Firecracker Bookmark

Save your spot in your summer reading with these easy to make firecracker bookmarks! 

Red, White & Blue Star Shaped Wreath

 Get a jump start on some patriotic summer vibes with this festive star shaped red, white and blue wreath!

Patriotic Rockets with Rinea Foils

 Hi everyone, when I think of summer, I think of picnics, barbecues, anything patriotic, and fireworks! Here I have used Rinea Foiled Papers to create the perfect summer centerpiece.

From Rinea-

• Sapphire Star Struck 
• Ruby/Gold Glossy 
• Silver Star Struck

Other supplies:

• Paper towel tubes cut down to 4"
• Fancy paper straws
• Embellishment- sequins.
• Newspaper 
• Double sided tape
• Tacky glue
•  Pencil
• Scissors
• Paper trimmer
• Embossing folder and machine.
• Empty containers or glasses.

 

 Begin by folding the newspaper pages in half until you have a strip 2" wide.
Then wrap some double sided tape at the end of a straw and roll the paper around the tape.
When you get to the end of the paper, tape it down and add more double sided tape, then begin with some freshly folded paper. Keep this up until your roll can fit snugly inside the tube.
Coat the outside of the roll with your glue then push into the tube.

 With your paper trimmer, cut to size the Sapphire Star Struck to measure 4" x 6 ½" and emboss with your folder.
 Next cut to size the Ruby/Gold Glossy  to 3" x 7".
Score your foil at 2". Then with your scissors, cut a fringe up to that mark.
Adhere the fringe to the bottom part of your rocket with the tacky glue, but use a bit of double sided tape to secure the end flap. - Foil on foil.

 If you are using a standard sized embossing folder, you'll find that cut foil will be to large. This is OK. Simple adhear the embossed foil to the tube with your tacky glue and secure the last bit with tape. This will cover the non embossed foil nicely. 

 With your trimmer, cut a piece of Silver Star Struck to measure 1" x 6". Adhere this with double sided tape to cover the previous seams.  Add any embellishments to your rocket at this time.

 Trace a 4" circle onto Silver Star Struck. Cut this out, fold the circle in halves until you have four sections. Cut up to the center on one of the fold lines. Just like making a paper funnel, do the same with the circle until you achieve the rocket top you like. Secure shape with tape.

 Place a thick line of tacky glue onto the edges of the tube. Place the rocket cap on top. 

 Place your rocket upside down into a sturdy container. While the glue sets, curl the fringe with a straw. 

 The possibilities are endless with Rinea Foiled Paper!
See more idea's on their blog!
Thanks for stopping by!

Stars and Stripes Patriotic Wreath

 I don't know about you, but anything patriotic gets me in the mood for a great summer!
To make this fun wreath, you will need the following:

8" Ruled Smoothfoam Wreath*
Red and blue craft paint
Paint brush
Patriotic fabric cut into 1" x 12" strips.

Use the handy ruled indents on the wreath to decide where you want your stars and stripes to be. Then paint those sections. When the paint is dry, start tying your strips of fabric. I alternated between tying the knots on the top and on the side of the wreath. This way you easily add volume to the wreath while covering up any bare paint spots.
For the stars, I used  15 strips of cloth.
For the stripes I used 40 strips of cloth. 

When done, tie a extra long strip at the top and hang for all to enjoy!
Visit here for more Smoothfoam wreath inspiration!

This post was sponsored by Smoothfoam.

Patriotic Cottage Mini-Book

Here's a "peek" of a cottage mini-book I made. It's SO cute. I just love it! I made the cottage reversible. Can you believe that? From the cottage roof to all the adorable details...you just have to check it out!
Come see me today on The Robins Nest blog and prepare to be Inspired! :)

Freedom Resin Art

I'm so excited that you could come and visit me today! I just love anything and everything SteamPunk, don't you? I also love to work with resin and thought this piece would be nice and patriotic for the hop! Thanks to Leslie Rahye  for a great theme!

To make this Steampunk piece, you will need the following: 

1. Amazing Mold Putty.
2. Amazing Clear Cast Resin.
3. Silver Alumilite Metalic powder.
4. Fabric strips.
5. Letter beads.
6. Steampunk themed trinkets.
7. Something to make your mold, I used the wooden handle of a rubber stamp.
8. Small dry paint brush.
9. Scissors.
10. Toothpick and sandpaper.
11. Wax paper and old tray.
12. Mixing stick and small Dixie cups.
13. Metallic permanent markers, I used copper and gold.

1. If you are new to Amazing Mold Putty, I have a really great visual on how to mix the white and yellow mold putty here. You basically mix the two together, kneading it quickly until no traces of white appear. Then you form a square larger than your block. Press the block into about 3/4 of the way and pinch the corners of the mold 'snug' around your block. Let set about 15 minutes till hard. Pop out block.
2. Use your dry brush to apply the Alumilite to the entire inside of the mold. Use sparingly as a little goes a long way.
3. Set your mold on the wax paper and again onto a old tray.
4. Measure your Clear Cast Resin in the cups provided and then pour both into your Dixie cup. Mix completely with a mixing stick.
5. Pour a 'bit' of resin into the mold, using the toothpick to help get it into the corners.
6. Place your fabric strips into the mold, pressing them into the resin with the toothpick.
7. 'Color' any trinkets with the gold or copper pens to help make them look vintage if you want. The copper gear piece next to the key is really white plastic that I colored to look 'old'. :)
8. Pour in a little more resin and add your trinkets, moving them in place with the toothpick. If you happen to get resin on your hands, don't panic, alittle nail polish remover will clean up your hands just fine.
9. Add more resin until the trinkets are covered.
10. Place away from draft in a sunny spot if possible. My craft room was really warm the day I made this, so instead of the normal 48 hours cure time, is was done in just 24 hours!
11. Once set, pop out and sandpaper the sharp corners and anywhere else you see fit.

