Would you like to experiment with a design like this? You'll find a supply list below, including a link to the stencil I used from A Colorful Life Designs. Follow the link and use discount code ChrisFan10 to save 10% on your entire order! (Master Creator Bundles are excluded as they already have a 20% discount built in.)

Let’s get Started:

Card Base: 5.5 x 8.5, scored and folded at 4.25

Red Border Layer: 5.25 x 4

Green Card Face: 5 ⅛ x 3 7/8

Card Face:

• I laid the green card face onto scrap paper and positioned the stencil.

Because I was using a gel I didn’t use my Grip Mat - I didn’t want to risk contaminating the surface.

• I spread Duo Gel** over the exposed areas, removed the stencil and put it into water immediately.

• Once the gel had dried I laid a pre-cut piece of gold transfer foil over the card face, and ran it through the Big Shot.

• I removed the foil, and the pattern (Merry Christmas) stayed behind.

** See Multi Media Products and Stencils under Techniques in the header

Other:

• I looked through my binder *** for ideas on how to finish this off, and found the little bird already coloured and fussy cut. A perfect place to start. I also found the gold ring, cut for another project but not used in the end … another great detail.

• I die-cut the foliage from gold and two different colours of green cardstock.

• I stamped the sentiment in red, and used my paper trimmer to cut it down. I left it a little longer than necessary which allowed me to tear the two side edges.

• I cut a piece of red cardstock slightly larger than the sentiment.

*** See Ready to Go Binder under Techniques in the header to learn how I use this tool to save both time and money.

Assembly

• I glued the red border layer to the card base, and then added the green card face on top of these, centering both layers.

• I experimented with my die cuts and the bird until I was satisfied, and then glued everything in place as shown. I allowed the ring to extend off of the right-hand side just slightly, to add interest.

• I glued the sentiment to the red layer, and after putting a piece of foam dimensional tape on the back I put it in place as shown.

Final Thoughts:

I love this fun, whimsical bird. And this design was the perfect place to showcase her!

Supplies: (and links where possible)

I have listed which products I have used, and where they may be purchased. It's a huge marketplace and in most instances, there are multiple sources and many alternatives to choose from.

Stencil: Merry Christmas, A Colorful Life Designs

Stamps:

Season’s Tweetings, A Colorful Life Designs

Christmas Cheer, Frog’s Whiskers Ink

Dies: Nesting Infinity Dies, Circles, Hero Arts (retired)

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Memento Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Alcohol Markers:

Stampin’ Blends: Stampin’ Up!

Copics: Wallacks

Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

Card Base & Card Face: Accent 100 lb., Amazon

Do you have comments or thoughts to share on this design? Drop me a line in the Contact section in the header - I’d love to hear from you!

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