WE'RE ALMOST THERE

This week has been a flurry of rush. Strain on the lower back because I had to reach the center of this LOL and viewing this piece on my dining room table for the last time before it goes on my living room wall for it's final pieces 

to be anchored on it.

There's mixed emotions on finishing this; it's given me something to do in my manic moments and yet I'm relieved that it's almost finished. 

The butterfly in the center is 9 inches at it's widest part, laser cut to perfection. I found the shape on Etsy and once it got here I spray painted it with glossy white paint and since there were two, fixed them together for a 3D effect. I'm going to be adding some crystals to it in keeping with the 'bling' feel. I also picked up it's 'brothers' and 'sisters' all in rainbow colors to add to the top. They'll all have crystals on them, and be anchored with wire from the back, curly cueing out for an awesome "pop in your face" kind of look.

Once completed with will also have large flowers on green wire anchored from the bottom back, in an arch pattern that will pop from the bottom sides to give you a feeling like you are standing in the garden looking through an opening.

This has been such a journey.

If you'd like to see a slideshow on this piece click on this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojUnvoT73hQ&feature=plcp

To see more cool handmade items from the Etsy shop I found the laser etched butterflies from visit

http://www.etsy.com/shop/EtchedinTimeLLC?ref=pr_shop_more

ARTPRIZE 2012 is a little less than a month away. You'd think I would be sick of paper but naw, still love working with all the shapes and sizes, colors and then setting an Australian crystal on each piece.

It's beginning to get harder and harder to go to my day job the closer I get to finishing this piece.
When I finish I will have put in countless hours, thousands of butterflies and flowers and hundreds of crystals. Many thanks go to a handful of friends that have given me encouragement along with sought after opinions but none more encouraging than my dear husband, Geoff. He has watched me painstakingly deal with every step I've had to make on this project, and ever so lovingly told me when I did something that just sucked. LOL I'm gonna dedicate this piece to you, Geoff...thanks for telling me the truth when I needed to hear it.

muah!!!

The Next Step Toward ARTPRIZE

The Next Step...I can't begin to describe the feeling when I saw the outcome of the terrific paint I got from JoAnn's, called Glimmer Mist. Tattered Angels is the company that produces this exciting new paint and has many tutorials on Youtube on how to apply it. First gently move the bottle in a circular motion to mix it, never wanting to shake it, you don't want bubbles in this...then you spray it onto your surface then place Saran Wrap over top and bunch it up a bit with your finger tips. You will begin to see a mosaic pattern. Let this dry, it took my piece over night before it was completely dried.

I took the plastic wrap off this morning, and then took three pictures.

Here is the blue section, I wish my camera could have picked up the shine. It's really interesting. Of course this will be the sky where the butterflies will take over, to form a rainbow...I'm going to also add some off the canvas like they are going to join the rest of the butterflies to take part in the color fest haha.

I have to say here that the green turned out quite nice, but most of it will be covered in flowers.

Now to begin the arduous task of adding thousands of pieces of paper to this project where there will be more pictures to follow.

I need to find just the right kind of glue, one that doesn't stain, give up in the heat, that will stick to canvas and not soak through the paper. Today is a work day...No. Today is a PLAY DAY. :)

Here's a little glimpse into what is to come...

A DRAWERING (LOL) OF MY ARTPRIZE "HOPE BUTTERFLY"

Hello! I thought it best to catch up on my blogging so decided to begin with a sketch of my entry for ARTPRIZE. The flowers have been taking on a life of their own as I am getting ready to attach them to the canvas. A lot of these will be on long green wire, curly cuing throughout the piece mostly coming from the bottom. There will be some directly placed on the canvas and also attached to the back winding hither and yon (I've always wanted to use that phrase haha) around other paper flowers and insects cascading upward toward the base of each side of the butterfly rainbow.
The butterflies will be of the correct colors of the rainbow but some will be printed paper, some solid and attached will be crystal beads to the backs of the butterflies for that added bling feel.
I thought it would be fun to have small crystals, resembling raindrops dangling off the top in front of the piece. In doing so when the sun shines it will scatter beautiful sparkles of light across the front delivering just the right touch. But we'll see. These are my thoughts, would love to hear from you.

Something New

Hello, glad you found your way! My Butterfly Heaven has been working hard to come up with creative ways to help you express yourself in your home and office through unique ideas for your walls, desks, tables, and gift boxes or bags. As an expression of my thanks I'd like to offer you a special discount when you come to My Butterfly Heaven.  Type in BlogginButterfly in the coupon code box and check out and receive FREE SHIPPING! This is just my way of saying Thank You for following me on my newly designed blog. I have also done some custom work for art lovers, so if you have anything that you are thinking of let me know and together we'll come up with the piece that will fit perfectly in your home or office.

Origami paper flower heart banner with 5 origami hearts on pink cotton string. Great for any birthday party or above a little childs bed. Hearts are tied with a bow to each other and measures 14 inches long with 4 inches on each side for tying.

for more shopping funhttp://www.mybutterflyheaven.etsy.com

Large 3D Flower Embellishment Sticker 2 has been made with multi color paper; blue and yellow pinks and greens, a stack of paper flowers cut out by hand; 3 triple 3d bees made from yellow and black paper seem to be looking for pollon on the front. There is a pretty daisy on the front for just the right touch and it measures 7inches in diameter and is about 1/2 inch thick in the middle. This will come with 2 adhesive stickies on the back for secure placement.

Lacy Butterfly Tags 2 Inch Citrus Pack are teal, yellow, white, apricot colors, with stripes, flowers, and other prints. Cotton string attached for tying; These are double butterflies, plain on the bottom, lacy butterfly on the top for a cool 3D effect. You will receive one dozen of these, and note they are not all the same. Very fun, write a note on the back, dress up your package, leave a cute note in your kids lunch box...the uses are endless.       

Office Butterflies in Flight For The Real Man is a piece I've done to show how most will follow and stay inside the box with our thinking and feelings...but there are those that stand on their own and think outside the box. Those are they that excel and succeed.

This measures 11 X 13 with the picture being 7 1/2 X 5 1/2 not counting that individual thinker...

This is mostly teal with some white, green and some small amounts of yellow. Dark recycled frame with a touch of goldtone makes this piece perfectly handsome for any office.       

This is just one option for a custom order. And those ideas
are as broad as your imagination!

One of my shop sections include beaded bookmarks and you can see them here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/mybutterflyheaven?section_id=7899073

Thanks for stopping by, and if you wish, I welcome anyone that loves art. Choose to follow my blog, send me your address and I'd love to send you a thank you gift just for being here.

I started off this day with the thought of how fun it would be to relax. Not gonna happen. There are just too many things in my head that won't let me rest. First and foremost; I have to create.

I love it, it makes me happy, but the older I get my body tells me to slow down. Interestingly enough it's still tickin' even after all the stuff I put it through on a daily basis. I would love to share with you some of the new things you will find in my Etsy shop and down at the market, Fulton and Fuller, Sundays, 11am to 3pm in Grand Rapids, MI. Here's a preview if you haven't already visited.