A blog devoted to the cards I make in my tiny upstairs space. When my sister stays there, she calls it an "artist's garret". I'm not an artist, but am an enthusiastic cardmaker - hence the title "Cardmaker's Garret".
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Thursday 24 January 2019

Twofer Birds

I love birds as a theme for cards so had to squeeze in some time today to make cards for Darnell's Twofer Card Challenge:


Here's the Twofer photo:


I really love that bird stamp with the wonderful quote on its body.  The card on the left is a thank you card for my sister who has really inspired me to follow some of my passions.  The one on the right is a birthday card for a close friend who does bird watching.  The sentiments for the occasions are on the inside because I wanted to use the word stamps that came with the bird stamp.

First up:


I started with a piece of background I made at Loll Thompson's house using Jennifer Maguire's Distress ink monoprint technique (see video here).  It uses blue Distress ink with a leafy background stamp - this is the monoprint version (or what I think of as the negative version).  It came out a bit patchy so I decided to add some layering with the music background stamp and two of the words that came with the bird stamp.

The bird is stamped, heat embossed, and fussy cut, with its legs glued to the die cut branch and its body popped up with dimensional tape.  The whole panel is popped up on fun foam.

And the second card:


I put the bird stamp in my MISTI and coloured it with Distress markers, repeating until I was happy with the results.  Then I put the "happiness" stamp in the MISTI and got it close to the bird's feet to ground the bird.

I placed a leafy stencil over it and used a finger dauber to sponge around the bird with pale blue and pale green.

After I trimmed the panel into a square, I decided I needed something below the "happiness" stamp as I'd kept the stencil sponging above it.  So I wrapped twine around the bottom.  And then had an "ah ha" moment that it would be perfect on a kraft base - popped up on fun foam of course for some dimension.

I'm also adding it to Loll Thompson's new CAS Stencil Challenge:


Thanks for stopping by!







Supplies for card 1:
Stamps - Fiskars "For the Birds" set, Impression Obsession music background, unknown leaf background stamp
Ink - various Distress blue inks, Adirondack Lake Mist, Vivid Cobblestone, Versafine Onyx Black
Paper - white and brown cs
Size - A2
Accessories - Sizzix branch die, clear embossing powder, foam tape, fun foam

Supplies for card 2:
Stamps - Fiskars "For the Birds" set
Ink - Memento Sky Blue, Distress Bundled Sage, Archival Jet Black
Paper - white cs
Size - 5.25" square
Accessories - Distress markers, Dina Wakely Little Birdies Leaf stencil, twine, fun foam



13 comments:

  1. Beautiful cards Susan, I love that bird stamp with the text and love the addition of the music stamp to your background :)

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  2. I love that background on the first one and all the design elements that made it so interesting. That bird is a fantastic stamp. I too love birds on a card and haven't done one in a while so thanks for the inspiration. The stenciling and twine on the second one are the perfect final touches for the wonderful distress marker stamping. Great cards!

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  3. Both are beautiful. I love the addition of the music notes as the bird sings. That is a wonderful bird stamp with a sweet verse. Your stenciled backgrounds are so pretty and soft.

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  4. Susan I absolutely LOVE both of these cards!! That bird stamp is sooooo pretty and I just love how you used them in the 2 different cards!! Your background in the 1st card with the monoprint and music stamped over it is gorgeous and just perfect for the bird...LOVE it! Your 2nd card is just as lovely and I really like how you colored him too! Two FABULOUS and lovely, lovely cards my friend!! :0)

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  5. I love the artsy background you created for your first card, Susan! Stamping over the leafy print with music was genius in my book and seems somehow to make me see the leaves below better! Is that just me? (Don't answer that!) I also love the colors and how you added two of the words from the set. Your second card is so peaceful and well-balanced. I really like the kraft behind your panel and the addition of the bit of twine! Thank you so much for playing in Twofer Card Challenge #12! Hugs, Darnell

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  6. Two fantastic designs using this beautiful bird image, Susan. Your monoprint background looks so pretty with the musical stamp over top. And your dark bird really pops against the soft coloured background. I'm interested to find out how Julie inspired you!

    Second card is beautiful with your beautiful watercoloured bird. Love the colours and your stenciled background. The twine adds just the perfect finishing detail. Your panel looks beautiful on the kraft card base. Thanks for playing along with us at Twofer Card Challenge! xx

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  7. Beautiful backgrounds for your birds who sport such a lovely quote. I like how you added the music stamp to the first card, which is always so perfect with birds. The simple wrapped twine is the ideal embellishment on #2. Two wonderful cards, and I'm so glad you played along in our Twofer Birds Challenge, Susan!

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  8. Love both of the backgrounds, which look fabulous with that bird stamped image and what a great image it is. Wonderful sentiment on the bird and such gorgeous cards x.

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  9. I love these birds, Susan! Very artsy and fun! The new technique is intriguing! I need to give that a try. Love the soft stenciling around the other bird! Two great cards!

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  10. Two really gorgeous cards, Susan! Both backgrounds are really striking and perfect with your bird...of course, I'm partial to the stenciled panel on your 2nd card, but both cards are so pretty! So happy you joined us again at CAS Stencil!

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  11. I like the design of your cards. Fantastic! You've used a great stamp with the wonderful quote.

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  12. Was waiting to see what you do for this challenge. Both beautiful cards with beautiful backgrounds. Great addition of the music notes. The technique sounds interesting. xx

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  13. beautiful cards....sure wish I had time to play!!
    xx karen

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