Saturday, April 10, 2010

Bird Tag

I spent the better part of the day working on this tag.  It started out as a simple quick project, but you know how that goes....one technique leads to another!
The herringbone background is a Wendy Vecchi stamp, which I embossed with my new favorite embossing powder, Ranger's verdigris from their antiquities line.  I added the crow/grass image on the bottom (from I Brake For Stamps), which was stamped with black pigment ink and embossed with black powder.  After all that embossing, I added some color (the new bundled sage distress ink) with a blending tool.

The bird cage is a Tim Holtz stamp, on a piece of grungeboard, which was then inked with stormy sky and chipped sapphire (also new distress ink colors).   I used a craft knife to open the cage.  What's behind it?  I couldn't take a good picture.  Since the birds are outside the cage, there are some butterflies inside.  Why not?

The bird perched on top of the cage is a Stampin' Up punch, cut from some core'dinations paper (that cool cardstock with one color on the outside and another in the core....get it?  core'dinations).  This one is black on the outside and green inside, and after running it through an embossing folder and lightly sanding it, you get that textured, two-tone look.   I gave my free little birdie a necklace made from one of those resistors I have so many of.

Instead of ribbon, I topped the tag off with a bit of chain.  It's some real cheapo cheesy craft store chain, but I gave it a little bath in black and brown alcohol ink, so it looks a little more high end.  I think.

Don't know how this became such a detailed project, but it kept me busy (and happy) all morning.

19 comments:

bockel24 said...

I love it, Eileen, it´s so detailed!

helena said...

Love this tag and that birdie on top with the necklace is just a cutie!

Nancy Lynn said...

I love all the details on this tag Eileen. You did a great job.

MarleneMAZ said...

Love your tag Eileen and also the fact that you detailed all the steps you did so well, it is great that you share your art with everyone.

Patsy Ingram said...

Your tag looks great. All the detail really makes the bird stand out.

Anonymous said...

This take is amazing. I just love all the work you do.

Anonymous said...

Oh Elaine I LOVE your tag....looks GREAT ma'am!!!

Anonymous said...

As always very pretty. Love all the details.

Barbara Mason said...

Seems like you had a very sweet successful morning, love that birdie necklace & the verdigris embossing powder is sure purdy....

Elaine A said...

Holy S_ _t! Excuse the french - LOL! Eileen, this is just wonderful! I really, really love what you have done to this tag! So much attention to detail, this is just awesome Eileen! What a sweet little masterpiece!

Elaine Allen

Lori said...

Oh, man, this is awesome! Don't cha love that verdigris?? It's awesome. Love the black embossing along the bottom too. That Stampin Up bird is cool, isn't it? And he looks exceptionally well dressed with the resistor necklace, too cool!

Bearcrazyman said...

Love it. You art is inspiring!

Anonymous said...

A lot of thought and work went into that tag....and it shows! It's really awesome. Love it!
Turly

Julie from Montana said...

Stunning! Inspiring as always!!!
I love green & black together & the alchemy of your elements is superb. And you're quite right, the brown & black stain jazzes up the chain.

Thanks for the eye-truffle ;o)

2amscrapper said...

Eileen the time and effort put into the details is what makes your art so amazing. This tag is wonderful!

patricia smith said...

I love the work on that! I had never thought to use a blender pen with the distressed ink! Thanks for that idea, and the whole card.
Wow, sums it up!
Hugs, Pat S

Barbara said...

Great job, Eileen. I love to look at your art! Very inspiring!

Patzee said...

I love that the piece kept growing and incorporating so many things. Those are the best creations when a simple concept magically turns into a multi-layered masterpiece!

KAT said...

Love this! I bet those butterflies insides are really beautiful! Awesome tag with all the textures and who doesn't love birds?