Chattering Robin's

Festive Friday- Blog Hop #2

2012-01-26T23:39:00.000-08:00

Welcome back for the 2nd Christmas card of the year!

For this creation, I kept things simple. I used Black and

White Fleur de-li, Glitter White on White, Red Swirl Glitter,

and Blue Dew Drops from the Hydrangea bottle.

I also used a heart scalloped punch, circle scalloped punch, red and black ink,

and chipboard letters from a $1 bin.

Thanks for coming by!

Please visit the rest of the artist to see their creations and check out some blog candy!

~ Michelle Frae Cummings

Double Scrapbook Layout with Page Maps

2012-01-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

By Amanda Marks

Welcome to my second Robin's Nest Design Team Post. Today I will be sharing a double scrapbook layout - I did Page Maps for both 8 1/2" x 11" and 12" x 12".

Materials:
2 Brown Pieces of Card Stock (Mine is The Paper Company Natural Pack)
1 Sheet of Orange Crackle from The Robin's Nest
Scrap White Card Stock
Scissors
Craft Knife
Glue (Herma Glue Dots and Zig Memory System® 2 Way Glue)
Brown Ribbon
Dew Drops - I used Brown and Yellow
Favorite Font (I used Pablo - You can download it here)
Bic® Mark-Its™ (Sunset Orange and Woodsy Brown)
Zig Memory System® Millennium 05 Red Pen (For Journaling)
Antique Linen Tim Holtz® Distress Stain
Spiced Marmalade Tim Holtz® Distress Ink™
Walnut Stain Tim Holtz® Distress Ink™
Ridge Scissors

Page Maps - click on the photos to download PDF Page Map:

8 1/2" x 11" Page 1

12"x12" - Page 1

8 1/2"x11" - Page 2 Outside

8 1/2""x11" - Page 2 Inside

12" x 12" - Page 2

My pages (my daughter loves them!)

Notes about the pages: The Journaling Sections are white card stock cut out with Ridge Scissors. Antique Linen Stain applied to the full space, the Spice Marmalade was rubbed around the edges and very thin layer of Walnut Stain was also applied to the edges.

The Title was typed into Word and printed out, colored with Bic® Mark-its™ and cut out with an Exacto (Craft) Knife.

The ribbon was applied with the Zig 2 Way Glue (I got it from my grandma - no spool so I don't have a name brand I used).

I personally like to handwrite my journaling because it makes it a tad more personal.

The Tie that Binds- Glitter Papers

2012-01-24T20:53:00.000-08:00

Valentines Day is just around the corner and what better way to celebrate than with a little GLITTER!!! Hey there everyone, Erika Taylor here today to share with you a Valentines card I created using some amazing papers from The Robins Nest.

For this card I selected Teal Glitter Card Stock, Glitter Cream Animal Print and Red on Red Rope papers. I'm adore the combination of creams, whites, reds and teal here. With that hint of black for contrast. To add a little bling to the card, I used Metallic Red Dew Drops. I love how well the glitter papers adhere together using Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive. The Dew Drops are adhered using Helmar Gemstone Glue.

And now for the full card. I love how that little Metallic Dew Drop makes the perfect "O".

Perhaps a little unconventional for a Valentines card color wise, but I know that my husband is going to love it.

Thanks so very much for stopping by today. Don't forget, if you are attending CHA this coming week, stop by The Robins Nest at booth #1656

Until next time
Toodles
Erika Taylor

Treasure Chest of Dreams

2012-01-23T21:00:00.000-08:00

There are only a few more days before Winter CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) where all of the new crafting supplies we use and love each year are first revealed to the craft world and it has always been a dream of mine to be able go or to have some of my design work there to share with everyone. This year thanks to The Robin's Nest some of my projects are there! The theme for the booth is "travel" so I used the fabulous papers and embellishments from The Robin's Nest to create this treasure chest. It will be on display in the Robin's Nest booth (Booth #1656) so if you are going to CHA this weekend be sure to stop by and check it out and check out all the wonderful creations of the amazing Robin's Nest design team. If you can't go to CHA be sure to check out the projects of the team here on the Chattering Robin's Blog. It's just as exciting as being there!

Robin's Nest Products Used on the Treasure Chest of Dreams:

Olive Fleur on Linen Cardstock

Cotton Candy Dew Drops

Maple Leaf Dew Drops

Dew Dew Glue

Robin's Nest Shadow Box

2012-01-22T21:01:00.000-08:00

Well this is my second installment as Design Team Member for The Robin's Nest. I wanted to do something other than a scrapbook or card so this is what I came up. This project will be on display at CHA in The Robin's Nest booth #1656. Hope you come by to check it out along with my first project! Let's get started. I start with a blank box by McGuffey Woodworking. I really like these boxes because the back comes off so you can design on a flat surface.

Next I decide which way I want to use the box. For this project I turned it so the three small openings are in the upper right hand corner. Then I use a pencil to trace all the grid marks. This allows me to have a guide. You can go a little over the lines and they are covered by the dividers! No curling paper or pieces coming up! Now I find all the papers I want to use and cut them to size.

Then I glue them in place. I place the grid over the top just to make sure I have cut everything correctly.

I like how it looks so I remove the grid and start to decorate the sections. I start with some stickers and great rub-ons. They work really well and get a wonderful image. Afterwards I add a touch of glitter.

Next I went to the trusty Tear Drops and made some very colorful and dimensional flowers.

I just continued to add embellishments until all panels are filled. I will go through them so you can see what I did in each one.
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I used a Peacock Feather stencil from Dreamweaver with Blue Glossy Paste. On the next on is a paper flower. I added glitter on the feather and the flower.

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Rub-ons were used for the words and the dragonflies. I added glitter to the vines of the paper and to the dragonfly wings. I used Diamond Glaze from Judikins to do this. In the 3 small boxes I used Glossy accents and diamond shape Tear Drops to make the designs. I added a round Tear Drop in the centers.

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I loved this western theme paper and had a couple of stickers I used to give it a layered look.

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The top portion is the flowers I made and the horses are from Dreamweaver. I embossed them with Black Glossy Paste. I sprinkled a little bit of glitter over the horses and added some black Dew Drops just for fun. The black paste holds them in place. Otherwise I used Glossy Accents as my adhesive.

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Again, I had some epoxy stickers in my stash and used them. The leaves are some outline stickers in copper.

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The top is a sticker and made it look attached with Dew Drops. I did add Diamond Glaze over the sticker for dimension. The leaf is just applied and I added some random "bling" just for fun.

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More bling, a flower, a rub-on & Tear Drop for the grouping of three. For the panel with the stag, I cut out the tree sticker then used the stag stencil from Dreamweaver Stencils in Copper Embossing Paste.

And the finished box....

I hope you have enjoyed this post! Happy Creating...

Kristi

A Wild & Sassy - Scrapbox!

2012-01-19T21:00:00.000-08:00

This, my dear friends, is a scrapbox. Fun to make and fun to give. It's a "mini-book" contained in itself. Eons ago, when I first started selling my hand made crafts, I sold these. I called them "exploding" scrapboxes, because that's what they are! You see before you a little gift and when you take off the lid, it "explodes" with color and personality, waiting to be adorned with precious memories.

This particular box is just one of my creations for The Robins Nest, booth #1656 at CHA! I will be there Sunday, January 29th 11:00am- 4:00pm. If you are going to be at the show, please come by and say Hi!

The following materials were used to make this box.

Glitter Cream Animal print

Glitter Black and White Animal print

Silver Glitter Leopard print

Obsidian Diamond Dews

Black card stock, black ribbon, eyelet setter, 2 medium eyelets, 8 brads, Paper Trimmer with score blade, scissors, adhesive, decorative border punch, glitter glue, background stamp, pink and black ink.

* * * * * * * *

Lets get started shall we?

Choose a 12 x 12 sheet to be your outside and set aside.
Choose a 12 X 12 sheet to be the middle section and cut to a 10 ½ " x 10 ½ " square.
Choose a 12 X 12 sheet to be the inner most section and cut to a 9" x 9" square.

*Tip- Double sided papers work best, but you can always cover up blank spots with background stamps like I did.

Score the 12 x 12 square at 4" from all edges, creating 9 squares.
Score the 10 ½ x 10 ½ square at 3 ½" from all edges, creating 9 squares.
Score the 9 x 9 square at 3" from all edges, creating 9 squares.

With your scissors cut off the corner squares, on each sheet leaving the middle square and one square on each side of the middle.

*Tip- If you want to create pockets, only cut 1 side of square, and fold on score line into a pocket. Save cut squares for photo mounts on the saved squares. Alternate designs for a nice effect.

Fold the score lines on each sheet creating the inside of a box look
Place middle sized box on the out side of the smallest and the largest on the out side of the middle. (Like stacking the boxes)
Adhere the middle squares (only!) to each other (Stacking them).

*Tip- The animal print papers are just right for inking, so sassy! Add any punched borders and stamped backgrounds while you fit the smaller squares into the larger ones.

Cut your last sheet of cardstock down to 8 ½ x 8 ½

Score it 1" and 2 1/8 " from all edges, creating a 3 1/4" x 3 1/4" square in the center.

With your scissors cut on the top and bottom (only) 2 1/8 " lines down to the 2 1/8 " lines from the side.

Fold all scored lines and pinch the corner score toward the inside of the lid.
*Tip- Secure the corners of the lid with brads, staples or adhesive.

Place the lid on the box. A perfect fit!
Keep the lid on the box and mark 1/2" down from the bottom lid with a pencil on both sides. Take off lid and carefully punch and set hole with a eyelet setter. Tie and knot your ribbon from the inside so it can loop around the box like a big bow on a a pretty present. Fill squares with photos, recipes, or favorite sayings. Add a ornament or extra gift inside the center and suprise a friend or family member.

To see some of my "past" scrapboxes, please visit here.
If you have any questions in making your own, feel free to contact me here.

~ Michelle Frae Cummings

Reclaimed Trinket Chest

2012-01-18T21:01:00.000-08:00

I love searching for hidden treasures in antique and thrift shops. I found this little gem at our local Goodwill shop. As you can see, it was a little worse for the wear. But, I saw potential

I wanted to paint any areas that would be exposed and not covered with paper a dark midnight blue. But, alas, I didn’t have the right color paint. Joanna, my DIL, to the rescue!! She had the perfect shade of nail polish–and it worked great. You can see the nice shiny finish on the top edge of the finished trinket chest.

The next step in the transformation was measuring and cutting the Belgian Chocolate Glitter cardstock and Brilliant Brown Glitter chipboard. Then I repaired the sad, broken drawer and glued the papers in place.

While waiting for the glue to dry, I searched through my stash of beads to find something to use in place of the original drawer pulls. The beaded pulls were glued in place using Glossy Accents.

All the edges were lightly distressed by running the edge of a scissor blade along the corners. These distressed edges were inked with Chestnut Roan fluid chalk ink by ColorBox.

I'm very pleased with the results, and now I have the sweetest ever little trinket box to grace my workspace.

Robin's Nest papers used:

Belgian Chocolate Glitter cardstock
Brilliant Brown Glitter chipboard

You can see more project on my Create & Craft blog.

Carole

Love Scrapbooking

2012-01-18T18:08:00.000-08:00

I logged on 3 times today waiting for the new post. Ok, Hello Robin, it's my turn to post. Serously, you would think I would know what day it is today. I finished my last task today for the CHA booth. I have been arduously working on the displays for the booth since Christmas, does that mean that designing isn't fast or I'm just slow. Not sure which it is but, I am excited to be working on pages with the new products. I am so excited for the new products to show. I especially love the Classified line. I have never been a black and white person with clothing, but over the last 2 years black became a part of my wardrobe, so it must be rubbing off. There are such cute things to go with the papers, new stickers, paper clips to die for, and rinestone ribbon. You will love it.
The other thing I really love from the Robin's Nest line is the glitter chipboard. It comes in 6x6 squares, and is perfect to run through the die cut machines with out having to cut it first. It makes such a cute addition to the pages we make, the die cuts, but also if you use the entire square and cut a cute edge on it, it helps the pictures pop. Try it, you will fall in love for sure.
I just signed on Pintrest this week. Wow, what a great place to find ideas. Who needs to go shopping for the things you need. You can find it, pin it, and go back to you personal pins, and use the ideas over and over again. Awesome. I am a believer, especially since I live in a small town and the variety of stores in a small town isn't quite there. I found so many things I loved right away. What a great site. I have pinned some of the designers ideas on there too, and within minutes they were being repined by others who saw them. Sooo Cool. Valentines is coming close, so I am posting this layout with our Hears paper and stripe. All our product lines have a classic that goes with it, so here is Classic red swirl on this page, with glitter chipboard die cuts in heart shapes. Dew drops are the finishing touch. This is Becca Ann one of our grandaughers.
We look forward to sharing more and more with you of the new products we have created. Most of them have already been put on the web site. I know the site is a bit hard to manuver, we ask to be patient with us on it, currently we are working with a web designer to make it better and easier.

