Friday, April 22, 2011

Bird-day Lady -- 5th Anniversary Design Challenge


I am so excited to share with you my entry for the 5th Anniversary Design Challenge.  Working on this project has felt more like the first challenges I did with the Cricut Circle where my goal was to try harder, work out some paper building solutions, and the prize was getting to show off my work.  In that spirit, I wanted to share my project!  The rules for this challenge were simple:  make a 12x12 scrapbook page with a birthday theme and without photographs, using any Cricut cartridges.

I don't like to sketch out a project before-hand.  I started, like I often do, by making individual elements.  This is the most fun for me!  I knew the figure would be central and I was most unsure of how she would look so that's where I started.  I used Country Life, cutting on the Imagine using Fit-to-Page and entering RGB 250, 229, 210 to create a skintone.  (Remembering that the Imagine does not have an indicator to know the actual cut size when using FTP, I plugged the cartridge also into my Expression and cancelled before the cutting began, in order to know that the cut size for this figure is 11.5" at FTP.) 

I traced a couple of extra heads to play with.  I have been looking at those fabulous works by Brittney Lee and Jayme McGowan (you can find links to their sites by looking on the list of Inspirations on the side bar!) and knew it was time to start "getting a little 3D" with my faces!  I also wanted to start using paper to add facial features instead of just my Zig fine pen.
I made a nose and eyelids by hand-cutting.  I used Everyday Paper Dolls for hairstyles and cut some ideas on my Expression, noting the sizes on the samples.
Once I decided on a style (in this case, 5" Everyday Paper Dolls page 31), I cut two (one for the base and one for some layers).  The hair color is RGB 181-82-57.
I used a bit of Liquid Applique to make eyeballs, removing my heat source before they got too puffy.  I drew, using a super fine Zig pen, eyelashes on paper crescent eyelids and attached them.  I hand-cut a layered mouth.  Layers of hair were inked before being glued on.  I glued the hair flat that was coming from the top of her head and popped up sections as they moved away from the scalp.  Cheek rouge came in the form of ink from an inkpad dabbed on with a sponge eyeshadow applicator.
I hand-cut ears, using a little ink to give detail.  The glasses are from Nifty Fifties, page 53, cut at 2".
The dress and apron are cut using prints from Lori's Garden.  I cut two aprons so I would have extra 'fabric' to cut a 3D ruffle with the same scale print.  I printed a super small square (.9")  and flood-filled it with the same (shrunken) print.  This is the 'fabric' that I used to hand-cut my heart applique.  The print on the dress gave me a second layer to the theme:  birds.  I wanted this to be more than just 'Happy Birthday Cricut' and this paper gave me that!  In the tongue-in-cheek way that Provocraft cartridges use puns, this character became my 'bird-day' lady!

Well, I love details!  This is where I like to give a little extra 'love' to my characters.  I thought, even with those big ole ears, she needed a necklace more than she needed earrings!

I found the Cricut logo on Google Images.  I copied the image and shrunk it down to teeny (that's the technical size).  I found a sweet charm on Paper Lace (page 68) and cut it twice - once at .75" and once at  .5".  The larger charm was cut to become the choker on which the smaller was a charm.

She needed great shoes... and slightly different feet.

I cut away the figure's toes to make way for those fabulous shoes on the Paisley cart (page 51), cut at .6".  I had to add a little flesh for the tops of her feet.

What's a birthday without a great cake?  I had learned to make the exact cake I wanted from something I had figured out months ago for one of Doxie's Sunday Challenges.  You can find that project here.
I used Sweet Treats for the cake (page 39), cutting off the top layer (so the height would be right once I added the candles).  It was cut at 2.2".  I used clear embossing powder to get a shiny chocolate frosting.  I used Liquid Applique for the decorative white icing and hand-cut a little silver tray.

