Paper Tole and Oh Christmas Tree Cards

Hello Robin's Nest fans.  Welcome to my last post as a design team member for The Robin's Nest.  On the one hand, it saddens me to leave, but on the other hand, I plan to continue sharing projects with you on my blog using their wonderful papers, embellishments, and of course, dew drops.  In addition, the new design team is going to be simply fabulous, so whatever you do, don't go away.

Well, Christmas is almost here, and the excitement in my heart has already begun.   I can't seem to get rid of that little kid in me that has always loved the enchantment of the holidays, not to mention the good eats!  I also love to make Christmas cards, right up to the last moment.  So, in keeping with my "last minute" traditions, I want to share (one last time) a couple of Christmas cards I made using the beautiful Russian Winter paper collection from The Robin's Nest, and pair it with some products from our monthy sponsor, Ecstasy Crafts.

Supplies used:

The Robin's Nest:  Brick Classic Glitter card stock, Brown Classic Glitter card stock, Gold Classic Glitter cardstock, White Snow Glitter card stock, Kiwi Glitter Sorbet cardstock, Boy Polka Dot Stamp cardstock, Brilliant Blue MiniDew Drops, Fushia Mini Dew Drops, Limoncello Yellow Mini Dew Drops
Snowflake doily die cut (Gina's Designs)
Ecstasy Crafts 3D Reddy Cards die cuts, Starform Christmas Tree sticker
Pumice Stone distress stain and ink pad (Tim Holtz)
Olive Pastel chalk ink pad (Colorbox)
Perfect Pearls Mist:  Heirloom Gold
Copic Markers: B97, E79, G94, R29, R59, V09, Y35
Rubber Stamp (Stampabilities)
Dies: Labels 8, Decorative Labels 8 (Spellbinders); Tattered Banners (Tim Holtz)
Corner rounder punch (Marvy)


Directions:


My first card is a paper tole style card using the 3D Reddy Cards die cuts from Ecstasy Crafts.

Trim White Snow Glitter card stock to 9" x 6-1/4", fold in half to make  4-1/2" x 6-1/4" card.

Color entire paper with Pumice Stone distress ink.

Allow to dry, then spritz with Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls mist.  Below is a close-up of the paper, showing some of the iridescence of the Heirloom Gold mist.  Round card corners.

The next step is to follow the directions for making one of the paper tole images on the 3D Reddy Cards Sheet, shown below.  These are all die cut images and numbered to make it especially easy and so very special for the recipient.  Layer each numbered piece, in sequence, using foam dots.

Die cut papers and layer, as shown below, using the Spellbinders dies.

Below is a close-up of the dimension achieved using these 3D Reddy Cards die cuts.

My next card is also very easy to make using the Starform Christmas Tree stickers, also from Ecstasy Crafts.  These stickers look so fragile and delicate, but in reality, are very sturdy and easy to use.

I first trimmed Boy Polka Dot Stamp cardstock to 5-1/2" x 8-1/2, folded in half to make 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" card.  Round corners.

Adhere a tree sticker to a scrap of Kiwi Glitter Sorbet cardstock.

Next, color cardstock between sticker openings with Copic Markers.  The glitter in the cardstock will resist some of the color and give this nice gradation of greens to your tree image.

Fussy cut around the sticker.  Do not attempt to cut around the candles, but instead, gently lift them off of the paper and snip beneath them, as shown below.  This will make it much easier for you.

Continue fussy cutting around the tree.  Center a doily from one of our previous sponsors, Gina's Designs, and adhere tree image to that with foam dots.  Add all three colors of dew drops (as listed in supplies) to the tree and around the doily edges.  (See finished photo above).

Computer generate "Oh Christmas Tree" on a scrap of Kiwi Glitter Sorbet cardstock, between the glitter, and die cut with tattered banner.  Adhere to top of card with foam tape.   (See finished photo above).

To finish off the inside, and carry on the theme, stamp sentiment with Olive Pastel chalk ink pad, and add one of the smaller stickers from the sticker sheet to the top right corner.

