Butterfly Arch

By: Von Pappe II
June 4, 2015

Learn how you can create this beautiful mixed media butterfly wall hanging.

Items needed:

• DecoArt Media Mediums and Specialty Products - Gesso - White
• Americana Decor Varnishes 4oz - Ultra Matte
• DecoArt Media Mediums and Specialty Products - Crackle Paste - White
• DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics - Cobalt Turquoise Hue
• DecoArt Media Antiquing Creams - Raw Umber
• DecoArt Media Antiquing Creams - Titanium White
• DecoArt Media Misters - Shimmer Turquoise
• Americana Decou-Page (Glue-Sealer-Finish) 8oz - Americana Decou-Page Matte
• Metallic Lustre 1oz - Iced Espresso
• Corrugated card (two sizes)
• Greyboard
• Old dictionary page
• Die cutting machine, arch cutting die
• Spray bottle
• Piece of bark
• Butterfly image
• Scissors
• Craft knife
• Cutting mat
• Metal ruler
• Baby wipes
• Rusty wire
• Cutting and round nose pliers
• Soft brush
• Palette knife
• Clothes pins
• Archival stamping ink - black
• Label stamp

Instructions:

Die cut at least four layers for your arch frame: one from greyboard, two to three from thinner corrugated card and one from thick corrugated card. 

Tear most of the upper layer off the thickest piece of corrugated card. Use tweezers to help poke and lift the card off 

Cut similar openings into all arches (except the one cut from the greyboard).

Cut a piece of dictionary page to size so it fits with the opening. 

Glue the thinner layers of corrugated card on top of the greyboard frame piece and glue the dictionary page in place using DecoArt's matte Decou-Page glue and sealant. Make sure the flaps are glued on as well!

'Then glue the thickest corrugated card frame on top (thus hiding the flaps from the dictionary page) and fix with cloths pins until the glue has dried.

Paint the frame's top and outer sides with white Gesso and let dry. The Gesso also works as a sealant which is important for the next step!

Once the Gesso has dried, generously apply some white Crackle Paste with a palette knife and a brush in random places on your frame. Make sure you work some of it into the crevices of the corrugated card and let dry (best leave it to dry overnight as some spots will be covered with a rather thick coat of Crackle Paste)

Brush on some Raw Umber Antiquing Cream (with a project of this size some drops will do as it spreads very easily) and make sure it is worked well into the cracks! Let dry.

Then wipe off the excess with a baby wipe. You can repeat these steps as often as you need to to get the desired look.

Before you continue, make sure you seal your piece with two sprayed on coats of diluted Ultra-Matte Varnish (otherwise the Antiquing Cream will reactivate or slightly keep coming off during time). You can easily create your own spray-on sealant by mixing equal parts of varnish and water. Shake well before each use!

Then use the matte Decou-Page to glue everything in place. 

Cut two short pieces of rusty wire to size and bend into shape as desired. 

Using the pliers dip their ends into the matte Decou-Page and insert them to the sides of your finished arch frame.

You're done!