Birds, Nests & Eggs – May Theme with Eileen Hull

Hello Eileen Hull fans! We are kicking off May with a new theme - Birds, Nests & Eggs. Perfect for spring, don't you think? I'm continuing with my Book Box of the Month series for my project. I'm using Eileen Hull's Sizzix Book Box Die and each month will have its own holiday/seasonally appropriate diorama book. Here is the May book:

When you open it up:

A little closer look:

I'm pretty happy about Eileen's new 'Making Plans' stamp
set with all the month & labels stamps! Perfect!

Here are a few "how-to" details:

1) Super awesome (and super easy) way to use the Crochet Mandala. All you have to do is rub the inside of the debossing part of the folder with archival ink. Insert your paper, close the folder (don't let the paper move around and get ink smudges), then run it through your machine. The ink gets deposited in the recesses of the embossed paper. It is so effective!

I started of with lightly inked, mottled cardstock and then experimented with three different ink colors on the folder. I really love the look!

2) I made the bird nest out of "twiggy" pieces cut with Eileen's Wreath die. Some I folded in half, others I cut into pieces. Glue and layering them up made quite a nice nest!

3) Building up the scene! The white blossoms are cut with a die that is part of Eileen's new Shadow Box Frame #1 set.

So now I have a book series of three. ;-) More to come!  You can see the February and March boxes in other posts.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to keep an eye on Eileen's blog for more inspiration from the Educator and Inspiration Teams!

Supplies used:

Eileen Hull die - Book Box  (Sizzix / SB )

Eileen Hull Shadow Box Frames #1 (Sizzix / SB / TFJ )

Eileen Hull 3D Embossing Folders - Crochet Mandala (Sizzix / SB / TFJ )

Eileen Hull Wreath & Snowflake (Sizzix / SB / TFJ )

Eileen Hull Die - Spring Leaves

Eileen Hull Die Set - Journaling Cards, Flowers & Leaves #662811

Tim Holtz Die Set - Bird & Egg, Colorize (Sizzix / SB / TFJ )

Tim Holtz Die Set - Funky Nature (Sizzix / SB / TFJ )
Eileen Hull Stamp Set - Making Plans

Sizzix Mat Board

Some links in this post are affiliate links which do not affect the price you pay but allow me to earn a small percentage of a sale. Thanks! (My husband also thanks you!) 

Mixed Media Challenge at the Funkie Junkie

Hello Funkie Junkie fans. It's time for a new challenge! This time the challenge is to "Create a mixed media project about/for someone or something you love."

I'm continuing with my Book Box of the Month series. (Did you catch my last challenge project?) I'm using Eileen Hull's new Sizzix Book Box Die and each month will have its own holiday/seasonally appropriate diorama book. Here is the March book:

Open it up and find…

a little fairy/leprechaun birthday party! Here's where the "someone you love" part of the challenge comes in. My Mom's birthday is on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day so we've always had a fun festive time on the 17th. The holiday is forever connected to my Mom. =)

Now for lots of detail photos LOL:

I used the new Damask 3D Embossing Folder for
the cover. I'm in love!

Used another 3D embossing folder for the edge facings (Lumber).

Much media of many different types was used…

I made a little cake for the party. The cake is a roll of paper with drippy hot glue "icing" that I painted.

Here are a few "how-to" details:

1) I created Distress paint backgrounds (always fun) with various colors. This was for the cover 3D embossed panels. (I have a lot extra for other projects!)

2) When you are embossing, you can rub ink directly onto front side of the embossing folder, then put in your paper and run it through your machine. The ink transfers to all the debossed areas and gives you so much depth and makes the details stand out.

I also used Gold Luster Wax and a blending brush to highlight the raised areas of the embossing. I really love this folder. It is gorgeous!

3) More 3D Embossing goodness! I added strips of "wood" to the box edges.

4) Here's an "in progress" look at the interior.

So now I have a book series of two. ;-) More will come with time.  

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you check out the fun challenges we have on the Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog. They are always good for sparking your creativity! You have two weeks to join the current challenge so I hope you give it a go.

Supplies used:

Eileen Hull die - Book Box

Eileen Hull Full Size Journal Die (for the label shape diecut)

Tim Holtz die sets - Flower Field, Feathered Friends, Garden Greens

Tim Holtz 3D Embossing Folders - Damask, Lumber, Seal, Lucky Love
Tim Holtz Stamp Sets - Spring Sprung, Glorious Bouquet, Watercolor

Silver tone 4-leaf clover charm

Sizzix Mat Board

Distress Paint 

Distress Glaze - Rustic Wilderness

Tim Holtz Halloween Mica Spray Stains

Ranger Archival Ink - Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Distress Crayons

Idea-ology Bouquet

Sizzix Luster Wax - Gold

Some links in this post are affiliate links which do not affect the price you pay but allow me to earn a small percentage of a sale. Thanks! (My husband also thanks you!) 

Valentine Challenge at The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog

Hello Funkie Junkie fans. It's time for a new challenge! Valentine's Day is right around the corner and this challenge is appropriately to create a frilly or a funkie Valentine! Janna Ketchum is our hostess and here is what she has to say,

"It is getting to that time of year when hearts and flowers come out in full force. Create a frilly and or funkie valentine. Will yours be created with vintage inspired colors or frilly with glitter and lace? We look forward to seeing your creations, happy crafting!"

You will probably start to see that I have a love of making scenes in little boxes. (Did you catch my last challenge project?) I'm starting a new project of making a Book Box of the Month – this should keep me busy all year. I'm using Eileen Hull's new Sizzix Book Box Die and each month will have its own holiday/seasonally appropriate diorama book. Here is what I made for a Valentine's February book:

Open it up and find…

a celebration of Valentines! I think this new Klimt paper collection from Stamperia is a very popular one. I've seen several beautiful projects made using it out in social media land. It really is gorgeous! 

I used white Venise lace hearts and trims on the front and inside. I found that stains and sprays did a good job of coloring them.

Various Tim Holtz Funky Floral dies complemented the Klimt style of artwork of the papers.

The rose detailing on the front here and the sides of the book is texture paste applied through a stencil and then sprinkled with gold embossing powder. Once the paste was dry, I heated it to melt the powder.

I had a lot of fun making this "February Book"! I love to add all the little details. Coming up will be a book for March so stay tuned…

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you check out the fun challenges we have on the Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog. They are always good for sparking your creativity! You have two weeks to join the current challenge so I hope you give it a go.

Supplies used:

Eileen Hull die - Book Box

Eileen Hull Full Size Journal Die (for the label shape diecut)

Tim Holtz die sets - Funky Floral LG, Funky Floral #2

Tim Holtz die - Cameo Frame #658570

Tim Holtz Mini Stencils - Set 25

Stamperia Klimt Collection paper - 12x12 Backgrounds, 6x6 paper pad

Venise Lace Heart Appliques

Venise Lace Trim, 3/4" wide

Bronze Tone Heart Charm

Gold embossing powder

Ranger Texture Paste

Distress Paint - Tarnished Brass

Distress Ink - Stormy Sky, Ground Espresso

Distress Spray - Tarnished Brass, Brushed Pewter

Distress Resist Spray

Tim Holtz Holiday Mica Spray Stains

Ranger Archival Ink - Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Belagio cork fabric

Some links in this post are affiliate links which do not affect the price you pay but allow me to earn a small percentage of a sale. Thanks! (My husband also thanks you!)