Happy Scrapbooking,

Robin

Mini Album w/ Becky Conley

2012-01-16T20:53:00.000-08:00

Hey all you crafty peeps! This week I created a mini album with some gorgeous Robin's Nest papers. It's simple but yet so pretty when you see the gorgeous papers in person. I started with a board book from Kaiser Craft.

Robin's Nest Supplies:
Brown on Brown glitter snowflake
Glitter Daisy Honeycomb
Glitter Reindeer stripe
Belgian Chocolate Glitter
Brown on Brown Fleur
Brown Dew Drops
Brown Velvet Ribbon

First, I cut the Belgian Chocolate Glitter to the size of the cover, then painted with acrylic brown and bronze. The recessed area is filled with a heart that is a wood shape I covered with dimensional blue paint, I accented the empty areas with Brown Dew Drops and then filled in with golden mini beads.

The bindings are tied with Brown Velvet Ribbon and some brown gross grain ribbon. The overall size is 6.5 x 7".

I used many Robin's Nest papers to create pages inside.

Thank you so much for stopping the Chattering Robin's blog, please become a follower for project ideas and crafty inspiration!

Cheers!
Becky

My glitter garden

2012-01-14T21:00:00.000-08:00

Hello, my dear Robin's Nest friends ! Irit is here again with my first post during my second term on this fantastic team.

This time I decided to show you how you can make your own glitter garden, using Robin's Nest most gorgeous glitter cardstocks and glitter chipboards.

The base of this project is this cheap acrylic frame and I actually covered it with home die cut flowers and leaves.

Products used here:

Acrylic frame

Robin's Nest products:

Glitter Chipboards:red, lime green, pink, yellow

Glitter cardstock: Glitter White on white swirl, Glitter Pink on pink swirl, Classic roses, Cindy Lou Srtipe
Dew drops: Sun Shower, B/W and Silver

Other products: Sizziz flower and leaves dies, EK Success flower and leaves punches

Chipboard butterfly (A2Z Scraplets)

Creative Inspiration Paints: Mellow Yellow, Sunshine, Rustic Red, Evergreen, Citrus

Fancy Pants swirl and flowers stamps

Staz-on white ink

How I did it:

1. Stamp some flowers and swirls with Staz- On over acrylic frame top. As you can see only the small portions of it are seen after I covered it with all flowers and leaves.

2. Die cut and punch lots and lot of flowers, leaves and swirls from all papers and glitter chipboards. Use dies to cut your glitter chipboards and punches for cardstock and paper, as chipboards are too thick for punches. Assemble your flowers and begin to glue them over the frame. First glue the swirls, then some big flowers, then add leaves and small flowers and try to make it to look as a random collection.

3. Glue dew drops as your flower centers: make a small center flowers over the big flowers and add just one drop over the small ones. Add Tear drops as your leaves over the small leave branches.

4. Now for the painting. As the glitter was too bright, I decided to soften it with a bit of water colors, so I added some light paint layer over the chipboard flowers. The white glitter cardstock was just perfect for resist painting, so I painted over the white flowers and then cleaned the paint from the glitter parts using a baby wipes.

Finally I added this chipboard huge butterfly, painted and glitter covered and my shiny garden was done.

And a finished project

You can do the similar project too: just go to Robin's Nest shop, pick some glitter products and Dew Drops and give yourself a freedom to be a bit crazy.
See you in two weeks with another glittery project.
Irit

Trendy Red, White & Black Christmas Page

2012-01-13T23:56:00.000-08:00

Every year I look forward to receiving my families photo Christmas cards. This year, everyone had black and white in their cards. The Robin's Nest was perfect for this trendy card! I started with a base page of Black and White Holly and fussy cut some of the white detail to slip my photo behind. Fussy cutting is a great way to highlight beautiful paper and hold your photos in place. I matted my photo card on Red Paisley and used the Martha Stewart Skyland Snowflake border punch along one side. On the opposite side of the red photo mat, I tucked a Stampin Up paper doily that has been in the stash since 1999.
I cut the snowflake with Rebellious Red Glitter Card stock using my Cricut When It's Cold Outside cartridge, a deep cut blade and housing, with a multi cut of two. Try using a printed paper with angular pattern or snowflake pattern to make a rosette and you'll love the effects. Here I used, Red Snowflakes (shown below).
I just made sure to place the top edge of the snow flake pattern near the top edge of my Tim Holtz Rosette die when cutting. The effect is another snowflake when the rosette is finished! In the center I placed a flower sequin from Micheals and Fairy Dust dew drop in the center of the flower. The swirl is by Prima Marketing.
Supply List:
The Robin's Nest Black & White Holly Paper
The Robin's Nest Red Paisley Paper
The Robin's Nest Red Snowflake Paper
The Robin's Nest Rebellious Red Glitter Card stock
The Robin's Nest Fairy Dust Dew Drops
Cricut When It's Cold Outside Cartridge (red glitter snowflake)
Tim Holtz Rosette Die
Prima Marketing Glitter swirl
Stampin' Up White paper doily
Martha Steward Skyward Snowflake Border Punch

Festive Friday - Blog Hop #1

2012-01-12T21:00:00.000-08:00

1st Christmas card of the year for this hop. So excited!

My Name is Michelle Frae Cummings and I post here,

on the Robins Nest every Friday-

So welcome!

I hope to inspire you to create amazing things using The Robins Nest items!

For this card I used a simple rosette made from crepe paper,

dipped the ruffle edges in glitter and adorned it with bells,

tiara stickles and Jade Diamond Dew Drops.

Then I glued the rosette onto Christmas Swirl Glitter.

Lastly, I wrote "Noel" onto a piece of black cardstock

with a silver sharpie and accented the letters with tiara stickles.

Ta da! I love it! So pretty!

Please visit the rest of the blog hop participants below and prepare to be amazed!

The Office

2012-01-12T07:20:00.001-08:00

Hello Friends,
I have counted the number of days that we have phsically been in our home and today marks number 14 in 2 years, 2 1/2 months. My day to post on the blog was yesterday, and I appologize to our design team member for posting today, a day late. I spent yesterday working in the office trying to clean and move back in. After 2 years anything and everything that didn't have a place was put there, plus that many years of dust.
I decided that it was so needed so I can exisit in it again. Each book was dusted with care, and each shelf cleaned of all the little things not needed anymore. I love to collect sayings, and they have been eliminated from the shelves too. I need to make a cute book to store all those fun and meaningful sayings.
The world of electronics has bypassed us in the last 2 years. Yesterday we added a wireless printer, so we can print from other rooms in our house, our iphones, and wherever else we happen to be. Love this new change. Electronics has changed drastically from days in Ethiopia. Iphones, and Ipads have taken over, Ethiopians are still using numbered phones, where you touch the number 3 times to get the right letter for texting. I must say, here is much better, I like checking email on my phone.
As I cleaned I found treasures in the office that have great meaning to me. A photo of Rebecca, our daughter who passed away at 2 months old, Rachel's twin sister, the only framed photo we have of her. Also a photo of our son Josh in his army gear, who is on his third tour in Afghanistan right now. His wife Robyn gave this to us, his photo is surrouned by the words "Under God's Protection", and the American flag. I believe he is.
After all this cleaning I filled colorful drawers with pads of paper, pencils, crayons, scissors, cutters, and other treasures for the grandkids to use and be creative with. I can't wait to show them, they love to create. My things change over time.
I powered up the Scrapbook Central we purchased for our store, and printed a picture, and it was as though it didn't sit for 2 years. For those who are new to us, we owned a 5,000 square foot craft store before our mission. We sold the building 3 years ago and closed the store, so we could go on with a new adventure in our lives, which ended up being 2 years of Humanitiarian work in Ethiopia.
I spent the last week in the Salt Lake office working with Rachel on the CHA Booth. Thanks for the projects from the past design team members. They are being put to good use!
Now I am ready to work. Office organized and intact, I now feel more organized and intact. I feel like home is home again, I can work and play there all at the same time. Again, I appologize for posting a day late.
Now for the scrapbook room, well...that is another day.

Happy Scrapbooking, Creating, and loving life.

Robin

Robin

Creating an Eco-Friendly Frame

2012-01-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

By Amanda Marks

Welcome to my first Robin's Nest Design Team Post, I thought long and hard about what I wanted to do for this post. I decided to make my husband a frame for his desk at work (a Princess Frame as my daughter calls it). I started construction of the frame on my Web Cast - Who Are You Calling Crafty? LIVE! I embedded the whole show (it is an hour) so if you don't feel like watching I completely understand. I also have a downloadable direction sheet on how to make your own recycled CD Frame.

Materials:
Old CD/DVD
Tim Holtz - Tonic Scissors
Glitter Pink on Pink Swirl - Robin's Nest Paper
Ruby Red Diamond Dew Drops
Clear Dew Drops
Foam Core
Acetate
Glue
Metal Tape
Ribbon
Flamingo Pink Bic® Mark-It Marker

Click photo to download directions

Take scissors and straighten out the arm so it stands by itself. I added Metal Tape around the outside of the frame, this was to give it a more finished look. I took a Bic® Mark-It and colored the Metal Tape Pink and added ribbon to the outside of the frame and inside circle of the frame. I added Dew Drops (my daughter calls it Princess Bling!) in a pattern to draw attention to the center photo.

Now my husband has a framed photo of the princess for his desk at work! Also since it was made from recycled materials no harm if something happens to it.

Pretty in Pink

2012-01-09T21:00:00.000-08:00

This is a fun card I created using the gorgeous glittery pink papers from The Robin's Nest. It's perfect for a little girl's birthday card, an invitation to a birthday party or a baby shower or even make it into a Valentine's Day card just by adding a few pink hearts. Use it as a baby announcement to let everyone know that there is a new baby girl in the family. The Glitter Pink Journaling piece allows you to write or stamp your message in order to customize your announcement to fit your card's theme. Who wouldn't love receiving this cute "pinked" out card with a special party invitation or a special announcement in it?

Robin's Nest Products Used:

Glitter Pink Journaling

Glitter Pink on Pink Swirl

Practically Pink Glitter Chipboard

Shocking Pink Sorbet Glitter Cardstock

Dew Stackables

Dew Dew Glue

Can't Create Without Passion-

2012-01-08T21:53:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone and welcome to the Robins Nest blog today. I'm Erika Taylor and I'm very excited to be a part of the Design Team for the next while sharing my creations using The Robins Nest products.

I have loved those little Dew Drops since I first saw them and after using them for a while now, I've learned that you can make almost anything with them. From Spiders to flowers, Flourishes to Christmas Stockings and everything in between.

Today I'm sharing with you a card created using some beautiful The Robins Nest Papers to boot. Did you KNOW that The Robins Nest has papers? Well consider yourself well informed now hehe.

The first photo shows how easy it is to substitute pearls or rhinestones for those wonderful Dew Drops. I created a perfect little line using a ruler to make sure. I use Helmar Gemstone Glue for all of my Dew Drop applications. I used the mini Pink Dew Drops here

Next you can use the little Tear Dew Drops to create beautiful little flowers. I love this shade of turquoise that comes in the Tear Dew Drop Stack.

For the card itself, I've used a few of my favorite The Robins Nest Papers. Perhaps an odd pairing, but I think it works so wonderfully well.The background is the beautiful Classic Glitter Swirl in pink. This pattern comes in quite a few colors and is just perfect for that little bit of glitter. I also used the Glitter Blue Animal print and Silver Fleur de Li papers. I love this combination of pinks, teals and blacks. Very purdy indeed. So here is the finished card

When created a project whether a card, layout or altered piece, don't be afraid to mix papers up that you wouldn't regularly pair together. Sometimes the outcome can be wonderful.

