Birdhouse With Vine + Homemade Enamel Dots

Hello Scrapping Cottage friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit today. It's Mary Marsh here bringing you the Wednesday edition of the Blog.

Today for your viewing pleasure, I am featuring a new die set from the May “This and That” release. I have used the Birdhouse with Vine set to create a sweet card of encouragement. You probably know someone that could use a little cheering up and a handmade card is a great way to do that. I just love the detail on the birdhouse roof. CottageCutz dies stand apart with the detail, in my opinion.

 

 

If you have followed the cards I post here on the Scrapping Cottage Blog, then you know that I like to use patterned paper on my cards. I am such a big fan of it and probably have way to much in my stash (lol).

In planning my card, I knew I wanted to use this die set and this patterned paper. So all that was left for me was the layout. I used this sketch for my card and my creative wheels were turning.

 

So let's get started with the details on how I created it.

First, the background patterned paper was actually an envelope that I cut to 4 1/8" x 5 3/8". Just another way to re-purpose our supplies and it was the perfect color for my blue-green card base.


re-purposed envelope

envelope cut to 4 1/8" x 5 3/8" and card base 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

 

My next step in the sketch was to cut the large circle. I used both the CottageCutz circle and the stitched circle dies because I wanted a wide circle frame. This way all the pretty background paper isn't covered up with other layers. Just another way to do something a little different with the sketch. I simply laid both dies on the magnetic platform of my BigShot machine and cut it.

2nd largest stitched circle and 3rd largest circle die

cut circle size 3 3/8"



 

Using double sided tape, this was adhered to the patterned paper base. I then cut my rectangle layer using the CottageCutz rectangle dies. I used the 2nd largest rectangle die. I have been asked how I figure out the different shape sizes on a sketch. What I do is look at the sketch and then just guess-timate. I could have made the rectangle a little larger but again I didn't want to cover up the background paper.

 

I cut the birdhouse from a tangerine shade cardstock and the bird and vine in the same blue green as my card base and circle frame. It keeps continuity throughout your card. I stamped my sentiment and added some home made enamel dots.

 

Adhered this panel to my card and then added my ribbon. Since it is only 1/8" wide I wrapped it around the patterned paper 3x. I made a small bow and used glue dots to secure it to ribbon. I used the bow in place of the rectangle piece of this sketch.

Well that's it for me for this week. And as a reminder, we are having our 3rd challenge and this one has a pocket theme. Get more info here. There are prizes to be won so get your craft on with CottageCutz dies and enter the challenge.

 

TIP: I made the enamel dots using Perler beads. They are the plastic ones that kids use for projects. I placed them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and baked them at 325° for 35 minutes. There is no smell when they are in the oven. They melt into a round shape. I let them cool and then removed them from the pan. I used the same paper and baked another batch. Don't place them too close together or they will melt together.  

 

Until next time...........inky hugs.