A World of Promise in a Speckled Egg

One of the most exciting things to witness in the spring is an active birds nest with eggs! Have you ever noticed how birds in your yard use bits of string or other unlikely things to weave their nests together? This card celebrates nature's promise to keep on generating new life--with threads of creativity-- when sometimes it seems impossible.

STAMPS -
Speckled Egg Wreath Stamp set
"Wishing you bluebirds in the spring" block stamp
Nesting Bird block stamp

PAPERS -
Green/Blue designer paper 8 x 5.75 inches (folded to 4 x 5.75 inches)
White card stock pieces
Light Royal Blue card stock

TOOLS -
Scalloped oval die - I used Spellbinders Nestabilities Scalloped Ovals (S4-111)
Oval die - I used Spellbinders Classic Ovals LG (S4-110)
Cuttlebug embossing folder - "Swiss Dots" and "Birds and Swirls"

Oval Chalking Template, optional

PopIt! Shapes - I used Square

Medium Punch - Square

INKS - Versacolor Old Rose, Bark, Atlantic, Olive; Archival Black ink

OTHER SUPPLIES -
Gold Paint Pen
Embroidery Thread
Translucent Ribbon
Blue marker
Threaded Ribbon

INSTRUCTIONS -
Run the Blue/Green designed paper through the machine using the "Swiss Dots" embossing folder. Position the folder so that you emboss only the bottom portion of the card-front.

On the White card stock, use stamp the following in an oval pattern (an oval template helps alignment):

Mini Pointed Egg in Old Rose, then again in Bark

Tiny Natural Egg in Atlantic

Tiny Daisy Group in Cyan

Tiny Daisy Group again, this time in Neptune

Tiny Sprig Leaf in Olive

Center the oval wreath in a scalloped oval die and run it through the die cut machine. Color the scalloped edges with the Gold Paint Pen. 

Next, use the Light Royal Blue card stock and an Oval Die slightly larger than the Scalloped Oval Die you just used to make a backdrop for the bird's nest and wreath. Once you have cut the oval out, run it through the Birds and Swirls embossing folder. Then edge the blue oval with the Gold Paint pen. Glue the embossed blue oval behind the stamped scalloped oval. Then glue the resulting medallion to the card base.

Get ready to stamp the Nesting Bird on a separate piece of White card stock. Ink the Bird portion of the stamp with the Black ink and the Nest portion in Bark ink. Once you have stamped the bird and nest, cut it out and PopIt! in the center of the stamped wreath.

Now add the embellishments to the card.

Use the ribbon and embroidery thread to mimic the way birds in nature glean strings and other material to weave into their nests. Here I have tied embroidery thread and thin ribbon around a thicker ribbon.  Fasten the resulting ensemble onto the card base.

Then make the sentiment medallion, which you will nestle among the ribbon and embroidery thread you just attached to the card...

On White card stock, stamp, "Wishing you bluebirds in the spring" in Black ink. Line up the sentiment in the Square Punch and punch out. Then use the Tiny Sprig Leaf and Sage ink to stamp around the edges of the square. Last, edge the square using the Gold Paint Pen. On another White card stock scrap, stamp the Bird again, this time in Black ink. Cut the bird out, position and glue it behind the square sentiment. Because I wanted just the head of the bird peeping over the sentiment, I had to discard some of the stamped area when I positioned it behind the square. Then attach the sentiment to the ribbon ensemble you made earlier.

While you are working with these embellishments, take a few scraps of embroidery thread and ribbon and add to the original birds nest in the centerpiece. If you like, you can add just a few dots of glitter glue and it's done!

What do you think? Just enter your comment in the comment section below for a chance to win the Speckled Egg Wreath stamp set. Today's winner is Marylou Moroski, who will be receiving the Southern Dogwood set from last week's blog. Congratulations Marylou! 

Until next week, Happy Stamping from Susan and rest of the gang at Rubber Stamp Tapestry!

Comments

[sue wisniewski]

What a fun card you created with the speckled egg wreath set. really like the way you use bits & pieces for the nest. great idea! stamping sue

[Elaine Allen]

Susan -

What a beautiful card. I love those speckeled eggs. And that little bird is just darling. Thank you for another wonderful tutorial.

Elaine Allen

[Linda w]

As I watch the snow fly outside my window, this card made me wish so bad for spring and robins again. Love the gold paint pen extras.

stamp on...

[Cindy L.]

I'm looking out at the snow, and would really welcome the spring right now!

[Connie Blackburne]

I love your great ideals for cards
with your peg stamps. thank you soo much.

[Phyllis M.]

Lovely card and love those speckled eggs wreath set too. Wonderful tut and thanks so much for sharing.

[Debbie]

Love what you've done for the nest. Wonderful card!

[Denise Bryant]

I love the way you made the nest.... very clever, and it adds a lot of dimension to the card. Beautiful card.
DeniseB

[Mary from Missouri]

Birds are quite resorceful aren't they! I am waiting for that touch of spring. Your card is inspiring,thanks.

[Ink-Pattie]

sweet! I love it!

[chaun]

Who would have thought a speckled egg stamp could be so wonderful?!

[Brenda]

What a great idea. How do you come up with your designs for your cards? Would be great to have some downloads in pdf or maybe even a book or booklet to buy.

[Grace Lange-Way]

One year when we cleaned out the nesting box in the fall we actually found a plastic straw woven into the nest. Birds are so amazing and this card celebrates their creativity and invites us to use ours.

[Mary Lou Knapke]

I like the birdnest so much! Will try it with a bird that I already have from you, or will order this one!
Thanks, thanks, thanks....so much fun to be with you all.

Mary Lou Knapke

[Susan S.]

Great card colors (love how the wreath mimics the colors of the pattern paper, the stamp set is fantastic, and the little bird peeking out behind the sentiment is so sweet. Thanks for all the great ideas and the chance to win.

[Mildred]

Wonderful card. Love the embellishment that mimics the nest. Very creative.

[Susan Kesselman]

I'm enjoying the snow (yes, I'm weird!) but am thinking ahead to spring...new colors, new ideas, new stamps. Love the use of several different fibers for the bow!

[Audrey]

Beautiful card! Love the bird's nest never thought of doing that! You really inspire one to thing and step outside the box.

[Margaret]

I love the saying" Wishing you bluebirds in the spring". Such a clever way to "build a nest too!

[jo]

How pretty! Bluebirds in the spring....I love it!

[Sarah B]

Spent part of the weekend participating in the annual bird count. So much fun to watch them in all their variety. Your sample really celebrates their charm and our desire for spring. I am completely taken with the little details like the nest bits and pieces and the peeking bird. Thanks for another wonderful sample and all the great ideas!

[MarylouMoroski]

I'ts so nice to think of spring and you have captured the very essence of it. Love the color combination and the dimentional nesting material.
MaryLou Moroski

[Sue D]

Beautiful caard--I like the ribbon and embroidery floss embellishment.

[Kathy Hering]

Adorable!

[Michelle Adams]

what a BEAUTIFUL card! Your tutorials are wonderful! TFS