to try my hand at this technique.
Ruby C says
Your card is beautiful. I Love Distress Inks. I’ve been away for a while but I’m back and so ready to play with color. Beautiful inspiration. Thanks!
Cindy C. says
Amazing watercolour effects!!!!!!
sharla~ says
Very pretty, love the white, it really stands out!
Michelle Cooke says
Thanks for sharing how you got your inspiration… It reminded me to keep my eyes open for inspiration anywhere and everywhere.
Melissa Kuzma says
This is beyond beautiful! BRAVA!
Dana Joy says
First I can’t believe we are already at day 23. Where has this month flown? I too am in LOVE with this card Kathy. Amazingly gorgeous. I need to pull out my distress inks today and see what beauty I can create. Thanks for 23 days of inspiration.
Hugs,
Dana
Peggy Pride says
WOW! What a lovely card. The colors are so awesome. I have used this technique before and love it too. I never have used a stamp and cut out the shape with the distressed inks. Another wonderful card. I love getting your emails. Thanks!
Gloria R. says
Your card just gave me the needed inspiration for some Mother’s Day cards I will work on today. The result you achieved with the distress inks+white embossing is breathtaking! Thanks so much.
TK says
Wow! So in love with this watercolor, and it’s obvious why you chose to replicate that gift card. Everything is just awesome.
Debbie Laffoon says
Pretty simple process but looks like it took a long time. Love the white emboss powder.
Pam Dickhaus says
Now stamp sets! That would be an awesome prize! Thank you so much Kathy for the opportunity to win some fantastic loot!
Anne Matthews says
Just beautiful Kathy. Those colored are gorgeous. Very inspiring.
Carol Mc says
Love the card. Such fabulous colors.
Amy Seigler says
I love this card! It’s absolutely Beautiful!!!
Jamie C says
Simply beautiful!!! That ripe persimmon is a beautiful color, I must get me some of that. 😉
Tracey Magner says
Hi Kathy, Beautiful Card, LOVE it. The first thing I thought of was your Butterfly board you did awhile ago, I had mine almost finished but we were suppose to move last year so it has been in storage for all this time, bummer cuz I could of had it done by now. Hopefully we will move this spring and I can get it back out and finished, that was such an awesome idea you had.
Susie Sonnier says
so pretty!
Beverly Jordan says
Love your card and water coloring with these inks. I don’t have own these beautifully colored distress inks except for the originals that came out like in 2004, Walnut, and antique photo. There’s just so much we can purchase and they weren’t one of them. Looks like they are on my “want” list now. Gorgeous effect!!
kathy says
That is just beautiful. O my goodness! just gorgeous. Thanks for sharing
Teresa says
O.M.G. Kathy, I can see why you are in love with that! That is BEAUTIFUL!!! I am going to try this today myself! Beautiful with the white embossing powder. And those butterflies???? STUNNING!
Bev says
I can’t stop staring at your card, it is just beautiful. The colors are luscious and make me want to do a happy dance.
Kathy Racoosin says
I want to see that dance Bev 😉
Bev says
I did do MY happy dance, but I’m sure it’s not something others would appreciate. LOL!
conil says
You really did replicate that Starbucks card. This is lovely. The softly colored butterflies and background are enchanting together.
Lisa l. says
Wow this is stunning!
TamiB says
Oh my gosh…that is SO PRETTY!! I love the background and can’t believe that when you add in all the butterfly die cuts they simply fly off the page! This is definitely something I want to try!
Susan G says
Very pretty. I really like how simple the process is. Thanks for the inspiration.
Linda Tupper says
Beautiful cards and backgrounds. I just love the watercolored butterflies. Great idea which I have to try too.
CindyK says
Wow! You certainly WERE inspired by that gift card! I don’t think you could have matched it better!! It looks awesome! So spring! This makes me want to take a longer look at what’s out there in the stores and shops. I get a lot of inspiration from shopping, but never thought to look at a gift card for inspiration. Great card!
Sheri K says
Beautiful Kathy! Love the butterflies and how gorgeous the background is. I hope your hubby is doing well–and doing his exercises!
