Lucky Me Mini Album

This month The Robin's Nest is swapping product with Want2Scrap. So, I got a package with some goodies from both companies and had to make this adorable Lucky Me mini album! There are a lot of items on the supply list this time, so I will be high lighting the items from The Robin's Nest and Want2Scrap. If you see something that I haven't listed please let me know and I will get you the details. I started with Want2Scraps Me Tabbed Album and covered it with The Robin's Nest Classified Card stock. To highlight the motif in the Classified card stock, I colored it with Copic markers. The Lucky was cut with Cricuts Indie Art in The Robin's Nest Lime Glitter Chipboard, using the deep cut blade with a multicut of 2. I love how easily The Robin's Nest Chipboard cuts and how well it matches my projects. I added the Want2Scrap Shamrock Chipboard Embellishment, covered with The Robin's Nest Glitter Black Starfish (green paper) and colored it with Copics again. I added the rolled rose from My Favorite Things in felt, a punched leaf, some rubons and a button with string to finish my cover.

Pages two and three were covered with The Robin's Nest Glitter Black and White Animal Stripe, and Red Sorbet Glitter Card stock. The Queen title was created with Microsoft Word using the Word Art function and then cut in Sure Cuts a Lot using The Robin's Nest Gold Glitter Chipboard. The crown is Want2Scrap painted with gold wash. I then used some embossing paste, with a stencil I cut with my Cricut and Sophisticated and glittered with Art Glitter.

Oh, I will be using this technique again! I added some Golden berry dews drops from The Robin's Nest

On pages 4 and 5, I used The Robin's Nest Black and White Clock paper with a title from the Storybook Cartridge from Cricut. The pink glitter is also TRN Shocking Pink Sorbet Glitter Card stock. The heart is made with Want2Scrap Chipboard Shapes Style D. All I did is overlap the bottom of two swirls to form the bottom and glue. I painted this with Terri Sprouls Mixers in Rose Pearl mixed with Crystal Lacquer by Sakura and added a few pearl dew drops by TRN and I have a beautiful embellishment for less! The swirl was created with Black/White/Silver Dew Drops and some black stickles. Oh, and that fabulous paper, also TRN, is Glitter Black and White Glitter Swirl.

On pages 6 and seven the papers are TRN Silver Fleur de-lis and Glitter Letter paper. I made another flower using the TRN White Flowers and pink dew drops. The sewing machine was cut with the Heritage Cricut cartridge and I stamped the dress form. The Create is cut in TRN Glitter Silver Chipboard with my Cricut using Home Decor and the scissors is from Wall Decor. The Everyday is from Creative Memories and is on top of the TRN black glitter Journaling.

And the last page was cut with TRN Silver Paisley on Black. Love this fabulous paper! I then used some glitter chipboard letters from my stash, but these cut be cut with TRN glitter chipboard too. So, next time your working on a mini album and your wondering how to pull together all your photos and their colors, give this black and white look a chance with beautiful papers by TRN!

Supply List
 The Robin's Nest Classified Card stock
The Robin's Nest White Flowers
The Robin's Nest Silver Fleur de-lis
The Robin's Nest Black Glitter Journaling
The Robin's Nest Glitter Black and White Border Swirl
The Robin's Nest Glitter Black Starfish
The Robin's Nest Lime Glitter Chipboard
The Robin's Nest Shocking Pink Sorbet Glitter Card stock
The Robin's Nest Silver Paisley on Black
The Robin's Nest Glitter Black and White Animal Stripe
The Robin's Nest Red Sorbet Glitter Card stock
The Robin's Nest Black/White/Silver Metallic Dew Drops
The Robin's Nest Glitter Silver Chipboard
The Robin's Nest Golden berry Dew drops
The Robin's Nest Glitter Gold Chipboard
Want2Scrap Me Tabbed Chipboard Album
Want2Scrap Shamrock Chipboard Embellishments
Want2Scrap Chipboard Shaped D
Terri Sprouls Mixers Rose Pearl by Sakura

A Few Garden Goodies

I'm Spring cleaning today, but am stopping by to post a few pictures of items blooming in my garden. The fuchsia flower is a tree peony. These grow as big as lilac bushes and are so fabulous! They bloom before the standard peony and I usually have to cut a few to enjoy them here in windy Illinois. I have a yellow one, but it blooms later than this one. And, my clematis, near the front door to welcome visitors. Both of these are so easy to grow and care for and I love them.

