BIRDS ON A BRANCH THANKS

Do you absolutely LOVE the new set, Free As A Bird (page 92 of the Annual Catalog)? I do -- and I have from the very moment I first saw it. It was the set I preordered when demonstrators were able to do so.

Wanting to use this charming set for my May Stamp-In Workshop, 

this is the simple card I created:

My first attempt at the splotchy background for the card was unpleasing to me, so I redid it. I actually threw the first try in the wastebasket. But, as I was working on this card, I felt it needed just a little something to finish off the cute sentiment tag. In a moment of inspiration, I dug the first background out of the garbage, stamped one of the flowers from the set onto it, fussy cut the flower, and added it to the tag. Perfect! A tiny pearl finished it off.

In looking at these photos, you really need to use your imagination somewhat. The card looks like it is on a Bermuda Bay cardstock base. Nope. The Bermuda Bay piece is set atop a Whisper White card base. 

It is a pretty flat card, so should go through the USPS just fine. I don't think the teeny pearl would cause any problem whatsoever.

Just a close-up of the birds on their spotty background:

Keep on reading for a tutorial on how to create a Birds on a Branch Thanks for yourself:

SUPPLIES:

Whisper White cardstock

Bermuda Bay cardstock

Watercolor Paper

Free As A Bird set (page 92, Annual Catalog)

Varied Vases (page 61, Annual Catalog)

Memento Tuxedo Black ink

Retired Reinkers in a blue and a yellow

Aqua Painters

Water Spritzer

Palette

Big Shot

Stitched Nested Labels Dies (page 196, Annual Catalog)

Basic Pearls

5/8" White Flax Ribbon (page 174, Annual Catalog)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Fold a 4 1/4" x 11" piece of Whisper White cardstock in half, creasing it well with a bone folder.

Add to this base a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of Bermuda Bay cardstock.

You will be doing most of your work on a 3 3/4" x 5" piece of watercolor paper: Put a drop or two of the reinker into the well of a paint palette. Add drops of water to almost fill up the well. Using an Aqua Painter, pick up some of the watered down ink and add it to the center of the watercolor paper, moving the ink around so it doesn't pool too much in one spot. Repeat this with the second color of reinker. Keep your colored portion to the center of the paper as a backdrop for your focal point. Use the heat tool to hurry along the drying time. When this is dried completely, pick up some of the color with the Aqua Painter, and instead of "painting" it on, flick it onto the paper. (You could also use a soft paintbrush to do this step, whichever makes you more comfortable.) Use a paper towel to soak up the moisture so your dots don't get too dark and overwhelming. Use the heat tool to dry the piece.

Once it is completely dry, stamp the branch of birds in black centered on the background.

(I had a scrap piece of this type of background available that I wasn't pleased with. Stamp the small flower somewhere on this scrap. Fussy cut the flower. Set aside.)

Cut a tag that measures 1" x 1 3/4" from Whisper White cardstock using the Stitched Nested Labels Dies. Stamp the sentiment on this in black ink.

Add the fussy cut flower to the upper right corner of the label. Please one of the smallest pearls in the center of the flower.

Adhere a 3" long piece of the 5/8" White Flax Ribbon, cut at angles on both ends, to the back of the label. Adhere this whole piece to the lower right corner of the card.

Adhere this finished piece to the card base.

Branch-y

Smiles.