Finding some shade in the Butterfly Valley

The first few days of our holiday were really scorching, it reached 36c on the Thursday. My Hb and I like hot weather but even for us this was a little too hot. We decided to hire a car and head up to the Butterfly Valley which is 5km from Theologos. This place is just a perfect spot to visit and the 1.5km steep walk uphill to the view point is really worth it. In addition to the wonder of the butterflies (which are actually a variety of the Panaxia moth) there are lizards, freshwater crabs and beautiful foliage to see in the dappled shade.

This is near to the entrance and as you walk into the valley you become aware that there are literally millions of butterflies inside.

They are on every surface

rocks,

tree trunks

even under the walkways and bridges.
The water flowing through the valley really cools everything down and is delightful to hear

and in the rockpools which it forms are lots of freshwater crabs

and of course where you find water and butterflies you will always find..

We made our way up the steep climb to the wonderful view point where the valley opens up again.

We sat in the shade of a tree and absorbed this wonderful view. After resting our legs we then made our way back down.

Now I will share a photo which I took about a month ago in my kitchen. My Hb called me as he was so shocked to see what was on the ceiling...

 I zoomed in and was so amazed to see this....I am sure it is the same variety.

Do you think it had flown all the way from Rhodes to remind us to pay them a visit ;0) 

My card for today just has to be butterfly inspired doesn't it. This is a card I made for a commission as a get well card. 

It features one of the first LOTV stamps I ever bought, Dandelion Clock Girl and it is still one of my favourites. 

Here she is in close up

I coloured her with my Promarkers and highlighted with Prismacolor pencils. I made my sky with pastel chalk and a cloud die template. I also coloured the grass. I added some bling to her wings and dandelions with glamour dust. The pretty border is a Martha Stewart punch as are all the butterflies I punched out of glitter card. I even found a little dragonfly charm. The tags are also LOTV.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

I love Promarkers anything goes

Divas by Design anything goes

The ABC challenge V for very cute

Cute Card Thursdays fairies

Simon says stamp celebrate the small and large Monarch butterfly punches are both for sale in the shop

Country View Crafts Layers

 Crafts to Challenge you Texture, twist 2, add something shiney My textures are the punched border, the embossed backing paper and round, embossed die cuts and the Baker's twine. The shiney additions are the glamour dust and the glitter card I have used for the butterflies

Crafty Cardmakers things with wings

Tuesday Throwdown Things with wings

Oldie but a Goodie Dies\punches my round dies are from last Christmas and my MS punches are at least 2 yrs old now!

Sparkles Monthly challenge Fairies and/or butterflies

The sunshine seems to be making a come back for the weekend but there is a definite autumnal feel in the air and the nights really are drawing in. We're off to see my darling daughter and our SIL today and I will be able to hug that baby bump too. Enjoy the weekend and thanks as always for visiting me here.

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x