I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Friday 21 June 2013

Krafting a Nest

Hello and welcome everyone.  I hope you're finding some time to play this weekend - at whatever it is that gives you joy.

I'm here to catch up with some long neglected duties and pleasures.  Owing to the absence of a working printer, I've fallen behind with offering you any inspiration pieces using images from the fabulous Nicecrane Designs.  Well, I'm now back up and running, so I'm here with a pair of cards (and matching envelopes too!) in the hopes that doing the double will at least partly make up for it!


It's also been far too long since I managed to play along over at Frilly and Funkie - life just keeps getting in the way - so I'm delighted to offer these up for the Birds and Nests challenge there, as well as having "krafted" them so that they'd fit in with Simon Says Stamp and Show's Kraft challenge.

There is also a challenge over at 13arts where the theme is A House, with a recycled element involved, and at least two different media.  There were lots of birdhouses amongst the amazing DT inspiration - but I've taken it a step further: these nests are the houses for my birds - so I'm hoping this will fit there too...


I started with some images from the beautiful Nature Notes of an Edwardian Lady.

The lovely Ignacio of Nicecrane has produced these images both in pre-coloured and the non-coloured versions I've used.










That means you can choose to colour them yourself or, as I have, leave them in sketch form.

I printed two of the bird images onto kraft paper and tore and inked the edges.













The next layer is of watercolour paper, again torn and inked to provide a lighter frame before we get to - guess what! - yes, corrugated card!








I'm going to own up here - I had "finished" these cards once already, but I just wasn't happy with them - but then I never am with cards... I find them really hard for some incalculable reason.  So I thought I should call it a day and get on with something else.

But then I suddenly remembered the birds' nests I won in some fab candy from the lovely Miss Danielle Renee way back when.

So the cards went back to the craft table, got ripped to pieces, and I started to layer in some extra elements.






It seems fitting that one year on from when this blog started, with a complete obsession with the colour combination blue & brown, that I'm back there this week!

One of the nests had some very pale turquoise eggs, and another had some that were a deeper shade.







So I grabbed the Broken China and Salty Ocean Distress Paints and added some colour to my corrugated card.














While the paint was still wet, I dipped it into clear UTEE and heated for a wet-look, textured finish.











The Salty Ocean turned out to be slightly less greeny than the eggs themselves... solution - give the eggs a touch of paint, obviously.













In my pile of half-makes and leftovers was a sheet of kraft on which I'd used up spare Picket Fence DP when stamping the wooden rulers to make my Tools of the Trade tag.

There was just enough to tear into two additional panels to insert between the corrugated card and my white background.









The borders are done with a stamp from the Autumn Leaves Stampology On the Edge set, and then given just a hint of the Distress Paint colour for that card.

I also edged a couple of bark hearts with the appropriate colours and added them to the mix.









The matching envelopes each have a slightly larger version of the images. 

They've also got the border stamp and are edged with the matching DP.













Again the images were printed on kraft paper -which I really like against the white, especially with that edging of Vintage Photo Distress ink.










The sentiments of course are by Tim Holtz - a couple of my favourites!







I'm still not entirely convinced, to be honest, but I quite like them - given they're cards, and I really don't get on with making cards - and they're certainly an improvement on the first version.  

Who knows, I may end up ripping them to pieces again and adding more!

The thing I do know is I love the images themselves, and there are thousands more where they come from.









So I really recommend paying Nicecrane Designs a visit - not only lots of beautiful images, of so many different types and styles, but at a really great price too...

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Looking forward to seeing you again soon either here, or elsewhere in Craftyblogland.

There is nothing in which the birds differ more from man than the way in which they can build and yet leave a landscape as it was before.
Robert Lynd

I'm entering this in the following:
Frilly and Funkie's challenge Birds and Nests
Kraft at Simon Says Stamp and Show
At 13arts they are playing the theme House - my birds live in the nests, so that's home for them, and my corrugated card is recycled from a packaging box, and I've used paints and inks.


59 comments:

Annie said...

Love the colours and those wonderful painted layers Alison. The birds nests are perfect and wonderful sentiments. The images from NC are perfect. I am so enjoying the antics of the birds in our garden, they are quite fascinating to watch.

Have a great weekend

Hugs Annie x

sam21ski said...

Stunning xxx

Rita said...

Good Morning Alison. How beautiful is this creation. I love all the details and that birds nest is fabulous. Hugs Rita xxx

Chris said...

Beautiful Alison, the sketch images are gorgeous and they look fantastic on the Kraft with the touch of blue as well. Chris x

Ozawa said...

Very good combination! I like it!

Bonnie Irvine said...

