Ashbee Design Silhouette Projects: Birds

Note: I have just started a new website at 3DCuts.com with my cutting files in .svg and .pdf formats for those of you without a Silhouette. This file is available here.

Project Description:
This shadow box is composed of 4 cut files assembled in layers to create a winter shadow box including two chickadees perched in a winterberry bush.

Winterberry Shadow Box Tutorial

Tutorial assembled using Silhouette Software Release 2.7.18. This tutorial assumes you already know how to use the Silhouette and Silhouette software.

Supplies Needed:

Template from here.
Glue dots 3/16"
Silhouette Cameo
12" x 12" Card Stock - 2 Black, 3 Gray, 1 red, 1 white
7" square gradated paper for sky - blue works as well or clouds
Markers, Orange, Yellow, Black
Paper Glue

Steps for completing the 3-D Butterfly Shadow Box project:

1. Download the cutting file for your Silhouette Cutting machine from the Silhouette Online Store. All of the patterns for this project are in Silhouette download. They need to be separated and expanded. Below are some detailed instructions with photographs.

2. Prepare the files:

The downloaded Silhouette file looks like this. Each of the 4 frame parts has to be copied and pasted into a new Silhouette file and enlarged.

The file probably arrives all grouped together. Click on it so it is selected and go up to the OBJECT Menu and down to UNGROUP.

Click on each frame/ color group and copy it - EDIT menu to COPY.

Open a new file - FILE Menu to NEW and paste the frame into it. You can group any like parts together. I grouped Frame 1 with the hanger and the black bird parts.

Copy the other parts to new files and cut like colored objects together. All are marked on the file. Note: the gray letters do not cut.

This file is designed to work on the Cameo Cutting machine because several of the parts are wider than 8". You can group the entire file and shrink it together and try it on a Portrait but the final project will be small.

3. Prepare and fold frames. Start with frame 1.

Note each cut file has dotted lines. These are fold lines.
Note the cut out 1. This should be in the upper left corner. All frames are numbered to help in the instructions and construction. Always make sure the corner with the number cutout is in the upper left corner.

Fold frame 1 sides BACK away from the front along all fold lines. Not all frames get folded in the same direction so pay attention!
I like to use Glue Dots on the corners although other glue types are appropriate.

It is important to make square corners.
Add the hanger. This is optional.
It gets folded and glued to the inside top of frame 1.
Make sure to center it.

Box 1 is the easiest. It is now complete.

4. Assemble frame 2 and 3.

Frame 2 and 3 are both completed in the same way.
Before folding, glue red dots to the front of all the winterberry gray circles.
Just add a dot of glue and stick on a berry. Some will overlap.

Now turn frame 2 over and add 4-5 berries on the backside. You want to place them so parts are visible from the front.

This just adds another visual layer to the branches. It's a tiny detail but it is effective.

Fold frame 2 sides BACK from the front along all fold lines.
Glue the corners with Glue Dots being sure to keep them square.

Repeat the same steps with Frame 3.
Glue berries on the front (keep #3 in upper left), glue a few on the back, fold all fold lines to the BACK and glue the corners square.

5. Assemble Frame 4.

Fold frame 4 sides FORWARD toward the front.
Glue all corners together with glue dots keeping them square.

The four frames are together now.

6. Complete the details on the background.

Most of my shadow boxes to date have had open backgrounds. This one doesn't. There is a sky layer with another branch attached to it. This get inserted into frame 4.
Glue red berries onto the front of the single branch.

Add a few to the back, just like you did on frames 2 and 3.

Cut the background paper into a 7 inch square. I used a gradated paper from the collection (we all have paper collections, right?) for the background but there are many pretty papers that would be appropriate, use a solid light blue or do a watercolor wash.
This branch gets glued directly to the background square. Placement is 1" in from the right bottom corner. Match the angle of the bottom to the edge of the paper.

This background fits right into frame # 4.
Glue it in place inside the frame. Remember to keep the cut #4 in the upper left corner.

7. Assemble the first little bird.

The little bird faces to the right and will get glued perched on the background branch.
It is made up of these parts:

I rubbed some ink from a marker onto my finger and then onto the white belly of the chickadee.
I wanted a soft orange tint so just used a slight bit of ink. Pastels would work as well, or stamping ink. I added a little yellow to it also, keeping the color subtle. (This step is optional.)

Glue the black bird shape on next. Tops line up.

Then the gray shape.

And the white markings.

One foot gets glued to the front....

And the other to the back.

If any white shows around the head or back just use a black Sharpie Marker to color it in.
The little bird gets glued to the background on the left branch just to the left of the 2 berries.

8. Assemble Bird 2 (larger bird)

Bird 2 faces left.
Here are the parts for bird 2.

