I’ve always had a fondness for birds.  Well, most birds – I’m not so fond of the ones that swoop down and scold me (or my ‘fraidy cat).  One of my absolute favorites is the cardinal.  Growing up in California, we seldom saw them, but here in Hawaii we have both the North and South American cardinals.  (The North American male is all red with a black mask, the South American male is grey and white with a scarlet hood, just in case you were wondering.)

It’s the North American Cardinal I enjoy the most.  Early in the morning, the male is usually the first bird to greet the sunrise.  He has a long, low call that begins when the sky is light but the sun has yet to peak over Haleakala.  It’s a lovely thing to hear as you’re lying in bed, trying to decide if you really do have to get up.

Watching my daughter go through her cupboards and closets has inspired me to do a little sorting of my own, and the other day I came across a bunch of tiny wreaths made from vines.  I’m sure they’ve been in my craft cupboard for years, and they were clearly waiting for This Moment.  As soon as I saw them, I visualized this:

• Real Red, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip,  and Pretty in Pink card stock
• Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Write marker, Signo White Gel pen
  
• XL Two Step Bird punch and Pop-Up Glue dot
  
• Heart to Heart punch, Tombo adhesive and Linen Thread
• Real Red narrow grosgrain ribbon and LSS vine wreath

Yes, I know the real deal doesn’t have a brown wing, and yes, I realize I left off his mask.  But that’s ok because this is MY bird.  You can make YOUR bird however you like!

The Red Bird is attached to the wreath with one ginormous, super-sticky Pop-Up Glue dot, and the little hearts are stuck to the medium sized hearts with Tombo, the wonder-adhesive.  I stuck the green leafy bits to the Red Bird with Tombo before I put the glue dot on his backside.

I am very, very sorry to tell you that the XL Bird punch is currently back-ordered through Stampin’ Up!  Clearly this item was a big hit!  It’s currently set to ship the week of March 8 (I know!!).  You’ll just have to look at this one until then.