“Just like the butterfly, I too will awaken in my own time.” - Deborah Chaskin. Butterflies have long been a symbol of change and beauty. I have heard people refer to butterflies as a current trend in scrapbooking. But I think they are always in. Scrapbookers love butterflies! We find butterflies on our patterned papers, in our stamp sets, and in just about any form of embellishment for sale. The real beauty of butterflies for us crafters is in the limitless possibilities. We can use them on any kind of project, for any topic. We can use them for girls or we can use them for boys. And they are always a beautiful addition to any scrapbook page.

Start by using just one butterfly on your page, like in “All Girl” or use several butterflies and have them fly across the page like in “Let Your Imagination Take Flight.” Your butterflies can be big or small. In my layout, I used big butterflies. Don’t be afraid to change things up and step a bit out of your comfort zone.

Don’t Blink by Pamela Young

Supplies: Paper, Pearls: Prima Marketing, Cardstock: American Crafts, Alphabet Stickers: October Afternoon, Ink: Stampin’ Up!, Specialty Ink: Tattered Angels, Pen: Sharpie, Floss: DMC, Wood: Studio Calico, Adhesive: Helmar. Tools: Stamp: Tattered Angels.

Design Notes: That large butterfly is a stamp from Tattered Angels. I stamped it on cardstock and then cut it out. I had already done this once for another project and after cutting my second butterfly out of the cardstock I realized that it would be fun to use the cardstock like that—with two cut out butterflies. So I added paper behind it and used it on my layout! I love the way it turned out. And for another fun touch…I added my journaling around the cut out butterfly.

Journaling: Every so often I stop and look at you and I can’t believe you are already almost seven! Where has the time gone?

All Girl by Casey Wright

Supplies: Paper: Little Yellow Bicycle, BasicGrey, Alphabet Stickers: KI Memories, Transparency: Hambly Studios, Stickers: BasicGrey, Ribbon, Pens: American Crafts, Bling: Kaisercraft, Eyelets: Making Memories, Ink: Autumn Leaves, Bingo Card: Jenni Bowlin Studio. Tools: Punches: EK Success, Family Treasures, Border Punches: Fiskars, Stamp: Office Depot, Hole Punch: We R Memory Keepers.

Design Notes: I'm always looking for fun ways to switch up my traditional pages. When I saw the Jenny Bowlin "Girl" Bingo Card, I knew that it would be a fun element to incorporate into my title.

Journaling: Is it possible for you to be any cuter than you are right now? Your little personality continues to amaze me in so many ways. And one thing is definite - you are ALL GIRL! You really love your little baby that you carry around and I'm afraid you've got a bit of your Mommy in you - you don't seem to be afraid of being a little drama queen!

Let Your Imagination Take Flight by Natalie Elphinstone

Supplies: Paper: My Mind's Eye, Cardstock: Die Cuts With a View, Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts, Jenni Bowlin Studio, AdornIt (Carolee's Creations), Software: Adobe Photoshop CS3, Font: Peabody. Tools:  Die Cut and Embossing Machine, Dies, Embossing Folders: Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Other: sewing machine.

Design Notes: I used die-cut butterflies embossed in different textures for some quick and easy embellishments. I attached them to the page by sewing them down the middle, and folded their wings back up to add more dimension and create more movement.

Journaling: Your imagination is your preview of life's coming attractions -Albert Einstein