Color the belly slightly using the same technique.
Glue the black back on.

Add the gray layer.

Add the white layer.

Add one foot to the front and one to the back.

9. Assemble frames 1, 2, 3 and 4 together.

Make sure the corner with the cut number ( now hidden inside the frame) is always in the upper left.
Frame 2 goes over frame 3 from the front. Frame 2 is slightly larger and should cover it.
You are to glue these two frames together but their back edges should line up.

From the back side, the back edge of frame 2 should be in line with the back edge of frame 3. This will space the two layers apart and create depth.
Use glue dots to hold them in this position.

The combined group of frame 2 and 3 will slide into frame 4. Frame 4 was folded in the opposite direction and its sides come forward. Frames 2 and 3 slide all the way down inside frame 4. Frame 4 is taller than 2 and 3 so it forms a spacer ridge.
Use Glue Dots to hold these in place.

Frame 1 gets placed over the grouping of frames 2, 3, & 4.
Use Glue Dots to hold this last frame in place.

Use glue dots to position the second bird in place. I placed it on the front with its tail extending out of the frame a little bit.

10. Stand back and take a look. Job well done!

If you liked this project take a look at my Butterfly and Poppy Shadow Boxes as well.

**********

Sharing this post at some of these link parties. They are worth checking out for other ideas.

Project Description:

I have designed patterns for an entire village of embellished birdhouses. Each one is unique and sports decorative cut outs for added interest. The files are sized to work together. The set is growing but currently includes the following files:

Heart Bird House
Double Decker Bird House
Rounded Bottom Bird house
Scalloped Edge Birdhouse

The same techniques were used to assemble all of these structures. I have assembled one tutorial but you can follow these steps for any of the designs.

Display a birdhouse village hanging from a gnarled piece of driftwood.

Or add stakes and put them in a container of wheat grass.

Note:

I am a new Silhouette Contributing Artist. Both my Silhouette files and this website are the beginning. Send along any suggestions, problems, ideas or photos as we learn to create together. I'd love to hear from you! Marji Roy
eMail: ashbeedesignemail@gmail.com

Tutorial assembled using Silhouette Software Release 2.7.18. This tutorial assumes you already know how to use the Silhouette and Silhouette software.

Supplies Needed:

Template from Silhouette On-Line Store (Link to template added herexxxx)

Heart Bird House here.
Double Decker Bird House here.
Rounded Bottom Bird house here.
Scalloped Edge Birdhouse here.

Glue dots or other fast drying paper glue
Silhouette Cameo
1 sheet of patterned paper - for each bird house
1 sheet of contrasting paper - for each bird house
12" 1/8"-1/4" wide ribbon in complementary color
1 tooth pick

Steps for completing the Bird House Project:

1. Download the cutting file for your Silhouette Cutting machine from the Silhouette Online Store at the links noted above. Each file contains the three parts for a specific birdhouse including the basic structure, a roof pattern and a perch pattern.

2. Cut the file.

I like to cut the structure and the roof from contrasting papers. I have used combinations of prints and solids or all solids. The easiest thing to do is print the file twice, on two different papers and then mix and match the roof and structure. Here is a sample of the scallop edge birdhouse done that way.

Before you cut, consider how you will display the birdhouses. If they are going to hang, then you will want to insert a ribbon and the slots are located on the roof. If you are not going to hang them, then you may want to ungroup the file and remove the two roof slots.

Here are all the parts for one birdhouse cut and ready for assembly.

3. Fold the house

Note: Each cut file has dotted lines. These are fold lines.
Fold along all fold lines. The folds all go in toward the inside of the birdhouse.

4. Glue tabs in place.

I like to use Glue Dots although other glue types are appropriate.
I start by gluing the edges that attach to the birdhouse front in place. I do the back last. This is because you can reach the back more easily through the entry hole for pressing together.
I apply 2-3 glue dots per tab....

And pressed them in place carefully lining up edges and keeping things square.

Once the front and roof are in place, apply glue dots to the remaining tabs for the back side. Carefully position the back and use a skinny tool inserted in the entry hole to press them into place.

5. Add the ribbon and attached the roof.

If your bird house is going to hang from a branch, now is the time to thread a ribbon in the slots on the roof.

Then apply glue dots to the roof and carefully position it in place. It is designed to have an over-hang in both the front and back.

6. Add the perch.

Take the small rectangle and wrap it tightly around a toothpick. Glue the outside edge. (But not the inside edge or it won't slide off!)

Insert the tooth pick with the perch into the hole beneath the entry. It will be tight and if you carefully twist the perch as you insert it, the hole will widen and you can slide it it place. If you do this carefully, the hole will stay tight and the perch will be secure.
Slowly, pull out the tooth pick, leaving the perch in place.