Chic Boutique – Bird in a Cage

September 16, 2009

Hi Everyone. Happy Wednesday evening!
Today's card uses SU's Chic Boutique and the MojoMonday 104 sketch. I started out wanting to use one of the papers from the Christmas Cocoa set to show you that you can use "Christmas" paper for other things – hence the Suede color. However, once I started to build the card, I changed my mind and went for a piece of script from the En Francais background stamp instead! That's what I love about creating cards – the organic nature and the ability to change on the fly!
This is an interesting layout, so I might be tempted to try another card with it. Here's the sketch. Two circles were interesting, but for this particular card, I decided to use an oval instead, because it fit my sentiment better.

Here's my take on the sketch.

I really love the Soft Suede color – it's rich and luscious – and a little softer than Chocolate Chip. It reminds me of a latte… mmm… now I think I need a cappuccino…. I always horrify the waiters in Italy when I order cappuccino after lunch or after dinner. Even if I ordered it in perfect Italian – which I don't – I'd still give away the fact that I'm not local. The Italians only ever drink cappuccino as a breakfast drink. Me… I can drink it anytime. :-) Anyway, back to the card!

Here's what I used for the card:

Card Stock:

Whisper White, Soft Suede

Ink:

Stazon (for the cage), Soft Suede, Soft Suede marker for the bird cage, Crushed Curry for the bird

Embellishments:

Whisper White ribbon organza and grosgrain ribbons, small pearls from the Pretties Kit

Tools:

Big Shot with the Perfect Details Texturz Plate, Circle Scissor Plus, Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Stampin Dimensionals

I love the soft swirls of the embossed background with the script of the En Francais background stamp – I think they really compliment each other. I also love the pop of yellow on the canary in the cage. I didn't put the ribbon on the top of the cage. I kept looking at the card and thinking… something is missing and then I realized that the cage looked as though it really needed something on top!

On the personal front: the weather has been really warm – in the 80s, humid and we are really in need of rain. I've noticed that some of the birds who frequented our garden have already left – like the red shouldered black bird. I love the way he arrives early in the year and visits our garden several times a day. He always announced his arrival at the feeder. The wrens have also left. I miss the sound of both of them. However, the call of the chickadee is guaranteed to bring a smile to my face every time I hear them. The hummers are still around, so obviously the temps are not quite low enough for them to leave as yet. I'll never forget the first time I saw a hummingbird. It was in Jamaica. I got so excited and people thought I was crazy, but seriously, I'd never seen anything so small and so phenomenally fast in my whole life and I've watched birds on 4 continents! I feel blessed ever day with the little ecosystem in our garden.

Have a fabulous Thursday! Your visit to my little area of the stamping blogosphere is always very much appreciated – as are your comments and emails of support. If you have any questions on today's card, any project on my site – or SU products, send me an email!

Peace and hugs
Jaydee

Perfect Details Chic Boutique
115962 113744