Monday, October 31, 2011

A Serendipitous Simon Says Stamp Challenge

A couple weeks ago, the theme for the Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge was 'stripes'. I had seen a very cool little paper house on Pinterest, and decided to create a Fall-themed house, using an embossing folder for stripes. Well, it took forever, my stripes weren't very stripey, and I ended up setting it aside, even though I loved it. Imagine my surprise when I checked to see what this week's challenge was and saw it was 'Houses'! Yay! A few finishing touches and my little birdhouse was ready to go.

After Googling my heart out trying to find a house pattern, I came across the perfect template, generously offered for download by a wonderful artist named Inger Harding. Be sure and check out her blog - it's fantastic!

Using her pattern, I cut my pieces from light chipboard. I painted the house pieces using a Lettuce Dabber and colored the roof using an Espresso Dabber. After the pieces were dry, I ran them through my Vagabond and embossed them using a Cuttlebug folder. After embossing them, I sanded the raised areas with my Idea-ology Sanding Grip.


Maybe I'm weird, but I really wanted to do something glittery for Fall! I decided to glitz up my birdhouse by applying a light coating of Rock Candy Distress Stickles to just about everything. While it was wet, I sprinkled on a little additional clear glitter from Martha Stewart.

I wanted to give the bottom of the house a finished look, and I thought the Sizzix On the Fence die would be perfect. I cut it out of chipboard and painted it with Picket Fence Distress Crackle paint, adding a light coating of Rock Candy Distress Stickles after it was dry.

Of course, I'm still addicted to my Faux Crazed Porcelain technique - had to fit it in somewhere! The number 2 is from Artistic Outpost's Whimsical Melange collection and was stamped using a Pitch Black Dabber.

I was a little uncertain as to how I should cut the hole in the house; I didn't have a hole punch that would reach, or was the right size, and I didn't want to do a sloppy job with an exacto knife. I spotted my set of Nestabilities Circles and was like - aha! I centered my die and cut through the house. It looked a little boring, so I used a scalloped circle with the plain circle and created a little frame from chipboard. Much better!

My birdhouse definitely needed a bird, and this sweet one (no idea what kind it is!) from Artistic Outpost's Birds of a Feather set was perfect. On the right side of the house, I created a little sign by tracing an Idea-ology Addage Ticket onto cream cardstock. I cut it out, and stamped a portion of a sentiment from Artistic Outpost's Typography set onto it. The ticket was covered with Rock Candy Distress Crackle paint (I'm falling in love with that stuff!) and attached using an Idea-ology Memo Pin.


























Now, for my favorite bit - the leaves!! I basically created this whole project just to use the leaves, lol! I cut them out of  Tim's Kraft Core'dinations paper with my new Sizzix Autumn Gatherings die. After cutting my leaves and branches, I sanded them using my Idea-ology Sanding Grip, gave them a little Rock Candy treatment, and adhered them to the bottom of the house. Finally, I added a Kraft Glassine flower that was cut using the Tattered Florals die, to the center.

I bought this little silver pedestal at an antique mall a month or so ago and it seemed like a perfect way to showcase my little birdhouse. Apologies for the slightly blurry pic!

Thanks so much for stopping by! And special thanks to Inger for sharing her wonderful template. :-) Don't forget, you can get all of the supplies I used at Inspiration Emporium. AND if you use my code - stamptramp - you'll save 10% off your entire order! BTW, you can pre-order the new Tim Holtz Limited Edition Winter Distress inks there too. If they're as popular as the Fall set, you will want to jump on these FAST!!

24 comments:

  1. Another gorgeous project! I'm so inspired by your beautiful birdhouse...think I will have to play with that template!
    TFS!
    Vicki

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  2. Absolutely gorgeous...love it!
    You are so creative and talented. Love your work.

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  3. Shelly, your autumnal birdhouse is so pretty. I love all the little detailing in the leaves, the glassine flower, the fence, etc. All really pretty that way you designed it. I love the colors you used, too. The bird is so sweet perched outside of the "door". Love it! Thanks for sharing your talent with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge. <3 Candy

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  4. Beautiful! Love those autumn bits and display!

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  5. What a great artwork...lovely!

    greetings, Alie :-)

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  6. Love how you have displayed your birdhouse on the stand, it really does show it off perfectly. Your birdhouse is stunning, all the little details are perfect. Thanks so much for joining in the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge. Tracy x

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  7. So beautiful! I love the glitzy roof Shelly! x

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  8. stunning,elegant and gorgeous.This should have a blue ribbon beside it.

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  9. This is a beautiful piece! I love the colors and the sentiment. You enhanced it wonderfully, too, with the Rock Candy Stickles!! LOVE those!!

    Thanks so much for entering the Simon Says Stamp & Show Challenge!!!

    -Sarah

    *Follow Simon Says Stamp on Twitter!
    *Like us on Facebook!

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  10. This is amazing, just stunning. Love all the details of it. You created a beautiful piece as always!

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  11. Shelly,
    I love this project--I really appreciate your attention to detail. Your display with the leaves and nuts on the silver tray is perfect. Thanks for sharing your work.

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  12. Every little detail is just perfect, I just love your work.

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  13. I thought this was wood when I first saw it.....without reading I was going to ask if you were going to use it for the birds this year lol that would be funny how long would it of lasted ....I love it ....it looks so real ....glad I read all the detail now ....fab ..Mandy x

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  14. I love your project Shelly. The frosty roof is my favorite part but the way you've wrapped the fence around the base is a very close second. So clever!

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  15. OH my WOOOOOOOORRRRD!!! this is just AMAZING...(still shakin my head!!) every little detail is PERFECT and the Rock Candy Distress Crackle just sent the whole thing OVER THE EDGE!!

    THANKS BUNCHES for joining the teamies with this weeks challenge "A HOUSE" and Simon Says Stamp and Show!!!

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  16. Hey there Shelly, my goodness your autumnal birdhouse is just amazing wowww love all the colors you've used and the little birdie is just perfect wow, just like the flower and the leaves that you have made....Thank you so much for joining us at the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge Blog. Hugs Terry xxxxx

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  17. What a gorgeous fall birdhouse!! Love it!

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  18. This is amazing! I love it, so perfect for fall :-)

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  19. LOVE this project...and the pictures are fantastic!!!! WTG Shelly!

    ~Linda

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  20. Congratulations on winning a blinky in Simon Says Stamp and Show. Your birdhouse is adorable!
    I am very happy for you! Karen :)
    http://kraftykittykaren.blogspot.com/

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  21. It's really an adorable project. I love the colors and a girl can never have too much glitter!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate your comments so much!