In the undergrowth by Alison (butterfly)

Hello everyone, Alison (butterfly) here.  I'm sharing a hanging today, inspired mainly by Katy Fox's beautiful flower from her Encycopaedia Botanica set.

Even though that's the main image, I'm pretty taken with the background behind it, so what's underneath - in the undergrowth - is also part of the story here.  Links to all the ingredients are at the foot of the post.

I started with one of the papier-mâché hanging boards or icons, and used Tim's wrinkle-free distress technique with Distress Paints to create my background.  I wanted natural colour tones - earth, sky, soil, water.

Once I was happy with the paint, I blended Broken China Distress Ink through the Crafter's Workshop harlequin stencil and then clear embossed it.  I love the translucent watery effect of this.

I layered in some stamping - using stamps from Insects and Butterflies, Botanical Plate #1 (both in Coffee Archival) and Calligraphic Mat #4 (in Broken China DI).

The main image is stamped separately on white cardstock.  I tore the edges and inked it for a vintage look.  I also added some splatters of ink for a slightly more distressed effect - loved doing this for my version of TH's June tag - I'm thinking you'll see it again.

I mounted it on padded tape to add dimensionality to the piece.

As always, I carried the inking, embossing and stamping over onto the edges of the board, so that you get a lovely dimensional look.

And because the stamps, inks and paints seemed to me to be doing a pretty good job, I put away the various embellishments I'd got out, leaving the piece unadorned to speak for itself.

I hope you like it... Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Don't forget there's still a week to join in with our Makes For Men challenge here at Artistic Stamper - we'd love to see you there.  See you again soon.

Artistic Stamper Stamps: Katy Fox Encyclopaedia Botanica, Botanical Plate #1, Insects and Butterflies, Calligraphic Mat #4
Distress Paints: Broken China, Salty Ocean, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
Distress Inks: Broken China, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
Archival Ink: Coffee
Papier-mâché icon, large
Clear embossing powder
Crafter's Workshop Mini Harlequin Template