Have you noticed how many companies have cardinals in their new Christmas release sets? There are several really beautiful images but I still love the one in the retired Stampin’ Up! set Christmas Cardinal. The Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge had an oval shape in the layout and inspired me to pull my cardinal out and use it.
I stamped the image twice on watercolor paper. One to paint and die cut and the other to paint and cut out all the leaves. I started the main image layer by painting a light blue wash around the bird for a soft sky. After I painted the images I popped up the cut holly leaves and attached with Glossy Accents and glue dots. I just could not decide on what contrasting paper to use with the image and finally decided on plain white and red and to stamp lots of pine around the background. The finishing touch was the country green gingham bow.
My photograph doesn’t show all the dimension with the popped up holly leaves. Here’s a little closer view.
Check out my tutorial If you would like more information on how I tie my multi loop bow. I hope you are having a good week.
Stamps: Christmas Cardinal, Rubbernecker Pine Set
Paper: PTI White, Real Red, Watercolor
Ink: Black Versafine, Fired Brick, Black Soot, Stormy Sky, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Lemonade, Meadow
Accessories: Brushes, Nestabilities, Border Punch, Crimper, Gingham, Glossy Accents, Glue Dots
This is absolutely gorgeous Kittie. I’m with you, that set is still one of my favorites, one I’ll never let go of! The stamp you used for the pine needles is also gorgeous. I can just see a regal cardinal perched on a branch in a pine tree. We have 100’s of cardinals in our neighborhood and I never tire of watching their antics.
Love the pine for the background-great coloring and card. tfs
Oh my word, every single thing on your blog is to die for. You rock.
I have just created a Squidoo lens about the Christmas Cardinal and your blog showed up on the Google Blog Search. I am so glad that it did because I enjoyed your beautiful design. Thank you.