Saturday 11 September 2010

Free As A Birdy... **with edit!**

...for a change... I have made... a card! I am having a bit of a cardmaking revival at the moment and am loving making inky and messy backgrounds and adding elements to the card... which is what I did this morning. Using plain white cardstock, Distress Inks and Grungeboard I made this 6" square card.




I started by cutting the white card to make the main mat.. then used Old Paper, Stormy Sky, Chipped Sapphire and Vintage Photo Distress Inks to colour it - spritzing with water on the way.. oh and I always forget to say this at the right place... once I had coloured the whole piece with Old Paper, I dried it and then used a mini script to clear emboss to make a resist... and cos I over heated the EP it kinda disappeared into the card... making it look like a Batik technique.. happy accident! I used the sprig from the very first set of UM stamps I bought for my Tim Holtz collection... this set is three years old and I just love this sprig... and I have been neglecting my older TH stamps recently... so I thought I had better rectify that :O)) The sentiment is actually a mini version of the sentiment on that very first sheet... happy accident again (actually, that is true cos til I started typing this post, I hadn't noticed!) The twine is just Jute, a huge roll for a quid from B&Q about four years ago... and still loads on it... geeee, I love a bargain LOL




The cage is cut from Grungeboard... using the Caged Bird Alteration, the birdy is cut from card covered with music score and the wing is more GB... I embossed the cage with the Damask Texture Fade... then coloured it with Vintage Photo, embossed with VP Distress Powder... and then used my finger to add a little gold Dabber to make the texture pop. I cut the bars open so birdy is free... and then scouted the bombsite garden and snaffled a few twigs to go on the cage for birdy to stand on. The brads etc were bashed with a Texture Hammer... and.. finally... I added a Memo Pin and poked it thru the card, adding a Jump Ring and little Idea-ology Bird Charm... there you go... a nature card.. of sorts LOL



So... speaking of nature and gardens... AlfieCat has been a nawty boy again... he came in yesterday from one of his hunting forays... and I didn't hear him come in... which is not normal because he has a huge bell on his collar... his collar, aha! That is why I didn't hear him... the little monkey has gone and lost it... again! I get him a collar with a snap closure on it so if he snags it, it will just come apart... so off I went into the Spinney behind our house... did I ever say... the fence has an AlfieCat sized hole in it so he doesnt have to leap about??? Mad, I know, indulgent... most certainly folks LOL So... off I trotted into the Spinney... the collar is electric blue so I thought I might find it... nah... so I went across the path and into the little woody bit on the other side... you should have seen the size of the toadstools in there... I am not telling porkies when I say that one of them had a cap the size of a dinner plate! HUGE!!! Anyways... nope, no collar... so out I pop from the undergrowth... only to scare the living daylights out of my neighbour who was walking their gorgeous Golden Retriever... thank goodness he has a good nature (the dog, not the neighbour ROFL) and didn't get spooked by my appearance like the wild woman of Borneo. Anyways... Alf was confined to barracks last night... he was not impressed I hasten to add... and Grim went out and got him a new collar and tag this morning... and off he went on another hunting mission (Alf not Grim... that would be toooo funny!) Anyways... I better get a wiggle on... have a massive heap of things to do today - like making the Sunday Stamper... oh and I have a special guest setter for tomorrow too! So, whatcha got planned for the weekend??? Do tell, I am ever so... erm... nosey LOL Thanks for looking... TTFN


**EDIT... @ 12:02pm**
You will NEVER believe this... you know I am telling you that AlfieCat is a nawty boy and lost his collar??? Well, I still cannot believe this... Grim has just called me downstairs... and... there on the rug in the dining room is Alf... with a blue collar on the floor next to him... but... he is still wearing the new one... so... HE FOUND THE OLD ONE!!! and then... HE BROUGHT IT HOME!!! ROFLMAO.. how cool is my little furbaby.. not to mention incredibly clever... I have never heard of a retriever cat! So, the other week when Grim asked him to bring him home a pigeon, he did - the Grim asked for a mouse, yep, in comes a mouse... so I asked him yesterday to find his collar... and indeedily, he turns up with it!!! I have asked him again to get me a nice winning lottery ticket today LOL... wouldya ever believe that he could not only find his collar but also have the intelligence to bring it back home... what a boy!!! I am grinning like a loon here now :O))

Hels x

28 comments:

ellen vargo designs said...

WOW! Where to start? First - the card is gorgeous! LOVE the real twig for birdie to sit on - I've been wanting to bring more *real nature* into my art - you've inspired me! And that Alfie... so clever and smart... yes I think given his recent track record you definitely need to send him out for lottery tickets - take him to the store with you - whatever it takes! LOL! Can't believe he found the collar and brought it home! HA! Have a lovely day! Hugs, Els. xx

Nancy said...

