Friday 20 September 2013

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

24 comments:

  1. I wasn't sure on what to comment on first, if at the beautiful photos of your holiday or at the gorgeous and sweet card you made !!! I never heard of the Butterfly Valley, it looks just where I would like to go for a holiday too :) thank you for sharing and your card is a real sweetie, love the pretty colors and all the gorgeous butterflies. Thank you for joining us at I ♥ Promarkers this week and good luck xx :) Wishing you a lovely weekend xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh it definitely had to be a butterfly card today Jane, a very pretty one too!
    That really is a fascinating place, absolutely teeming with wildlife. Well done on photographing the little lizards, I know in the south of France they are very difficult to get because they scurry off!
    Moths are very beautiful creatures in very many cases more so than butterflies . The one in your kitchen definitely looks the same, maybe there's a whole family of them living with you, they maybe came back from your last trip in your suitcase! ;)
    Happy weekend my friend, enjoy that bump!:)
    V xxx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Beautiful photographs Jane...I always love your pics of Butterfly Valley...it's such a magical place! I've just been catching up on your last post and I'm dreaming of sitting on that balcony now with the stunning view (must say I love the pretty paper and butterfly tag you made for Hb too..it's so pretty Jane!)
    Your Kewpie bookmark and the Old School one are both fab...I'm sure they would be a winner in your Etsy shop!!
    Happy Weekend,
    Susan x

    ReplyDelete
  4. fabulous image and gorgeous card and yes it flew from Rome to your little house as yes looks a dead ringer
    Hugs Kate xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. The holiday photos are fab - as is your gorgeous card. It's beautifully coloured and looks great with the little butterflies. Thanks for joining us at. Crafty Cardmakers this time. Cxx

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a wonderful place, Jane - thanks so much for showing it to us! Love your sweet butterfly card, too! So glad you joined us at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm amazed at that butterfly park.. I wonder what draws them there? And to see one in your house, maybe it hid away in your suitcase? Love your card.. hug the bump for me! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Jane! It looks just amazing place! You were very quick to catch those lixards, we have those and greens in the garden but they run too fast to hide.
    I love your cute card!
    Have a lovely weekend! x Teje

    ReplyDelete
  9. Loved seeing your pictures of the butterfly valley, Jane! And such a pretty butterfly card too, it is very sweet and I love the colours. Wishing you a happy Sunday!
    Helen x

    ReplyDelete
  10. More beautiful photos you've shared with us, Jane! Butterfly valley looks amazing - it must be wonderful to see everything covered in them like that! Hope you're enjoying the late Summer sunshine, it has been beautiful here today with temperatures in the low twenties, though the earlier setting sun reminds us that we're heading into Autumn! Hope you enjoyed your day with the family and got to hug the bump! Hugs, Lisa x

    ReplyDelete
  11. You're so lucky to see all these wonders. Thanks for sharing them with us! I especially like your beautiful package for your husband :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Incredible coloring Jane and all over,,,,,fascinating die cuts,,,,, love it, love it.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Jane----Thanks for such a fun post.((I'm having trouble leaving a comment)).

    I will share these photos with my Dad (a dedicated nature lover).

    How funny to see the same butterfly back in Surrey!!
    Happy creating, love this feminine card.

    with all best wishes --
    Anne x
    PC22

    ReplyDelete
  14. Always a delight to follow you on a new adventure Jane.
    I'm not sure the city girl that I am would have fully appreciated the moths but the place is truly beautiful and how amazing that you would have spotted the exact same specimen at home?!

    Your card is lovely and sweet, great details as always!
    Thank You~

    ReplyDelete
  15. Such a cute card - love that image!

    Thanks for joining us at Tuesday Throwdown for our Things With Wings challenge - hope you can stop by tomorrow when our new challenge launches!

    Hugs

    Julie x

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hello dear Jane,

    What a lovely post! I know you're a big butterfly-fan, and that place looks just magical. And the little one that you found at home...Perfect! And the card is so cute too with those butterflies!

    Have a lovely day!

    Yours,
    Mia

    ReplyDelete
  17. What an amazing post Jane, absolutely beautiful photos, I had no idea there was a place like that on Rhodes. As to your card, she's a stunner, very pretty. I have just acquired that image from someone selling off their crafting stuff so I'm looking forward to using her! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Sparkles this month, good luck and hope to see you again.

    Hugs
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  18. Gorgeous card and fantastic photo you share with us.
    Many thanks for joining us at Oldie but a Goodie` “Dies and Punches” Challenge and we hope to see you again.
    Hugs
    Natali

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lovely photos Jane. Again, I could just imagine being right there. How funny, the butterfly turing up at home, it does look similar doesn't it? I know I've said this in past years, but I'd love to take the kids to Rhodes, as we went when we were young and loved every minute. Maybe one for next year? Bethx

    ReplyDelete
  20. Fab card! You have coloured your image beautifully and I adore all of your glittery butterflies :)Thanks so much for joining us for our "Winged Things" challenge at Crafty Cardmakers.
    Fiona x

    ReplyDelete
  21. Another wonderful card, again super use of dies. Thank you so much for once again entering my challenge theme on an Oldie But A Goodie, and good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Jane, this is beautiful! So energetic punching and adding all the marvellous butterflies. Love the die-cut edges of your paper and gorgeous colouring job. Thanks for taking part in our current challenge at Crafty Cardmaker's! I hope you join us again next time.
    Hugs, Tracey (DT)

    ReplyDelete
  23. A cute, pretty card and a good example of Twist #2. Thanks for sharing your twist on our challenge this month over at C2CU (Crafts-Too Challenge You). Chris xxx

    ReplyDelete
  24. Gorgeous card!
    Thank you for joining us at Sparkles, hope to see you again and good luck in the draw
    Shaz DT xx

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for leaving a comment; I really enjoy reading every single one of them.

To comply with the new Data Protection legislation (GDPR) May 2018 I wish to state that any comments left here are with your consent that your name & comment are visible to anyone who visits my blog and that you accept that your personal information is being used for that specific purpose.

Jane x