The candles were cut from Birthday Bash.  I cut off one candle so there would be only 5 in honor of the 5th Anniversary.  Because the cut was so small, I hand-colored the candles.  I added Glossy Accents to the candles and flames!
I was so happy with the final character! 
My bird-day lady is kind of quirky so I thought her guests would be too, following the secondary theme, I made the party birds... and the gifts. 
This bird is from Birthday Bash cut at 1.8".  An extra wing and beak were cut and popped up for dimension.  I used the Cuttlebug on both birds.
This was cut at 3.2" on the same cart.
I love how the Imagine has coordinated solids on the carts with the prints.  These are all printed using Lori's Garden.  The cuts are from Birthday Bash at 3.1" and Sweet Treats at 1.5".  Check out the tag -- another thing I printed from Google Images.  I cut extra bows and popped them up after inking.
This is that same Birthday Bash cut, but this time cut at 3.5".  I transformed the front package into a gift bag, tucking in tissue paper, adding handles and a tag cut from Imagine More Cards at 1".  The gift bag was embossed with the Cuttlebug.

So, now I had all of these cute elements.  The next question:  how to make them work together.  I found that fantastic bonus paper on Kate's Kitchen and knew that was it!  I printed out two copies, cut off the floor and cut apart cabinets, removing the refrigerator (since it had a face) and adding extra cabinets.  I love that window!!!! 
I added a Cuttlebug and Cricut Baby Bug from Cricut Everyday, cut at 1.2", for her counter. 
The floor and all the cut elements of the kitchen were adhered to a piece of tan cardstock.  I cut down the floor a bit and lowered the cabinets once  I decided that I would use woodwork to place the character at the edge of her kitchen, looking into the next room. 
I added a piece of parchment to cover the kitchen back wall (but not the floor).  I wanted to create atmospheric perspective and mute the colors a bit so the figure and elements in the foreground would pop and look closer than the kitchen elements on the 'back wall'.
I added more banner cuts, just by making the same one as before and cutting away the bird, attaching as needed for added length.   The letters on the banner are from Cherry Limeade, cut at .8". 
I added a mitered wood trim using Imaginisce paper I won at the Cricut Circle Ohio meetup.  This is one of my favorite details:  I bent a mini brad, leaving part of the shank on the top of the paper, to resemble a nail holding up the banners.
I placed my packages and the little bird, finally finished!  I also added a bit of ink to her legs, to keep them from blending in with the flooring.

I used pop dots that were 1" thick to pull the figure up off the page.  Other elements were popped up 1/8" to 1/2". 
 I absolutely love the 3D features that I figured out for this project.  This is my new favorite character.  She really seems to have a personality and somehow she looks familiar.  Once I finished her, I started thinking about pieced paper portraits of real people and even tried a self-portrait -- you can see it on the sidebar!  That is opening a whole new world for me!

So, you say, what if this were a keeper and you wanted to add pictures from the party?  I love making vignettes and never really combine them with photos, but if this is supposed to be a scrapbook page, this is how I envisioned adding photos with these real party pics with The Bug!

Thank you Okie and Kendra for giving me permission to use your celebrity photos with our favorite birthday bug!  Looked like a rockin' party didn't it!
Thank you for visiting my blog!  I am so excited to share this project and I really hope you like details as much as I do!  I cannot wait to see everyone's projects -- I think this is one of those challenges that brings out the best in everyone!  I had so much fun with this... I hope it shows!

57 comments:

Missie said...

WOW! I love it! You did an amazing job and all the little details are beautifully done! Thanks for sharing!

Noelle P said...

I really learned a lot from this post - thanks so much for sharing. It is a glorious project, and if I could vote, you would have mine.

Anonymous said...

WOW! This is Fantastic! good luck, I think you may be seeing yours.. This is just jaw dropping

Mary said...

OMG, this layout is incredible!! Awesome job!

Tanya~Studio 5380 said...

Oh Nadia...where to begin? This is just an amazing, wonderful, detailed, over-the-top fabulous project! You have really out-done yourself this time lady! I love everything about it...especially your quirky, funny, stylish new friend...would love to meet her! I bet she would be fun to know! Congrats on an outstanding layout, the Cricut folks are going to be blown away!

papillon digital design said...

ahhh hmmm ahhhh hmmm
WOWSER! I was struck speechless for a while there! Love love the attention to detail! Love!!! And the parchment! That impressed me the most!! muting down the color to push into the background! Well you are the winner in my books!

Ohhh Snap said...

