~Birdhouse and Vine~

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog. I am out in San Francisco taking care of my sweet little granddaughter. My son and daughter-in-law went away for a few days of much needed r & r. 

I will be here until next Thursday although they come back on Tuesday. My hubby didn't make it this trip. He couldn't juggle the days with his work schedule. Phoenix Daisy is still in preschool for another week but it's just for half days and then she is done. My daughter-in-law is a teacher and her last day was yesterday. 

So I am typing this post while I have a few free minutes. I just dropped Phoenix off at school. Tonight I will be too tired to do anything after she goes to bed (lol). 

This card I made for my DT post on the CottageCutz blog on Wednesday. I just didn't have time to get it on this blog before I left for San Francisco. 

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. 

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 week's MojoMonday 452 sketch for my card. 

First, the background designer paper was actually an envelope that I cut to 4 1/8" x 5 3/8". It was part of the March Stampin'-Up Paper Pumpkin kit. Just another way to re-purpose our supplies and it was the perfect color for my bermuda bay 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 designer paper isn't covered up with the 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"

 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 Stampin'-Up tangerine tango cardstock and the bird and vine in bermuda bay cardstock. 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 post. 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.........God bless. 

I am also entering:

1.  Crafting With Friends has an anything goes challenge. 
2.  Polkadoodles has a die cut challenge. 
3.  Really Reasonable Ribbon has a sizzlin' summer colors with ribbon challenge.