I’m so fortunate to live in beautiful rural Nova Scotia. With a house that looks over Cobequid Bay and acres of grassland and trees it’s such a peaceful spot. I’ve always been attracted to nature and love to see the wildlife that comes to visit. Some like the deer are quiet and we only know they’re there if we happen to look out at the perfect moment. Others like the birds are more obvious, and they inspired me to design this cute robin note-card using the Sweet Songbirds Stamp Set.

ROBIN

The Sweet Songbirds Stamp Set is a “two-step stamp set” which means that you can build an image using two or more separate stamps. There’s two different sized birds plus other smaller images to create little scenes. Today I was using the coordinating Songbird Builder Punch and so that meant I needed the larger of the two bird bodies and chest stamps.

There are a number of different techniques you can use with a builder punch to save wasting card. Today I began by inking up the large bird body with Soft Suede ink and stamped-off onto scrap paper to remove a little of the ink. Then I stamped the image onto some Thick Basic White Card. Next I held the Songbird Builder Punch upside-down and slid the image into it. After lining up the image with the body section I squeezed the punch. Now I had a stamped bird body and several other white pieces. Then from the remaining scrap of Basic White Card I punched one additional teardrop-shaped wing piece.

As the the Sweet Songbirds Stamp Set is made from see-through photopolymer the next step was really easy…

From the Sweet Songbirds Stamp Set I took the teardrop-shaped stamp and inked it up with Soft Suede ink. Then I stamped-off onto scrap paper and, looking through the stamp, I lined it up on one of the punched wings and stamped. With that done I repeated the inking and stamping-off technique to colour the second wing piece.

Next I changed to a Sweet Sorbet ink pad and the larger of the two chest images from the stamp set. As before I used the stamping-off technique to create more subtle colouring as I stamped on the punched chest piece.

Finally I decided not to use the punched beak on this project, but I’ll save it for another day.

SONGBIRDS = MUSIC

With the basic preparation complete I was ready to start putting together the project using some additional images from the Sweet Songbirds Stamp Set.

But first I needed a card and envelope and today I decided to keep things really simple. So I grabbed one of the the Basic White Note Cards and Envelopes. All I had to do was fold it along the pre-scored line and sharpen the crease with a Bone Folder.

As I prepared to assemble my bird I realised he had no eyes! So I found the closed eyelids stamp and stamped them onto the bird in Soft Suede ink. Then using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I fixed one wing on the front of the bird’s body and the other one peeking out from behind. That just left the red breast to glue into place.

Now I was able to use the bird to help me position the “A little note of thanks” sentiment. After resting the bird on the front of the note card I stamped the sentiment below him using Soft Suede ink.

Just one last bit of stamping was needed and that was the cute musical notes image also included in the stamp set. So with Soft Suede ink again I stamped these above the bird. Then I picked up the bird and attached Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back so I could fixed him permanently in place.

I really love the music notes and decided to use them as my coordinating feature. So still using Soft Suede ink I stamped then inside the note card, in the centre near the top. Finally I stamped the notes on the flap of the envelope and my project was complete.

I’m so pleased with how this cute robin turned out and will definitely make more for my Christmas projects. So now I’ve made a robin and a bluebird I wonder what little bird I should try next?

If you missed my bluebird gift tag, check out my earlier blog post Songbirds maiden flight.

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Sweet Songbirds Stamp Set and coordinating Songbird Builder Punch using a single “bundle” item number. Ordering the Sweet Songbirds Bundle saved me 10% off the cost of buying the two items separately. You’ll see I’ve included both options below so you can compare them if you wish.