Coloring a Bird Quartet

I just love the Free As A Bird stamp set by Stampin’ Up!. In addition to the single bird colored for the previous card, there is a quartet of endearing birds! More opportunity to practice coloring with the Stampin’ Blends Alcohol Markers!

I again used the Scalloped Note cards and Envelopes by Stampin’ Up! but this time chose the pink. Using the Scalloped Note Cards and Envelopes really makes card making quick and easy. Here’s how I made this card.

Measurements: In addition to the pink Scalloped Note card and envelope, you will need: 4 1/2 x 3 inch Whisper White cardstock and 5 x 1/2 inch strip of the Bird Ballad Designer Series Paper (DSP).

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I used Memento ink, Clear blocks B and E, and the following Stampin’ Blend Alcohol Markers: Light Petal Pink, Light Daffodil Delight, Light and Dark Crumb Cake, Light Soft Suede, and Light and Dark Old Olive.

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First, use the Memento Ink to stamp the bird quartet. Side note and tip: Whenever you are using an alcohol marker, you must use Memento Ink or Stazon Ink and not a water-based ink like the majority of the Stampin’ Up! inks. The reason for this is that the water-based ink will smear when exposed to the ink from the alcohol marker, making the edges of the image blurry and the color leaking out of the lines.

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I colored the bellies of the birds with the Light Petal Pink. I then added a bit of the Light Soft Suede to the shadows.

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I blended the Light Petal Pink with the Light Soft Suede by using the Light Crumb Cake. I followed up with another layer of the Light Petal Pink.

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Using the Dark Crumb cake I added a little more shadow, then went back to the Light Crumb Cake to make sure everything blended well. Tip: When adding shadow, use a very small amount of the darker color, then blend it out with a shade or two lighter until you get the effect you like.

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I used the Light Petal Pink for the flowers. The leaves were done in Light and Dark Old Olive. I colored the leaves with the Light Old Olive first, then added a small amount of the Dark Old Olive where the shadows were. I used the Light Old Olive again to blend the color. I used the Light Crumb Cake for the branch.

Here is the completely colored bird quartet. Aren’t they charming?

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Next I fussy cut the bird quartet. To fussy cut means to cut around the image using scissors, as compared to using a punch or a Framelit to cut around the image. I usually leave a thin white border, although others cut right up to the black line around the image.

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Apply Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back of the bird quartet.

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Before adhering the bird quartet, place it where you want it so you know where to stamp the sentiment. Move the bird quartet out of the way when you stamp the sentiment so that it doesn’t interfere with putting the stamp all the way down on the paper.

Now adhere the bird quartet. I added a 1/2 inch border of DSP to the bottom of the inside of the note card so that it would enhance the scalloped edge and make the card a little more fancy.

That was the quickest and easiest card I have done yet! Fun!

Stampin’ Up! Supplies used include: Stamp Set: Free As A Bird #149468; Ink: Memento #132708; Stampin’ Blends: Light Petal Pink #146866, Light and Dark Crumb Cake Combo #144601 , Light Daffodil Delight #144586, Light Soft Suede #146874 and Light and Dark Old Olive Combo #144597; Paper: Scalloped Note cards and Envelopes #149610; Bird Ballad Designer Series Paper #149592; Clear Blocks: B #117147 and E #118484; Stampin’ Dimensionals #104430, Multipurpose Liquid Glue #110755.