Well, that is it for me today. Make sure you let me know what you think of my first The Robins Nest project and what types of projects you'd like to see from me in the future using The Robins Nest products.

Until Next time
Toodles
Erika Taylor

Altered Tag Album

2012-01-06T21:00:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to Chattering Robins! I am Kristi Parker Van Doren and this is my first post for The Robin's Nest. I am very excited to be part of this team. So let's get started.

First, let me say I got a great big bag of goodies with which to design.

So I had a great batch of paper, Rub-ons, stickers, net, dew drops and tear drops. I decided I was going to do an accordion fold box/book.

Start by picking the papers to cover the accordion part of the project. The edges were covered with ink. The color does not matter too much at this point as a good part will be covered with paper and other ink. Cut the papers to fit on the tags. For interest various pieces of card stock were applied to the folds of each section.

At this point some texture was added in various areas using crackle paint. Two different colors were used to add some depth. At this point all the areas were sanded and distressed then ink applied.

Now the fun begins! I did a light wash of white on the entire box. It looks very antiqued just after the paint. Then various papers were applied to the box top. The paper is torn to give rough edges and then the metal corners were now added.

After this point I didn't take step by step photos. The lid was completed using The Flourish Stencil by Dreamweaver. Where all of the swirls of the stencil were a Dew Drop was added in various colors. Since the the flourish was done using embossing paste the Dew Drops were easy to apply. Some glitter was also used. The lid was finished by adding a piece of ribbon and 3 flowers.
Now let's look at the accordion fold mini album. We have it all covered in the papers. The cover was a great place to start. Using the rub-ons the clock face was added. Part of the clock was cut apart and then popped up. The clock hands were accented with the diamond shape Dew Drops. Double sided tape was applied to the top of the front tag and net added. Then glitter was applied to the still exposed tape. More rub-ons and stickers were applied and finally the flower added.

Then it was time to pick photos. Since the theme was "Time Flies" Photos of my boys at different stages were used. Ribbon from the box cover was used through out the album with rub-ons, stickers, flowers and Dew Drops being added as accents.

So this is my project! I hope you all enjoyed and I will see you again in a couple of weeks! Make sure and check out all the design team members personal blogs and look on here for their turn at posting!

Happy Creating...Kristi

The Robins Nest - Best of 2011

2012-01-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

For my first post of 2012, I wanted to highlight some of The Robins Nest "creations" on this blog for 2011.

I hope you enjoy what I put together for you, (sorry it's so long)- it was really hard to pick from so many AMAZING creations!

Enjoy!

Pretty little Bird house and Card - tutorial

Butterfly's are free - mixed media album

Scraps of Darkness guest designer

Thanks Giving- Paper Bag mini book

OK, That's it! Here's to a Creative and Fun 2012!

Happy new Year!

~ Michelle Frae Cummings

Wine Glass Shade

2012-01-04T21:01:00.000-08:00

Robin’s Nest papers are so elegant!! When I first saw this gorgeous paper I just knew I had to use it to make a wine glass shade. There’s nothing like candlelight to add the right ambiance to transform an ordinary meal into a memorable experience. And wine glass lamps are just the ticket.

I used my Gazelle BossKut to cut out the shade pattern. Also, I inked the top and bottom edges with Colorbox Chestnut Road Fluid Chalk ink.

On the reverse side of the shade, I marked every inch and used my Crop-a-dile to punch 1/8″ holes around the bottom edge. Next, I used a quick drying liquid adhesive to join the ends of the shade.

When that was complete dry I adhered Diamond Dew Drops along the bottom edge of the shade, spaced between the punched holes.

I love the play of light through the holes and twinkling of the Dew Drops!! Impossible for me to capture on film with my limited photographic skills, but take my work for it–it’s really neat. Here’s the finished project, ready for a romantic dinner

Supplies used: Robin’s Nest Gold Glitter on Creme Swirl paper; Robin’s Nest Dove Dray Diamond Dew Drops; Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive; Colorbos Chestnut Roan Fluid Chalk Inkpad

FYI: Safety always first--only use a battery operated tea light, no live flames.

You can see more of my projects on the Create & Craft site.

New Trends - "ON TOUR"

2012-01-04T14:47:00.000-08:00

The last few days we have been working on the CHA Booth. We are so excited to be "ON TOUR". Some of the new product line has been put on our web-site. New stickers, paper clips, flowers, dew drops, and more. Rachel and I are having a blast working on pulling the entire look together for the booth. The new products are looking so good, and the travel look is awesome. I can't wait to be finished to show you this wonderful look, and how to incorporate that "ON TOUR" look with your everyday life.
With the amount of traveling we have been doing, Dana and I, we have seen trends all over Europe, America, and Africa. What has completely surprized me, is how the African prints are incorporated into almost everything. Candles, shoes, tables, books, children's clothing and bedroom designs, and the list goes on. It is so cool. We will share with you how this look is so cute with your scrapbook pages, home decor, and more.
We have a new team of designers for the blog, they start this week posting thier designs and ideas. We are excited to see each designers' touch on everything. Remember being "ON TOUR" is for your everyday life.

Watch, enjoy, believe, and be inspired by our new look!

Robin

Life's about the Journey by Becky Conley

2012-01-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

Woohoo! Happy New Year! Welcome to my first post for Robin's Nest for 2012!
I'm honored to be back for another term with this team! Loving the new products!

ROBIN'S NEST SUPPLIES:
Belgian Chocolate Glitter Card Stock
Clouds Card Stock
Golden Berry Dew Drops
Brown Velvet Ribbon
Black on white Journaling Block

Other Supplies:
3 antique copper mini brads
Transparency film
PC & printer for title
Distress ink: Old Paper & Vintage Photo (Ranger)

Directions:
1. Cut the Belgian Chocolate Glitter Card Stock one inch from the top and bottom, leaving 1" on both sides. Cut from corner to corner to meet the first cut that is 1" from edge of paper to create flaps, score and accordion fold as shown. Secure with a mini brad. Glue to background paper Clouds Card Stock.
2. Print the title on transparency film. Adhere the photo and title block to the background. Glue only the sides and bottom of the photo to create a pocket for the Black on white Journaling Block Tag.
3. Distress the Black on white Journaling Block tag with ink, attach Brown Velvet Ribbon with a mini brad and tuck behind the photo.
4. Apply adhesive to create flourishes, place Golden Berry Dew Drops.

Thank you for visiting the Robin's Nest Blog, become a follower and never miss a post for more inspiration and project ideas.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Becky

Christmas Greetings Lay Out

2011-12-29T23:47:00.000-08:00

I really love how well this layout turned out!

The Robins Nest papers work so well together that I feel like I'm looking through frosted glass into a wintery scene outside!

I used the following from The Robins Nest:

Glitter Red Rope

Glitter Black and White Pine Tree

Glitter Snow Covered Trees

Silver Glitter Journal Cards

Christmas Greetings Clippies

Silver and Red Dew Drops

Red Velvet Ribbon

Threading water border punch

Holly leaf hand punch

Tiara stickles

Thanks for coming by to see my end of the year creation, here's to a even more creative 2012!

~ Michelle Frae Cummings

All seasons calendar

2011-12-28T21:00:00.000-08:00

Hello, dear Robin's Nest friends! This is my final project for my first Robin's Nest DT term, but as I stay

on the team, you will see me again for the next term too. So this final project was done for Robin's Nest DT call and posted in my private blog, but not here and I think that it can be a fine and fast last second craft for the new 2012 - so here it is for you with a quick tutorial too.

Product list:

20*20 bookboard piece- also you can use a thick chipboard too.

Robin's Nest cardstocks: Glitter Snowflake Stripe, Glitter Pink on Pink Swirl, Glitter White on white swirl, Glitter Leaf, Cindy Lou Stripe

Robin's Nest Dew Drops: Spring Bloom, Flame, Sunflower Seeds, Wild Flower

Tando Creative chipboard frame

Maya Road chipboard bare trees

Maya Road chipboard Seasons words

AC chipboard Thickers (fall letters and 2012)

Ranger Crackled Glossy Accent

Ranger Tea Die Distress Ink

Clear embossing UTEE

Elle's Studio Calendar tags

J. Bowlin pin
Heat gun

Now for the quick tutorial for this project

1. Cut four 4*4'' pieces from all 4 cardstocks and glue them from the left upper corner- Winter to right upper for Spring to right lower for Summer and Fall as the last one.

2. Cover your frame with a bit of distress ink , add UTEE and heat with your heat gun. Cut a piece of white glitter cardstock and adhere under the frame. Glue your frame in the middle.

3. Cover all seasons words with the same ink and add 3d crackled glaze, let it dry. Do the same with 2012 and Fall letters as those are separates. Let them dry and then adhere as shown. Add a calendar tags in the middle with a pin.

4. Cover 4 bare trees with Glitter, let them dry. Adhere them as shown, still bare. Now take your Dew drops and begin to play with them as your leaves. No leaves for Winter. Some light ones for Spring. Lot of reds for Summer and some brownish for Fall, add some of those under the tree too as they are falling leaves.

Use Spring Bloom Dew Drops for Spring

Use Sunflowers Seeds and Flame Dew Drops for Summer

Use Wild Flowers Dew Drops for Fall

5. Add a huge magnet or some hanger and your 2012 calendar is done.

See how easy it is to make with those gorgeous Robin's Nest products!

Want to make a similar project? All you need is here- in Robin's Nest shop

And now a very HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF US!

Christmas 2011 at home

2011-12-28T12:05:00.000-08:00

What a nice treat it is to finally be HOME! Sleeping in my own bed has been the greatest, and sleeping through the night too. On the 21st of December we went to see Christmas lights with our grandkids. It was pure joy. This photo here is taken at the Gateway Mall in Salt Lake City, with Becca Ann and Aliyah. We met the Grinch and his helpers handing out candy canes there, snowflakes in lights and this Christmas tree behind us that changed its look constantly. Then off to Temple Square, a great historical site in Salt Lake City to visit the Nativity and Millions of lights. Deseret Book across the street from Temple Square had a magical faux bakery, baking gingerbread cookies, conveyer belt moving the cookings, a faux oven with a glowing fire, and candies in jars moving like gears, around in a circle. It was magical for the grandkids, and litte 2 year old Kaydence just couldn't keep her eyes off of it. Employees handed out gingerbread cookies to everyone visiting the bakery. It was such a fun evening. It is fun to be back, to enjoy the wonderful things of our country, but especially to celebrate Christmas with our family again.
The evening closed with snowflakes falling from the sky, I knew for sure with magic like this I was back home. I love the snow and the changing seasons of Utah. Bundling up in coats, gloves, and hats is just fun again.
This week, now we get ready to celebrate in the New Year 2012. Wow, seems like at one time that was a year so far away, and now it is just a few days away. As I reflect on the last year, the larger part with us living in Ethiopia, I know and feel the joys of having family close again, and friends who love us. I think of the things I need to change in my life, and resolve to be a better person, mother, friend, and companion. I know we all reflect on our own lives and think of the things we need to change for the New Year.
We are making some changes with The Robin's Nest this year as well. Watch for these changes during the year from papers, to new stickers, and a new website. We are also sponsoring page layouts for sale, and book kits, all available on line. We know you will love these changes, love the new kits, and products.
I hope for you the best of all things, and the happiest of all New Years ever to all of you.

Robin

Warm Winter Decorations

2011-12-26T21:00:00.000-08:00

Now that the holidays are over and it's time to take down the Christmas decorations the winter dull drums seem to set in, but there's no reason you have to take down all of the decoations! Celebrate the winter with these warm winter mittens hanging on the line to dry. They can add a very festive touch to the coldest of winter days.

Robin's Nest Products Used:

Natural Twine
White Snow Glitter Cardstock
Glitter Irridescent on Blue Swirl Paper
Maple Leaf Dew Drops

A Page, A Card & a Rock Collection Box

2011-12-23T23:56:00.000-08:00

So much to share today! Since it's Christmas Eve, I am sharing a Christmas page and card that I made for a blog hop earlier this month on my own blog. You can find the Christmas Page in

formation HERE and the Christmas Card information HERE.

Along with the Christmas items, I'm sharing an idea for an Advent calendar, in case you didn't finish yours before the holiday! Use the advent calendar to make a rock collection box! And finally, I'll share how to make fabulous titles with Word Art from Microsoft Word!

