Spring shadow box with Emily Pitts!

On the same day I found the inspiration for Monday's Exacto knife challenge, I found this adorable bird on the copycatcrafts.com website.

 

I thought it would be lovely to have a little birdie of my own, so after lunch with friends, I headed to the craft store, in search of a bird to transform. The above bird is actually a dollar store decoration, and had I not found my foam and newspaper friend, I would have headed to the dollar store. Luckily for me, I found a bird and this little shadow box and knew they would work well together. The box is actually called a cradle box and I believe it's a frame for canvas projects. But it was perfect for what I wanted.

 

Here's a supply list for the basics of this project
• glue–I used gel medium, you can use mod podge
• paint brush to apply the adhesive
• water
• paper punch–i used the Martha Stewart pinked circle punch
• some neutral paper to cover the bird

 
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Once I had my supplies gathered, I punched a whole bunch of circles, I never counted them, but used half a sheet of paper. Then I started glueing them onto the bird's body. I found that if I dipped the circle in the water, that really helped "form" the circle to the shape of the bird. I would slightly overlap each circle in a random fashion until the whole bird was covered and all the edges of the circles were flat against the bird. This whole process took about an hour, then I had to wait overnight for the bird to completely dry.

 

While waiting for the bird to dry, I could make the background for my box. I simply measured the interior of the box and trimmed a piece of paper to fit, then decorated with some flowers and alpha stickers. I made this sheet removable so I could change it with the seasons.

 

My final step involved aging the bird. I used the Tim Holtz foam tool with some distress ink and just rubbed a small amount of ink over the bird's body, heavier at the wing for a bit more definition. I added some brad eyes and finished by sitting the bird in the box.

 

I now have a sweet little bird that I can enjoy every season of the year.

 

Happy Spring!  ~ Emily

Thank you Emily for such a sweet project!  And, speaking of sweet, we are working on something SWEET!  Be sure to mark May 7th on your calendar.  This is National Scrapbook Day and we have an announcement...and it's BIG!  We can't wait to share the news.  Any guesses???

~ Catherine

 

 

Comments

[Maryann]

Oh I so love this little birdiearrangement here, and it´s soo great, that the background can be replaced, so we can follow the seasons or what other occation, we might want it to fit in for. And it even sound easy enough even for me to try too, so I may have a go on this one some time soon ha ha ha.
Have a wonderful day everyone and thanks again for sharing this awesome idea here.

[Carol Hartery]

Oh, what a sweet idea! I may try it sometime soon. I love the concept of changing the background with each season. Thank you for sharing.

[Karen]

That shadow box is AMAZING, great job :) and the big news on May 7th...... hmmm........ giving away the birdie box????

[Nancy]

This is a fantastic project Emily! It would be perfect in my sunroom which is decorated with birds and flowers! I better get busy! Thanks so much for the inspiration! :o)

[Lorrie Everitt]

This is sooo cute. What a great project. I have been making similar birds myself for a couple of months and working them into projects as well. I cover my wood birds with vintage sewing pattern tissue papers and add German Glitter Glass to the wings (you can see one on my blog from a February posting). I currently purchase my wood bird ornaments from Michaels but I will have to check out my local Dollar stores now. Thanks for the inspiration!

[karen wilson]

What a fun creation/project! Thanks for sharing it with us!!!

Hmmmm...could the announcement be another great giveaway?? can't wait!

[Geraldine Weston]

This is very cute, and exciting!! I love it!!

[Aly Dosdall]

so adorable, em.

[Lorraine M.]

Great project! Love the bird!

[Erica Marshall]

This is absolutely ADORABLE!! I wish I had time to craft right now, it is so inspiring! Thanks for sharing!

[Beverly Jordan]

Love this adorable birdy!! The box is such a great idea to frame him!!

[Peggy Carmody]

I think this is something a child group could do !! Thanks...it is adorable :)

[Monika Wright]

Happy Spring to you, too! I have that MS punch on order, thanks to you telling me it would be a hot new trend!

[Cathy P in AZ]

What an ADORABLE project! LOVE IT.

[Jacque]

Just so adorable!

[Sharon Marchbanks]

How adorable is this!!! You are so brilliant! Think I'll print this tutorial and add it to my collection. Thanks!! Hugs, Sharon :o)

[Sarah Hodgkinson]

This bird is a rock star.

[Bobbi-Lynn]

That is so adorable!!

National Scrapbook day lands on my birthday this year. So although I know I won't be scrapping, I should make time to do a little scrap shopping as a birthday treat ;-)

[PaulaSG]

super-di-duper! that is too cute!

[ellen s]

total cuteness!