Alison, I love the revised editions of these cards. The Nicecrane images are beautiful in the sketchy format. Love the corrugated card with the distress paint. Awesome idea to use the UTEE to keep the look of wet paint. The nests and hearts are lovely details and add a touch of sweetness plus more yummy texture. I really like the cards you make. I vote for more :)

Paper Profusion said...

Please stop berating yourself on the card making front Alison - Oh Yes You Can do cards with aplomb - these are absolutely gorgeous! Your 1st editions were very lovely and these 2nd cuts are fabulous. The painted edges into UTEE is a terrific idea - makes them even more dimensional. Co-ordinated envelopes really are icing on the cake. Those little nests are adorable - isn't it such fun to win candy!! Have a special day, Nicola x

Neet said...

Beautiful work Alison (as always). Love the addition of the corrugated card and those images are so delicate. What really took my eye were the nests - lucky you winning those. Now I wonder, where did she get them from?
Have a lovely weekend
Hugs, Neet xx

Unknown said...

Beautiful! I really do like brown and blue together, these are fab. Chris xxx

House of Bears said...

Those images are gorgeous and you made the right choice to leave them uncoloured. We love the corrugated card on your designs, and the blue and brown theme is beuatiful. We need to dig out our corrugated card and have a play.

Redanne said...

And you do blue and brown so very well Alison - love the corrugaated card and the images from Ignacio are just gorgeous. The bird nests are delightful. Hugs, Anne x

Jenny Marples said...

LOVE that you have printed these wonderful Nicecrane Designs images in mono as it really shows up the beauty of the drawings. Great ideas for adding colour to the kraft backgrounds. It's lovely to have you playing along at Frilly and Funkie again. Hugs, Jenny x

Von said...

Lovely work Alison :)and beautiful images
Von ♥

Deborah said...

I love your combination of printed images and good old crafty stash. The wet look on the corrugated card is a brilliant idea. Superb!

Candy C said...

Alison...these companion pieces are so pretty. I love Tim's sentiments that you've used on these. The sweet little birds nests are such a nice embellishment. :) The corrugated paper makes for such an interesting and shabby background. I love the white washed look you've given these and the touch of blue is perfection! Thanks so much for sharing your art with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy

Anonymous said...

Fabulous cards Alison, love the little nests and hearts and the sketched images are gorgeous.

Thanks for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. Sue C x

chrissie said...

Delight cards and matching envelopes Alison and I love the images you have chosen

Love Chrissie x

Helen said...

for heavens sake don't rip them up - if any one sent me a card like that next week I'd be thrilled!! They are gorgeous.

Inkypinkycraft said...

Really gorgeous layers ! Scrummy! Love love love the beautiful nests and a gorgeous way to showcase those images! Oh and love the Cool idea to emboss the paint!...ok finished now!! I think! Xx hugs x

Cestina said...

Please don't rip these up - they are enchanting. If you don't want them I will gratefully receive them :-)xx

Brenda Brown said...

These are beautifully designed and created Alison, love them.
Enjoy the weekend.
hugs {brenda} x0x

toni said...

Lovely cards an envelopes, you are the master of all things corrugated! Fabulous images and lovely layers
Toni x

Bärbel said...

Das ist wunderschön, liebe Alison, das entzückende Vogelnest und das Herz sind echte Hingucker.
Liebe Grüße und ein schönes Wochenende,
Bärbel

Astrid Maclean said...

Love the images you have used, great project and lovely layering!

Dorthe said...

Alison, hello again, I`m back home from visiting my daughter!!!!
When seing your new post I at once fell in love with your blue UTEE embossed corrugated cardboard!! it looks wonderful with the heart and sweet eggs!! They are such beautiful caRDS with those lovely drawings, and the borders so sweet, also!!
Amazing cards.
xo,Dorthe

Hettie said...

Gorgeous cards Alison. Love the little hints of blue and the eggs are sooo cute!
xx

Sandra's Spot said...

Wonderful work Alison and love the colour combo with that stamping. Hugs Sandra X

Gerrie Johnnic said...

I never knew cardboard could look so beautiful! Love the blueish paint you added to the pretty cards.

Nicecrane Designs said...

Abslutely a Play of Art Alsion,,,,I am fallin in love with these textures, and all over the idea to place nest,,,,,OMG,,,,it looks great,,,you did such a great work.....LOVE IT, LOVE IT,,,,You are Rock Alison.

Kezzy said...

Wow wow wow gorgeous stunning cards, I love the distress paints dipped into UTEE and the I am loving the images and the little nests and hearts are awesome. I can't remember last time I did a card, I'm fine doing the cute with cute images and coloured with Promarkers but to do a stamped card I hide away from lol. Mind you it has been on my mind a lot lately, my family keep asking when will I have new cards to buy so I really must think about trying them again soon. Hugs :-) Kezzy xxx

Cat Kerr said...

