Come see how to make this pretty handmade die cut cardinal card that is perfect for so many different winter occasions.

I have made lots of cards with cardinals on them – cardinals are so striking with their pop of red. And many people believe that vibrant red is a happy sign that those we have lost are still with us spiritually. When I can, I do include them in designs because they are so universally appreciated. In today’s handmade die cut cardinal card, I’ve included a new birdhouse design that I created using a piece from Rubbernecker’s Tabbed House die set. I used their Winter Cardinals to create my majestic bird and accented the scene with elements made from the Greenery #3, Half Tree (for the branches), and the Stackable Flowers and Leaves #3 dies. I set the scene with a piece of beautiful patterned paper from the Festive Farmhouse 6×6 Paper Pad.

I love this birdhouse designer paper from the Festive Farmhouse 6×6 Paper Pad and wanted to create a die cut house that was small enough to feature the birdhouses on the paper.  I decided to modify the Tabbed House base to create the perfect size house to fit with the Winter Cardinal. I encourage you to always experiment with your die cuts to create your own elements for your projects – you don’t have to “follow the rules”!

• Use white cardstock to cut the Tabbed House and secure it in place using masking tape.

• Line up a ruler on the right roof side and mark where to cut on the left side and cut.

• Use a wet baby wipe to apply Mocha ink to the house.  

• Finish by applying a darker brown ink around the borders of the house and lighter touches in the center.
• Use a circle punch or round die to create the holes for the house.  Note:  I actually punched two holes but the one on the bottom doesn’t show due to the arrangement. 

Card Base and Bird House

• Use white cardstock to cut an A2 sized card base and a 5.50″ x 4.25″ piece from the Festive Farmhouse pad.
• Apply double stick tape to the back of the designer paper and attach it to the card base.  
• Apply strips of mounting tape to the back of the birdhouse and attach it to the card base.

Die Cut Cardinal, Branches and Pinecones

• Use red, black and yellow cardstock to cut the cardinal, assemble the pieces and attach them together using glossy accents.
• Use Kraft cardstock to cut the Half Tree branches and apply Pecan ink using a wet baby wipe.
• Cut the Greenery #3 branches using green cardstock.
• Cut the smaller flowers from the Stackable Flowers and Leaves using Kraft Cardstock.  
• Apply Pecan ink to the flower petals using a mini applicator.
• Form the petals using a stylus and molding pad, push the petals tightly with your fingers to create the cone shape.

• Apply tiny touches of glossy accents inside the petals to secure them in place for the cone shape.

Create the Winter Greenery Arrangement

• Apply glossy accents to the branches, pinecones and greenery, arrange and attach them to the top of the  birdhouse.
• Create a larger foliage arrangement to the lower portion of the house and attach the sections using glossy accents.
• Finish by apply a large piece of mounting tape to the back of the cardinal and attach to the arrangement.

Didn’t that come out so cute? Here’s what I used today from Rubbernecker:

5516-01D Tabbed House Die [ RBB ] 5514-09D Winter Cardinals Die [ RBB ] 5508-03D stackable flowers/leaves #3 Die [ RBB ] 5403D Half Tree Die [ RBB ] 5514-04D Greenery #3 Die [ RBB ] 2004 Festive Farmhouse 6×6 Paper Pad [ RBB ] Color Fuse Set #3 [ RBB ]

And here are all the other items I used from my stash in case you were wondering what something was that I used.

One thing that’s really special about this handmade die cut cardinal card is that you can add practically any sentiment to it and have an ideal all occasion card for the whole winter long. It’s cheery and comforting and cozy and charming and anyone would love to receive it for whatever purpose you choose!