Last year I purchased the Kaisercraft Advent Calendar and I finally finished it using beautiful papers from The Robin's Nest! This time instead of an Advent Calendar, I made a box for my boys rock collection!

Every summer we visit Lake Michigan and the boys are always finding fossils and other rocks. If you make the Kaisercraft Advent Calendar I recommend you visit the Merly Impressions Blog HERE as the instructions on the Kaisercraft site were not helpful or detailed. I painted the box with acrylic paint and allowed it to dry. I used the assembly instructions found in the tutorial at the link above. For the drawer boxes you can find a list of all the beautiful Robin's Nest papers and embellishments at the bottom of this post.

Using The Robin's Nest Glitter Sea Shore paper I created the background for the inside square in the box. I trimmed off the glittered print at the bottom and trimmed the plain teal portion at the top, so that it measured 8 1/2" wide to fit through my printer. It is so trendy right now to have text and book like backgrounds on your pages. So, I found an image on the internet; for free, of the Great Lakes and printed it onto the top portion of the Glitter Sea Shore paper. Be sure to make a test print on scrap paper first if you use this technique!

To make the title I used the Word Art in Microsoft Word. Here's how:

1) Open Microsoft Word and an empty document

2) Click on the Insert Tab at the Top of the screen.

3) Click on the Word Art Icon on the right hand sideChose the Word Art you want to use by clicking on it. I wanted a word that was wider at the beginning and end of the word and narrow in the middle.

4) Chose the font you want and type your Text in the dialog box that appears and click OK. The picture above is how mine looked.

5) Drag to resize as desired.

6) Print out this file if you have NO digital software that works with a cutter, for those of you with a cutter and software, skip to step 8

7) Temporarily adhere your printout to the paper you want to use and hand cut. Remove your temporary print out.

8) If you have a cutter with digital software such as SCAL, Make the The Cut or other, Hit the Print Screen button.

9) Open Paint software

10) Paste your screen print into the new paint document and save as a JPG image

11) Open your digitial cutter software and covert the JPG to the format used my your digital cutter. For SCAL2, this is click on the File menu and click Trace Image. Click Browse and select the photo you saved in step 10. Make any adjustments, such as welding and now you have your title! For the cursive font that says "Lakes" and "Finds" I used the Opposites Attract Cricut Cartridge and my Cricut DS software to weld the letters.

This box is great because you can place the bigger rocks on the shelf as pictured and limit your kids to smaller rocks to fit in the drawers. The Robin's Nest papers were perfect for a masculine box that even a Mom could love for her home decor!

Supplies Used
The Robin's Nest Glitter Sea Shore Paper (center of box)

The Robin's Nest Calamity Jane Stripe (Stripe mat for title & on drawers)

The Robin's Nest Glitter Witch Accessories Paper (Chocolate Brown ships wheel, drawers & title)

The Robin's Nest Veranda Love/Stripe Paper

The Robin's Nest Brown on Brown Rope paper (drawers)

The Robin's Nest Fishing Rubons

The Robin's Nest Velvet Ribbon

The Robin's Nest Belgian Chocolate Boy Rubon

The Robin's Nest Live Bright Rubon

Making Memories Ribbon

Vintage button

Microsoft Word Software

SCAL or other cutting software (optional)

Ribbon (not sure as it has been in the stash for sooo long)

Art Glitter (on Dragonfly)

Shining Star Christmas Tree Topper

2011-12-23T01:11:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays! I hope you are having a wonderful time with family and friends!

Here is a Christmas Tree topper you can make using the beautiful paper and dew drops from

The Robins Nest.

Materials and Supplies used:

Red Swirl Glitter card stock
Glitter White on White card stock
Ruby Red diamonds
Solid White dew drops
Tiara stickles (glitter glue)
Tombo glue
Big Bite crop-a-dile or a eyelet setter
Stapler
regular scissors, fringe scissors, a pen, scoring tool and a plate (for tracing)

Turn your Red Swirl Glitter over and trace a large circle using a dinner plate. Cut this out and then trace the same circle onto the back of the Glitter White on White.

Draw a large star. Make it a little smaller than the circle. Cut this out.

Mark the center of the star with the pen and then score from the center dot to the tips of each star point.

For the fringe, sketch a border on the back side of Red Swirl Glitter. This helps you to keep a straight and even fringe. When using the fringe scissors you'll find that if you cut like I did in the photo, the fringe is straight, but if you cut the fringe from the inside of the scissors, the cuts twist. Neat huh?

Use your crop-a-dile or eyelet setting tool to punch holes in no particular pattern all over the star. Then fold the star at the scored lines to "primp" it up a bit. Decide where you want the opening of your star to be and then apply a thin line of glue along the edges, except at the opening.

Place your star onto your red fringed background. Secure the corners before you pinch the sides to make sure the stars creases hold. Then use your stapler to secure the stars edges.

Add your dew drops and accent them with the glitter glue, then outline the star with the same, (covering up the staples) and set to dry completely.

I put a few lights around the top of the tree so they could glow through the holes I punched.
This is Dyllan's bedside tree, he decorated it himself. :)

So that's it. I hope I have inspired you to try something new and creative.

Have a very Merry Christmas! ~ Michelle Frae Cummings

Convention Journal by Becky Conley

2011-12-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my final Robin's Nest post for 2011! (more coming next year :o) I'm very excited to have been chosen for another term on the Robin's Nest Design Team!! Woohoo!

I'll be heading to California in Januray for the Winter Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) Show where I will be meeting and mingling. So, I created this Convention Journal to be my assistant in keeping all of my new contacts organized.

ROBIN'S NEST SUPPLIES:
Calamity Jane Stripe card stock
Glitter Pine Trees double sided card stock (back side is Just for Boys Stripe)
Brown Fish Net
Live Brightly rub on flourish
Country blue mesh fabric

Miscellaneous supplies:
3L clear pockets
fibers, plastic leaves,
shells, flat shell, mica,
art glitter
charms: sand dollar and moon w/ star
dolphin wall paper cut out
rubber snake, sea glass
5.5 x 8.5 chipboard (2)
RubiCoil binding machine and coil
balsa wood, dowel and acrylic paint to make buoys.
left over wood flourish (Kaiser Craft)
left over shell die cut (Spellbinders)

I adhered the Calamity Jane Stripe to the outside cover of the chip board and Glitter Pine Trees card stock to the inside covers with the Just for Boys Stripe side up. Then I punched them with the RubiCoil and decorated the front of the book as shown. I added glitter to areas where glue was showing (around net edges, wood flourish and among the shells)

There are 15 pages of printed card stock (both sides = 30) inside with a clear pocket on each to hold a business card from new contacts. 20 sheets of plain white paper and 20 sheets of lined paper. After the cover completely dried, I assembled with the coil binding.

HERE'S A GREAT TIP when binding: some how, my paper wasn't loaded correctly for this punch and the holes go off the page. OH NO, don't throw it away!

ANOTHER AWESOME use for Duck Tape!!
Cut a strip of duck tape approx 1", place half on the front side then fold over to the back side and re-punch!

VIOLA! GOOD AS NEW.

If you are going to a convention and need one of these journals, please contact me for a quote and details.

Thank you for stopping by today, please visit the Robin's Nest Blog: Chattering Robins for more inspiration and project ideas.

New Design Team

2011-12-17T21:00:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to introduce the Most amazing Design Team for Robin Nest Scrapbook Company. How exciting it that. This team will start posting in Jan - until the end of June.
I hope you will stop by each of their blogs and introduce yourself and become a follower of their as you have support us.

Terri Sproul - Team Leader

Terri Sproul is the producer of a DVD called "MasquePenMagic" to see more of her video check out her Youtube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/terrisproul

She is a diverse and experienced designer, design teamleader and instructor for multiplecompanies in the paper craft world including “ Robin Nest” “Creative Paperclay®”,“Stewart Superior”, “Sakura Hobby Craft”and “Viva Las Vegastamps!” to name a few. Terri and her husband Marc have the pleasure of living in San DiegoCounty On top Of Palomar Mountain. She has received a Bachelor of ScrapbookingArts from Creating Keepsakes and Bachelor of Scrapbooking Education from EKSuccess. Terri’s passion is teaching fellow Scrapbooker’s and Stamper’s newtechniques and to think ‘out of the box’ and ‘off the Page.’ Visit her website and blog to see all theexciting stuff she does at http://www.terrisproul.com– link to blog is also there.

Peg Round

I’mPeg Rounds and I am so happy to be returning as a design team member for TheRobin’s Nest. I love being able to use the papers and embellishments fromRobin’s Nest to give my creations that extra special touch. When I’m notgetting my hands inky from stamping or paint filled from my painting hobby, Iam spending time with my husband, son and our 2 dogs. I enjoy making cards, but also have fun doingscrapbook pages and altered art. Mylatest fun in the craft world is finding things to mold and cast using resin touse around the house or on cards and layouts. I love to chat with friends oncrafting message boards, Facebook and Twitter. You can often find me hanging out on my blog.

Amanda Marks

Amanda Marks is an artist, designer, stay-at-home mom, and host of her owninternet arts and craft show. She is best known for her wildlifepaintings and her “mad scientist experiments,” where she takes everydayhousehold items and creates new easy-to-use media. On her web TV show Who Are You Calling Crafty - LIVE, she shows that you don’t need a bigbudget to paint or craft and that the mostimportant thing is to have fun! She alsoco-hosts The ODD Show LIVE a web TV show and designs digital stamps and papersfor her on-line store A.J.’s Digi Shoppe.
Amanda is a graphic designer and is also on the Creative Paperclay® DesignTeam, Creating the Hive Design Team and Amazing Crafting Products Design Team. Her knowledgeable background in HistoricPreservation and Art Education helps her explain the complex in very simpleterms. She shines when showing simple, frugal ways to craft with yourwhole family, with easy tutorials. Whenshe isn’t in front of the camera or glued to her craft table, she and her husbandare chasing their two children. Amandachronicles her and her family’s crafty adventures and misadventures at her blogWhoAre You Calling Crafty?

Blog: http://www.ajsartsanddesigns.com

Etsy Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ajsarts

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ajsarts

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ajsarts

Carole Lassak

In addition to paper crafting Carole enjoys a variety of handcrafts and fiber arts, including needlepoint, crewel, knitting, crocheting, beadwork, and lacemaking. She regularly travels abroad to study the dying art of handmade bobbin lace. She incorporates mixed media techniques to create unique jewelry and paper art pieces. Carole holds Tombow Techniques Basics certification. Her design team membership include Sakura Hobby Crafts (Apr-Sep 2011), Amazing Mold Putty (Oct 2011-Mar 2012), and The Robin's Nest (Jan-Jun 2012). Her favorite food is sushi, especially sea urchin. “I think any piece of raw seafood on a pillow of rice would delight me.”

Becky Conley

Becky is a mixed media artist and craft industry designer living in Southern Maine. She's a retired U.S. Marine, mother of 2, Nana to one. A CHA Designer member, the art of creativity is her full-time passion. Published and versatile, Becky thrives with new ideas and welcomes custom requests.

Erika Taylor

Cutting rings of paper to create garland, making ghost gum from glue, and adding a little too much glitter to any heart I drew. The creative bug bit me at a very early age and I've never looked back. Hi everyone, I'm Erika Taylor and I'm a craftaholic!!! In 2008, I decided to start paper crafting and one thing led to another. I'm blessed to have been on numerous design teams over the past few years and I'm expanding my own creative muse to include so much more than just cards and scrapbook layouts. I love getting inked up to create mixed media projects and if I can alter something, I will.
I live in Southern Alberta with my loving, very attractive and supportive husband Mark and our 2 boisterous children age 4 and 7. Anything to do with Vampires and the Fantasy Realm gets my attention, and yes that includes Twilight! I love Italian Sweet Cream in my coffee and there is nothing better than cupcakes with extra frosting(unless that something better is chocolate). I'm moved by the colors around me, emotions and the media. Creatively, I embrace change and love to try new things and I'm super excited about being a part of The Robins Nest design team. You will always know its me because I say "toodles" and "ABSOLUTELY" a whole bunch.