Then color the edges with your copper and gold pens. I used the copper to sign my name and date on the metallic back. I still have not decided if this will become jewelry or what. For know, I just like to look at it and add it to my shelf of SteamPunk creations!
Thanks for coming by, I hope you like this!
Please visit the rest of the Artists for more Red-White & Blue Steampunk Fun!

Red, White & Blue Jello!

You may have seen me post this once before, but I just had to re-share it once again! It's the best festive Jello recipe and is my post for today and tomorrows tutorial. Enjoy!

Not only is it fun to make, bit it looks so pretty when you cut it up! You can use any flavor, I chose strawberry and blue raspberry along with the sweetened condensed milk for the white layer…which ads a nice contrast and a delicious taste!

For each colored layer you’ll need:

• 1 -3 ounce package of gelatin flavored powered mix
• 1 package of unflavored gelatin
• 1 cup of boiling water

Starting with the first color, mix it with it’s 1 cup of hot water. Carefully sprinkle it with the plain packet of gelatin. After about a minute blend the two. If you just dump the plain packet into the pre-made mixture with hot water. it will clump up and be hard to blend.
Set this aside to come to room temperature while you start on the next color.

For the White layer

• 1-14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
• 4 packs of unflavored gelatin
• 2 cups of boiling water

In a separate bowl, pour in the boiling water then sprinkle the plain gelatin over it till it becomes absorbed.
Blend. Then add the milk.

Once all your colors have come to about room temperature, you can begin layering. Select your dish and make sure it’s clean. You can use a flat Pyrex dish and have the dessert be cut up into gelatin squares, or use a decorative mold like the copper ones I collect. Either way, add a thin layer of non-stick baking spray to the pan. Be sure to also find a flat spot in your fridge prior to making the layers!

To layer:
It takes approximately 7-10 minutes between layers to set. Pour in first layer. Refrigerate till firm. Not sure if it’s firm? You can do the “tilt” test. Tilt your dish to see if the gelatin needs to set a while longer, try to refrain from poking your gelatin with your finger or you’ll have odd holes in your dessert.
If you are a perfectionist, you might want to keep a list of each color as you add it. While you are waiting for your dessert to set up, the remaining stuff might firm up a bit, you can always nuke it in the microwave for a few seconds to keep it runny.
When you have completed all your layers and the dessert has rested in your fridge for at least 30 more minutes, then you can bring it out to serve. If using a mold, run warm water quickly over the bottom and then lay a plate over the top and quickly flip dessert over onto plate. You should hear a “sucking” sound as it releases from the mold. If you are using a flat dish, quickly run warm water over the bottom then cut with a knife and use your fingers to pry up cut squares.

Ta Da!

Happy 4th of July !

Pretty Little Bird House and Card

This week for The Robins Nest, I decided to make a pretty little Bird House and card!

For the card I used The Robins Nest reversible Classic Roses.
I cut what I needed for the card and then right away started to bend and scrunch up the corners so I could distress it with some brown ink. I use mini chalk inks for these projects because it's easier to handle and I don't get my fingers messy for little projects like this.
Then I used my sanding block to rough up the edges for a vintage feel. If you don't have a sanding block (which protects your finger nails) , then some fine sand paper from the hardware store works just as well too.
Tacky tape or double stick tape is a must in your supply list! The uses are endless! Here I put down a strip for my music sheet ruffle. I cut copies of vintage music, making sure they were close in size, and lightly inked the top and bottom edges with the brown color.
Then I folded down the end of the first strip for a clean end to start with.
I placed the first piece on the tacky tape, folding as I went, over lapping and careful not to make a mistake as tacky tape is extremely unforgiving.
When tying the bow, I always find it easier to turn the project upside down, and then I always end up with the perfect bow tie! For the bird, since it was mostly see through, I used about 7 large glue dots until I was happy with the depth. The flowers are Prima and the inside jewels are Silver dew drops from the Robins Nest.

For the Bird House, I used the following materials:
Silver Dew Drops
White Tear Drops
Classic Rose Cardstock
Glittered Red Rope Cardstock
Teal Glitter Cardstock
and...
A wooden birdhouse, tacky glue, craft wire, white acrylic paint, Kraft paper shredding, brown ink, scissors, foam brush, paper trimmer, scalloped border punch (threading water- fiskars).

First I primed the birds house front, back and sides with the paint/ foam brush and set aside to dry.
~I paper trimmed 1" strips of the teal paper and with the scissors cut them into uneven triangles. I inked the edges of all of them and set aside.
~I used the border punch on the roses paper and trimmed them down to size of the roof width. I cut same size strips of the glittered red rope papere and trimmed around the design.
~I applied a generous coat of tacky glue to one side of the house, spread glue evenly with my finger and them started placing the teal triangles, making sure they were flat, secure and not touching. Giving off the appearance of broken china. For areas too small for a standard triangle, I just trimmed a few down and inked them before adding to certain spots.
I repeated this all the way around the bird house.

For the roof, I started at the bottom and worked my way up. Icoated one side of the roof with glue, spreading evenly and then placing the layers of paper. I finished with the silver dew drops in the center of each rope design.

 
I made the nest just twisting some wire and the kraft shredding. Then I attached it to the bird house perch with tacky glue and added the white tear drops for eggs.