Birdcage Tag Tutorial (Swirlydoos/Helmar)

Here is the first challenge in our six week Ultimate Design Challenge at Swirlydoos! The first challenge is issued by me, yippee!!!

"To create a multi-dimensional embellishment for use on a scrapbook page, card or other altered item"

• You must use either a die cut paper or a piece of chipboard as your base shape (does not have to be a birdcage)

• You must turn that die cut/chipboard into a dimensional (layered) usable embellishment

• You must use at least TWO art mediums (gesso, gels, pastes, glazes, paints etc.)

• Your final piece must be showcased on a layout, card or other altered item

• Post a photo of the embellishment ONLY on this thread, and upload the finished project into the Swirlydoos gallery by the deadline

This project is due by Midnight MST on Saturday, January 19th. Your completed project must be uploaded into the "Ultimate Design Challenge - WEEK 1" gallery within the Swirlydoos gallery.

You may follow along and create something along these lines of my birdcage tutorial below, or feel free use your own creative license to show us what amazing concepts you have hiding within yourself!

Here is a birdcage tag/embellishment example that I created for the Swirlydoos Challenge.

Materials you will need:

- 2 white cardstock or light colored birdcage cutouts (any die) or 1 chipboard piece

- 1 bird die cut or chipboard

- patterned paper (color of your choice)

- flowers (color of your choice)

- feathers (color of your choice)

- paint or glaze (color of your choice)

- script or pattern stamp and ink

- ribbon (color of your choice)

*bling and lace are optional (not show in image below)

* you will need to prime with gesso if using chipboard instead of cardstock

*glue (I used Helmar acid-free adhesive and 450 quick-dry)
*craft knife or scissors will also be required

Step 1: Stamp your 2 cardstock birdcages and paint your bird. You will only need 1 cage if using chipboard.

Step 2: Adhere the birdcage to your patterned paper and cut excess off. Be sure not to cover the top hole so that you can pull some ribbon through.

Step 3: Adhere the other birdcage to the backside if using cardstock - skip this step if using chipboard. This gives the cardstock extra thickness and support.

Step 4: Add the bird, feathers and flowers.

Step 5 (optional): Add the ribbon, lace and bling.

Now it is time to add your tag to a project. Here I added mine to a layout created with the Swirlydoos November 2012 kit. I also created the large handmade flower on this layout using my DIY "mistable" flower tutorial.