Hero Arts "Tic Tac Toe" Challenge & Addicted to CAS #65: Butterflies

Hello, friends!  Just stopping by today with a set of cards I made for the current Hero Arts "Tic Tac Toe" Challenge!  The challenge runs for the month of June, so there is plenty of time to play!

I was totally inspired to play when I saw THIS card by Donna Mikasa, my card-making idol!  :)
I decided to make a variety of cards using the diagonal combination of:
 heat embossing - birthday theme - watercolor.

My set of cards is clean and simple, with one main image, lots of open space, and no layers or embellishments.  Therefore, I am also playing along at the current Addicted to CAS Challenge #65: Butterfly

I used the same butterfly image, embossed, watercolored and fussy cut, on a variety of stamped backgrounds in a variety of colors.  I know I can definitely use a stash of birthday cards for all genders and ages...and these are it!

Here is the set of cards all together:

Here are the steps I followed.

First, I stamped and embossed the butterflies using Versamark ink and white embossing powder on watercolor paper.  I watercolored using Tim Holtz distress inks smooshed on a kraft mat and spritzed with water.

Once dry, I spritzed with Perfect Pearls Mist for some shimmer.

Next, I stamped the card bases with a variety of Hero Arts background stamps and sentiments.  Finally, I fussy-cut the butterflies and added antennas, etc.  I glued down the butterfly bodies but popped up the wings with some foam tape for a little dimension but not too much bulk.

Here are the cards one by one:

All Hero Arts Stamps Used:

Butterflies (CG130)
Good Friends

Sending Smiles

Truly Appreciated

Envelope Pattern

Lattice

Large Canvas Stripes

Delicate Flowers

Thanks, Donna, for inspiring me!
Thanks, Hero Arts, for making such classic, timeless, awesome stamps!

Have a great day,
Judy