"..........in a Gilded Cage"

Hello again! Another weekend has just flown by. And speaking of flying....this weeks entry for "Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge" #57 has a bird theme. The sketch challenge details can be found HERE. When I first saw the Tim Holtz Alterations die "Caged Bird" I KNEW I had to have it! When I saw this weeks sketch I thought the "Fan-like" element reminded me of feathers and so it went from there......... For the sake of easy reading I'm going to list the steps used to make each of the design elements on this project including materials.
 Here we go......

Birdcage:   The Tim Holtz Sizzix die was cut out on the Big Shot using a white chipboard. I next painted it gold with "Modern Options" Instant antiquing kit "Gold metal surfacer. I applied the PAtina green antiquing solution but didnt achive the desired effect so I randomly applied clear embossing ink and Ranger "Antiquities" EP in "Verdigris". Where the EP looked too contrived I used my fingernail to remove some of the EP. A gold organza ribbon was weaved throughout the holes in the bottom of the diecut. The bird, which is part of the die, was cut out of patterned paper and then stamped and gold embossed using SU "French Script" background stamp.

Feathers:    The feathers came from Michaels. They are from "Zucker Feather Products" and were labeled Guinea plumage natural. To get them to match the Verdigris, I airbrushed them with Copic marker BG23.

Chain:        The chain attached to the top of the birdcage was fashioned from jump rings. I added a clear bead to each link for interest.

Mats:         Spellbinders nestabilities sponged with colorbox pigment ink and Ranger Distress Ink in Vintage Photo. MS Border Punch "Woodland Branch" was used at the bottom of the top panel. The corner embellishment trios are beads from Plaid found @ Michaels as well.

Paper:        K and Co., 29th Street Market (all purchased @ Michaels)



Thanks for taking a look and have a GREAT WEEK!

Holly