Suspended Birdcage Frame Card

Even with a fairly large supply of crafting materials,  I sometimes feel stuck in a rut using the same things all the time.  However, I can't always afford to stock up on new kit so that's when I turn to magazines. 
Not only do they have some great freebies, but they also give inspiration and ideas for how to use them. 
For this card I have combined freebies from two different magazines:
1. Simply Cards & Papercraft issue 113 - Melissa Frances cardmaking kit
2. Crafts Beautiful issue 257 - stamp set
I have also used embellishments from DoCrafts and Dovecraft.

First I used Stazon Jet Black ink to stamp the birdcage image onto acetate.  I allowed to dry, coloured with permanent pen then cut around the image. 
I cut a 15cm square cream card and placed the acetate on top to work out where I wanted the cut-out section to be.  I measured the bird cage, allowing for a centimetre extra each side, then drew a rectangle on the card. I cut this out using a craft knife and metal ruler. 
Once I had my cut-out section, I cut patterned paper to match the front and cream card to fit behind.  I glued the patterned paper to the card and inked all the edges then attached the birdcage behind using invisible thread and sticky tape. With the card closed, I drew lightly around the birdcage, stamped the bird image inside then rubbed out the pencil.  I coloured the bird with watercolour pencils and brushed with water. 
To decorate the front I used double-sided tape to attach some black ribbon down the left side of the card and stuck three pearls to the top right of the cut-out. 
I created a tag from patterned paper and glued it to card, inked the edges, hand-wrote a sentiment and added an eyelet and twine to finish off before attaching it to the card with 3D foam pads. 
I drew some leaves on the back of patterned paper, cut them out and inked the edges before bending them to give depth.  I arranged them with some paper flowers and glued them in place, attaching the flowers with brads. 
To finish off, I glued the cream card behind to give strength and cover up the sticky tape. 

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
1. Great Impressions - Anything Goes
2. Challenges 4 Everybody - #25 Anything Goes
3. Crafter's Café Challenge Blog - 21 Anything Goes
4. My Time To Craft - #230 Sympathy
5. One Stop Craft Challenge - #236 Flowers & Ribbon