April 29, 2023

PAINTED BIRDS NEST

I have a serious confession to make. This is not a current card, nor does it use current product for the most part. In fact, I created this delicate card TEN years ago. I came across it recently, and, to me, it just has this timeless charm. And, especially being that this is nesting season here in Wiesconsin, I thought I'd share it with you today. 

You can make this card using any of a plethora of outline stamps in the new catalog. It doesn't necessarily need to be a birds nest. Any stamp that you can color in would work admirably.


With the exception of the dimension from the embossing and a couple 
Stampin' Dimensionals, this card is fairly flat.


The photo below shows a closeup of the "painting" I did on the nest and eggs.

I think one of the reasons that this particular image and the soft rendering of it reminds me of one of my favorite illustrators, Dutch artist, Marjolein Bastin. If you click on this link and check out her work, you will see what I mean. She was (is?) a Hallmark artist. 


As I said previously, virtually none of the supplies I used in the card are still alive, as in current. With a few exceptions. But, there are so many ways you could get the same look by using current products. Or, if, like me, you still possess these items, yay for you! You're on your way.

Here is a tutorial on how to create this card.

SUPPLIES:
White cardstock
Marina Mist cardstock
Crumb Cake cardstock
Vellum cardstock

Nature's Nest stamp set

Crumb Cake ink
Marina Mist ink
Soft Suede ink
Black StazOn ink

Die cutting/embossing machine
Woodgrain embossing folder
Circle Collection Framelits
Xyron adhesive (or whatever you use with vellum)
Stampin' Dimensionals
Aqua Painters
Blending Brushes

INSTRUCTIONS:
Fold a 4" x 8 1/2" piece of Crumb Cake cardstock in half, creasing it well with a bone folder.

Rum a 3 1/2" x 5" piece of white cardstock through your embossing machine inside the Woodgrain Embossing Folder. Adhere this piece to the card front. 

On a circle of Vellum Cardstock, stamp the nest (or your chosen image) in Black StazOn ink. Wait to do any painting until this ink is completely dry.

To paint the eggs and nest: With an Aqua Painter dipped in the Crumb Cake ink pad, paint the entire nest and leaves in that color for a base. Add darker details with Soft Suede ink. On vellum, the color builds up slowly. So you will have to build it up to your satisfaction in layers, letting each layer completely dry before adding more color. Your patience will pay off! Give the eggs a coat of Marina Mist, leaving the spots on the eggs white. Gradually build up the intensity of the blue in select areas of shadow with layers of more color. Repeat with the spots in Soft Suede. Let this dry completely.

Run the vellum circle through the Xyron machine to put adhesive on the back side of it. Adhere the vellum to a same size white circle. Sponge the edges with Marina Mist ink. Adhere this piece to the larger Marina Mist circle you cut with the next larger die with four Stampin' Dimensionals.

Attach the finished circle to the card front with Green Glue.


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

God gives every bird its food,, 
but He does not throw it into its nest.
- J.G. Holland -

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Painted
Smiles.










14 comments:

  1. Oh I have never thought of "painting" on vellum before. I love what a soft look it gives the card.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Joanne! You will have to give it a try!

      Delete
  2. Very attractive and artful card. I had no idea of the amount of detailed construction was involved.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Kenneth! I checked out your blog and love all your nature photos! I am in the midst of a #365birds personal challenge, drawing a different bird each day for a year. Tomorrow will mark my halfway point.

      Delete
  3. Gorgeous... but your cards always are!
    Thank you for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2023/05/uh-oh-i-had-few-more-quilts-to-share.html

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is beautiful, what a lovely technique, so soft and pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a pretty little bird's nest. The card is lovely -- I especially like the texture that looks like tree bark. Thank you for sharing this post in the Talent-Sharing Tuesdays Link-Up 63.
    Carol
    www.scribblingboomer.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Don't feel bad about sharing an oldie but goodie. I love it, and that background is perfect for the nest.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cara! They're oldies but goodies for a reason, right? Never to be forgotten.

      Delete