Irit Shalom

My name is IRIT and I am from sunny ISRAEL. I am really thrilled to be again on Robin's Nest DT and hope to inspire you all with new and different projects. In my "real life" I am a dentist, but for the last 5-6 years I do it as a part time job, because I need some extra time for my scrapping and crafting addiction and I have a lot of fun doing something else after 25 years of dentistry. I have been married for 29 years to a retired high police officer, who is the full time family cook these days. I am a mom to 4 grown ups: 2 sons and twin daughters. The empty nest is probably the main reason for my obsession for crafting - finally I have some time for myself. My oldest son is an army officer, married and a Dad of my first grandson Omer. The second one is " a world traveler" - for the last 6 years after his army service he is out of Israel for at least 9 months a year- lives and works in Spain. My twins are in their last year of college and my major scrapbooking inspiration. I need to say that I have been totally addicted to crafting since I was a little girl. For many years it was a polymer clay and jewelry making, but after I saw a scrapbook layout for the first time in my life (only 5 years ago during my visit to USA), I finally understood that I am in love with paper. Today I mostly scrap and do altered art and less card making. My style is mostly shabby and vintage, but sometimes I move to other styles too, all, but clean and simple one. I have been a design team member in about 9-10 challenge blogs and was a guest designer on lots of others during the last years, but since a last 2 years I design for manufacturers only. Right now I am a permanent designer for UK chipboard company named Tando creative, A2Z Scraplets Australian company,Pretty Little Studio paper company, Creative Inspirations Paint, Epiphany Crafts Tool company, WOW embossing powders company and Inspired by Stamping stamp company. I was a DT member for Best Creation paper and Cherry Lynn Designs die company for a year term, SNR staff member and a Guest Designer for several USA companies in the past. I was published in print in Israel several times and was published in every possible web magazine during the last years. Last, but not least- my other addiction is..... folk dancing. So if I am not in my crafting room- I am probably dancing. I am totally thrilled to be a member of this team. You are welcome to visit my blog

Clare Demspey

I am the eighth of eleven children,seven girls and four boys. My husbandand I have been happily married for 18 years and have two boys. I havean Associates degree in fashion design, a bachelors degree in Apparel Designand Aesthetics and a Masters degree in Family and Consumer Economics.

After graduating, I worked for several apparel manufacturers in theChicago area for short periods, as manufacturing continued to move overseas. Most of my experience is in retail apparel product development. There I helped develop and implement acomputer aided design/spreadsheet software program that is used in apparelproduct development.

I am currently a stay at home momwho is passionate about using my Cricut and sewing machines. I started a non-profit scrapbooking guildwith some friends and we meet monthly to scrapbook and do a little charitywork. I am responsible for maintainingthe S.C.R.A.P. Guild of Northern IL’s blog and Facebook page.

I have two stores on Etsy where Isell dust covers for all types of electronic cutters, you can find themhere: www.scrappincovers.etsy.comand www.scrapguild.etsy.com.

I have scrap booked for 13 years, Isew, and do a little bit of all types of crafts. I enjoy blogging, cut files, scrapbook pages,techniques and more at my blog too: www.cricutcraftyclare.blogspot.com. I love glitter and bling and making my ownembellishments for less!

My design team experience, includesa previous term with The Robin’s Nest and two terms with Art Glitter. You can find my Art Glitter work here: http://www.artglitter.com/guestdesigners.html#ClareDempsey

Kristi Parker Van Doren
Kristi Parker Van Doren lives in Missouri, the Show Me State! She has been involved with paper crafting for over thirty six years. She was introduced to stamping at the age of 12 and over the years, has taught many classes at local stamping and scrapbooking stores as well as doing demonstrations for companies at CHA (Craft & Hobby Association). Kristi loves to create a large spectrum of projects with a broad range of styles. Her style really varies depending on the materials she has on hand and what is called for on any given project. Her artwork has been featured in several magazines as well as 2 books. She also had a column in Scrap & Stamp for 3 years. She has designed for many companies and really enjoys the creative process.

WOW - What a team... I hope you stop by each of their blog today as they too are announce they are on the Robin Nest Design Team...

Thanks for stopping by
Terri Sproul

Little Black Dress Card

2011-12-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hello Robin's Nest fans! Jan here sharing a Little black dress card! Mine is a Christmas print dress, but you could change it to an everyday dress with any of the beautiful Robin's Nest papers. I've used the Glitter Black and White Holly! I want to thank the Robin's Nest for my Design Team term with them...it's been fun and they're so generous!

Decorated Glass Ornament

2011-12-15T23:25:00.000-08:00

Here is a pretty ornament you can make using The Robins Nest Fiesta "diamond" Dew Drops!

You will need a clear glass ornament, shiny filler, Fiesta diamond Dew Drops, a bit of card board tube (taken from a used paper towel), and adhesive meant for bling- I used Tombo.

Clean your glass ornament with window spray to remove any finger prints and greasy residue.
Take off the top and set aside.
Stuff the ornament with as much or as little of your shiny filler.
Re-attach the top.
Decide if you want a pattern or random design with the bling.
Starting with just the top, dot the glue and add the diamonds.
When you have decorated more than half way down the ornament, turn it upside down and rest it in the cardboard tube.

Finish decorating and set to dry before hanging on your tree or give as a gift!

~ Michelle Frae Cummings

Frosty Tag

2011-12-14T21:00:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to sneak in the 12 Days of Tags with Tim Holtz - so for my last post for the Robin's Nest, I was able to take on Tim's Day 4 challenge! I changed things up a bit, though, so I could use some sparkly Robin's Nest Papers.

Did you know that the glittered areas on Robin's Nest papers act as a wonderful resist? My snowman was cut out of White Snow Glitter Cardstock, but then I used Distress Stain in Broken China to change the color and to really highlight the designs. Next, I painted over the image with Rock Candy Crackle Paint. After it was dry, I rubbed Faded Jeans Distress Ink into the cracks. I think this was a fun change for the tag!

I've enjoyed being on the DT for the Robin's Nest for the past six months and although I didn't reapply for a second term, I know the ladies staying on will continue to inspire you, and the new crew as well! Thanks for your generosity throughout my time with you!

Robin's Nest Products
White Snow Glitter Cardstock
Creme Awning Silver Glitter
Chipboard Snowflakes
Velvet Ribbon

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-12T21:00:00.000-08:00

I love putting black and white together so I couldn't resist using this gorgeous paper to create a card for this holiday season. The glitter in the snow gives a more elegant look to the black and white theme. I'm excited that Robin's Nest carries glitter snowflakes that fit perfectly with this paper. I just love those! Don't they look fabulous and add great dimension to the card? I added the Cotton Candy Dew Drops to add another layer to them, too. They made great centers to the snowflakes! I chose to trim the paper using a scalloped blade to create more of a picturesque look to the card instead of a square on square look and then chose one of my favorite stamps for the greeting. I have to admit this was a quick and simple card, but it has to be one of my favorites that I did this season.

Robin's Nest Products Used:
Cotton Candy Dew Drops
Dew Dew Glue
Glitter Snowflakes
Pinetree Paper

Warm Winter Wishes Card

2011-12-12T15:14:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone....
It's less than 2 weeks until Christmas.
I bet many things are going on right know...

I have tons of things to do before Christmas and one of them is making cards for my crafty friends.
So, today I pulled out pretty papers from The Robin's Nest and made this card.

I'm so happy the way this card turned out and especially how easy it is to make.

The papers and the cut out embellishments do all the job.

Here's the list of the products I used from The Robin's Nest Store
~ White Snow Glitter Cardstock
~ Glitter Blue Rasberry Sorbet Paper
~ Glitter Winter Snowflakes
~ Chipboard Snowflakes
~ Fairy Dust Dew Drop
~ Glitter Snowmen

I hope in this busiest time of the year...you still get time to make some beautiful cards for your crafty best friends.

Thank you so much for visiting today.
Have a wonderful week and Happy Holiday.

Tenny

Snowflake boot ornament

2011-12-10T21:00:00.000-08:00

Hello, my dear Robin's Nest friends! Irit is here again and this time with my altered Winter boot ornament.
I made it as my freehand shape of a boot from Glitter Water Swirl backside paper and added 2 blue strips cut from Winter Snowflakes paper for the bottom and the upper part of my boot.
The basic boot was dry embossed with Dots and Spots embosser- you need to make it twice as the shape is bigger then the embosser is and try not to overlap the embossing.
Glue the blue strips, add some white pen faux stitching too.
Now use you Marvy Uchida Snowmaker and your heat gun to make this snow under the upper strip.
Glue 3 Glitter Snowflakes with silver Dew Drops from Early Dawn set as a center on the top of the boot.
Glue one long strip of crystals as shown and a thin Blue ribbon under the snow line.
Ink the piece with some blue ink around and glue a lot of random silver Dew Drops over the embossed spots.
Add the hanging ribbon with a Snowflake ribbon from Blue frost Ribbon set bow on the top.
If you are a beader as I am- make some crystal homemade embellishment and glue it over the boot. If not- use some premade one or add another snowflake.
Enjoy your ornament made with Robin's Nest most gorgeous winter products.

Gift Making with The Robin's Nest

2011-12-09T23:56:00.000-08:00

I love to make gifts for the people I love! This year, I worked made a souvenir box/mini album purse using The Robin's Nest products. The purse is made with a vintage wooden handbag I picked up at a garage sale over the summer.

Above you can see before pictures of the purse, inside and outside. To make the purse into a mini album/souvenir box, I notched a doll rod with a saw and added round binder clips. I then nailed it to the inside of the purse. I created three pages one for each country visited using Italy Stickers,
Germ any Stickers, and France Stickers. For the papers I used Ocean colored Fleur (on Germany page), on the Italy page, and for the France page.
On both sides of the purse, I lined the insides with Calamity Jane Stripe. I cut my lining a bit off on the left side, but added a bit of the paper, some ribbon and some Lullaby Tear Drops to make a faux beaded trim. I then sandwhiched a bit of organza between the side of the purse and the paper on one side. On the other side, I lined the purse with more paper, and added some adhesive hook and loop tape. To the organza I sewed some more of the paper and the other side of the hook and loop tape. The idea is for this side to hold some souvenirs such as ticket stubs, Eurail passes, loose foreign change, etc.

On the outide of the purse, I used the Ocean Fleurs striped side and pleated it to look like ribbon. I sewed it on to some ribbon that I think is by Anna Griffin and hot glued the ribbon onto the sides of the purse. I created a label using Glitter Gold Journaling, and Glitter Gold Letters. I hand cut around the journaling block and matted it on more of the brown paper.

I cut some flowers using the Ocean Fleur, and love paper using My Favorite Things Mini Rolled Rose and Rolled Rose dies, the leaves are just fussy cut from the brown paper. The tag I made withthe Love paper, and my Microsoft word on my computer, was used to print "Europe." I love that I can change my ink color to match my project! Other papers from the Robins Nest include Vereanda Love Stripe (Love on Italy Page) and Brown paper with glitter.

Mini pendant banners

2011-12-08T23:59:00.000-08:00

This week I made mini pendant banners using White Gliter cardstock, and Christmas Swirl from The Robins Nest. I free hand cut 11/2" strips and just cut with scissors triangles. I folded the tops over by 1/4" and creased hard with a Bone folder.

I added on some triangles of the Green and red swirl paper to add color.

Sewing thread and tacky glue helps to string up the banner.

I like how it adds to our display cabinet...don't you?
:)
See you next week with a Christmas tree topper craft!

Just can't get enough snow!!!

2011-12-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

Well, paper snow that is...lol...it is just a bit chilly here in SW PA. So, I thought I would just make my own!!! Love Robin's Nest snowflake papers!!!
Today I made a small (5x7) picture...photo or saying in the middle to be determined by the recipient!

The Robin's Nest makes is so easy to put together gifts for friends!!! The Glitter Winter Snowflakes Paper is so gorgeous...sorry the picture doesn't do it justice...the glitter on it is so sparkly! Anyway, I mounted it onto a 5x7 stretched canvas. Now ordinarily, I would paint the canvas sides, but the person who will be getting this has blue walls, and I really wanted to make this pop! I cut White Snow glitter cardstock to 3.5x5 and mounted it onto the first layer. I layered Chipboard snowflakes and felt snowflakes in the lower right corner. I made sure to only attach them in the centers so that a photo can still be inserted.