Moxie's Watercolor Butterflies Tuesday Trigger

This spring I have been slow to post to the blog, because I have been trying out for several design teams. I tried out for Heartfelt Creations DT and this is one of my projects. I wanted to try working with coffee filters and thought the result was perfect for the Moxie Fab World Watercolor Butterflies Tuesday Trigger! Such beautiful inspiration colors! By using the same Copic markers on my card stock and on the coffee filters (3 dimensional flowers) I got a beautiful watercolor effect! I did not have one of the Heartfelt Creation cross stamps, so I made my own cross by stamping a sprig of flowers for the bottom of the cross. I then masked off the same stamp and stamped the top and sides of the flowers. For the center of the flowers, I used a glitter pen and topped it with some mini dew drops from the Robin's Nest. And for the unopened flowers, I cut a full flower, placed the colored side to the outside and pinched it at the center. So simple and so pretty! The label was cut with Cricut Elegant Edges. I will be using this for my cards a lot! Supplies Heartfelt Creations HCPC 3400 Bella Rosebud PreCut Set (Sentiment in Cross) Heartfelt Creations HCPC 3303 Posy Patch Flowers PreCut Set Heartfelt Creations HCD 701 Posy Patch Die Heartfelt Creations HCPC 3439 Flirty Fleur Pre Cut Set (Cross) Heartfelt Creations HCPC 3323 Large Elegant Word Background PreCut Set Cricut Elegant Edges or other label die (center of cross) Pink Card Stock Green Card Stock White Card Stock Coffee Filters (for cut flowers) Buttons Copic Markers or other brush Tip Markers Momento Black Ink Dew Drops by The Robin’s Nest Glitter Pen Ranger Ink Stickles (Sentiment frame) Distress Ink Pop Dots Ranger Liquid Glass Glue

