An Easter Flower with the Bird Punch – A Heliconia

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I’m sure you can recognize the bird punch parts very easily in this flower. Very little needs to be done to the punched parts to create a quite realistic looking Heliconia, just a little snip here and there. Then it’s all about coloring. I had in mind to make this a Mother’s Day card, but, when I googled for Heliconia images, I found out that in Hawaii it is referred to as the Easter flower. I just had to make this first one an Easter greeting card. I chose the image of a Heliconia Wagneriana as a ‘model’ because of it’s beautiful Spring colors. The leaf is my own design, and hopefully close enough in appearance to the real thing. You can CLICK HERE FOR THE LEAF TEMPLATE.

LIST OF SUPPLIES

Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

Papers: Whisper White (flower), Very Vanilla, and Certainly Celery card stock, as well as Barely Banana textured card stock

Inks: Certainly Celery, Barely Banara, Rose Regal, Red Rose, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: XL 2-Step Bird Punch (117191), Stampin’ Up Perfect Details Texturz Plate (115962), Big Shot (113439), Sanding Block (103301), Sponge Daubers (102892), Elementary Ribbon Originals (116231), Paper Cutter (104152), Stylus (100663), Everywhere Glue Stick (104045).

INSTRUCTIONS

The punched elements of this 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ card are mounted on a 2-7/8″ x 3-1/2″ piece of Very Vanilla card stock, which sits on a 3″ x 3-5/8″ Certainly Celery mat. The greeting was stamped with Chocolate Chip. The embossed mat is 3-3/4″ x 4-7/8″ and trimmed at the bottom with a 1″ x 3-3/4″ strip of Barely Banana textured card stock, that was scored at 1/2″ to fold over the edge (I just like that kind of finish… it’s just like putting a binding on a quilt). The ribbon and bow cover the edge of this trim.

PUNCHING AND COLORING

You will need 5 wings and 3 bodies, all in Whisper White, then color them as illustrated below.

When you color the wings, make sure that you color the correct side to have 2 facing one way, and 3 facing the other.

Before coloring the larger petals, make the following modifications to the bird body. Don’t worry if your cut curves aren’t perfect… a little touch-up with the sanding block will make you look like a pro!

Color the body in the same manner and with the same colors as you did for the wings. Again, make sure you color the correct side of the punched parts to have one that is a mirror image of the other two.

Now you can start putting it all together. First cut a strip of card stock (color doesn’t matter) of 3/8″ x 3″ that will be used as a mounting base. Apply glue liberally (glue stick) and start mounting the petals as shown below, adding more glue as needed.

Before applying the last petal, you will need to snip off the “beak”, and do a little touch-up there with your Certainly Celery dauber. You will also need to cut the excess length of the strip used as mounting base.

Now download the LEAF TEMPLATE, cut it out and sponge it all over with Certainly Celery to darken it, then sponge around the edges. Now score the printed leaf veins with the small end of your stylus and your paper cutter. First, score the center line, then work on the diagonal ones starting from the center line and moving toward the outer edge. Once all the diagonal lines are done, go over the center score line again for a cleaner finish.

Make those score lines pop up with a little more sponging in Certainly Celery. Then cut a 1/4″ x 1″ strip of Certainly Celery for the stalk, and sponge that as well.

Now you can mount all these beautiful flower parts on your card!

Hope you enjoyed this… hope to see lots of bird punch Heliconias!

30 thoughts on “An Easter Flower with the Bird Punch – A Heliconia”

  2. Pingback: Heliconia Flower « Stamping Down Under

  4. Linda Henry

    This is so wonderful! What great instructions! I will definately try this one for myself! Thank You for sharing!!!

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  7. Bette Spaargaren

    Your Hawaiian Heliconia flower card is EXQUISITE! Thanks for sharing. Going to attempt to make one in time for Easter! From an addicted Stampin’ Uper!!!

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    1. Ann Post author

      Thanks Carolyn! As I commented on your blog, I just love your card! I don’t know if you used the same colors but yours seems to have warmer tones, great card design too. It’s inpiring to make another heliconia card… whenever I find the time. Oh, and I love your blog!

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  13. Linea

    Your St. Patrick and Easter Card are just amazing. I have made them both and now I think I need the bird punch:) TFS

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    1. Ann Post author

      Thanks Linea! I laughed when I read the last few words of your comment. Yes, you definitely should be getting the punch. You must have put in a lot of work to make those cards without it. I say, get the punch. I’ll have a couple more new ideas on ways to use it that you might also want to try.

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  17. Bonnie Klass

    Hi Ann, You have certainly gotten a lot of mileage out of your Bird punch. This is absolutely beautiful and your instructions are superb. Thank you so much for sharing you talent. What an inspiration!

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    1. Ann Post author

      Thanks, Bonnie. I do get a lot of mileage out of that punch. I might be giving it a break soon, but I found a couple more ways to use it, so there’s still more coming.

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  19. Fran

    Oh my goodness! You are so creative! Thank you for sharing your talents. I look forward to what you are going to create next. 🙂

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  21. Kathy S.

    Wow, Ann! I just discovered your blog and absolutely love your creations! They are gorgeous and I can’t wait to see your next designs. Thanks for sharing.

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  22. andi burttschell

    Thank you so much for posting your directions instead of charging a fee for them.

    You are a very generous person and I appreciate that greatly.

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  23. Lynda M

    This is just beautiful! Can’t wait to try it. I’ve made your chickadees with great success, now another wonderful idea to try.

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  25. nancy littrell

    Wow…..what a gorgeous dimensional flower and leaf. Who would have guessed you used the bird punch leaf and bird. You are so clever. I love the colors you chose to sponge on the flower petals. TFS

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