ROBIN SPOTTING

Take note of the date today: April 3, 2013.

Normally I see my first robin of the year sometime in the middle of March. It is always such a thrill when that first one is spotted. It means that winter is definitely on the way out. But NOT THIS YEAR!

Well, today, April 3, was my first robin spotting in our area. I had heard that they had been seen in more southerly parts of the State for a few weeks now. But not where I live!

To commemorate this memorable day, I will show you how to make a card spotlighting a ROBIN!

Nature Walk (page 79) is such a beautiful and sophisticated set. I also used it in this card from a January post: http://www.paperseedlings.com/2013/01/caged.html

CAGED

I especially love using this set in subtle shades of blue with creams and Soft Suede, as shown in Caged and this one:

Do you like the lined texture in the background of our robin card? Here is a close-up:

Any idea what the secret of this random, but elegant, background is? I'm sure some of you know, but for others . . . it is 

rubber bands!!

Supplies:

Nature Walk stamp set

Marina Mist card stock

Soft Suede card stock

Whisper White card stock

VersaMark ink

Soft Suede ink

Bashful Blue ink

Marina Mist ink

Pacific Point ink

Heat Tool

Embossing Buddy

Gold Embossing Powder

Gold Brad

Brayer

Piercing Tool

Stampin' Sponge

Stampin' Dimensionals

Instructions:

Fold a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" piece of Marina Mist card stock in half, creasing well with a bone folder.

Rub the Embossing Buddy well over a 3 7/8" x 4 7/8" piece of Whisper White card stock. 

Randomly wind and twist several rubber bands onto the brayer attachment until you think you have a good solid design. Replace the attachment onto the brayer handle. NOTE:  I used an acrylic attachment on my brayer. However, you can use the rubber attachment. But be sure to clean it off and remove the rubber bands immediately so the tight bands don't make permanent grooves in your rubber.

WARNING: USE A GENTLE TOUCH WITH THE NEXT PORTION OF THE PROJECT! 

GENTLY run the brayer several times through the VersaMark ink. Run it up one side of the card stock. Repeat until the lines fill the card going all in that direction. Dump Gold Embossing Powder over the VersaMark squiggles. Tap excess powder back into its container. Heat with the Heat Tool until all the lines are shiny gold. 

Turn the card and repeat this same process going the other direction. You should now have a "plaid" look.

Starting with the Bashful Blue, sponge ink here and there over the gold lines. Continue doing the same thing with the Marina Mist ink, then with the Pacific Point. Be GENTLE with the Pacific Point. It is a very powerful color and you don't want it to overwhelm your piece.

Finish the background by sponging all the edges with Soft Suede, then softening it with a little Soft Suede sponged here and there over the blues.

Adhere this piece to a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of Soft Suede card stock, then to the card front.

Stamp the robin in Soft Suede ink on a 2" x 3" piece of Whisper White paper. Sponge all the edges with Soft Suede.

Use the Paper Piercer to pierce a corner of holes about 1/4" from the bottom and left side. Also pierce a hole to insert a gold brad. Adhere this to a 2 1/4" x 3 1/4" piece of Soft Suede card stock, then to the card front with a Stampin' Dimensional in each corner and one in the center.

If desired, stamp a sentiment of choice inside the card in Soft Suede ink.

Please consider ordering your Stampin' Up! supplies naming me as your Demonstrator if you enjoy my tutorials!

Spring

Smiles.