A retriever cat - love it! Alfie is indeed a smart one - and if he brings you that lottery ticket, please let us all know 'cause I'd want him to pick numbers for me! *lol*

Your card is beautiful! I just love the cage 'broken open' for the bird - and the twigs are a sweet touch.

Can't wait to see what you have for us next!

Zue said...

Hels, it is fantastic. It is full of so many elements and techniques.
Bet you had fun doing it.

See you!!
Sue xxx

Anonymous said...

Love the card Hels x Nice colour combination and string is a great addition..........as for Alfie, well I think he just fancied a new collar lol

Martina said...

A wonderful creation! Super idea and beautifully designed.

Helen said...

Love the stunning colour of the card, along with all your "happy accidents". Your post really made me smile today, I have this picture of you crawling out of the undergrowth into your neighbour's path covered in leaves and - stuff - oh, too funny!! The one time I used a real twig in some art I had the devil's own job of sticking it on.... you look like you've done ok with yours.

Sandy said...

Wow this absolutely gorgeous.
Wonderful blue creation. Love them.

Creative Studios by Sam Poole said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE! You are a very talented lady! Sam X

Marijane said...

Love your card today with all the texture and a bit of nature. I really appreciate your thorough instructions revealing exactly how it was created. The little tricks you use pop into my mind when I most need inspiration!
As for Alphie, I am so jealous. I have a big black and white male that loves to play "tennis" with his toys. I throw him a fake mouse or small toy and he jumps up and hits it mid-air. Cute, but he won't return it to me so he ends up standing in one place hitting "balls" and I am running back and forth retrieving them. Who has who trained? I think Alphie has a human brain!

G Peplow said...

Hi Hels, cor what a clever cat you've got!, love your card, pretty colours:)
Today I've been to the Craft Barn demo weekend, it was great, lots of clever people demonstrating techniques and lots of gorgeous stuff to buy and tomorrow I'm going to and old friends house for a barbie, lovely weekend. Hope you have a great one too:) xx

SusanK said...

Never a dull moment with you and yours, Hels! I always get a chuckle getting a peek into your life. Thank you! And the square card is 'da bomb'!

Joanne said...

Oh my, that AlfieCat is a genius. Our Toby, being Burmese, could have been trained to retrieve had we had him from a pup, because they are one of the only breeds, if not the only breed, of cats that can be trained to do that. I wish I could retrieve him now - sob.
Anyway, I dearly love your card and all those lovely blues really do go together. It's beautiful.
Luv Joanne xx

Netty said...

You have made a great card Hels. Love it. x

Daniele said...

lovin' all the elements to this card Hels the birdie is so cute
hugs

Sew This N That said...

And there was me thinking only dogs were smart...I stand corrected rofl...I adore your card, love the compostition (ooooh thats a good word) and the colours are beautiful :)
*hugs* Heather x

Val said...

Hels - this is just GORGEOUS! Love all the elements.

As for Alfie - he obviously knows how to butter up to you. Perhaps he's hoping for prawns and lobster for dinner ...

Hugs
Valxx

Karen said...

Fabulous card, and what a clever boy you have!

Nancy D. said...

WOW!...love your card & the kitty story...what a smart boy!

Debbie Dolphin said...

love the birdy card!(put it out of the reach of Alfie!!lol)
Weve always had a Jack russell and when she died I was desperate for a pet but hubby wouldnt let us. Anyhow in the end we got a gorgeous black fluffy kitten!(never had a cat in my life).He's a year now and so gorgeous but really moody at times but loving too! One minute he's purring like mad rubbing up to you and the next sinking his teeth in!!!lol(playing) but we love him to bits!!!! Anyhow essay over!!!lol
love debbie xxx

Vicki Romaine said...

Love the coloring of your bird. Watch out he is getting ready to escape his cage and that cat of yours may be waiting for him!

Are you sure your cat is not named Garfield?

Very nice elements on your card

Lori said...

Fabby card! Love the background, and the twigs were a brilliant addition! Love them!
Oh, that is so funny about Alfie. Honestly, sometimes I wonder if they really are part human. I've never heard of a cat retrieving something, totally weird and amazing!

Karla Anderson said...

Love the card! the twigs are perfect. As for the cat - well I think people under estimate a cats intelligence. I know my cat is pretty darn smart sometimes.

cheryl said...

oh wow what a perfect card love tims,bird cage,you really have a wonderful gift hun this is pure delight love cheryl xxxx

Art By Wanda said...

I LOVE this card!!!!

Mary-Beth said...

I just love this piece!! The twigs are fabulous, I use them a lot in my art as I love nature themes.

I am in awe of your talent and skill!

Anonymous said...

Such a pretty card! Love the music on the bird! Very clever!

I cannot believe your cat - too cool! Mine has trouble finding her food, so Alphie's adventures are quite amazing!

June said...

Love this Hels, I have just shared it on my facebook page.
have a lovely day
hugs June xxxx

Anonymous said...

Oh Hels, this is gorgeous and your AlfieCat story made me laugh out loud. Love S xx

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