Winter Cardinal Scene

When is enough snow, enough? 

I created this card in a recent class taught by Altenew Certified Educator Liz Ortiz called Songs of Winter. Her bird was perched in a serene tree scene with a little snow, so peaceful. Snow just exudes a peaceful feeling to me, so I added more... and more! I went back to it after drying and sure enough, it needed more! Then some glitter to top it off. 

The background is a cloud stencil on watercolor paper using a gray blue shade of ink with a little gray on top . For the front wood texture I used an embossing folder and applied the brown inks with first with a blending brush, then direct to paper in a slightly darker shade.  The arch die from an Altenew Mini-Delight came in handy for the front window. The cardinal was stamped with an Altenew layering stamp, which was pretty easy to align and forgiving. 

I'm not exactly a big fan of folding. I always hesitate when I see the vast amount of measurements for where to cut and fold, but this project was actually fairly simple. I find it easier to watch and then try it myself. I love how Liz taught using an accordion fold to pop the sentiment out as well. 

To finish off the card, I added some pine branches and a generous amount of snow using the new Gina K Rise & Shine paste. At first I just dabbed some on but after it dried I decided to add more using a pallet knife. This tool allowed me to add some snow sitting on the window ledge and on top of the sentiment strip. I had some old chunky glitter lying around that I sprinkled on as well. 

                           

The  back of the card has a little pocket to slip a card in with a personal message. I made a gift card/money pocket card with a ribbon to pull it out easily. 

If you'd like to learn card making techniques, sign up for Altenew emails to have the offerings from Altenew Certified Educators sent to your inbox each month. You can also find these posted in the Altenew Fan Group on Facebook. Many are free or have a nominal fee. The classes I have attended are not recorded so they are not available later to access. To see more of Liz Ortiz's work and upcoming classes, check out her blog here

Supplies: 

Altenew Fresh Dye Inks (Misty Morning, Morning Frost, Hazelnut, Almond Butter, Ruby Red)

Altenew Winter Cardinal layering stamp & dies, Birthday Greetings stamp, Regal Frame die

Versafine Clair Nocturne pigment ink

Tim Holtz Sizzix embossing folder (wood grain)

Simon Says Stamp Pine Needle dies

Gina K Rise & Shine Paste (white), inks (brick red, red velvet)

Gick Prisma Glitter