Diamond Lattice Thank You Card

Finally had the chance to make a card using this beautiful and intricate diamond lattice cut file created and shared by Linda on her blog, Just for Sharing. Linda generously shares this and many other awesome cut files she has created on her blog. If you own Design Studio and decide to download any of these files while visiting her site, please be sure to leave a comment to thank her!

The original idea for the design of this card comes from Cricut Message board member, DC Scrapper here. The elegant card she created was actually a sympathy card, but it's so pretty, I thought it could be used for any occasion. Wanted to try and make one too but unfortunately, mine didn't turn out anywhere close to looking as good as hers!

The 3 dimensional effect with the folded butterfly wings is something I've seen on many cards recently, but never had the desire to try because I always figured it was an effect that would be lost once the card was flattened and squeezed into an envelope and went through the postal system. Or, at least so I thought until I read a very cool trick from Susan on her blog. She very innovatively figured out a way to use heavy gauge plastic (like the kind used to package merchandise at Costco that's almost impossible to cut open) to keep those wings popped out no matter how much it gets pressed down. Cutting small rectangular pieces of this type of heavy plastic, folding them in half and attaching to the center back of both wings assures that your butterfly, fairy, angel and dragonfly wings will always pop back into the "flying position". Very cool indeed. Susan's detailed instructions complete with photos are here.

Used Bazzill Luster from the metallic line for the base of this card. Used Cricut to cut the butterflies (Home Accents) and the vine (Stretch Your Imagination); and swirls on inside of card are from Quickutz. Gold vellum used for all gold accents. Front panel of the card is Bazzill Bling Diamond cardstock run through the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder. Thank you sentiment is a rubber stamp from Dandelion Designs.