I added Fairy Dust Dew Drops to the centers. And declared it finished!
I can not tell you how much I love The Robin's Nest Products! The Dew Drops are absolutely awesome!!! They can be used in so many ways and for so many different things!
Thank you for checking in, and please, stop back to see us again!

Moose in Alaska

2011-12-07T08:27:00.000-08:00

Hi all,
Back in the US of A!!!! We really don't realize how much we love our country until we haven't been there for a while. 2 years out of country has given me the opportunity to reflect on the worlds of difference of what we know and see every day and what other people don't have. As I walked through stores the last few days, I see we live in such a fortunate world. We put more $ in the decorations on our Christmas tree, than people in Ethiopia make all year, and maybe in cases of the villagers, that they make in a lifetime. I am surprised that l totally love everything I see. We are in Alaska right now visiting our son Josh and the other Robyn that this blog was named after, and the grandkids here. Robyn says to me as we walk in Fred Meyer, "What do you want to see?", I say, "It doesn't matter, everything looks good, the choices in the grocery aisle, the Christmas section of the store, the towels all stacked in their beautiful colors, meat that I know is safe to eat, veggies and fruits I don't have to wash in clorox water, aisles and aisles of toys (children in the villages don't even know what a toy is). I am so loving the fact that I was born in America, I love the privileges I am given in this country. I have talked to many people who just break down and cry when they see all of this, I however have just soaked it in and enjoy each moment.
We visited Alaska many years ago, Fairbanks, for the entire week we were there the only Moose we saw was stuffed! (And Dana visited in June that year but still no moose, he did catch a salmon though.) So our joke to Josh and Robyn has been there aren't any Moose in Alaska, we haven't seen one! Well, a few nights ago, 10 pm, we were going to bed, already dressed in our jammies, and Robyn calls, "Mom, get down here, there is a moose in the backyard!"
Now this I had to go and see, I grabbed the camera, for this great event. We were snapping away, he was only 20 feet from the kitchen sliding glass door. Dana out on the porch snapping pics, and Josh stood out on the porch for a photo with the moose. (certainly not one of the smartest things he has done, but I snapped the photo for sure.
Here he is, to share with you. I do believe now! There really are moose in Alaska, ha.
I know this is a busy season to keep up on projects and pages, but just for reading this post you can get 50% off of Mocha Christmas, Cindy Lou Christmas, Meadow Hoppin', and Dinosaur papers and rub ons ( in the all boy collection)... this means stickers, papers, rub ons, and glitter words. Dew drops, journaling tags, canvas are not included. This offer is good until December 19th on supplies in stock only. Just write in the comments section of your order that you read my blog post. Moose in Alaska.
Enjoy the Season.

Robin

Christmas Tablescape: By Becky Conley

2011-12-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

Here is my table setting for Christmas using lots of gorgeous
Robin's Nest papers. I just love the way it turned out!

Robin's Nest Supplies:
PAPER!!!!! Red Snowflakes, Black and White Holly, Glitter Snow Covered Trees (I used the pseudo solids on the reverse sides), Glitter Silver on Creme Swirl.

Other supplies: fine art glitter, Cricut "Joys of the Season" Poinsettia and Holly, "Celebrations" confetti, stickles: crimson and gold, sewing machine w/ gold metallic thread, decorating chalks, red fine art glitter (tulip), Canson Drawing Paper 14x17", dark green card stock, Spellbinders Holly border die S5-056, white duck tape, Elmer's spray adhesive, iridescent art glitter.

Here is the angel. She's an altered doll! I made her top out of white duck tape, the wings are many small pieces of white cardstock rounded like feathers and glued in layers. Then I sprayed each wing with adhesive and covered with iridescent art glitter. Her waist band is made of Glitter Silver on Creme Swirl. embellished with a layered poinsettia like the ones on the napkin rings and place mats. The skirt is white paper with waves of glue and art glitter with a holly border.

NAPKIN RINGS: 1 1/5" strip of white card stock embellished with green Holly Border and a large poinsettia. (directions below)

PLACE CARDS: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" white card stock folded with a layer of Red Snowflakes, and another layer of white with a large holly leaf and berries (directions below).

Directions:
1. The poinsettia is 5" (green card stock), 4" (Black and White Holly), 3" (Red Snowflakes), cut off the leaves of the 2 red layers, assemble and then outline the edges with glue and add fine art glitter. These were used on the place mats and napkin rings. The angel has a smaller identical set: 3 1/2, 2 1/2" and 1 1/2".

2. The holly is cut from Black and White Pine Tree paper (back side), make sure to cut one with the "FLIP" on so it's a mirror image. Make the berries red w/ stickles. These were used on the place mats and name cards.

PLACE MATS:

I actually adhered the "confetti" (Black and White Holly) to the background, then stitched in gold, some straight stitch over the confetti and then zig zag around the border. Then attached the poinsettia and holly as shown. white red stickles on the berries and yellow stickles at the center of the poinsettia. I wanted to keep it relatively flat so I can laminate them.

Thanks for visiting the Robin's Nest Blog, come back often for great project ideas and inspiration.

Cheers!
Becky

Just in Time For Christmas Recipes

2011-12-03T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hello Robin's Nest fans! Jan here to share a Recipe Organizer, just in time for those delicious Christmas recipes. I seem to like the desserts, candies and breads most of all! I think this will be a gift to my teenage daughter after I fill it with our special recipes. I've used Red Snowflake and Black and White Pinetree Cardstock. I just misted the white pine with "Santa Baby" mist so it would match my organizer. I've added ruffled red and aqua ribbon at the bottom and aqua Baker's Twine on the button.

Holiday Fun

2011-12-02T10:59:00.000-08:00

This project can be made into a card or layout. It's that simple and fun!

From The Robins Nest, I used:

Fleur Green Olive, Glitter Wedding Swirl, Dark Distressed Red (back side of glitter lips) , Gold Glitter, Glitter journal cards, vintage Santa sticker, and Fiesta Diamond Dew drops.

I also used a small and large scalloped border punch, gold, red and iridescent glitter glue, red ribbon, foam tape and Tea Dye ink.

I inked the Glitter Wedding Swirl with the Tea Dye ink to reveal the embossed design.

Thanks for coming by, See you next week!

Festive Fall Wreath

2011-11-30T21:00:00.000-08:00

I have a festive wreath to share with you today. I pulled out lots of Robin's Nest papers in fall colors and started cutting them with Filigree Fall Leaves die by CottageCutz. To give you an idea of the size of this piece, it is laying on a 12 x 12 sheet of paper - so it's pretty big. After I cut them all out, I put Scor-tape on a chipboard ring, and started attaching each leaf by the stem, and alternating leaning to the left, then to the right.

I finished the wreath off with a box and an Acorn Leaf Vine flourish.

Isn't it fun seeing all of those Robin's Nest papers together?

Here's a list of the ones that I used:
Distressed Honeycomb
Green Stencil
Glitter Leaf
Fleur Tropicana
Red Paisley
Glitter Brown on Brown

Snow, snow , snow in.. Jerusalem.. Once in a lifetime..

2011-11-29T21:00:00.000-08:00

Hello dear Robin's Nest friends! Irit is here again with my second winter page.

As I already said in my previous post, snow in Israel is rare, but not impossible.

So here is the last snow we had, about 12 years ago and most probably the only photo I have of my DD making a real snowman. So those gorgeous Robin's Nest products were just perfect for this page too.

I used a blue textured AC cardstock as my basic one, Glitter Snowflakes Stripe cardstock as the second layer, border punched with Marta Stewart punch. A snowflake sheer ribbon from Blue Frosted Ribbons pack was added between the cuts and White Snow Glitter cardstock as the third layer , under my photo. The matting was done with Teal glitter chipboard and then made a title from Glitter Winter Words cardstock by hand cuttung all possible Snow words from it- there were 3, so I have this triple title.

Glitter chipboard snowflakes were added randomly and as I just used most of them on my other projects, I added the negatives too. The glitter snowman was made with 2 layers and I tied the ribbon scarf over his neck.

The Silver glitter journaling spot was filled with some handwrite journaling about this most unusual snow in Jerusalem. As my last touch I used Marvy snowmaker pen and I need to say it's just like any other puffy powder, don't run to buy.

See you in two weeks with some new winter altered project

Holiday Cards Holder

2011-11-28T05:37:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration.
I can't believe that Christmas is fast approaching. As a matter of fact, it is less than a month away.
Last night my kids and husband put out the Christmas tree and decorated it. I, on the other hand, decided to make something to share it with you.

So, here it is....

This is a Holiday Cards Folder.

One thing that I'd like to do in this busy month is to stay organize, and I believe this cards folder will help you and myself.

Here's the list of products I used on this project:
- Red Snowflakes Cardstock
- Glitter White on White
- Fairy Dust Dew Drop
- Chipboard Snowflakes

I'm working on a video tutorial on how to make this easy cards holder. I will link it up on Robin Nest Facebook Page. Be sure you "LIKE" the page and check it out.

Thank you so much for stopping by.
Have a wonderful week.
Hugs,

Tenny

Good-bye to Germany

2011-11-27T08:40:00.001-08:00

Today is our last day in Germany. We have spent the last 4 days shopping the Christmas Markets, one of the items on my bucket list. This has been so much fun, bundled like snowmen, because it is all outdoors, and cold. You can purchase food, crafts, anything Christmas you can imagine, clothing, knives, candles, jewelry, and just about anything you can imagine. Each market we went to, all in different towns and cities in Germany have a different theme, Baroque, Mid-evil, chocolate and the list goes on. The tops of the "mini-house" shops are decorated to the hilt, so cute, that just seeing the roof tops is pure joy.
Back to the States tomorrow to see our kids, and grand kids. I am so excited, it has been 2 years since we have had hugs and kisses from them.
Happy Christmas Shopping for the next few weeks. Totally enjoy those Christmas lights on all the houses, I am so looking forward to the traditions of America at Christmas time.

Robin

Giving Thanks!

2011-11-25T23:56:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! I love the good food and family and NO presents or pressure. I am always grateful for the many blessings I have, and love to share them with my loved ones. So, this page had to have lots of love in it!

The title is cut with The Robin's Nest Brown glittered cardstock, using my SCAL2 and a font called Edwardian Script ITC. It is too fine to cut it well, so you will need to use make a shadow of the actual font. I did this using the SCAL2 Style dialog box and changing the Appearance box to Shaddow Black Out Rounded. I love this tool, because it allows me to make a black out mat for any title or make a very fine font cuttable!

The Robin's Nest Turkey Paper is beautiful, but I am afraid of white space! So, I fussy cut a circle frame using a kitchen plate, and working around the turkey and the glitter swirl on the paper. This is a wonderful techinque to turn a paper with lots of white space into a custom die cut! Here's how I got the look: using a pencil, I traced a kitchen plate. I then used my grade school compass to make a second circle inside the plate circle. For both circles, I did NOT trace over the turkey or swirl images. I then fussy cut around the circle and the swirl using my scissors and Exacto knife.

I hand cutting the swirl pattern in The Robin's Nest brown glitter paper. I clipped into the bottom side and carefully worked it around the underside of my circle frame.

I punched some leaves using the Creative Memories leaf punch. I cut a photo mat with The Robin's Nest Brilliant Brown Glittered Chipboard. Since, it is difficult to adhere on top of glittered paper and chipboard, I punched the corners of my mat using the EK Success corner heart punch.

Supplies Used

The Robin's Nest Glitter Sepia Trees on Linen (Background)

The Robin's Nest Turkey Paper (Turkey Circle Swirl in White)

The Robin's Nest Brown on Brown Rope Paper (background in circle detail & border around circle)

The Robin's Nest Brilliant Brown Glitter Chipboard (photo mat & leaves)

The Robin's Nest Black, White and Silver Dew Drops (Silver Dew Drops)

The Robin's Nest Fall Rub On 4 x 5 (leaves)

The Robin's Nest Glitter Gold Journaling

Jolee's Boutique Parcel Embellishments (Pinecones)

EK Success Heart Corner Punch

Creative Memories leaf punch

SCAL2 or other digital cutting software (Optional)

Hand crocheted flower

Vintage button

Festive Christmas Card Blog Hop

2011-11-24T21:00:00.000-08:00

Here we are, the last Christmas card for this hop. I wanted to do something extra special, so I made a ornament card using a Iris Folding technique! I don't have a tutorial for you just now, as I'm still in the learning process, but here's a link to visit if you want to try it out. :)

I used the following Robins Nest papers to create this card....
Classic Glitter Swirl, Olive Fleur, Silver Glitter Dots, and Glitter Red Paisley.
Now please go onto Carol Berns for some more creative inspiration!

