Tutorial ~Rusty Butterflies~

Hi all!  I promised you a tutorial on my rusty butterfly, so here you go! This is what your finished product should look like.

 I used this butterfly on my latest page called "Lil Cowgirl".  I added some pearls for the body and a piece of Prima pearl flourish for the trail!

 Supplies needed: white die cut butterfly,[I used my Martha Stewart punch] Vintage Photo distress stain/ink, Aged Mahogany Distress Embossing Powder, Distress Embossing Ink, tray or paper, tweezers, heat resistant mat, and heat gun.

Apply a light to medium coat of the Vintage Photo to your butterflies.

Cover the butterflies first with the Embossing Ink, then place in the tray and cover generously with the Embossing powder.  Make sure you shake the Distress embossing powder first to distribute the release crystals evenly before you apply to the butterflies.

lightly tap off the excess embossing powder from the butterflies. Hold the butterfly with your tweezers so you don't burn yourself.  Heat the embossing powder till it darkens and takes on a very light sheen.  You can't burn this stuff, so don't be scared to heat it good!

 Let the butterfly cool and then with your finger gently rub the butterfly to release the crystals that are supposed to be removed, giving it that distressed look.

If you want, you can add more Vintage Photo on top of the distress powder.  I did for these particular butterflies as I felt I hadn't put enough the first time.  There you go!  You now have Rusty Butterflies!!  I really like how the Aged Mahogany Distress Powder gives it a deeper, richer color!


Let me know if you use this technique as I would love to see you use it! Obviously it works for much more than butterflies.  I see it being used for keys, locks, hinges and even flowers!  Thanks for stopping by!
  Hugs,