Birds

I thought I'd first share the Bird cards that I designed using my new stamps. I hope everyone is enjoying the special offer that  Cornish Heritage Farms has on them until May 30th. You can find it here Asela's_Birds

I wanted to keep the style pretty consistent to showcase the stamps. I can't wait to play some more with the little birds.

I'm getting more anxious and bit nervous about the upcoming move. Oh you know how that is, "Will I forget something?", "What will we need for the trip", "Did I make sure to get everything done before we leave?" Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! LOL...I know it will all be fine.

Anyways, I first stamped the Large_Paisley_Backgrounder in an ink that was very close to the color of the paper. Then I went back with a white Signo pen and colored in the dots. The Birds were stamped in versamark and embossed in black. I colored them in using my Prismacolor pencils and Odorless Thinner. (Be really careful not to touch the embossed line or else it will bleed into the pencil drawing.) I used my Coluzzle circle template to cut out the birds. Then I cut out more circles 1/4 inch larger than the Birds circles and used my scissors to cut around it. I then used a Staedtler Pigment Liner 1.0 pen to draw tiny circles around the scallops. Very fun!

The smaller sayings fit perfectly in the SU! window punch. I used a large scallop scissors to put a curve on the larger saying.

I have been asked "How do you make your scallops so neat and perfect around a shape?" Well I'll show you. (But really there's no secret to it, just practice.)

Scalloped Circles Using Scissors

1. Cut out a circle using your Coluzzle Template (Or a punch) Then very carefully and slowly start to go around the outside of the circle using your scissors. (I don't always use a guide but you can score a small line with the blade of the Coluzzle cutter on the cut out circle. Or draw one in lightly with a pencil.) The key here is to go slow when cutting.

2. Always use the back end of the scissors to cut (where the joint is.) It's the sharpest point and you will get a better edge. (Atleast that's the case with the cheaper scissors that I own.)

Take your time and go all around the edge of the circle. 

3. Once you get close to the end of your cutting and you can see where you are about to join the scallops I want you to try to visualize how many scallops will be needed to complete the circle. In other words, how many do I need to make it look right! What you can do is fudge a bit. You can make a scallop a bit longer or shorter. It won't be that noticeable.

4. You can see that now I only have about 2 scallops left to cut. I will need to maneuver my scissors a bit to make that last scallop work.

5. And guess what? It doesn't always come out perfect. But that's okay. You can see here that my last little scallop is a bit higher than the rest. No biggy. Just turn the paper over and use your scissor to cut the scallop down some. (I used the scalloped edged scissors but you can also just use your pointed scissors.)

6. Voila! There you have it. All done and looking nice and pretty. Who would have ever guessed it didn't end up even.

When I get a chance (probably once I'm settled in Florida) I'll share how I make my squared scallops end up just about right.

(You can click on the images to make them larger

Comments

[Beate]

Asela, I will so need to order your bird pack. They are sooo cute! I love the paisley background as well. The cards you made with these stamps are gorgeous!!! Your coloring beautiful, like always.

I was about to write a quick tutorial about working with decorative scissors and shapes as well. Your tutorial came out great!!!

[Adelina]

I love the birds, I love the cards, I love the scalloped circle!!! That's adorable. Thank you so much for your tutorial.

[Elizabeth]

These are BEYOND adorable! LOve, Love, Love them!!! thank you so much for sharing your cards and the tutorial.

[JennyMick]

Love love love these cards!! (and the stamps too)!!!

[Sherrie]

These are so cute! Thank you for sharing your talent!!

[snarflemarfle]

Cute birdies!

And thank you for the scallop scissors tutorial. I really should go try that instead of waiting on punches to come back in stock.

[Lisa Trombitas]

What pretty cards - and great stamp images! Congratulations yet again. Funny, I saw the pretty cards and thought you finally broke down and got the scalloped punch, and THEN I scrolled down and saw your tutorial - LOL! I've had luck with the scissors on straight edges - I'll have to try some circles now - you make it look easy! Thanks for sharing.

[Jami]

Asela your birds are adorable! Congrats to you!

[Michele]

These cards are wonderful! And just for the record....no matter how many times I would try to cut that scalloped circle....MINE would never come out that nice! I think I have poor OT skills or something! LOL!

[Rose Ann]

Your birds are so cute! Love the background as well as your coloring! Awesome!

[Kendra Giles]

Asela what a great card! those birds you designed are just TDF! *hugz*

[Leslie Miller]

Oh, pretty birds! What a wonderful collection!

[Juanita]

Fabulous cards and tutorial!! TFS.

[GinaP]

well, first - you are talented and patient to be cutting those circles!! I'm impressed!! lol Oh, and those cards are all really cute. I like how perfect they work in that smaller card size, too. Great job.

[gayle]

Just discovered your blog!! Great tutorial! Went straight to my craftroom to try it!!! Of course I couldnt find my circle coluzzlw but tried it on my oval! Worked great!! Ok so now I need the down load on the square!! lol thank you

[florence]

These cards are GREAT, you are so talented, thanks for sharing the talent.

[liannallama]

wow! What a fantastic batch of tutorials and cards! Thanks so much!