I Give Thanks ~ Robin's Nest DT Project

I'm not usually one to make cards; in fact, I'm usually lucky (and feeling really on top of things) if I actually have a card with a gift or on a birthday.  But I wanted to create a card for my eldest son to let him know how thankful I am for him.  I wanted it to look masculine but still pretty (yes, I know that is probably an oxymoron (a pretty, masculine card), but hey, it's what I was going for.  How'd I do?  My son has been going through some rough patches lately and I just wanted something in which I can write him a little reminder of all of the things about him for which I am truly thankful.

I was going to use scraps from other projects to show how you can use up your scraps (so this is a reminder that you can use your scraps for cards) . . . but uh . . . yeah . . . I didn't do that.  I found this paper in my Robin's Nest paper stash and decided that it was the only paper I wanted to use.  It is a double-sided paper (Distressed Honeycomb) and has a linen texture to it.  One side is more solid and one side is more distressed looking.  I really do love this paper; it has such a fabulous, rich feel to it.  It's almost like having a nice fabric that acts like a paper.  So this was the backdrop for my card.  I tried to get a good close-up picture so you can see the texture.  To be honest, I really didn't even want to cover it up too much.  So I added a piece of Glitter Gold on Creme Swirl (I used the back side) and distressed the edges with my scissors.  After inking up both the background and the Creme piece, all that was needed was a few embellishments and a hand-drawn border. And I ended up with this fabulous card.  The embellishment says "Give Thanks;" and I just added an "I" above it and inside the card it will say "For YOU!"  After adding my personal sentiment it will be ready to give to my son.

I hope you enjoy my card and that you have a most wonderful Thanksgiving!  Don't forget to check out the Robin's Next website for these and other fabulous papers and products!

~ Make Today Count
Wendy

School Days ~ Robin's Nest DT Post

Well, it's officially the last weekend of summer vacation.  School starts Wednesday (ugh!) . . . So here's my Schools Days project (okay, so I'm finally getting to scrapping 1st grade and my son is going into 3rd . . . but hey, I'm doing it lol.

So I started the way I always start. I chose my paper and what embellishments I thought I might use from my Robin's Nest stash.  Check out the Robin's Nest website for some fabulous products!  The paper I ended up using is Red Fat Plaid, Glitter Brown Animal Print, and solid cardstock to match.  The embellishments I chose were Red Apple Die Cuts, Apple Paper Clips, and the chalkboard (which I love, love, love!). 

 

I decided I was going to make a mini album (because that's my all time favorite thing to make).  The base of my album is two pieces of chipboard 6" x 4.75" (please ignore my messy craft mat - I am not a clean crafter, much to my husband's dismay).

 

 

Next I inked up the edges of my chipboard with red ink (you could use paint or chalk or any form of color that works for you - or leave it raw).  Then I added some Robin's Nest Glitter Brown Animal Print for my first layer. 

 

 

 

I punched two holes at the top of each cover (one inch from the each edge and a quarter of an inch down) and added extra large eyelets for a finished look.

 

 

 

Next I added a layer of solid card stock followed by the Red Fat Plaid patterned paper (perfect for those school themed layouts or albums).   I wrote on the chalkboard with a white distress pen and added a pencil and piece of chalk I made myself.  Both are created from a bamboo skewer which I have cut in pieces.  The chalk I simply painted white and it is the perfect addition to the fun, fun, fun chalkboard.  Can you tell how much I love the chalkboard - lol?

 

 

The pencil (zoom in on the picture below to get a closer look) was sharpened with a hand-held sharpener and painted yellow except for the tip and the eraser.  I colored the eraser with a red marker and the tip (lead) with a black marker.  To give it a finished look I used a little thin silver colored wire I had in my stash to wrap around where the eraser meets the pencil.  I love the way it turned out.  I simply glued the pencil to the top of the chalkboard.  To finish off my mini cover (I will add pages later) I added a stamped image of ABC blocks, a red apple paper clip (see the link above to purchase the set which comes with three colors), two binder rings and some ribbon.  Let me know what you think.  I am really pleased with how this turned out.

 

 

 

 

Visit the Robin's Nest Blog and check out some of the other designers' creations!  Thanks for taking a look at my School Days Mini Album cover.

 

~ Make Today Count

Wendy