Friday 3 February 2012

Charming Birds on a Rainy Day

The wonderful birdhouse die used in today's card was a bargain (no, really!) in the Sizzix sale.

"Charming Birds"

The background stamping uses Crafty Individuals and Hero Arts stamps with plenty of distress inks and some Perfect Pearls. After stamping and colouring, it was spattered with droplets of water to give a softer effect. In the background, you'll also see a Tim Holtz tree diecut and coloured with distress inks to match.

"Birdhouse"

The birdhouse was cut from white and dark brown cardstock. The cards were individually coloured then layered. That gold mottled effect on the brown edging is from dabbing with gold adirondack mixative. The pale birdhouse was overstamped and some more Perfect Pearls used to give the effect of shimmery leaves. It was fixed to a dark brown backing with some foam tape to create some depth, especially for the central hole.

"Charming!"

A few holes punched into the bottom of the birdhouse provide anchoring points for some appropriately themed metal charms. These were attached to jump rings and threaded onto short lengths of gold thread.

"Butterfly and bird"

The butterfly and bird (from 7Gypsies "Conservatory" stamp set) were heat-embossed in gold onto white card, coloured with distress ink, and cut out before shaping and fixing in place with Pinflair dimensional glue.

"Sentiment"

The sentiment is from a Tim Holtz stamp set stamped in black archival ink and heat-embossed in clear, before matting and layering onto Spellbinders Labels diecuts (inked to match the rest of the card).

Entered for the following challenge:
Crafty Individuals - Spring
Gingersnap Creations - Glorious Greens
DYSU Challenge - Anything Goes (Wow, I'd LOVE to win those Crafty Individuals stamps!!)
Sparkles Forum - New Crafty Goodies (Birdhouse die)

30 comments:

  1. Maddy this is amazing. I love that birdhouse die and the colours are stunning. Have I got you hooked on Crafty Individuals? Opps! Heehee. Lee x

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  2. OMG, this is amazing. Just when I thought you couldn't surprise me anymore, cause all your stuff is out of this world you do it again. I love this, the colours, the stamps everything. I only wish I had half your talent. Stunning xx

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  3. I would never make this style of card but it is lovely. I go for pretty pastels, but this looks really good. xxxx

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  4. Fabulous card, love the birdhouse and the bird. Thanks for joining us at Do You Stack Up.

    -Wenche

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  5. This is just so beautiful, gorgeous colours and love the shimmer! Love Jayne. x x

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  6. Hi Maddy, wow you really do have a talent for inkyness - this is just beautiful! Wonderful colours and love the little birds hanging at the bottom.

    Wanted to say thanks as well for the very kind words on my blog, I think a little play on the old dining room / craft mess is well in order!

    Sarah

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  7. Fabulous card!

    Thank you for joining us at SMC for our * New Crafty Goodies * Challenge.

    Hope you will join us again soon, good luck xx

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  8. beautiful card maddy,love the colours. sue xx

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  9. Hiya, this is so lovely. The images go so well together and the colours are fantastic. 'cos of the glitter over at docrafts I am trying to bloghop on my own then maybe I won't get left behind when they are online again. Keep warm...

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  10. This is such a lovely card, I love birds and this looks so peaceful, an inspiration.

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  11. This is just gorgeous - so beautiful and a lot of attention to detail. And the colours are absolutely lovely.
    Heike xx

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  12. Already left a comment in the week - just hopping. Hope your having a good day. xxx

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  13. love what you have done with this die!

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  14. Thats a gorgeous card Maddy! Good luck with the challenges and thanks for the comments on my blog! Certainly not going far with this snow!! Lea xx

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  15. Wow, what a stunning card! So many clever techniques and beautiful detail. xx

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  16. Stunning - This is my favourite although it was hard to choose just one - the colours are gorgeous and i love all the detail and the sentiment
    Linda

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  17. Wow just love this card. So detailed and I love the way you have done the background. Lovely colours. Amazing xx

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  18. Another stunning card Maddy, love the birdhouse die and the colours are once again amazing. love Kathy x

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  19. Fabulous background

    kitten - DYSU team

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  20. The colours you used have look amazing, such a beautiful card

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  21. WOW! Amazing job with the background! Thanks for joining us at DYSU.

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  22. Lovely entry for the CI Challenge and such a great idea to hang the charms from the birdhouse. Thanks for joining us this month. Great blog too. Jean

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  23. Charming idea to hang the charms from the birdhouse. A beautiful background in fresh, spring colours.
    Thank you for sharing with us at Crafty Individuals Challenge.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  24. Gorgeous background, love the greens! x

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  25. This is fabulous! Thanks for taking the Gingersnap Creations challenge :)

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  26. c'est très jolie et trop beau bravo

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Thanks for leaving a comment, it's nice to know I'm not just talking to myself :)