Sunday, October 6, 2024

Birds, Birds, Birds

Hello and welcome back!  It's nice to see you on this beautiful fall day.

I currently have an excess of crafty things sitting on and around my desk and I'm going to have to tidy up or I'll get nothing done.  But first... I finished three cards using three different Cottage Cutz die sets, and now those three never-been-used die sets are tucked away in the Cottage Cutz bin.  That's tidying up, isn't it?

The first is called Spring Bird w/Vine, but I thought I could make it look fall-ish by using certain colors.  I made up my own bird species.  It's part of the joy of crafting.


Cottage Cutz Spring Bird w/Vine, Creative Expressions Mini-Hello & Hi
Spellbinders Scallop Labels and Tag

For all three cards I worked with an old Heartfelt Creations paper collection and Spellbinders dies for the mats.  The focal dies were cut in Neenah 110# white and colored with inks and blending brushes.

Moving backwards into summer, the next die set is called Garden Bird.  It does not have an extra wing part for layering so I cut a whole extra bird and trimmed out the wing to make my own layer.  Easy and makes a lot of difference.


Cottage Cutz Garden Bird and Hello Phrase, Spellbinders Essential Arches

I'm including one extra photo to show sparkle and shimmer:




Card #3 is representing spring with the Spring Potted Flowers set.  The bird is sweet and I love the die set, but I don't like the way I colored the flowers and leaves.  Not sure what I was thinking when I colored solid and forgot to leave any light areas.  This die set is worth a do-over.  Maybe I could put poinsettias in the pot for Christmas.


Cottage Cutz Spring Potted Flowers w/Bird, Impression Obsession Have a Nice Day
Spellbinders Long Classic Rectangles

I'll send my fall card over to two challenges today:

Triple B Challenge --  Birds, Blooms, and/or butterflies.  I did not use the beautiful colors in the mood board this time, but I'm inspired to make another card before the month is over.
NBUS Challenge #67 -- All the Cottage Cutz bird sets and the Spellbinders Scallop Layers and Tag are never before used schtuff.

Now I plan to do a little more tidying up and move on to the next set of cards.  Thank you for stopping by!




20 comments:

Marcia Hill said...

Your trio of sweet birdies are all absolutely beautiful Leslie, and I'm loving the wonderful backgrounds too! And YAY for getting 3 sets used and put away and being able to say they are NOT NBUS anymore!! Congrats!! Hugs. :0)

Glenda said...

As always my friend your talent and creativity come shining through in your creations! Each and every card is beautiful and the sweet little birds are such lovely focal points. Usually I have a favorite ... just because... but this time I do not! I'm in love with each and every one! Well done!

Yogi said...

All 3 bird cards are wonderful, color combos beautiful. The 1st ones color choices are exquisite. WOW Have a great day

Lisa Elton said...

I would enjoy spotting any one of these three feathered friends in my backyard! This is a trio of prettiness, Leslie. Looking forward to that next set of cards ;)

I Card Everyone said...

Leslie, you know you've made my bird-loving heart smile today, right? ALL THREE cards are just wonderful - as are your 'made up' species! Except that little bluebird looks VERY much like the dozen or so that visit our backyard each day! Well done with his wing layer! Loving the beautiful script-y paper in the background, too!
=]

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

I always love seeing your bird cards. They look so pretty with all their colors and the DSP. I agree with you that I would like to see the last card with a Poinsettia and a cardinal for Christmas. Lovely cards!

HilaryJane said...

I am loving your little birds. What a great set of dies. I am so glad you have used them now so they can get put away. Always a good feeling. I love all 3 equally xx

Loll said...

As always, your post is a feast for the eyes, Leslie! Three GORGEOUS bird cards. LOVE the way you've layered and coloured them to create a feel of the different seasons. Beautiful papers for your background too! xx

Cindy Beach said...

You've sold me on these dies, Leslie, and I'm so glad to see your lovely creations with them! The birds are so pretty and I love how you made them look so different according to the season!

Bonnie said...

Three beautiful birds, Leslie! As always your attention to detail make them extraordinary! Love, love, love that first with his long tail and bright colors! I'll bet he sings a pretty song too! Cutting and adding the extra wind layer makes the second bird extra special! The third bird seems quite taken with the flowers and leaves for a spring card. I look forward to seeing that pot full of poinsettias.

Darnell said...

Eep! Oh, my gosh, Leslie, all three of these birds are simply delish! You know how much I love birds in real life and, wow, did you bring these paper sweeties to life with your designs and colors! And, yes, go girl, show how we can create our own species!! Thank you for inspiring everyone to tidy up by using their NBUS! Hugs, Darnell

Conniecrafter said...

I am so loving all 3 birds, do love the Autumn look you gave to it and the leaves with your coloring, like coloring to the sentiment too, all so pretty!
Aren't you just clever on the second with cutting twice and giving the wing some dimension, it does make a difference I am sure, pretty sparkle on the flowers, and love the greenery!
Awesome coloring on the last one too, love the pot the flowers are in and highlights on the greenery, you could take your little brushes to the flowers and give them some extra shading ;)

Christine Alexander said...

OMG so many beautiful bird cards, I really need to pull out some of my bird die cuts then work out how you colour yours ♥

Vicky Hayes said...

What brilliant tidying up Lesie - and excellent enabling too if I might say so! I love those birds and they look wonderful in their autumnal colours and settings. Vicky x

Margaret said...

All your cards as so beautiful. I don't see any reason why you can't make up your own bird coloring. There probably is one somewhere in the world that may look almost like it. That is the joy of coloring and crafting, you can do your own thing.

Birgit said...

All your birds have me swooning over here! I am an avid back yard bird watcher so I love anything with birds. We try to keep 5 feeders full of seeds but between the birds and the hungry squirrels and chipmunks, it's hard! Anyway, your bird cards are all pure delight in any color!!

Lynette said...

These are all so awesome, Leslie!! I love the colors you chose for your birds.

Diane said...

Well you must know I am loving your birds, so colorful and beautiful and I 'might' (do) have a few of these dies in my stash so it was a pleasure seeing your beautiful take on them!! I am waiting patiently for the next CC sale!! Thank you too for joining our challenge at Triple B, these birds are perfect for it!

Megan J said...

Hi Leslie, love all of your little bird cards, the first bird reminds me of a Whip Bird, different colours of course, love the little sparrow in the pot of flowers. Have a wonderful week... Megan

Darlene said...

OH! my friend ... these are all just gorgeous! LOVE your birds (even the species you made up lol) ... the scene & colors are AMAZING! You are such an inspiration to me!! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Triple B challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.

Darlene
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
Triple B Challenge Co-Owner