Usually I'm kinda quiet on the computer but I screamed with excitement (which caused no small amount of alarm with the animals and DD I'll tell you lol) when I saw this on the messageboard, so I had to scramble over and see how you made this fabulous layout!! Love it!!!!!!!!!!!!! TFS :D

QuiltFrog said...

What a great page! You have really outdone yourself. I love the addition of the gals' avatars.

Anonymous said...

I am with everyone else...WOW..Great Job...hands down this would get my vote!! Hope you win...it would be well deserved.

ScrappinCricut said...

Nadia,
I absolutely love this layout! Thanks for including me. :-)
Kendra

Mandy said...

Nadia, this is why you are Goddess material in my eyes! This is beautiful! Your details are so amazing!!! Good luck in the contest, you have my vote!

Audrey Frelx said...

OMG, what fabulous work you do!!! You're a great talent and I love your projects!

Brens Designs said...

WOWWWWW!!! This is truly amazing! You did a great job and your detailed explanation of everything was wonderful. Thanks for sharing! O-yeah... did I say WOW!!!

L.B. said...

This is well...I can nto even say excpet I bet I will be seeing it on Tv soon...

Kymberlee - The Mama Midwife said...

I am blown away by your paper manipulation skills and your generosity in sharing it with us. I hope to see your layout on HSN and more of your work in the Circle ;)

cdm317 said...

I declare you the winner! I LOVE your layout! You show what happens when a Cricut and creativity meet!
Colleen (gonescrappin at the Circle)

Robin Marshall Clark said...

This is tooooo dang cute! Your work is soo amazing and I just love to look at your projects. I am crossing my fingers for you to win. Good luck!!!

Lezlye said...

This is truly a work of Art! Hands down for all the detail and little added extra's! I am in Awe!

Sandi Clarkson said...

Nadia, what a fantastic project and informative post. I don't know how you work with all that tiny detail. Your bird-lady just blows me away! Your 3 dimensional face is just the bomb! You totally rocked this challenge and I have no doubt you will be winning the E2!

Unknown said...

Nadia, Thanks for dropping by my humble blog - your art just rocks! Love her kitchen and its cheery environment. I want one just like it.
See you on the CCMB!
>scarlet squirrel<

Unknown said...

This is Amazing!! I am all about the details and this layout goes over the top!!!! What else is there to say...LOVE it!

Jeanine said...

All I can say is WOW!!! :0)
It looks great the detail that you put into the page is amazing love it!!!!

Anonymous said...

This is awesome! I love it!

Jo said...

I don't have the words to express what I think about your layout. I have been studying this for the last 20 minutes, fascinated by each and every detail. Nadia, this is truly an amazing work of art ... how talented you are!! I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to box this up and ship it off. Thank you so much for sharing this!!

Jo xx

Catherine M. said...

Oh my gosh!! This is fantastic! I'll be watching at midnight (won't be buying yet but am excited just the same) and expect to see your design on HSN!!!

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS.. YOU WON!! How FANTASTIC... I new you would!

okieladybug or okie_ladybug said...

OMG NADIA!! NOW I AM FAMOUS THANKS TO YOU!! LOL :)

Wendy aka Bling Queen said...

Seriously some talent.. WOW...Congrats.

Monique Griffith said...

Yowza! Woman, who ARE you? You're a Cricut Superhero!!! I'm such a detail freak, and haven't seen your level of detail work before. I'm thoroughly impressed!

Jill Angel said...

Truly inspiring! You are something else! WOW!

Liz said...

Your talent and attention to detail is fabulous!

Jen said...

Congrats on the President's Choice win! Your layout is awesome!

Joy Tracey said...

This is a FANTASTIC layout! So creative - I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the layering you did - you really rocked it!

And CONGRATS on winning the E2!!!

Hugs, Joy

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog and was just watching HSN, saw your layout and knew it was yours instantly!! Congrats!!!

Dawn from Houston

Scrapper69 said...

WOW! WOW! And WOW some more.... the details are FABULOUS! Sooo very Happy for you for winning a new E2! Congrats!!!! :O)
Theresa

Therese said...

AMAZING !!!! Nadia, wow your talent is growing by leaps and bounds. Im so excited for you!

Gina piazza said...