Earth Day Blog Hop with The Robin's Nest

Welcome to the Robin's Nest Earth Day Blog Hop! You should have arrived here from Erika Taylor's blog. The blog hop starts at The Chattering Robin's Blog and you can visit there if you lose your way along the hop! Along with featuring beautiful paper and products from The Robin's Nest, we are swapping products with Want2Scrap this month, so I was able to add a bit of their chipboard shapes to my project too! There are also prizes for this hop, each blog will be giving away a package of mini dew drops and the grand prize is a leather binder, to be entered just leave a comment and a way to reach you!
My project for the hop is a paper purse. This is such a great project for Earth Day for so many reasons:
1) You can use recycled chipboard for the sides and bottom of the purse. I used the chipboard packaging from Creative Memories products, but I have also used cereal boxes and left over Christmas gift boxes for this style of purse!
2) I always have supplies for this on hand.
3) I found hardware that is renewable! Every piece of hardware can be removed from this purse when it wears out and used to create a new purse! I even found oversize grommets that screw in. So, I will be recycling these for my next handbag!
4) Sometimes the paper from The Robin's Nest is SO pretty, I don't want to cover it with photos! So, this is a great way to use a pretty paper and enjoy it!
5) This is a great gift idea for Mother's Day at a GREAT Price!
Now onto the details.
Supplies
The Robin's Nest Glitter Writing Paper
The Robin's Nest Calamity Jane Diagonal Glitter Paper (purse lining)
The Robin's Time Flies Rubon
The Robin's Nest Glitter Teal Journaling
The Robin's Nest Calamity Jane Roses Paper
Want2Scrap Chipboard Shapes Style D (swirl)
Ranger Stickles Turquois
Tim Holtz idea-ology Foundations Metal Feet
Everything Mary Plastic Handles with Large Rings
Metal Grommets
Rings
Fringe Yarn
Clear Contact Paper
Size F Crochet Hook
Instructions
Cut two pieces of chipboard into 7 1/4" x 7 1/4" squares (front and back of purse). Cut three pieces of chipboard into 4" x 7 1/4" rectangles (sides and bottom of purse).
From one sheet of The Robin's Nest Glitter Writing paper, cut one 7 1/4" x 7 1/4" square, and two pieces of 4 " x 7 1/4". Cut one piece of the Calamity Jane Roses paper into one 7 1/4" x 7 1/4" square, and two pieces of 4 " x 7 1/4". This will make up your bottom and one outside piece of the purse. I actually used the plan brown side of this paper, because I wanted it to match the Glitter Writing paper. BE sure to distress your paper with ink at this stage if you like at this point! Adhere the cut paper to the chipboard using a quick dry liquid glue or Xyron.
Scrap the brown side of the purse at this time. I fussy cut a bit of The Robin's Nest Teal Glitter Journaling, added the rubon from Time Flies, a favorite photo, a scrap of paper doily, and a fussy cut piece of The Robin's Nest Glitter Writing paper. I glittered the Want2Scrap with Ranger's Stickles in Turquoise and set it aside to dry and apply later.
For every piece of the purse, I cut clear contact paper to fit the inside of each piece exactly (7 1/4" x 7 1/4" for the squares and 4" x 7 1/4" for the rectangles). I then cut a piece one inch bigger then each piece for the outside of the purse (8 1/4" x 8 1/4" for the squares and 5" x 8 1/4" for the rectangles). Carefully apply the exact piece to the inside of the purse, pressing out any bubbles with a credit card or scraping tool. Then apply the larger, piece to the outside of the purse allowing the excess to hang off. Carefully miter the corners with the scissors and wrap the excess contact paper to the inside of the purse piece. The contact paper will help keep the glitter from rubbing off the purse and lengthen it's life.
Now punch holes in your purse pieces to prepare for assembly. I used We Are Memory Keepers Cinch, but any other binding tool can be used for this project, such as a Zutter. Don't have a binding too? You can cut these holes with your electric cutter (Cricut, Silhouette, etc.), a Crop-a-Dile or even an anywhere hole punch. Just keep your spacing even and placement along seams matching. So, holes where your front meets the sides, must be matching for when you crochet, and where the bottom meets the front and sides as well. Pictured below are the pieces before assembly.
Now add your stickled Want2Scrap swirl on top of the contact paper with glue (I used liquid glass).
Add the grommets as per the packaging instructions. These grommets, required I cut a hole using an Axcto knife, and then screw into place. To determine placement, I used the center of the ring at the bottom of the handles. I got my handles and grommets at JoAnn Fabrics with coupons and clearance sales for under $5.00!
Crochet the sides and bottom of the purse together using a fringe yarn (this is from Michaels) and a Size F crochet hook. I chained twice between each hole. I love the relaxing rhythm of crocheting! And don't worry if you are not an expert or have even stitches. The fringe yarn is very forgiving! Just keep your tension loose enough that the sides are perpendicular and tight enough that they don't come a part.
Add the Tim Holtz idea-ology feet at the corners of the purse using a hot glue gun, or other glue. Don't these pretty feet look beautiful with The Robin's Nest paper?! Add the handle using rings. Your next stop on the hop is Amanda Marks blog. Check out her great project HERE.

Chattering Robin's Challenge 2

The Chattering Robin's blog is hosting their second challenge and I am posting a page. Be sure to check out their Page Map Challenge 2 HERE, as they have a prize for their online store for a $25.00 gift certificate! Above is their inspiration Page Map and my page based on the sketch. All of the items used in my page are from The Robin's Nest, except the stickles on the flower. I used The Robin's Nest stamp paper and punched the detail using Purple Cows punch. I cut the swirl and the bottom flower from the Ocean Fleur paper.
Supplies Used
The Robin's Nest Ocean Fleur Paper
The Robin's Nest Time Rub On
The Robin's Nest Dew Drops
The Robin's Nest Paris Stickers
The Robin's Nest Glitter Letters
Stickles
Purple Cows Craft Geek Winter Punch

Flower Tutorial with The Robin's Nest

Today I am sharing a quick an easy flower tutorial made with Teal Flower by The Robin's Nest. This technique has been used my sewers but I adapted it to use with these embellishments and glue dots for a no sew method.
You will need 4 of the smallest scalloped flowers and one of the medium scalloped flowers from The Robin's Nest Teal Flowers. And don't worry they have more colors.
1) Distress ink all of the small scalloped flowers and fold in half.
2) Place a glue dot in the center of the flat medium size flower and attach one of the folded small scalloped flowers as shown in the picture below.

