Monday 5 August 2013

Valley of the Butterflies

Many years ago, on a first trip to the island of Rhodes, I visited a breathtakingly beautiful place known as The Valley of the Butterflies (or Petaloudes).

The wooded valley is inhabited by literally millions of Jersey Tiger Moths in the months between July and September. When I was there we had to speak in whispers and very occasionally our guide would blow a little whistle whereupon it seemed as if the bark of the trees which was covered with resting moths literally came to life and fluttered around us in beautiful swathes of rusty orange coloured wings. Sadly I believe that too many visitors and not enough consideration over the energy these lovely creatures use when disturbed have changed the moth population's survival rate :(

I was thinking about the valley yesterday after we'd been sat sitting in the garden marvelling at the huge number of butterflies fluttering round the buddleias and the idea for this card just popped into my mind:

I used:

- cream card stock, folded tent style with one corner rounded

- SU 'Early Espresso' card, embossed with Tim Holtz folder 'Woodgrain'

- a snippet of twine

- 3 butterflies die cut using butterfly dies Memory Box, the solid one is 'Isabella' and the matching 'lacy' one is 'Pippi' - a snippet of terracotta patterned paper was used for the solid wings and a snippet of plain toning terracotta card for the lacy part and body/antenna

- sentiment is Elzybells, stamped using Brilliance 'Pearlescent Chocolate'

 
This is part of the walk through the valley, courtesy of Wikipedia.

Edit: Just spotted a challenge of at Chocolate, Coffee and Cards - this is the inspiration photo:
 
It sort of rocked me on my heels after what I'd written here today - I have the tree bark, butterfly plus the brown and terracotta on my card so I'm going to join in :)

Di
x

19 comments:

  1. It's so funny I love butterflies and most birds too except when they fly near me - I absolutely freak out, no idea why lol!
    Please don't let the naughty one know cos you know she'll chase me round the playground all blooming week again and I will revert to hiding under your desk!
    Beautiful card, love the butterflies and I love the wood textured card too Karen x

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  2. We have had a beautiful selection of butterflies also Di. Love how you have used these, and the sentiment on the rounded corner. xx Flora

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  3. I love buterflies Di so this card really appeals to me.....there are loads in our gargen this year too.
    Now Michelle on the other hand really is terrified of them going anywhere near her....and she blames us for taking her to butterfly world when she was little! :-) :-) :-) oops!
    Hugs,
    A x

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  4. Fabulous card Di, the butterflies look like they are resting on the tree bark. The moth experience sounds wonderful and such a shame that they are now in decline. I visited Ibiza many moons ago and the walk from the hotel to the beach was through a tree grove, there was always lots of buzzing which we thought was overhead cables but one night there was a rustle and a huge flock( only word I can think of) of beetles flew out of the trees, a sigh to behold but not as magical as I hate bugs lol and these were huge lol. Hugs, Amanda x

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  5. Simply stylish and stunning Di. X

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  6. Isn't it great when inspiration strikes! Lovely card Di.

    Chuckling at Karen P's comment!

    xxxx

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  7. Gorgeous card Di and a beautiful memory. Love the bark textured background.
    Hugs
    Caz x

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  8. Fabulous card
    have a great new week
    hugs Tamara

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  9. That must have been an awesome sight! Love how you've placed the butterflies on the tree trunk! They wrote that challenge just for you I think!

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  10. This is gorgeous Di. I call that serendipity to your face (more jam than Hartleys to your back!).
    Love Karen's comment. Who is the naughty one? The other chikkin of mine?
    Hugs
    xx

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  11. So pretty! Love the butterflies...so glad you joined us for the CC&CC Color Challenge!

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  12. Beautiful butterflies Miss. Go you with the challenge. Hugs Mrs a.

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  13. Lovely card and hope it wins for you

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  14. Love butterflies Di and your card is fab! Hope you have a wonderful time with Maureen!!! LOL huggles Sue xxx

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  15. Good luck with the challenge, looks like your entry is spot on.

    Kath x

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  16. Lovely card - your butterflies are beautiful. Loved reading about the Valley of Butterflies, it's such a shame that people are once again responsible for the spoiling of what must have been the perfect environment for them. Good luck with that challenge. Hugs, Elizabeth xx

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  17. Enjoyed your story of the butterflies, and really liked your take on the card. Inspired idea to use the tree bark background with these lovely little creatures,and your curving the corner was a pretty detail. TFS

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