Winter Wonderland Picture

2011-11-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello all my Chattering Robins Friends!
I have a picture I made for you today....I love to repurpose things, and this is no exception...does anyone know what Freecycle is? I will tell you, an AWESOME group that recycles! Anyway...I got these clear acrylic frames from someone in my local Freecycle group and had an idea of what I wanted to do, but just wasn't really feeling it...if you know what I mean :)
Well, when I got my box from The Robin's Nest I was SO EXCITED!
I saw this patterned cardstock and KNEW what I wanted to do with it!
It really is a very easy project and just really came together for me.

I used the patterned paper from The Robin's Nest. I cut apart the words from the Glitter Winter Words and attached the Falling Snow to the back of the Glitter Trees.

I punched out the Glitter Snowflakes and adhered them with some strong liquid glue. I used a few no name large snowflakes for the corners.

I finished it off by putting a Cotton Candy Dew Drop in the center of each snowflake.

This was a lot of fun to create! And I love that I made a piece of artwork from a frame that needed a new home and a new purpose!
Thank you so much for joining me!
Kristin

Thanksgiving in Germany

2011-11-23T13:28:00.000-08:00

The last few weeks have been such a joy. We visited Triberg, Germany in the middle of the Black Forest, where you can find the most beautiful cuckoo clocks are made and sold, they are amazing. We also visited 3 more castles, one with a hike up the mountain that could give anyone a workout. Of course we aren't in very good shape, but did make it to the top. Zurich this last Saturday, a beautiful city in Switzerland, and with the most contemporary life we have ever seen.
Last night we went to dinner at the spaghetti ice restaurant. Here are photos of the ice cream. It looks like spaghetti, with strawberry topping, or chocolate spaghetti ice cream with chocolate everything on it. Sinful really. It filled us up so much, who needs real food? Desert is perfect for dinner.
I can't wait to scrapbook this.
One of my bucket list items will be crossed off tomorrow, we will start shopping the Christmas Markets here in Germany. Stuttgart tomorrow, and 2 more days of shopping. Dana isn't so excited, but I cannot wait to see the treasures that people have to sell. Of course the camera will be close at hand so we can take lots of photos of this shopping experience in the open doors of winter. We have purchased thermals, gloves, and will borrow warm coats for the shopping experience.
This is going to be so different, for Thanksgiving day, but the turkey is in the oven tonight so we can eat early and head off to see the wares.
What a change from living in Ethiopia for 2 years, it is such a blast.
Remember the black Friday sales on line at the Robin's Nest, and our special for purchasing at small businesses on Saturday. We love America and small businesses. This is one of the things that makes America great. Happy shopping all, and have a great Thanksgiving Day.

Robin

Christmas Star Door Decoration

2011-11-21T21:00:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite holidays to decorate for is Christmas. Years ago, I made a wreath for the front door, but it has seen better days and needed to be replaced. I recently got a paper crafting tool that allows me to make ornaments and I knew that I had to use paper from The Robin's Nest to do it because it is such gorgeous paper. I assembled several ornaments and then combined them into this one large one. Ever since I received the Santa Clippie I was excited to use it, but wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it. It had to be something really special as the Clippies are special little works of art. I just love them to use them! When I finished creating the ornament I knew that Santa had to be the center of attention. I was, also, thrilled to be able to use the Natural Twine that Robin's Nest carries to use as the hanger for this piece. It is a really sturdy twine and will hold the ornament, as well, as look great on it. It Now, with the help of The Robin's Nest, we will have a gorgeous new door decoration to hang on the door this holiday season.

Robin's Nest Products Used:

Red Snowflakes Patterned Paper

Santa Canvas

Natural Twine

December 25

2011-11-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hello Robin's Nest fans! Jan here to share a December 25th wall hanging. The Robin's Nest has so many beautiful glitter papers and themes to choose from. This is one of my favorite sheets so I've used the front and the cut out December 25. I've added Dew Drops around the oval frame.
I started with a Dollar Store Metal Frame and removed the decor that was on it. I painted the entire surface with burgundy paint. Let dry. Once dry, I placed a snowflake stencil in the center and applied Glass Bead Gel Medium over the entire frame.

Lift stencil and let dry overnight. Next, apply Glitter Glam to the inside of the snowflake. Let dry.n Using a sheet of White Snow Glittered Cardstock, mist with red and green mist.

The glitter will resist the mist so the snowflake design really stands out.
Cut the misted paper paper in 1.5" strips.

Crinkle and then straighten back out. Adhere the misted strips to the back of the metal frame, pleating it around the frame.

Add Dew Drops to the outer edge of the frame.

Hot Glue a glittered deer toward the left side of the frame.

Cut out December 25 and paint the outer edges.

Let dry and adhere to the center of the snowflake.

Turkey Elegance

2011-11-18T10:32:00.000-08:00

This week for my project I thought to make a nice elegant lay out.

I started by cutting a large layout sized circle from Glitter Brown Rope. I covered the edges with pieces of strong double stick tape. Then I used a Recollections scalloped border punch on Getaway Swirl. I ran the scaollped strips through a Fiskars paper crimper attaching it to the edges of the layout in a ruffled pattern.

Next I used a Fiskars threading water border punch on the back side of Autumn Orange Fleur. I ran these thin strips through the paper crimper as well. I used thin strips of clear tape to secure the final ruffle in place.

I cut the floral design and turkey from Glittered Turkey with fine precision scissors and set aside. I layered a variety of Glittered Chipboard Leaves onto the layout with strong tacky glue. Then I inserted the floral design where needed. The center photo spot is made up from both sides of Gold on Creme. Once all the elements were in place, I attached the turkey with strong glue.

I embellished the turkey and floral design with a collection of colored glitter glues. Then I applied Tombo glue to the still exposed tape areas and filled in the spaces with Flame Dew Drops.

Thanks for stopping by!
~Michelle Frae Cummings

Here Come the Holidays!

2011-11-16T21:00:00.000-08:00

Are you starting to get in the holiday spirit? I'm trying to get geared up for it - so I thought a wintery card might be just the fix. I love how the diamond shaped Dew Drops are the perfect accent for my snowflake.

Papers:
The Robin's Nest - Pink Coral, Winter Snowflake, White Snowflake
Dew Drops - Ace of Diamonds, Primary

Holiday Collage: by Becky Conley

2011-11-14T20:48:00.000-08:00

Hello all! I'm feeling very festive with lots of help from the Robin's Nest gorgeous papers and embellishments! This collage is created mostly out of paper and measures 24" x 30" on canvas board.

ROBIN'S NEST SUPPLIES:
Red Paisley Glitter Card stock, Calamity Jane Stripe Card stock, (large bird)
Getaway Glitter Leaves on Linen Card Stock, Glitter Clover Border (Tree)
Glitter Sepia Trees o Linen Card Stock, Glitter Blue Trees on Linen Card stock
Glitter Brown on Brown Vanilla Card Stock, (Deer and Pine Cones)
Red Glitter Paisley Card Stock. (poinsettia) Water Swirl Glitter Card Stock
Glitter Iridescent on Blue Swirl Card Stock, (birds and snowflakes)
Glitter white on white, (Snow)
Glitter Black Starfish (poinsettia and Holly)
Sunflower yellow dew drops
Freedom Dew Drops
Early Dawn dew drops
Chipboard glitter snowflakes
Felt snowflakes

Other supplies;
Acrylic paint, Cricut Joys of the Season and Trim a Tree cartridges, decorating chalks, green marker, adhesive and clear coat.

The glitter card stock really makes this project "pop" in person, chalk and markers add details to flat die cuts and the dew drops give dimension to the holly clusters, the poinsettia and the large tree. The sky and large branches were hand painted with acrylic paint. The project is sealed with glossy clear coat.

Thank you so much for visiting the blog!
Become a follower to receive notices for more inspiration and project ideas.

Cheers,
Becky

Thanks ~ A Gratitute Mini Journal

2011-11-13T21:03:00.000-08:00

Hi Robin's Nest Fans....

November is the busiest month of the year in our family.
We have a total of 4 birthdays and an anniversary, and lastly, lets not forget the Thanksgiving.
There were lots of time when I was busy planning and preparing stuff...I forgot to take time and jots down what I really thankful for.

So, this year...I decided to make a mini gratitude journal.
Just a little something where I can write down all the blessings that my family have received.

I used the most beautiful paper from Robin's Nest.
Well, without further ado, here's my mini album.

And here are some of the inside pages,

So excited about this album.
I can add some pictures and journal.

This the list of products I've used:
~ Autumn Leaf Paper
~ Fall Rub-on
~ Flame Dew Drop
~ Red Glitter Letters

Well, I hope you do a gratitude journal this year and remember those blessings you have received.
Thank you and I hope you have a wonderful week.

Tenny

2011-11-13T11:17:00.000-08:00

Germany is a delight. The lake picture is Chiemsee Lake, where one of King Ludwig's castles is. built after the pattern of Versailles. The scenery is spectacular, and we are loving every minute of our time here.
The next photo is in Dresden, with me on the side. Freezing day for sure, we were all bundled up, and walking through the city snapping photos of everything. I am loving all the architecture. It is so fascinating that Dresden was leveled during WWll, and now it has been rebuilt since the war. It is so beautiful, and what an incredible city to take photos of. I cannot wait to print the photos and start scrapbooking all of these.
We are so excited about the new products coming out at CHA. We will be "ON TOUR" with our new catalog. We will be giving little tips the weeks before CHA, letting you know the fun new products that are coming out at CHA. Watch for the new tips, a new Robin's Nest is about to unfold.

Robin

Icy Winter with Robin's Nest - My DH is freezing in China

2011-11-12T21:00:00.000-08:00

There is no snow in Israel(OK, once in about 10 years we have a bit of it, but not more). There is no winter in Israel, we only have warm summer and a very hot summer-LOL.

But we travel a lot, so we have some winter photos to scrap and this lo was made with my DH China December 2009 photo- and it was so cold there that my fingers couldn't even take a proper photo.

But those Robin's Nest papers and die cuts were just perfect for any Winter lo, so here is my first one.

As this page will be published in Ready- Set- Create web magazine in December, you only have 2 weeks to see it and then it will be out for publication for a month. So if this page gives you some inspiration- lift it or get an inspiration now.

And here is a bit about how to make this page:

Use the Stripes with snowflakes paper as your basic one.

Cut 20*20'' piece from Glitter Winter Snowflakes paper for your second layer.

Make your photo mat with Winter Fresh white carstock, staple it and glue your photo.

Make a border punched strip from White with snowflakes cardstock, insert a thin light blue ribbon and glue it as shown inder your photo.

Hand cut a tree from Blue Trees cardstock and glue it on the left of your page. Cut your title from Glitter Winter Words paper, ink the edges with blue ink, make the flag shape and glue them near the photo.

Add the shiny sparcle ribbons around the title.

Add your Glitter Snowflake die cuts as shown, use one to add some doodled snowfalkes on the basic paper by outlining them with a blue pen.

Embellish the ornament on the dark paper with Sea Glass and Early Dawn dew drops- you can add more , up to you. Enjoy your page!

Product list: Winter fresh white cardstock, White with Snowflakes cardstock, Snowflakes die cuts, Dew Drops- Sea glass, Early Dawn, Stripes with snowflakes paper, Blue trees paper, Glitter winter snowflakes paper, Glitter Winter Words

Advent Calendar

2011-11-11T23:56:00.000-08:00

I love making advent calendars! This year I am using The Robin's Nest Paper to embellish one. I just cut squares to fit the box drawers (1 1/2") and punched holes for the top of the drawers. I inked the edges, added some stickers by The Robin's Nest for the dates. I ran out of stickers and cut some letters using The Robin's Nest Rebellious Red Glittered Chipboard and my Mickey Font Cricut Cartridge. On the back of the advent calendar I used The Robin's Nest PoinsettiaDew Drops to make a light garland and cut the title December 25 from The Robin's Nest

Supplies

The Robin's Nest Poinsettia Dew Drops

The Robin's Nest Rebellious Red Glitter Chipboard

The Robin's Nest Red Stripe Paper

The Robin's Nest Olive Fleur on Linen Card stock

The Robin's Nest Glitter Black and White Pine tree (Back of the box Green paper)

The Robin's Nest Glitter Christmas Words

The Robin's Nest Glitter Pine Trees Paper

The Robin's Nest Velvet Ribbon

Sierra Pacific Advent Calendar

I love to use this for sharing small trinkets with the children during advent. Along with Lego Mini figures and small candies, I like to add scripture versus to some of the boxes and keep the focus of the Holiday fresh in the children's minds!

