May 25 2008
Rusty Bird Songs - Tutorial
Well it’s a beautiful sunny day here in Ohio. The birds are singing and my bird-feeders are extra busy this morning. The bird songs I’m hearing are what inspired this creation. 
I used the up and coming sketch challenge that will be posted later at http://www.innovativestampcreations.blogspot.com/
and new stamp images from Innovative Stamp Creations - Nature Silhouettes II & Art 4 Frames II. Here is a link to their online store: http://www.innovativestampcreations.com/ischomepage.html
Ready for this Rusty Spring Scene Tutorial? Alright, then let’s get started
Supplies:
| Stamps: Innovative Stamp Creations - Art 4 Frames II & Nature Silhouesttes II |
| Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Basic Black, Apricot Appeal |
| Ink: Stampin’ Up More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Adirondack Lettuce & Oregano, Walnut Distress Ink, Palette Noir Black |
| Accessories: Versamark, Sponges, Brads, Label Punch, Distressing Tool, Versamark Marker & Pad, White Gel Pen, Clear embossing powder & heat gun, Prismacolor Markers - Burnt Ochre, Terra Cotta, Buff, True Blue |
Stamped Bird with Palette Noir Black ink on Whisper White card stock.
Colored birds belly with a Prismacolor Buff marker.
Colored the upper half of bird’s belly with a Prismacolor Burnt Ochre marker.
Colored the very top of the bird’s belly with a Prismacolor Terra Cotta marker.
Colored the top of the bird with a Prismacolor True Blue marker.
Colored the Bird’s beak with a Prismacolor Burnt Ochre marker.
Colored over the bird image with a Versamark Marker and heat embossed with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.
Stamp Floral Swirl stamp by first loading with Versamark and then with Lettuce Ink before stamping.
Heat embossed using Clear embossing powder and a heat gun.
Colored Center of flower with a Terra Cotta marker and went over it with Versamark and then heat embossed it with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.
Stamped Floral Silhouette stamp by first loading stamp with Versamark and then Lettuce Ink before stamping.
Heat embossed with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.
Starting at the center of the card stock, sponged on More Mustard ink in a circular motion.
Working from the outside in, sponged Pumpkin Pie Ink in a circular motion not covering all of the More Mustard. I left a light area behind the bird.
Sponged Really Rust ink at the top of the card stock and at the bottom of the flowers.
Stamped the floral silhouette stamp again only using Oregano ink and moving the stamp about 1/2″ over to the right from where I stamp it before.
Sponged Walnut Stain using a swiping motion from bottom toward top to create the look of grasses.
Using a rag wiped ink from embossed images.
Made highlight with white gel pen on the top of the Flowers in the silhouette.
Distress edges with The Tim Holtz distressing tool.
Sponged Walnut Distress ink on the edges.
Stamped pen nib stamp with Oregano ink on Apricot Appeal card stock. Cut out images wand swiped on end of the images over a Really Rust ink pad. Colored the nib end of the images in with a white gel pen.
Stamped flourish with Oregano Ink at the top of the card stock.
Punched a label shape out of Apricot Appeal card stock. Sponged Really Rust ink on it. Drug the ends of the label over the Walnut Distress Ink pad. Stamped flower on the label shape using Walnut Stain ink. Colored Flower bud with a white gel pen.
Cut a panel of Apricot Appeal card stock and sponged on Really Rust ink and Walnut ink around the edges using a swiping motion. Sorry, no photo.
Assembled card. Finished card measures 5″ x 6.5″.
Hope you enjoyed this tutorial and your day is one filled with bird songs and sunshine.
Until my next post. . . . . . .
Michelle
Fabulous! I really like these Innovative stamps…they’re so different from all of the usual stuff. (not that I don’t still love all the usual:) You do such a wonderful job with them too! I know they are beside themselves with joy to have you on their team! Have a great Sunday!
WOW! (I know, all my comments to you start with WOW!, but that is literally the first thing that comes out of my mouth). This is just over-the-TOP fabulous!
Lovely as always
Some day Im actually going to try one of your cards… when I get the courage lol. One question.. When you emboss over other embossing, doesnt it melt the EP into the cardstock? How are you able to layer the EP without it melting away? Thanks 
Brenda asked “When you emboss over other embossing, doesnt it melt the EP into the cardstock? How are you able to layer the EP without it melting away?”
Brenda it’s like magic, lol. No really, as long as you are just heating it long enough for the embossing powder to melt it does fine. Try it out. You will love the results, I promise!
very creative…i love it.
This card really made me smile! I’m off to play with my Prisma markers…
Do you sketch an outline of your card before stamping? I am amazed when you stamp the first image slightly off center of the c.s. and add other images around the focal point.
I love the card and colors.
Thank you.
What a beautiful technique!
i just LOVE your tutorials, and i especially love how you start each one with ‘Let’s get started’. It brings a smile to my face every time I read it! I teach stamp classes at a local store here and i’ve started to begin every class with “as Michelle Zindorf would say, let’s get started”. you should feel proud that everyone in the class who is a blog reader knows exactly who I mean when I say that.
Brilliant! Thanks for sharing your God-given talent w/us!
This is absolutely fabulous to learn! Thank you so much for taking the time to give this tutorial!
Very beautiful card!!
Laurie asked “Do you sketch an outline of your card before stamping? I am amazed when you stamp the first image slightly off center of the c.s. and add other images around the focal point.”
Laurie, I learned by reading sketch/painting books that you don’t want to put anything directly in the middle of your paper. It’s much more pleasing to the eye to have things off center, including your horizon line.
I don’t sketch anything thing out, I just start.
When you see my tutorial, you are seeing me do a card for the very first time. They just evolve.
Gorgeous again Michelle. My question today is, when you add versamark and then inkm does it also work with water based ink such as Stampin up or does it have to be an adrondac type ink? I haven`t tried this yet but want to.
Retired Heather
Love the card! The colors are so vibrant. Thanks again for the tutorials, you make us all want to go and try to re-create your beautiful work. Keep them coming.
Heather asked “when you add versamark and then inkm does it also work with water based ink such as Stampin up or does it have to be an adrondac type ink?”
Heather, Yes, Adirondack inks are dye based like Stampin’ Up’s Classic Pads.
another master piece , just awesome, the colors, design. Thanks again for sharing with us.
Becky
Your work is gorgeous. So great to see the steps photographed! Thank you!
Your work is gorgeous. So great to see photographs of each step! Thank you!
Michelle, I’m so totally lovin’ this new look for you, lol! (New for you from what I’ve seen, anyway!). Very cool…I just LOVE “watching” you work…I know it’s adding steps for you to take so many pictures for us, and I’m so thankful you take that time for us!
Hugs,
Betsy
Michelle, these colors are gorgeous together! My 7-year-old daughter Emma and I are sitting here, looking in amazement at your card. We just went through the tutorial together because Emma wanted to know how you’d made it. She likes me to show her techniques and to copy my cards. Maybe she’ll attempt yours! Thanks for sharing!
Love your cards! You are inspiring those like me that have moments that need inspiration!
Feel free to check out my blog and offer any words of wisdom, http://www.creativewhimsyartists.blogspot.com
This is so lovely! Thank you for sharing with us again! I have tried my hand at VersaMark and embossing (and threw in a little brayering) but I still have some work to do! Thanks for your inspiration!
My Card
[mlm blog]…
Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it… [ ǂ]…