And there you have it.  Two more beautiful Christmas cards that were a snap to make with the fabulous Robin's Nest papers and the Ecstasy Crafts products.  So check out the 20% off sale on the Russian Winter collection this month, and be sure to pay a visit to Ecstasy Crafts for more fun products.

It has been a real honor and pleasure to be on the Robin's Nest design team, and I hope you will continue to visit me often at my blog for more projects using their wonderful products.  The new design team is about to be announced, so stay tuned for more fabulous inspiration from them.

Merry Christmas to everyone, and a most wonderful, Happy New Year!

Barbara

Mixed Media Halloween Card and Pocket Envelope

Hello everyone, and welcome back.  Barbara here with my second post for October.  I hope everyone is having some wonderful Fall weather.  I suppose if I had to choose my favorite time of year, this would be it.  I love the Fall colors, the cooler weather, and looking ahead to the upcoming holidays. This month, The Robin's Nest is showcasing their Classified line of papers, all on sale.  No coupons necessary.  What I love about this collection is the simplicity in turning it into any color paper you choose. You can mix and match and colorize these papers because they all have a resist printed onto each one.  And our sponsor this month is my favorite stamp company, Sin City Stamps.

I made this mixed media Halloween card just especially for you today.  It was quite easy to do, and the really cool thing is that no two will ever look alike.

Supplies used:

The Robin's Nest:  Damask Black and White, Orange Glitter Crackle, Halloween Glitter Stripe, Classified card stock,  Large clear dew drops, Limoncello Yellow mini dew drops, Mascarade Diamond Shaped dew drops
Sin City Stamps:  Halloween Bingo, Halloween Takes Flight
Crystal Beads (Connie Crystals)
Distress Inks (DI): Dusty Concord, Ripe Persimmon, Peeled Paint, Scattered Straw,
Distress Paints (DP): Crushed Olive, Ripe Persimmon
Distress Stains (DS):  Mowed Lawn, Gathered Twigs,
VersaMark ink pad
Frost White pigment ink pad (Colorbox)
Black detail embossing powder
Glossy Accents (Ranger)
Sizzix die:  Pocket Envelope, Owl, Bat Garland (Tim Holtz)
Long reach 1/4" hole punch (McGill)
Crop-a-dile (to set eyelets) or eyelet setter
Two 1/4" orange eyelets
6" yellow Timeless Twine (Bella Creationz)

Directions:

Cut Black Classic Glitter card stock to 10" x 7", fold in half to make 5" x 7" card base.

Cut Damask Black and White card stock to 10" x 7".

Mist card stock with water first, then add Mowed Lawn DI and Crushed Olive DP over all.  Continue misting with water and allow to blend; dry with heat gun and wipe up excess moisture with paper towel.

Mist again with water and add Ripe Persimmon DP, continuing to mist and allow to blend and drip.  Dry with heat gun and wipe up excess moisture again with paper towel.

Mist both side of paper and wad up into a ball a couple of times. I know this looks scary, the The Robin's Nest paper is very high quality paper and can withstand a lot of abuse.  The paper begins to feel like handmade paper or cloth.

Unfold paper and spread it out.

I hit the high spots with Dusty Concord DI and allowed to dry.  I love how this looks now.

Tear a piece off to fit the front of your card and ink the edges with Gathered Twigs DS.  Adhere to card front, leaving the very edges unglued for dimension.

Stamp bingo card and spider circle from Halloween Bingo onto the reverse side of Orange Glitter Crackle and Halloween Glitter Stripe card stock using VersaMark ink and black detail embossing powder.  Heavily distress and ink the bingo card edges.  I used the Gathered Twigs DS to get a deep, dark, rich, almost burnt effect on the edges.  Every time I use my mixed mediums, I learn something new.  Adhere the bingo card to the front at a slight angle.

Add Large clear dew drops to each spider circle to use as bingo markers.  I like Glossy Accents for this.

Attach to the bingo card numbers.  (See finished photo above).

