Rebirth of Spring

I know we cardmakers start creating for Spring long before the first crocus peeks its head, but I think it's safe to say Spring is finally coming for real to Virginia, at least! Today's card has been sitting on my work table partially assembled for what seems like forever, mocking me, almost, for not getting it finished. Today was the day! Here's a quick how-to just to show how easy it was. Most of the supplies I used are available at Stamper's Dream.

1. Cut background designer paper panel to A2. I used a pattern from Prima's Botanicals collection.
2. Crumple the full panel and distress the edges with both ink and a distressing tool. I used Tim Holtz's Old Paper and Tea Dye Distress Inks by Ranger, along with an edge distressing tool.
3. Machine stitch around the panel twice in irregular fashion.
4. Adhere a length of  ivory trim, ivory crinkled seam binding and May Arts natural burlap string vertically along the left. Finish off string and seam binding with double bows. Adhere to card base.
5. Top seam binding bow with a Prima Pebble from the Botanicals collection.
6. Die-cut tag using JustRite's Happy Everything custom Spellbinders dies and stamp sentiment from JustRite's Nature's Nested Sentiments in light aqua. Ink edges with Old Paper and Tea Dye Distress Inks.
7. Die-cut birdcage using Tim Holtz's Caged Bird Bigz die by Sizzix and ink the edges with Old Paper Distress Ink.
8. Add Kaisercraft Blush pearls along the bottom of the bird cage and adhere to card with foam dimensional tape.
9. Adhere tag with foam dimensional tape.
10. Adhere a bird from the Birdsong Script Collection by Prima.
11. Send it to a friend and make her day!

Here's a detail shot of the gorgeous Prima Pebble, since the picture in the store doesn't do them justice at all! Half of the 8-pack are domed glass pebbles topped with what looks like a jewelry bead cap and a rhinestone. The other half are pebbles surrounded by a ring of bling and you wouldn't believe how much they sparkle in real life!

Thanks for stopping by today!