3) Rotate the base flower 90 degrees and attach another small scalloped flower folded in half
4) Rotate again 90 degrees and attach a third flower
5) Rote again 90 degree and place the last flower so it looks like a closed box top (under, over, under, over).
6) Glue three of the Classified Dew Drops from The Robin's Nest terrifically tacky tape
7) Scrunch up the half circles to give them some dimension. Here is a close up of the finished flower. So much quicker and easier than getting out the sewing machine or thread and needle!
For the die cut detail, I added some of The Robin's Nest Mini Dew Drops at the grid intersections. This was cut with French Manor in taupe card stock. I cut the Fleur de lis with Sure Cuts A Lot inside The Robin's Nest Teal Stamp. And for a little fun, I put the crown from The Robin's Nest Paris Clippies on my nieces head. Please see below for a full list of supplies.
Supplies
The Robin's Nest Brown Glitter Paper
The Robin's Nest Teal Stamp
The Robin's Nest Teal Dew Drops DD-167
The Robin's Nest Classified Mini Dew Drops
The Robin's Nest Cotton Candy Dew Drops
The Robin's Nest Teal Flowers
The Robin's Nest Glitter Teal Jouraling
The Robin's Nest Viva la France Rubon
The Robin's Nest Paris Clippies
The Robin's Nest Paris Bliss Ribon
Taupe card stock
K & Company Classic K Margo Fabric Stitched Brads
EK Sucess Jolee's Botique Gem Bride
Paper Flower source unknown

And the Winners Are...

Sorry for posting the winners late! I have been busy making projects for a design team tryout and forgot to get back to the drawing! To determine the winners, I used random.org. By the way, all of the shipping on prizes is free!
And the winners of the Cricut Imagine Cartridges are as follows: The Imagine More Cartridge goes to Kristan, who said, "I am already a follower and I have one of your covers already (love it by the way!!) Congrats on the 500 followers!! I would love to be in the drawing for the imagine cartridges!! i don't own an imagine but I have the E2 that they can be used in!! I would have to say I love the lego cupcake boxes super cute and creative!!" The winner of the Best Friends cartridge is Nance. Who said, "Yeah, 500 hundred of us.Aren't ya glad you don't have to make lunch for us.
LOLOLI would love to have the Cricut Imagine cartridge.Like "Crazy" I have the E2, but love cartridges.I have never bought one.Two came with my machine, and I won one about a year ago on a blog.So, hoping I can do that again.Hugs to you,And keep on going.1000 is just around the corner.**U**" Ladies please watch for my email, so I can get your cartridges to you in the mail.
And the winners of the Etsy gift certificates are as follows: $10.00 gift certificate goes to: Photomama, who said, "Fabulous at 500 Celebration & Give Away What a terrific accomplishment - and awesome gift.Have fun - good luck to the winner - for helping cricutcraftyclare reach her 500" The winner of the $15.00, is: MossyOakLane, and the winner of the $20.00 gift certificate is: Alica, who said, "Oh Congratulations on reaching 500 Followers, WHAT a milestone that is!!! I would love to be in the drawing for the Gift Certificates as I would LOVE to have one of your green and pink Cricut Covers for an Expression!! *Hugs*" Ladies, please watch for my email on how to claim your gift certificates. Thanks for taking part in my giveaway!

Hydrangea Hippo's Great Give Away

Did you see that Hydrangea Hippo's is giving away a Diva Kit? Don't you just love the black and white goodness!? Above is a page made with the kit. To find the details on entering the drawing for the Diva Kit, please visit Hydrangea Hippo.com HERE. She is also holding a special drawing for a gift certificate too!
I love her kits and her work! You can find the Hydrangea Hippo's Etsy store HERE.