Kathy Racoosin says
Thanks Sheri! He’s being a good patient! 🙂
Tammy says
Going to simply case this card. That’s all there is to it. I love it so much. It is gorgeous. And the colors are spot on awesome. Great job. TFS
Donna Dacy says
I love this card. I was wondering if you smooshed the ink on your craft sheet and wet your brush with water and added to dry paper or did you wet your paper and add the ink with the brush or did you wet the paper and brush and pick up the paint and carry it to the paper? Hope you understand my question. How clever to copy that gift card and you did it so well. Great idea .. great job. TFS
Kathy Racoosin says
Good question Donna. I lightly wet the paper with the brush before adding the smooched ink. I picked up the smooshed ink with a wet brush. Did that make sense? Thanks 🙂
Donna Dacy says
That answered my question. You do such lovely work and I cannot wait to see what comes next. Thanks for the answer.
barb macaskill says
LOVELOVELOVE this background! I used the distress inks and watercolored them on my mermaid card and LOVE the effect! I am going to have to do a background with them too! This is simply stunning!!
I have started buying the distress ink reinkers when they have them on Blitsy so that I can use them for watercoloring or to add them to my blank ink pads so I can make my own color palettes.
Barb Schmidt says
beautiful card, I am still trying to perfect my water colored backgrounds. Yours is great… Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Jean A Marmo says
This is just perfect! Love the white embossing!
Sharon Hayes says
Oh, Kathy! No wonder you are in love! Absolutely beautiful color! It gave me the shivers when I saw what you made with the distress inks. I want you to know how encouraged I feel about your color challenge. Knowing I will see you every day, makes me excited to color and prepare to see what you have made. You are such a generous inspiration to give your time and energy to encouraging others. Thank you.
Kathy Racoosin says
Thanks Sharon your support means so much to me … THANK YOU!! 🙂
Roxy says
Lol you are so adorable Kathy. I too am a big fan of those distress inks I think many are.. Your card is truly beautiful and goes right with the beautiful day here in Washington. Hope the rest of the day is as enjoyable as you are:)
Kathy Racoosin says
Awww that’s soooo sweet Roxy! Thanks 🙂
Shirley says
So neat…I’ve been looking at cold medicine boxes to get some coloring ideas. Beautiful card!
KT Fit Kitty says
Wow, this is gorgeous! So colourful! Sorry I haven’t been colouring every day but I love the inspiration here. So glad I found your blog! Thank you!
Terry DuMoulin says
This card is absolutely Stunning !!! Everyday you surprise and inspire me…. Thank you so Very Much for sharing your Beautiful talent…..
Erin Glee says
Your inspiration from the Starbucks gift card is right on!
I’m in love with Distress inks, too~ IN LOVE! I smoosh them onto my Craft Mat then smootch the Distress Ink pad with my lips~SMACK!
Kathy Racoosin says
Lol Erin 🙂 Love that lip SMACK!
Shelley C says
Love the bright, vibrant colors! Am loving the color challenge, even though I’m not posting anything!! Learning so much, and can’t decide what I want to play with. There isn’t enough time in the day!!
Sue D says
Gorgeous colors!
Sherry B says
Golly Kathy, I cannot tell you how much I have learned from you and the embossing with distress inks is one of my favorite lessons learned. I recently made a card with the Flutter By stamp set and embossed the flowers and leaves, then colored them in pinks and yellows. It’s one of my favorite cards. Thank you again. Believe in your dreams,
Kathy Racoosin says
Yay Sherry 🙂
Mary-Anne V. says
Wow! Love how you took inspiration from the GC..so so pretty!
Amanda Christensen says
Gorgeous card! I love this stamp set so much. The butterflies look like stained glass the way you painted them. I’ve been inspired by Starbuck’s gift cards, too. Don’t they have the neatest designs?
Kathy Racoosin says
Yes they do!! If you ask they might give you one…they have given me one every time I ask ;0
Joan VanCourt says
Oh, those butterflies are beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Joyce says
Wow! I absolutely love the background. You have inspired me to try this technique. I must get that stamp set. I also love the Happy Easter card underneath. Where did you get the Easter egg stamps?
Kathy Racoosin says
Lol Joyce you gave me a well needed chuckle…thanks!! The Happy Easter card you can find at Starbucks! I saw their gift card and wanted to make one similar. So glad you liked it. 🙂
Aileen Ryan says
Kathy, do you know this challenge has been like going to class and learning and seeing so many exciting things every day. Already day 23 and of course my favourite two things in the world butterflies and watercoloring. absolutely beautiful card, so have to do this. I don’t know what I am going to do when this challenge ends, I have enjoyed every minute of it.
