Faux Metal Birdcage Anniversary

Hi there everyone.  I was delighted to be asked by Bonnie and Loll to be a Guest Designer for this month's CAS Mix Up Challenge as I was lucky enough to be chosen as Top Pick for the August challenge.

The theme is metal, and there are a few video tutorials for you to look at if you need some inspiration to set you on your way.  Here is what I did.

To add to the required elements of Metal and Stamping, I have added Ink Blending, Heat Embossing and Dry Embossing.  The technique for the birdcage is called Faux Metal, and I actually followed the video by Jennifer McGuire which is one of those suggested on the challenge blog.

I decided to use a die from The Works and with a piece of white card and Versamark Ink I heat embossed it three times with WOW Silver Metallic Embossing Powder to build up a nice shiny finish.  I then die cut just the top bit again to get a second bird.  I cut it away from the rest and managed to get a small piece from the cage to give it a second leg.  I then also heat embossed it with the Silver EP.  I decided to tuck its tail inside the cage, so I glued it in place ready to add to the card.

I started the background by embossing a piece of 4" square white card using a Sheena Douglass Embossing Folder called Clockwork Daisies.  I also tried a new to me technique.  I blended two colours of Distress Ink - Abandoned Coral and Fossilized Amber on to the card, very heavily, making sure to get in  all the cracks, blending one colour well into the other.  I then brushed over it with Gold Perfect Pearls which gives it a lovely sheen and also helps to give it a more evenly blended look.  It is good to finish by rubbing it over with a piece of tissue or paper towel to remove the residue.   I added this to a slightly larger piece of white card.  I then added this to the white 6" square base card and mounted the birdcage on to it.

Lastly I added a sentiment using the Silver EP on to black card cut into a thin strip, and as you can see I tucked this just under the feet of the birdcage.

Thank you for stopping by today and please do go over and take a look at all the beautiful cards and wonderful inspiration from Bonnie and Loll and the rest of the Design Team.  The challenge doesn't close until the 24th of the month so you have lots of time to get a card in too.

I am entering the following challenge:

Pixie's Crafty Workshop - No. 336 where we use our snippets of paper and card etc.  (I used snippets of white card for the background and layer behind it, and another snippet of white for the birdcage and extra bird, and a black snippet for the sentiment)
Happy Little Stampers October Challenge - Anything Goes with Dies.