I made one more embellishment to add to the card using a couple of crystal beads slipped onto a corsage pin and held in place with a plastic ear night (the white piece in the photo).  I used a green Copic marker to colorize the pearl on the top.    I attached it to the paper (upper right in finished photo above).

Next, I made this cute little coin envelope using my die cut and the Classified card stock.

I die cut the owl in the center to make a window.  Save the owl for a later step.

Blend Ripe Persimmon, Scattered Straw, and Peeled Paint all over the front of the envelope.

Follow directions with the die to tape make the envelope and attach the string ties.  Before attaching the round ties with the eyelets, insert one end of the twine through the hole in the top flap, insert the eyelet and set.

Trim Black Glitter Bats card stock to the size of an ATC (2-1/2" x 3-1/2") and insert reverse (plain) side into the pocket.  Adhere owl die cut through window opening.

Stamp Boo and Goblin in Versamark and emboss with white embossing powder.  Edge card corners with white pigment ink and heat set.  Add two mini yellow dew drops to the eyes.

Add bat garland die cut and black and orange diamond shaped dew drops along top of envelope.

Owl now shows through window and the paper designs match perfectly.  How cool is that?

And here is what the back looks like.

This would make a wonderful gift card holder, too.

Oh, I almost forgot, the Robin's Nest is having a Masquerade Contest beginning today through 15 November.  Check out all the details by clicking here.  You could be a winner.

Well, that's it for this month, but I will be back next month with some new ideas to share with you.  In the meantime, I hope you liked my projects today and that I have inspired you to try this versatile Classified collection of papers, as well as the high quality rubber stamps from Sin City Stamps.  And while you are browsing, I think you would enjoy visiting the Robin's Nest blog and the Sin City Stamps blog.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful week!

Barbara

Halloween Tri-shutter Card

Hello again everyone, and welcome back to the blog.  Barbara here with some fun cards to share.  This month, we are showcasing the Classified collection, a beautiful array of black and white embossed card stock.  Best of all, it is on sale 20% off.  No coupons necessary!  In addition, we are pairing up with Sin City Stamps this month.   They have the most fabulous stamps to offer, with new designs coming out regularly.

Well, you all have probably heard that wonderful saying that "great minds think alike".  I think that saying is appropriate this week, since both my fellow DT member, Ro Donner, and guest designer Bev Code, and I were thinking exactly the same thing when we started our projects.  None of us were aware what the other was doing.  I guess we all decided it was a good time to make some tri-shutter cards.  You can see Ro's post by clicking here, and Bev Code's post by clicking here.

I am working on a Halloween mini album, and I had lots of small pieces that I absolutely refuse to throw away.  These cards are really good for using up all of your beautiful paper scraps.  I was going to postpone mine, but then I thought, why do that when I can show you how different they can look.  And different they are.

The Robin's Nest supplies used:

Black Fleur Glitttered White Cardstock
Classified Cardstock
Black and White Clock
Black and White Glitter Border Swirl
Damask Black and White
Black Classic Glittered Cardstock
Orange Glitter Crackle
Pink Glitter Crackle
Purple Glitter Crackle
Halloween Glitter Stripe
Jade Diamond Dew Drops
Obsidian Diamond Dew Drops

Other supplies used:

Sin City Stamps Halloween Bingo
Sin City Stamps Clockworks Inspired by Terri Sproul
Clear Shrink-It plastic (Aleene's)
Dylusions Ink Sprays:  After Midnight, Fresh Lime, Squeeze Orange, White Linen
Tim Holtz dies:  Elegant Flourishes, Paper Rosette (Sizzix)
Tim Holtz Distress Markers:  Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Rusty Hinge, Vintage Photo, Mustard Seed, Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Black Soot
Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink:  Gold Mixative, Lettuce, Butterscotch
Tim Holtz Distress ink pad:  Pumice Stone, Seedless Preserves
Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint (Ranger)
Glimmer Glaze:  Sea Kelp, Adobe (Tattered Angels)
StazOn ink pad:  Cactus Green (Tsukineko)

Directions:

Cut Black Classic Glittered Cardstock to 5-1/2" x 12", score at 2", 4", 8", and 10".