Festive Christmas Card Blog Hop!

2011-11-10T22:22:00.000-08:00

Thank you for joining us for a another Festive Holiday blog hop!

So much inspiration month after month.

I made this card with supplies from The Robins Nest Christmas Glitter line,

I love all their Holiday goodness!

Please go next to Carol Berns, to find more Holiday Inspiration!

Thanks for hopping by!

~Michelle Frae Cummings

Give Thanks

2011-11-07T21:00:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I have so much trouble cutting a beautiful sheet of paper to make into a card and yet I don't have pictures for it to be a layout so that's when I take a different route and use the entire sheet for a home decor project. This was one of those times I just couldn't cut this gorgeous paper from The Robin's Nest. I had the burlap canvas piece in my stash for a while and thought it would be the perfect base for this paper because it's kind of fallish. I trimmed the paper just a little so I didn't take off much of the beautiful design to leave an edge of the canvas showing on each side. Then, I placed the various Dew Drops around the fleur and on the turkey for his eye. I used the "Give Thanks" rub-on in the corner and then adhered the paper to the canvas. I, then, added the pumpkins, the Dew Drop leaves and the the Dew Drops to the corners for an extra bling. I am so happy with this piece because I love to decorate for the holidays, but really didn't have a lot for Thanksgiving and now I do.

Robin's Nest Products Used:

Winner from our First Design Team Blog Hop

2011-11-05T21:00:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to see so many people becoming new follower of our amazing design team and of our blog too. Big Thank YOU! - well, here are the Winner of the Hop - to claim your prize please email Terri Sproul at Terri@ultimatescrapbookretreat.com - with "winner" in the regards to get your coupon to our store.

Winners of the $15 shopping spree at our on line store

From Terri Sproul Blog: Chelsea Harmgton

From Iris Blog: Trisha

From Jan Blog - Janice A

From Tenny Blog - Cathie W.

From Gini Blog - Viji Sidharth

From Becky Blog - Jeryl

From Clare Blog - Lillian Child

From Peg Blog - Sher

From Michelle Blog - RosenRobt

From Kristin Blog - Babe OMara

From Robin Nest Blog - Kelly Sas

And Our One Grand Prize Winner of a $50 Shopping Spree in our Store is

Luanne

Thanks again for stopping by and become fan of Robin's Nest.
Hope you all might consider apply to be apart of our Design Team.
Winner to claim your prize remember to contact Terri Sproul at Terri@ultimatescrapbookretreat.com with "winner" in the regards- expires on November 26, 2011.

Proud As A Peacock

2011-11-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

Hello Robin's Nest fans! Jan here to show you just how easy it is to alter a frame with some of the beautiful Gliiter Writing paper offered by the Robin's Nest. The frame was a thrift store find and I simply misted the matte board with Turquoise Glimmer Mist and added three 5.25" x 5.25" pieces of the Glitter Writing cardstock to the matte board. I then reassemble the frame and hot glued the glittery peacock in place. Check out the Chattering Robin's blog to see some more fun ideas!

Close up of the Peacock

"Thanks Giving" Paper Bag Album

2011-11-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

This is the time I start thinking of making gifts for people. For everyone appreciates a hand made treasure anytime, don't you agree? This "Thanks Giving" mini book was created by placing 3 brown paper lunch sacks on top of each other, folding in half, then stapling it to make the base of the book.

I cut and distressed various Robin Nest papers and attached them to the albums pages.

Rubons, punchies with foam tape and dew drops added elegance.

Tabs were made using a punch, then distressed with ink before attaching to the pages.

I distressed the papers with dark ink.

I trimmed the top of the album to create pockets for the tags and stapled bag openings on the sides.

I decorated the tags and front of the album with rubons, stickers and an assortment of ribbon/ fibers.

Materials used to create this album:

Autumn Fleur, Autumn Leaf, Glitter Leaf, Glitter Coffee Swirl,

Fall rub on, Glitter Pumpkin shapes, Hyacinth Dew Drops

Glitter Gold Journal tags, Discovery Girl rub on, rusty hing and walnut distress ink, SU tab punch.

Thanks for coming by, see you next Friday! :)

~Michelle Frae Cummings

Out of Africa

2011-11-03T02:06:00.000-07:00

Traveling from Africa to Germany through the night was exciting and exhausting, but we knew we were flying closer to civilization as we used to know it. Stuttgart is so beautiful right now with fall colors ablaze. I have so missed the changing of the seasons.
We are in relaxation mode, our missionary work on hold right now, we are still doing work through email until the next couple arrives in December to Ethiopia.
The biggest improvement right now is internet access. I can turn on the computer, and we are immediately on line. There is no waiting to try to get on line, and we can pull up any website we want without it being blocked. And most important, I can pull up this blog, and write!!! Wow, what a difference. We feel as though we have come back into real life, honestly we have.
I blog hopped for the first time today, going to each blog and seeing your beautiful ideas using The Robin's Nest products. It was delightful, and I had so much fun. Thank you for your wonderful ideas and talents.
This photo is looking out from the back balcony to the field behind Dana's sisters home, just outside of Stuttgart. We are so enjoying the beauty here.
Our fall line is so wonderful, glitter chipboard pumpkins and leaves, fall leaves glitter papers, and the Fall book of the month is outstanding. This photo will go in that original book when we get home.Fall colored dew drops are a must for every page you create. Our Fall layout kits are so easy to put together, try one and see. I am so excited to share these great ideas with you.

Give Thanks with the Robin's Nest

2011-11-02T21:00:00.000-07:00

Have you started thinking about Thanksgiving yet? I think the planning is the funnest part! You know, looking for new recipes, thinking about table decor, and how about a fun invitation? That's what I've got to share with you today!

If you are sending invitations to many people, then you want to make a card that is not too time consuming, but will grab their attention. I cut the card base from the Dark Distressed Red paper using a large Spellbinders. My sentiment and the turkey are rub-ons from the Fall collection. I did fussy cut some of the sparkly leaves from the Autumn Leaf Paper, to add a little bit of dimension, but if you were making many of these, you might want to skip that step. The turkey rub-on was place on a die-cut from Distressed Honeycomb and embellished with some Dew Drops from Winter Retreat.

So what is your favorite thing to cook for Thanksgiving?

Farewell to October by Becky Conley

2011-11-01T00:00:00.001-07:00

October went too fast, my favorite holiday is gone for another year. "Boo"hoo. Well, at least I have some fabulous Robin's Nest papers and embellishments to continue scrapping my pictures of this year's celebrations!

Robin's Nest Supplies:
Halloween Glitter ghosts card stock
Haunted House Card Stock
Red glitter on Red Card Stock
Glitter Wind Flames Card Stock
Red Glitter Letters

Other Supplies:
Witch Stamp (Viva LasVegas! Stamps)
Black ink, orange Sharpie marker

I cut out the flame from the Glitter Wind Flames Card Stock to accent behind witch and wizard photos on the right and a row of Ghosts from Halloween Glitter ghosts card stock along the bottom.

Photos are mounted on Red glitter on Red Card Stock. There are strips of Red glitter on Red Card Stock accenting between the photos of carved pumpkins on the left border. If you have trouble crafting with glittered card stock because of adhesive issues, try The Best Glue Ever! by ScraPerfect. It is a liquid, very strong glue. Drying time is a bit longer w/ the glittered papers but it works FABULOUS!

Any white areas on the Red Glitter Letters was colored with orange sharpie marker.

This layout is definitely more spooky than my "spooky" layout for our Robin's Nest Halloween/Harvest Blog hop yesterday!

Become a follower of the Robin's Nest blog: Chattering Robins for more project ideas!

Design Team Call

2011-11-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

The Robin’s Nest is looking for a few awesome PapercraftArtist that can showcase The Robin’s Nest products!! If you LOVE Paper craftsand lots of bling and use it on layouts, cards & projects then show us whatyou love to do!!

We are looking for talented artists who inspire others tocreate.

What’s expected of a Robin’s Nest Design Team Member?

* The ability to showcase our products!

* Take good photos or scans of projects

* Interact with our members on facebook and our blog

The Details –

*The Robin’s Nest Design Team is for 6 months from Jan 1,2012 – June 31, 2012.

* Create a minimum of 2 layouts/projects per month postingon both your blog and The Robin’s Nest Blog – dates will be given when team inpicked.

* Participation on the Facebook is a MUST.

* Submit work for publication.

* Be a part of one Blog Hop during the 6 months. Date given at a later date

* Promote The Robin’s Nest by posting the abovelayouts/projects on other online galleries and blogs with working links to thestore and blog.

The Robin’s Nest Design Team will receive -

* The Robin’s Nest products for your term, shipped in 2shipments one for the first 3 months and the second for the other 3 months,participation will be rewarded.

* New Products release.

* Your bio and picture featured on our blog.

How to Apply –

Send your bio, blog address and facebook info to Terri@ultimatescrapbookretreat.comwith “DT applications” in the regards (this way you don’t get deleted – I getlots of spam mail) Must have bio toTerri Sproul by Dec 1^st, 2011.

Submit/Post 1 project on your blog on Dec 2^{th, 2011}by 12AM EST to be viewed. This post musthave our logo (you will be sent logo when you send your bio to Terri Sproul)and step by step directions on how you make this project with links to TheRobins’ Nest blog and website

Project – can be anything you love to make, Scrapbook,Cards, Mixed Media, Altered Art… JustThink out of the box and impress me…

Join our facebook and blog is a MUST and is very importantto the success of our team!

All entries MUST utilize Paper if you can use ours evenbetter!! Work submitted must be recent and can be previously published ordisplayed on blogs or online galleries.

Deadline to enter December 1^th, 2011 (12PM PST)

Here’s what to include with your emailed submission –

* We want to know all about you! – Your bio

* What’s your style?

* Why would you like to be on our team?

* Are you frugal, organized, have marketing ideas etc.. ifso share with us what you can bring to our team.

* Link to your active blog?

* Are you active on any Forums or Message Boards? (PleaseList)

* Give an example of a class or technique you would like toshare with others. If it is one you have done previously please link to it.

* Details of any other manufactures or store/kit DT’s youare on Do you have a scrapbook resume, or a link to a gallery, share with us.

Final decisions will be made on Dec 15^th’sh andthe Robin’s Nest Design Team will beannounced shortly thereafter!!

Good Luck!!!!!

Requirements:

1) 6month contract Starting: Jan 1, 2012 ending June 31, 2012

2) Posttwo projects per month on both The Robin’s Nest Blog and your blog with link tothe The Robins’ Nest Website and blog. You will receive date that your will be required to post. Project submissions must include qualityimages of the project in .jpeg format along with instructions and links formaking the project. Post your blog andThe Robins’ Nest blog link on your Facebook, twitter page to advertise bothyourself and The Robin’s Nest.

3) Joinin on One Blog hop during the 6 month contract. Date to be sent later

4) TheRobin’s Nest Design team member grants permission The Robin’s Nest to use thoseprojects for display on The Robins’ Nest Website, Facebook Page, and blog.

5) Inthe event that you do not complete any of the above requirements The RobinsNest has the right to remove you from the design team and fill the positionwith another candidate on the wait list.

6) Postour logo on your blog with a link to the website and blog. You will receive this at a later date.

What we will do:

1) Sendproduct once a month for the six month contract period. Total of 2 largeshipments.

2) TheRobins Nest will promote your blog on our blog and/or website.

Design Team Overview:

The Purpose of being a Design Team member is to promote TheRobin’s Nest by using The Robins Nest products in projects that maybe posted toThe Robin’s Nest website, blog and your own personal blogs.

Questions please feel free to contact Terri Sproul at Terri@Ultimatescrapbookretreat.com