Category Archives: Robin’s Nest

Come visit the North Pole in this altered album

Come visit the North Pole in this altered album

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At this time of year there’s no place on earth busier than the North Pole. Santa’s elves are frenetic–making toys, grooming reindeer and loading the sleigh. However, those elves are so thoughtful that they still left room in this altered album for your photographs and journal entries.

I am thrilled to be invited back for a second year as Gyspy Soul Laser Cuts guest designer. My projects will be featured at Gyspy Soul Laser Cuts each Wednesday in November. I hope you visit there and see my projects. I will be especially grateful if you leave some love.

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2016 handcrafted calendar–bright days ahead

2016 handcrafted calendar–bright days ahead

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What better way is there to ring in a new year–not counting those midnight champagne kisses–than by making a handcrafted calendar?

I’m excited for 2016. For me personally, I sure hope it is better than 2015. What’s more, I am looking forward to embark on some exciting new adventures that I have been keeping under wraps.

Today though, is a little sad, since it marks my last post as a Robin’s Nest Design Team Member. The Robin’s Nest was my first design team and the gang there will always hold a special place in my heart.

Please visit the Robin’s Nest and see the tutorial for this 2016 desktop star calendar.

Also, as I promise in that post, here is the 2016 mini calendar I created. Please feel free to download and use it for your crafting projects.

Download this free 2016 Calendar Printable made by moi!

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The colors of the Northern Lights in a Winter Wonderland

The colors of the Northern Lights in a Winter Wonderland

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My altered art Christmas tag at the Robin’s Nest today features lots and texture and the rich and vibrant colors of the Northern Lights in a Winter Wonderland.

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Oh so hip artist trading block–part two

Oh so hip artist trading block–part two

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Please visit the wonderful gang over at the Robin’s Nest to see the tutorial for  Part Two of the Mid-Century Artist Trading Block, celebrating the marvelous mid-century.

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Oh so hip artist trading block–Part one

Oh so hip artist trading block–Part one

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I’m back with another artist trading block–this one celebrating the marvelous mid-century. Read all about how to make it over at he Robin’s Nest.

 

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Creeping up my Halloween–Part Two

Creeping up my Halloween–Part Two

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I’m back with Part Two of my Creepy Creaky China Cabinet. Please hop over to the Robin’s Nest today to see the rest of the tutorial.

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Fabulous stuff used in this project

Gina’s Design China Cabinet
Plum Fleur (and stripes on reverse side)
Plum Purple Glitter Cardstock
Purple Bats Glitter Cardstock
Black Bats Glitter Cardstock
Spiderweb Glitter Cardstock
Purple Crackle Glitter Cardstock
Light purple cardstock
Black cardstock
Glitter Mask
Halloween decorative ribbon
Curio Knobs by Tim Holtz Idea-ology, 3 per Pack, 1 x 7/8 Inches, White and Clear, Metal and Plastic, TH92840
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad, Vintage Photo
Alpha Stamps Small Amber Bottles with Corks
Alpha Stamps Stitched Leaf Ribbon
Alpha Stamps Miniature Rustic Broom
Alpha Stamps Long Antique Bronze Skull Spider Pendant
Alpha Stamps Ceramic Gargoyle Bead
Alpha Stamps Skull Charm
AlphaStamps Corked Dome
Spooky Labels
Miniature glitter book
Miniature Black Hinges
Black paper ribbon
Plastic fern
Vintage Halloween images from personal collection
Halloween skeletons, spiders and doo-dads from personal collection
Wooden spool
Black acrylic paint
Red permanent marker
Black permanent marker
Assorted adhesives

Creeping up my Halloween–Part One

Creeping up my Halloween–Part One
Creeping up my Halloween–Part One

 

 

Soon I will be pulling out the Halloween decorations. In my kitchen I have a floor-to-ceiling distressed white hutch that I religiously decorate for each season.

For Halloween I fill it with fun mid-century Halloween items. The only problem is, the decorations, along with the painted white cabinet, are so darn-tootin’ cheerful, that they are not a bit scary.

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To create something a little more spooky, I made the Creepy Creaky Halloween China Cabinet–a miniature hutch that includes spooky Halloween colors and creepy crawly doo-dads, yet still sport some fun mid-century graphics. To see the tutorial for this project, please visit my post at the Robin’s Nest.

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An altered art steampunk homage to Oz

An altered art steampunk homage to Oz

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“We’re off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Oz.”

Good morning. Now you can hate me all day for that ear worm. Actually, now that I typed it, I am kind of hating myself. Truth be told, I don’t even like the Wizard of Oz.

Why then did I create the altered art piece Behind the Curtain–A Steampunk Homage to Oz? Well you will just have to find out by clicking on this link. You will also get the benefit of seeing a fun two-part tutorial (complete with childhood trauma).

Now showing . . . At a craft studio near you

Now showing . . . At a craft studio near you
Now showing . . . At a craft studio near you

 

 

 

The movie Paper Towns hit theaters earlier this week. Although, I’m not particularly interested in this flick, the title caught my eye. Paper Towns–could a more perfect title for a crafter exist? If you want to learn how to make this Paper Town Three-Drawer Night Light Unit, featuring rows of paper houses, please check out the free tutorial.

 

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This three-drawer night light unit had simple beginnings as a leftover gift box and some foam core.

There’s an interesting side note about this project. Although he never said so directly, it was clear my Dad was not a fan of my art. Endless layers, textures, ephemera and more are the exact opposite of his style. A purist architect, who had once worked for the famed Eero Saarinen, my dad believed that “more did not make better”.

Due to both my journalism and graphic design backgrounds, I appreciated, understood and applied this approach in my professional work. However, crafting is my escape from rigid rules and precise measurements. As a result, most of my art has lots of “more”.

He suggested more than once that I design sympathy cards because there were none simple enough for his liking. I gave him a couple of samples containing a line art flower surrounded by lots of white space, yet those were still too ornate. At some point I gave up. Honestly though, I think the only card that would have pleased him would have been one teeny, terse phrase written in Helvetica All Caps:

SYMPATHY

 

It is safe to say he was a no nonsense man.

My dad passed away in June. As I was working on Paper Towns, my sister noticed it and chuckled, “You are channeling your inner father.” She was right. I finally made some art he would have liked.

So, Dad, this one’s for you. Thank you for being my night light and unwavering beacon of safety.