Measure in 1-1/2" along top and bottom horizontal edges, and cut between the 2" and 10" score lines.

Valley fold the 2" score line, mountain fold the 4" score line, valley fold the 8" score line, and mountain fold the 10" score line.

Reverse the folds on the center portion only.

Cut glitter crackle card stock pieces, and the reverse (green) side of Halloween Glitter Stripe  3/16" smaller than the rectangular areas, and print papers from the Classified Collection another 3/16" smaller than the solid cardstock, arranging the different prints in a pleasing manner within each rectangle.  Here is how the first layer looks.

I sprayed each of my print pieces with various Halloween colors using Dylusions ink sprays.  If your color is too dark, you can easily lighten it with the White Linen spray.  I learned this little gem of a tip from my blogger friend, LeslieRahye.  Then you can add other colors over that and they will show.

Here is how it looks after adding the second layer.

Now, it's beginning to look a lot like Halloween.  Bwaaaahaaaaaahaaaa!

I die cut two smaller flourishes from chipboard, painted each with Sea Kelp and Adobe Glimmer Glazes, then added a layer of Rock Candy crackle paint.  After dried, I adhered to each side panel of the card.

Color the rubber stamp image of the winged skeleton with Distress Markers (Peeled Paint, Rusty Hinge, Black Soot) and stamp onto a piece of clear shrink plastic.  When dry, use circle die to cut out around the image.

You can either use your heat gun or a toaster oven to shrink the plastic.  Follow directions on the package, and as always, use caution and be very careful.  The shrinking is done when the piece flattens back out and, if needed, you can place a wooden stamp block on top to keep it flat while it cools.

As you can see, it did not shrink in to a perfect circle, but hey, it's Halloween.  What's perfect on All Hallow's Eve?  And, I kind of like the way he has a slight tilt in his stance.  Here, you can see the size difference, and now my large image fits on top of my rosette that I'm about to show you.  That's the advantage of using shrink plastic.

Color the rubber stamp image of the broom skeleton on white card stock, fussy cut, leaving a tiny white border.

To knock down the bright white, I sponged a tiny bit of Pumice Stone all over the image.  I think it gives it a more vintage look.

Stamp the Roman Numerals "X" and "III"  in green StazOn ink onto clear shrink plastic, trim into a square, and heat until shrunk.  I love this effect.  It looks like a piece of mica.

Stamp onto clear shrink plastic

See how the color intensifies after shrinking

Die cut a paper rosette from Classified Cardstock.  Color strip with Dylusions Fresh Lime and Squeezed Orange.

Form rosette and adhere to a large glue dot.  Ink edges with Seedless Preserves.

Cover the back of the shrink plastic pieces with Gold Mixative, then drop Butterscotch and Lettuce alcohol inks on top of that.  You will get this lovely look behind the numerals.

For the winged skeleton image, adhere the piece to a piece of white card stock with Glossy Accents, and cut out.  This will be adhered to the center of your rosette to keep it together.

Adhere to white card stock with Glossy Accents, trim off excess

Add strips of washi tape to the four corner pieces, and adhere diamond dew drops within the design.

Now, you could add more embellishments and stamped images to this card, but the paper is so pretty, I thought it stands out on its own.  Besides, I did not want to go too crazy, and sometimes, you just have to know when to stop.

I hope you enjoyed my version of a tri-shutter card today, and that Ro, Bev, and I have inspired you to try your hand at making one of these fun style cards. They really are not hard to make, and you get to use your scraps instead of throwing them away.  

I have to tell you that all the the papers from The Robin's Nest are of the highest quality.  They stood up to repeated misting and heating with my heat tool.  Even the glitter and resin areas did not melt or flake off.  So, if ever you wanted to get some of their beautiful Classified collection papers, now is the time, while they are on sale.  They honestly are worth every penney!  And thanks so much to our sponsor this month, Sin City Stamps.  I hope you will stop by their online shop and see all of their wonderful stamps on offer.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful, creative week!

Barbara