Paisley Lace Parchment Craft Butterfly

Oh my goodness have I been busy!!  Not all the busy time has been fun, or good, but very busy none the less.  Now it's time to get things back to 'normal' and begin to make another addition to the "Gypsy Collection" AND do another "Perga-Zen" project AND do a few more Christmas cards (almost done with my personal cards.....YEAH!!)  This post isn't going to be about any of those things though....lol  This time we are going to spend some time with a very beautiful "Paisley Lace Butterfly".

Paisley Lace Butterfly #2

Now, this beauty is a full 8" X 8" wall decoration and, yes, it is yet another collection I'm working on!!!  These butterflies are created as flourishes in my photo editing program and there will be several different "Paisley Lace Butterflies" (all designed to be wall decorations) in the actual collection when complete, however.......this butterfly is especially for all you wonderful readers who would like to give it a try :))

Paisley Lace Butterfly Pattern #2 - FREE

 

This butterfly is the second wall decoration in the collection and I'm sharing it here with everyone....for FREE!!  The design contains LOTS of very delicate embossing AND even more very delicate cutting so go slow and you won't break any of the long tendril bridges that surround the butterfly :))  

TOOLS REQUIRED:

Pergamano white tracing pencil OR mapping pen/white Tinta ink

Pergamano single needle and two needle perforating tools

Pergamano embossing tools....various ball sizes

Pergamano parchment craft snips or scissors

Pergamano rubber embossing pad
Pergamano thick foam perforating mat

WORKING INSTRUCTIONS:

Download and save the pattern to your local drive.  Print the pattern out at FULL SIZE on standard printer paper. I always advise downloading (and printing) the completed sample, for reference, while working the pattern.  Prior to tracing the pattern to parchment paper, wipe down BOTH sides of the parchment with a tumble dryer sheet.  This will make your embossing tools glide very smoothly!!  

**TIP:  Cut the dryer sheet into four strips (fold sheet in half and cut then fold each of those strips in half again and cut.  You will have six strips that are much more manageable than a full sheet....and will last a lot longer as well**  

Now, with low tack tape, secure the parchment paper over the pattern and begin tracing with either white pencil or mapping pen/white ink.  **Suggestion:  This design would also be stunning with the paisley flourish areas traced with mapping pen/gold ink and the remainder of the tracing with mapping pen/white ink.** 

Remember though....this is 'your' butterfly, so look carefully at the pattern before you begin and decide how 'you' want it to look when it's completed :))

When tracing is complete, remove parchment from pattern and turn over.  Place parchment on a rubber embossing pad and using a variety of  embossing ball tools, emboss the complete pattern.  Refer often to the completed butterfly for visual assistance as needed!!

Next we are ready to begin perforating.  This will prepare your project for all the cutting that will come next.  Perforate with a two needle tool around the complete outside butterfly border.  **Warning:  Be very careful to perforate the tendril bridges wide enough so as not to endanger them breaking when you begin cutting**  Again, refer to the completed butterfly for visual assistance.

Last step....finally!!!  Using snips or Pergamano scissors, begin cutting around the entire perforated, outside border of the butterfly.  Go SLOW...Be PATIENT!!  Hurrying the process along, at this point, will be the downfall of all your hard work......I guarantee it!!  

This project is extremely delicate and must be handled throughout the project accordingly.  The final piece of advise I will share concerns the cutting.   Before beginning to cut the perforated outside border of the butterfly.....with decoupage scissors OR standard small paper cutting scissors, CAREFULLY cut, FROM THE TOP/BOTTOM/LEFT/RIGHT CENTER EDGES, of the parchment paper, down to where it meets a perforated hole.  When completed, all the parchment paper, AROUND the butterfly, will be divided into four sections.  Again, because the project is so very delicate, this technique will lessen the burden of having a lot of parchment paper hanging from the butterfly areas that have been cut!!  When the 1/4 area has been cut completely....remove it immediately and begin cutting the next 1/4 area of the butterfly.  Repeat this process on the remaining sections and always be very aware of how fragile this project really is!!  

As always, anyone who takes on this project is welcome to share it right here in the Guest Gallery!!  Simply send it right back here to the blog, and I'll share it with all the wonderful readers who stop by for a visit :))  

Happy Parching!!