Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Happy Birthday to You!

Hi everyone.  I made this card last month for a dear friend's birthday.  We worked together for several years and still keep in contact, even though I retired over 10 years ago.  She LOVES birds.  :)

I started by choosing a beautiful die given to me by a very, sweet friend.  It's a NBUS (never-before-used-schtuff), so I'm sending this card over to the NBUS #34 gallery.


I die-cut the bird from mixed media paper and watercoloured with distress inks:  Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Candied Apple, Ground Espresso, Mowed Lawn, Mustard Seed,and Black Soot.

I tried to make it look like a Robin ... hope it does. :)  I added a small eye with black ink and a tiny white dot.  It gave him some personality. :)  I also added white veins to the leaves, and to the leaves of the stenciled background.

Close-up ...
The camera could not pick up the orangey-red colour of the bird's breast.  The colours look better IRL.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!


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Stamps:  Birthday Blowout (Poppy Stamps - retired)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Candied Apple, Ground Espresso, Mustard Seed, Black Soot (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Bird & branch die (gift from a friend); Leaves Stencil (Simon Says Stamp - retired), sponge brushes, paint brushes, white acrylic pen (Posca)

Challenges:

20 comments:

Darnell said...

Your robin is awesome, Lolly! The eye really does bring him to life and your painting of his body and the leaves is excellent! I'll bet that was fun to make and your friend will love it! Thanks for inspiring everyone at NBUS! Hugs, Darnell

Susan said...

Definitely looks like a robin to me! A beautiful bird, lovely colouring, great layering of the stencilled leaves and die cut leaves.

HilaryJane said...

What a wonderful red breast, your bird looks spectacular amongst the green foliage. Oh I am looking forward to seeing leaves on the trees again. Especially the fresh lime green leaves of spring, just as you have created here xx

Bonnie said...

This is a beautiful robin, Lolly! I love how you've done the back and wing feathers and the detail on the leaves! What a treat for your friend!

Lisa Elton said...

This looks like a scene right out of my backyard! Well, not now... it's too cold and blustery! It's still pretty though!

Christine Alexander said...

Your Robin looks so sweet and I'm sure your friend will love her birthday card ♥

nancy littrell said...

Gorgeous watercolored robin and stenciled and die cut leaves, Lolly. I LOVE your added brush strokes on your beautiful robin and the leaves using your white acrylic Posca pen. I must try your technique. TFS and always inspiring me, my dear friend. Love and Hugs...Nancy

kiwimeskreations said...

beautiful card Loll, loving the way the die cuts against hte soft background stamping give just so much dimension to this card.
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Mac Mable said...

I love this cheery and beautiful robin and loving the vibrancy of the leaves too Loll x. Your friend will love it.....I do x.

Bobby said...

Beautiful job of coloring the robin, Loll. He looks good perched on the leafy branch.

Brenda in IN said...

Your friend will be thrilled with this card. What a beautiful image this is and water colored so pretty. The feathers look great.

Pat said...

The bird is gorgeous Loll, and your friend will adore this beautiful card. The leafy background is just perfect with the die cut bird so dimensional over the top, and the colours are really bright and pretty. x

BożenA said...

WoW! This card is amazing, Loll! Your colorful bird looks so pretty on a twig in spring colors. This card gives you hope that it will be spring again soon !! Hooray !!!
hugs,
BożenA xx

Julie B said...

Your stencilled leaves give this sweet image a wonderful sense of depth Loll.
The local robin population are in the process of defending their territory, so as the sun shines their song fills the air! :)

Linda said...

Your little robin is beautiful, such a cute die. Love the die cut leaves too, and the white highlights look fab.

Leslie Miller said...

How beautiful! You did an amazing job with your coloring of the dies, and the stenciled background adds even more beauty to the scene. How I love this, Loll!

Papercraft Boutique said...

What a lovely robin, Loll! I love the beautiful colors of its breast and the layers of the feathers. The light of its eye makes it look alive. The stenciled leaves in the background are beautiful too. Your friend will love the card!
Hideko xx

Robyn Oliver said...

A fabulous bird die and beautifully watercoloured, love the card Loll, Robyn

Karen Dunbrook said...

lovely card
xx Karen

Barb Ghig said...

Beautiful watercoloring on this card, Loll...your bird is stunning and I love how you layered the leaves! xx