Small Birder’s Journal
Have You Ever Counted Birds?
Hi and welcome! I’m Di. This is my first blog for Elizabeth Craft Designs as a design team member for the Everyday Elements Collection.
Have you heard of the Great Backyard Bird Count? People all over the world count and record birds for Audubon. This year’s count is February 16-19.* I’ve submitted my counts for several years, and that inspired me to create this small birder’s journal. My observations will include bird location, date, species, and notes. Let’s create the journal!
Die-cut the large Collector’s Item folder from tan paper.
Position the die-cut with the two slits on the left. Score at 3 1/2” from the right side.
Use brown ink to stamp “For the Record” on the right side.
4. Turn the folder over. On the back middle section, stamp “Journal” from Honeybee stamps in brown ink. This will be the journal cover. Stamp frames from Layered Labels around “Journal".
5. For the woodpecker, use Reminiscence Book 3 paper and Layered Birds dies:
-cut a bird body and cut just a black tail using the bird body die
-cut one large black wing
6. Cut the bird’s eyes, beak, and feet from white paper and black paper.
7. For the woodpecker’s red head, cut the jagged breast piece from the left-facing bird from red paper. It will be used in reverse. Cut with the red side away from the die. Assemble the woodpecker.
8. Cut a cork branch and small leaves from red paper using the Fall Wreath & Owl dies.
9. Turn the file over. The slits should be on your right. Adhere the cork branch and leaves. Add the woodpecker.
11. Flip the folder over so the woodpecker is on the back. Fold the side with the slits along the score lines, and adhere creating a pocket.
12. Use Splatter Page 1864 to cut a bird silhouette from black paper. Attach the bird above the top slit.
13. Cut & create two vellum envelopes with the Journal File XL 2 envelope die. Leave the top flap open for memorabilia like found bird feathers.
14. Cut 4 of the Journal File XL 2 from tan paper. Score and fold all of them in the middle.
15. On three of the Journal File XLs, use the “Highlights from Today” from the Ink with Journaling Cards set to stamp on the front left and back left with brown ink.
16. On the fourth Journal File only stamp “Highlights from Today” on the back left.
17. Use the lined stamp (from Ink with Journaling Cards) to stamp on the right front and right back of all four Files.
18. Cut four 1-inch wide pieces of Rustic Winter paper 4 3/4 inches long. Score each lengthwise at 1/2”.
19. Attach a Rustic Winter strip to the back of the pocket folder with glue. The fold should be at the back. Glue it to the File Folder XL front that wasn’t stamped.
20. Adhere each folder back to the front with the next folder to create a book.
21. Use the bird from the Fall Wreath & Owl set to make the dove pair. Cut one gray body and one pink chest. Turn the papers over and cut again to make mirror-image doves.
22. Assemble the doves and add eyes with a black marker or small black dots.
23. Cut black beaks from the Layered Birds set and attach.
24. Cut a red wreath from the Fall Wreath & Owl from the Reminiscence book 3.
25. Adhere the wreath to the front of the File that wasn’t stamped. Attach the lovebirds. (a nod to Valentine’s Day)
26. Stamp foliage with VersaMark ink on the journaling pages to decorate. And you’re done!
Thanks so much for reading along with these very long instructions. I'd love to see what you make!
Happy crafting!
Di
*Learn more about the Great Backyard Bird Count at https://www.birdcount.org/participate/
Elizabeth Craft Designs Supplies
Other Supplies:
Neenah Desert Storm #80 paper
Vellum paper
Cork paper
Distress Oxide gathered twigs
Distress Oxide black soot
VersaMark
