Envelope Distortion error

[Rebecca98A1]

 

Hi, everyone! I feel like I'm about to go a bit mad trying to figure out my problem here. 

I'm using Envelope Distort > make with top object for a project of mine. I used the shape builder to cut out my shapes, and am using a layer underneath of that for my text. As you can see, I got the first piece to merge fine. But when I went to distort my second piece, I got an error "this requires a selection of multiple objects. The top object must be a single path or mesh....." However, both my top layer and my text (underneath) are selected. 

Any help is VERY greatly appreciated! 

[Grant H · Accepted solution]

That top object is MOST certainly a complex path. Release the complex path delete the little island and try again.

/G