Kathy Racoosin says
Ohhhh Aileen thanks so very much that means the world to me. I have a sneaky feeling that I will be doing it again. Thanks for making my night 🙂
Marilyn Beaumont says
I love this card. I am very partial to butterfly anything but your interpretation is lovely. Love the white embossing and the vibrant colors!
Julie Brusman says
Beautiful card! Yet another thing to try. I learn so much from you. Thanks for sharing.
Nancee Purdum says
Wow Kathy! That is so pretty and looks so easy! I just might have to try it! 🙂
Caroline B. says
You just never know from where inspiration is going to strike… Some of my most satisfying designs have been CASEs from commercial artwork. These butterflies are beautiful! they look like stained glass!
sherry butcher says
Wonderful card, love the colors, the butters flies and you make it sound so simple. TFS.
Rufus says
Oh my, this is so pretty! Love the watercolory-ness (like my new word?!) of this!! I tried a new idea today, didn’t come out to well…but it was still fun playing. Maybe I can perfect it tomorrow. Thanks for sharing all this color inspiration!
Robyn Grogan says
Love the dimensional butterflies! So pretty!
Brithzi says
Fabulous! Gorgeous! WOW! What else can I say, oh yeah Beautiful card. You always amaze me. Love the stamp set-don’t have it so I’ll have to see what I do have on hand and try this out.
Linda F says
Kathy I can see why you love this – its absolutely gorgeous. I really love how the background came up.
Isabel says
Love all your work Kathy! Photo Bomb and Potted Pretties are my favorite sets for this release. Thanks for the chance
Missy O says
Oh my goodness! I love your work and love the photo bomb set! I love photography so that set is right up my alley!
Ben Williams says
Awesome card! I would love to win, thanks Mama Elephant for the generous prize! If I won, My favorites would be the Ella and Friends and the Potted Pretties, for sure! Thanks again!!
jengd says
Gorgeous card Kathy! I LOVE the smooshing on this- I’ll definitely need to give that a try.
Pam says
That card looks like it was made for that gift card! Oh yeah, it was. Just gorgeous!
Kay M says
Looking at this again. Just lovely. …beautiful!
Linda K says
This is so beautiful.
Becky Green says
HOW PRETTY KATHY!!!!!!!!! You did a GREAT JOB using your inspiration piece! 😉
Anne from France says
This must be one of the most beautiful and inspirational cards that I have ever seen. I don’t have distress inks so I am going to see what I can do with what I have and try this out! Our young son adores butterflies and colour, so I want to make something for him like this! Thank you so much!
Kathy Racoosin says
Really?? Oh my thanks for saying that…wow!! Thank YOU! 🙂
Marjeta says
This is gorgeous. Just love such colourful cards.
Marjeta
Angie Hall says
Great project today and wonderful prize pack. Thanks a bunch.
Sara G says
Beautiful card!
melissa T. says
Awesome Sauce!! woo hoo!
HanksMom says
The Photo Bomb stamp set is my favorite!
Your coloring is my favorite too!
Thank you for the opportunity!
Cheers!
Effie says
This is SO pretty!!
Milka says
OMG!!! This is so so pretty!!! 😀 Kathy, you rock! 😀
Gabbe says
So gorgeous- totally one of my faves! I can’t wait to try this technique!!
Jessica H. says
What a gorgeous card!!! Love how you were inspired by a gift card!!! =)
Marisela Delgado says
Wow, Kathy! I LOVE how your background paper turned out. You make it all look so easy when my projects look like kindergarten art work. (ha,ha) Awesome card! Thanks for the inspiration (as always) and for the great tips/ideas. FABULOSO! Hermosa tarjeta! =)
Laura Paperctus says
This is a must try for sure….I too have been doing a lot of white embossing then coloring. I tend to stay clear of those colors…but they look great. Off I go….
Eileen says
Wow, love this! And I am a huge Starbucks fan myself. 🙂
Carol says
Just want to say that …” you inspire me”! Thanks for your helpful hints throughout the series Kathy.
Rebeca says
I love it. It’s so cute.