Nadia;
I am SO Happy you won! This lady (can you please start naming them?) is so perfect; just when I think you can't possibly get better, you do! As always, the details are fantastic, the whole project just comes alive! LOVE IT!
And thank you for always sharing how you do everything

Cindy@ Scrap-obsessed.blogspot.com said...

Wow, that is one amazing layout. So much work and so much detail. Congrats on the win. You totally deserve it.

papillon digital design said...

Amazing Amazing layout and congrats that you won!

Unknown said...

Wow that is truly amazing!!! Thanks so much for the step by step w/ pics that was awesome and you are truly gifted!!
Denise in WA
www.rndhud6.blogspot.com

limerent said...

Someone posted on the Cricut MB looking for your project from seeing it on HSN. Scrapalette referred us to your blog. Fantastic layout! No wonder it is the PC President's pick. The detail I loved most is the parchment that gives the illusion of depth of field! lol But all the details you put into it was exceptional. You sort of made a very Jolee's project, that is, very dimensional, and if anyone ever asks again what on earth you will use the Cricut Everyday cartridge for (with its cuts of PC products), I will refer them to this layout. Very inspiring! :)

Anonymous said...

I just strolled over to wish you a congrats! It is a fab layout:)

Mrs. Green said...

This is amazing. I really love all the effort you put into this post for us, your readers, too. I learned quite a bit! You have an amazing talent. I was watching HSN when they showed your layout for a long time. I was bouncing in my chair thinking "That's Nadia's! That's Nadia's! Ahh!!!" I'm so very excited for you and you definitely deserve it.

Anonymous said...

Congrats Ms. President Choice Winner! Girl! You pay so much attention to detail and you KNOW how much I LOVE your work! Just plain AWESOME!

MERCY!!!!

Stephanie Dang said...

Thank you Nadia!!! And I saw that you were a winner also!!! That was not a surprise! Your projects are always fabulous with such intricate details! Its amazing how you twist Cricut cuts!

Gramjak said...

What an OUTSTANDING and AWESOME LO -- you are absolutely fantastic! Beautiful work and thanks for giving us details. Wow!!!!!

Brenda said...

Your project is outstanding!!! Seeing all the detail you put in it is amazing!

Unknown said...

OH MY WOW!!!! All the little details are so awesome!!! You knocked this one out of the park!

DebC said...

This is ABSOLUTELY the best thing I have ever seen! I can see there are equally grand things throughout your blog! WOW is all I can say. You deserved to be selected. That would be a no brainer if I seen it in the midst of all the others. I love all the dimension because I love to do dimensional stuff too. You make me look like a kindergardener scrapping! Glad I found and will follow your blog!

Unknown said...

Thank you for making am absolutely wonderful project, Thank you for taking the time to give so many details about how made this project and sharing with all of us. thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving such a nice comment :)
hugs,
Mindy

Nadia's World said...

Hi Nadia!

Thanks for stopping by my blog! Of course, I am now stopping by yours! I must say, I am so happy I did. Even when I saw your LO on FB, I did not notice ALL the intricate details on your project.... TRULY AMAZING! I am now a follower!

TFS!

Nicole T.

Brenda said...

I wanted to tell you again how wonderful this project is. I also wanted to let you know that I chose you for a blog award. Please follow this link to pick it up: http://happyscrapper64.blogspot.com/2011/04/won-my-first-blog-award.html

Carolyn/MamaC said...

Nadia...I told you so!! When I saw this on the Cricut MB, I knew it was a winner!! You are so talented and everything you create is a joy to behold! Thank you so much for sharing your creativity! Congratulations for winning!!

Jacqueline said...

I was completely unfamiliar with Cricut until reading your post. The small details are incredible! And on a side note, I love the inspirational passages quoted on your sidebar.

ps Thanks for discovering my blog, and taking the time to comment!

Anonymous said...

Wow! AMAZING layout!!! Congrat's on winning btw :-)

LemonDropMemories said...

You totally deserved that E2. This is an amazing piece of work ^_^

Lisa said...

OM-Gosh... You're truly inspiring. This is priceless, I love all the details and 3 dimension. You really know how to take it to the next level. It's wonderful! Thanks again!!!
Hugs,
Lisa

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