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

Lotus Card ~ April Card Chain Challenge Card Reveal

This month for the Card Chain Challenge, I got to send my Lotus card all the way to Australia this month - How exciting!! My receiving partner was Lizzy, a talented card maker - check out her blog - not only is she crafty, but she sings!! Thank goodness no one can hear me sing. . .or is that scream?? Anyway, here is my card that I sent Lizzy: 

I chose this shot because you can really see the different blues & golds in the embossing powder ~ very cool!!

And, here is the card I received from the extremely talented Loly:

She used the correct colors, the sketch and the friendship theme

This month I messed up - I used the color palette for May's CCC, and technically, this card is for the April CCC.  :::sigh::: and by the time I realized it, the card was mailed.  Sooooo my card is not going to match anyone else's when you go to the reveal at the Society of Stampaholics (the "mother" site of the CCC).

I was SO excited because I had used the color palette instead of just going with the monthly "always theme" of friendship, so of course it was a mess up - LOL. But, I have still created a wonderful card! So let's move on!

What I Used to Make my Card:

Blue Card Base

Yellow and Light Blue Cardstock

IndigoBlu Stamp, Lotus, #IND0140PC (Brand new from Limor Webber!)

Die-Namites Spring Blossom Die, DN-1150

Spellbinders Nestabilities, Labels Forty-One, S4-468

Embossing Ink

Lindy's Stamp Gang Embossing Powder in Lapis Lazuli Blue Gold

This is a fairly straight forward card so I didn't take pictures of it's creation.  I stamped the Lotus stamp on the yellow cardstock with clear embossing fluid and then embossed the image with the Lapis Lazuli Blue Gold embossing powder.  Then I cut the image with the Spellbinder's die, I did have to cut a teeny bit off the top of the image for it to "sit" right, you can see where the top dot is cut in half.  I still like the way it turned out.

I then cut 2 "Spring Blossom" dies and adhered them to each side of the image, glued them down, and that was it!  Easy peasy!  I hope you will consider joining in on the fun at the Card Chain Challenge (or at least go look at the reveal and see everyone's beautiful cards!) ~ I love getting good mail ~ Fondly, Christi

Another look :)

I would like to enter my Lotus Card in the following challenges:
One Crazy Stamper - May Challenge - Anything Goes
Sister Act Card Challenge - #104, Anything Goes
Simply Papercraft - #3, Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday's Challenge - Anything Goes
Ruby's Rainbow - #103, Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Monday's Challenge - Anything Goes

And, Simon Says Stamp is having a Design Team Call - you have until May14, 2015 to enter! Just thought I'd pass the info along :)