A Home for the Birds

If you’ve followed me for any time at all, you likely have guessed that I love birds. Their songs wake me in the morning and draw me outside during the day.   In the middle of a walk or hike I’ve been known to stop in order to peer into the trees at the sound of a new voice.  It  shouldn’t be a terrible surprise to learn that I’ve been playing around with the idea of a bird house:

Maui Stamper Home for the BirdsThis is my first attempt but I can assure you it’s not my last – I have a lot of ideas in my head!  I wanted to see what worked in terms of construction techniques and proportions.  I’m not sure I would make another bird house this large, but then again, I surprise myself sometimes 🙂

Maui Stamper Home for the BirdsI used both the Woodgrain Background stamp and the Wood grain TIEF to create, well, wood grain (um, I think that’s a giant DUH.)  I used the stamp on the walls of the house, but for the roof I wanted more texture.  The Texture Boutique Embossing Machine made short work of adding wood grain texture to my card stock.  (I’m sorry to say that this product was available for a limited time, and will not be available again until June 1.)  A little sponging helps that texture stand out even more, and also adds dimension to corners and openings.

Maui Stamper Home for the BirdsI added a few of the tiniest butterflies from the Beautiful Wings Embosslit to the front, and rolled up a sliver of card stock to create a perch at the front door.  (The photo above is just crooked enough to make me a little dizzy!)

Maui Stamper Home for the BirdsI was going for a “climbing vine” look on this side, and if you are an imaginative sort of person perhaps that’s the look you’ll see.

There will be more bird houses!  I’ve got a lot of ideas and a few adjustments to try.  I would LOVE your constructive feedback and suggestions, so comment away!

 

 

Winter Memories: RemARKable Stamp of the Month

Aloha!  This stamp set is a bit out of character for the Valley Isle, but I couldn’t resist the chance to share a blog tour with my favorite RemARKable stampers!  We do have cardinals here – both North American and South American – and if you put on your ruby red slippers, close your eyes and click your heels, you can imagine a little sledding party down Sliding Sands Trail into Haleakala Crater…

  • Winter Memories stamp set
  • Regals Prints Pack Designer Series paper
  • Whisper White, Soft Suede and River Rock card stock
  • Cherry Cobbler Core’dinations paper
  • Basic Black FFIP (Firm Foam Ink Pad)
  • Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Basic Grey and Soft Suede Classic ink refills
  • Cherry Cobbler Stampin’ Write marker
  • Aquapainter
  • Big shot and Lacy Brocade TIEF (Textured Impressions Embossing Folder)
  • Stampin’ Sanding Block
  • Always Artichoke Seam Binding
  • Crystal Effects
  • Stampin’ Dimensionals

You can’t see the Crystal Effects?  Here, I’ll show you:

There’s a light wash of Basic Grey on the boards behind the sled, and those fat little birds are just waiting for you to look away so that they can swoop down and stuff their beaks with those juicy red berries!!

Now put on your Imagination Caps and let’s picture an ice rink:

 

  • Winter Memories stamp set
  • Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso card stock
  • Early Espresso Core’dinations card stock
  • Be of Good Cheer Designer Series paper
  • Silver Glimmer Paper
  • Basic Black and Crumb Cake FFIP
  • Always Artichoke Classic Ink Refill
  • Aquapainter
  • Clear and Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details
  • Big Shot and Lattice and Wood Grain TIEFs
  • Stampin’ Sanding Block
  • Stampin’ Dimensionals
  • Stampin’ Sponge
  • Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding

There’s lots of texture here with the Core’dinations paper, embossing and sponging.  I’ll warn you that tearing the Core’dinations paper especially once it’s gone through the TIEF is kinda like plucking your eyebrows (sorry guys):  it’s really easy to get carried away and then all of the sudden you’ve got nothing left!

Love this set?  It has beautiful, detailed wintery images perfect for watercolor.

  • clear 127937  $19.95
  • wood 127934  $27.95

Thanks for stopping by, and be sure you continue on to see what all the other RemARKables have to share.   A hui hou!

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