Dipping the wet paint into wet Utee...heehee..love it!! Love your work as always!!It's all in the details,and you my friend,are the detail queen! xo

Chrissy said...

Gorgeous cards Alison, love the corrugated card and the Utee, love the tiny nests and eggs too..beautiful bird images..fabulous cards..

Luv CHRISSYxx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Beautiful images Alison, and I love the way you have framed them on the corrugated kraft after painting it...gorgeous! Love the nests too! Thank you for krafting with us this week here at Simon Says Stamp & Show!

barbarayaya62 said...

greta work! Kraft white and blue are fab together! Little heart is so sweet!!!!!!! Alison thanks for your Kind words on my blog! BArbarayaya

Ana K. said...

I also love your blue-brown combination and you made fantastic cards! They are just perfect and please don’t destroy them!

Cocofolies said...

Really beautiful !... I love your combination of colors, perfect ! Have a good week-end Alison, Coco x

Silvia(Barnie) said...

These are fantastic creations. Love the blue edges.

Nan G said...

Love your revised cards. Love the bird images and your fab use of the corrugated !! Paint and Utee - great idea. Love the wet look you've achieved.

Dianne said...

Well Missy they are right up my alley, the birds and nest, the colors the corrugated, with matching envelopes, you wouldn't tear them up would, they are too gorgeous for that.. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful weekend..

Tincan Crafter said...

I just love the eggs in the nest. I have been messing around with wet distress paint and UTEE too recently! I love the whole blue and brown combo - my favourites now a chocolate brown (walnut stain, gathered twigs) and teal blue (Peacoc feathers and broken chine) Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Great details and layers. The stamps fit so well with the colours and the nests are too cute Alison!

Have a nice weekend, Alie :-)

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Awww.... so lovely... the little nests are adorable and I LOVE the images. Beautiful vintage make, my friend! xxx

cathylynn said...

I never knew cardboard could be so beautiful! Love the images too. Your talent is amazing and it's always a thrill to visit. Lots of inspiration here. Thanks for sharing your art with us!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

May said...

Gorgeous work Alison, Love those images from Nicecrane...Beautiful layers & colours full of wonderful texture...Hubg May x x x

craftytrog said...

Beautiful artwork Alison...I love the little nests! xx

Sandy said...

Gorgeous - I love the blues and browns especially with the corrugated paper. Yummy design work! When was the last time I did something for the first time? Well I guess it was when I fell and broke my hip!!!!
Sandy

Elly said...

BEAUTIFUL!! Love the utee on distress paint....

Margaret said...

I love how you left the images in sketch form! Beautiful creations!!

Anna-Karin said...

Beautiful cards Alison! Those images are so pretty and all the layers you added are gorgeous. Love the little bird's nest and heart. Thank you so much for your sweet comment on my Bloom layout! And thank you so much for sharing your krafty ideas with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show!

Terry said...

Beautiful! Love the Kraft and corrugated cardboard! The bird nest is amazing! Hugs!

AgnieszkaD said...

Beautiful work! Thank you for playing along with 13@rts :)

Judy Biggerstaff said...

Beautiful creation Allison. Great use of Kraft paper and cardboard. Love the blue paint and your little birds nest.

craftimamma said...

Well I for one hope you do give these cards to two lucky people because I think they are beautiful. The images of the birds in the grasses are so delicate and I love the little nests. I really must see if I can find some of those asap, lol!

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Your cards came out fabulous, Alison, especially after the transformation. Love the addition of the nexts and the turquoise really makes a pop. The ruler stamped kraft layer is wonderful too. So happy to have you back playing with us at Frilly and Funkie. We've missed you!

Hugs,
Linda

Kasia said...

Your cards are stunning! Love the layers and those beautiful images with birds :)

Lindsay Craftymonster81 said...

Absolutely gorgeous, stunning texture and colours and I love the sentiment
Lindsay xx

Donna Gibson said...

Alison, your cards are stunning just the way they are! Don't you dare rip them up again!! I love the blue/brown color combination and the texture of the corrugated cardboard. They both turned out beautifully! Thank you for sharing them with us at Frilly and Funkie!

Mary Elizabeth said...

Seriously?!? How can so much creativity end up in one human being. This is so much fun. Really love the bird nest and heart ... just perfect with these cards. -- Mary Elizabeth

Inkypinkycraft said...

Just popping back to say thanks for playing at Frilly and Funkie x hugs x trace x