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Sunday, May 10, 2015

Bird in a Birch Tree Shadow Box

I love birch trees - always have.  I remember being fascinated as a child at how the bark just peeled off.  So when I saw the cut out on JittoBear's website I knew I had to get it!  I know it's officially spring, but it is snowing (yes, it is really snowing - and not just a flurry either! We got about 5 inches) here in my area of Colorado, so I felt that a nice spring scene just wasn't going to do it for me. So, here is my Bird in a Birch Tree Shadow Box:
You can see how I made the trees look like Birch Trees
What I Used to Make this Project:
Shadow Box 8" x 6"
Golden Acrylic Paint in Carbon Black
Birch Tree Cut Out
Gesso
Tim Holtz Distress Marker Spritzer
Tim Holtz Distress Marker in Black Soot
Red Cardstock
Black Cardstock 
Brown Cardstock
Martha Stewart Paper Punch - Bird
Silhouette Machine for Frame
Crafters Pick The Ultimate Glue

I have had this shadow box for years - and I have more somewhere in this house - I bought them off of eBay when I still lived in Connecticut - it was so long ago I think I was still married! The only issue with the boxes is the glass does
All Taped Up!
not come out, so it can be a bit tricky to paint.  But, I taped the glass panel on the box up and painted the wood black, letting it dry in between coats.  I must of painted this box 800 times (it felt like 800 times) - I kept finding spots I missed! But, better that I got to fix them then be embarrassed later when I give the gift.


Once I had the box painted, I set about making a frame for the inside. The birch tree chipboard doesn't quite go to the top of the window, so I measured the inside (the best I could) and made a few frame templates with my Silhouette machine to make sure I got the correct size. After I cut the frame, I set it aside and set about making the birch trees look like birch trees.

I used white gesso, brushed it on, and then used my finger to swipe the gesso,
Bare Trees
while leaving some of the chipboard brown showing through.  After I felt they looked pretty good I spritzed 

the trees with the Ranger Spritzer and Black Soot marker. I thought I took a picture of the trees before I out them in the shadow box, but either the camera ate it, or I forgot. I'm betting it was the camera. Next, I just punched the bird out of the red cardstock and assembled the piece.  Lastly, I used a piece of dark brown cardstock as my backdrop, it was just glued on to the back of the shadow box.


Thank you for stopping by and checking out my Bird in a Birch Tree shadow box.  If you have a moment, please stop by the JittoBear site and see all the ready made chipboard cuts they have.  And remember, they specialize in custom cuts - they can make you anything (I have a few customs that I have yet to use). Also, please consider subscribing to my blog and help me meet my goal of 100 subscribers ~ Fondly, Christi

Another look - sorry about the glare - it's a constant struggle!
I would like to enter my Bird in a Birch Tree Shadow Box in the following challenges:
Allsorts - #310 - Use 2 Die Cuts (the trees and the bird) NOTE: I wasn't sure if my project would be OK to enter, but I saw no where on the challenge site that said your entry must be a card, so here it is!
Brown Sugar Challenge Blog - #145, Layers
Moving Along With the Times - Birds and/or Feathers
2 Creative Chicks - M, #26, Anything Goes (no cards) 
Animal Friends Challenge - M, Use a Bird
Design Team Showcase - #12, Anything Goes - project made for a DT you are on (voting starts 5/23)
Through the Craft Room Door (wk ending May 11, 2015) Always Anything Goes
Clear it Out Challenge - Anything Goes
Decorate to Celebrate - Anything Goes

31 comments:

  1. A stunning creation for our theme this week Christi (I'm rather partial to Birch trees as well), thanks so much for sharing your creativity with us at Allsorts challenge.

    B x

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    1. Thank you Brenda - I'm really proud of how the trees turned out!

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  2. Wow! Wunderschön. Danke für die Teilnahme bei den Animal Friends.
    LG Dreja

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    1. Thank you for your kind words Dreja! I translated her comment and it says "Beautiful! Thank you for playing at Animal Friends" ~

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  3. Oh this is beautiful, I too love birch trees they are stunning, Thanks for playing with us on MAWTT this week, Hazel (Didos)

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  4. Very pretty! Thanks for sharing at CIO for our Anything Goes Challenge. Lisa DT

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  5. wonderful
    thank you for your contribution at the Animals Friends

    Sternenglanz

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    1. Thank you - thrilled I got to play at Animal Friends :)

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  6. Fabulous creation Christi, love it, and it's perfect for my theme.
    Thank you for sharing at Allsorts, wishing you good luck;-))m

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    1. Thank you for an awesome theme Mervi! I had a fab time creating it :)

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  7. lovely project thanks for sharing with brown sugar Rachel dt

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  8. I know exactly what you mean by 800 times Christi =D This is a great gifting project. Beautiful trees and the birdie is just so cute! Thank you so much for entering our ATG challenge at Through The Craft Room Door this fortnight. Looking forward to see you again next challenge Christy. Have a nice day!

    Fondly,
    Asmah
    TTCRD DT
    Qinaahana Arts and Crafts {My Blog}

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    1. Thank you Asmah! I love playing at TTCRD :) Went to your blog and I am now your newest follower :) Blessings, Christi

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  9. Oh I love this one Christi. We have a couple White Birch trees in our front and I love every time I come home and see them swaying with the breeze. You have a perfect replica!

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    1. Well then, the next one I make is yours :) Thanks for the lovely comment my friend <3

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  10. WOW! such a beautiful frame and I love the pop of the red bird. Thank you for joining us over at Decorate to Celebrate.
    Hugs,
    Norma

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  11. This is pretty! I love it!
    Thank you for joining us at Decorate to Celebrate!
    Lilian
    http://theleafstudio.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Lillian! And thank you for leaving your blog info - I went and saw your lovely creations - and began to follow you :) Have a GREAT day!

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  12. I am loving the layers of this beautiful shadow box. Great job! Thanks for joining us at Brown Sugar Challenges this week. Karal DT

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  13. Thank you Nana!! I'm sure to see you around again :)

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  14. Oh... this is so beautiful.
    Thanks for joining us at the Animal Friends and i hope to see you again.
    Hugs
    Kuni

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    1. Thank you Kuni! I hope to be able to enter more :)

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  15. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  16. awesome project!
    Thanks for playing along in the Design Team Showcase.
    Hugs,
    Natalie
    INKognito

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    1. Thank you Natalie! Your cards are stunning!! XX

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  17. Love the simplicity pared with the dimension and detail. Thank you for entering Design Team Showcase.

    Kim
    {Craftisan Studios}
    Design Team Showcase

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Thank you so much for your comments! I read each and every one :)