Faerie Gardens part 4

This week for my Faerie Gardens tutorial, I just wanted to share with you some of my favorite things. These books are from my personal collection and I often turn to them for new inspiration.
Last year I used this "Fairy Tree House" book in this delightful post here.
I found it by accident on amazon while looking for something entirely different! I love all the doll house like compartments. - "Fairy tree House", written by Saviour Pirotta, Illustrated by Susanna Lockheart.
" Field Guide to Fairies" - written by Susannah Marriott.
This is a beautiful pop up book with wonderful folk lore, and vintage photos.
The pop up below is titled, "Fairy Rings"

My favorite book. "Faeries" written/illustrated by Brian Froud and Alan Lee. From pencil drawings to life like water colors. Wonderful descriptions and poetry, Faeries of all kinds."How to draw and paint Fairies" by Linda Ravenscroft.
I can't draw people, but I can draw Faeries. And this book has some fun idea's and tips for clothing, setting and accessories. Very easy to follow, and fun to browse through!

I recently acquired the next 2 books from Dyllan's school book fair. I could not resist! "The Book of Faeries" written/illustrated by Heather Dakota, is filled with informative folklore, interactive pockets and flaps with in the book , revealing secret tid bits. The back compartment comes with a extra special treat... fine faerie dust, a magical faerie pendant and sparklingly pouch of dried rose petals.
"Mischief Makers" written by Heather Dakota, Illustrated by Dan Jankewski, is the same style book but mainly about Goblins and things. In the back compartment is a leather pouch with magic stones and gold coins!
If you love beautiful (vintage) art work, then " Dulac's Fairy Tale Illustrations" is sure to delight you! Each page in the book is a plate taken from stories ranging from Sleeping Beauty, Blue beard, The Mermaid, to the "Fire Bird" and more!
I have had "The Court of Flora" by J.J. Grandville, since I was little. It's a treasured book of all the "Original Flower" Faeries.
"Fairies & Angels" by Nancy Rosin, is a great book of vintage clip art to use in your creations. Perfect for scrapbooks and fabric transfer crafts.
"120 Great Fairy Paintings" - Royalty free designs. I love just looking at all these images. They are taken from story books and original paintings. So beautiful and amazing!
"Into the Woods" adapted and illustrated by Hudson Talbot., Stephen Sondheim and James lapine.All your favorite stories with charming images to match.
"The Magic Costumes" by Jamie Lehrer, illustrated by Tracey Morgan. I love that this is a pop up interactive story with rainbow sparkle faerie wings! It is sure to be any child or adults favorite faerie tale!
Hilda Boswell's "Treasury of Children's Stories" (1971) is my most favorite because it's my first Faerie tale book. The stories are so dreamy and whimsical. And I love all the illustrations. Some of my favorite stories in this book are still, - "The Story of Fairy Foot", "The Real Princess", "Through the Fire", "prince Zevin and the King of Genii", and..."The Snow Child"
So there you have a peek into my Faerie inspirations! What are your Faerie Tale inspirations?
The giveaway this week will be some vintage Faerie clip art. Please comment here and on the other Faerie garden post (see to the right below "followers")
:)

Easy Paper Roses

I recently acquired a new sizzix die, Flowers 3D and used it to create this beautiful keepsake box. Hop on over to The Robins Nest to see the full tutorial! :)

How to make a Faerie Garden door

(please click above photo for close up detail! )

This week for my Faerie Garden Tutorial, I wanted to show just how easy it is to create your own Faerie door! In the above photo, I simple drew my door shape, added some elements, filled in color with water color pencils and a wet brush and when dry, added some shading and out lines with a fine tip black permanent pen! Then I carefully cut it out and had a ball finding places to photograph my Faerie door. :)




This weeks give away will be 2 faerie doors that I will create just for you!

Now, every Tuesday I'll post a craft and giveaway, if you are new to this- please go here to see how you can properly have a chance to win... Then leave a comment "here- on this post"
See the rest of this months posting on the right side of this blog "under" followers. Don't forget to comment on those postings too!

Calamity Jane mini book

I just wanted to show off this cute mini book I created using The Robin's Nest collection called "Calamity Jane"!


I used a pre made blank Family chipboard album as the base.


I traced the letter pages on to the papers, cut out, glued down and added Robin Nest white and silver Dew Drops.


Additional add on's are from my private stash.


I really like the this collection because it's country with out being too country.


Find this collection and more Here.


~ Michelle Cummings

Faerie Garden Miniatures

This week I'm highlighting my friend, Jaime's Faerie gardens! For such a small space of a patio, she really has done great work. Feel free to zoom in on any of the photos for delightful details.
At the end of this post I have a basic Mermaid Garden tutorial with a nice little giveaway!

Adding ornamental planters with untamed foliage can really add to the setting...

You can find faerie garden miniatures on line, in hobby shops and even pet stores!

Pots can be large...or even small.


Letting the plants hang out over the pots sides adds a whimsical touch :)
Faerie gardens can even be planted with your herbs...



Jaime and "Cookie" :)




It's so easy to get carried away with all the cute miniatures!

Jaime has also added mini led lights to her little gardens.



See how they glow... like little fire flies!





Wasn't that wonderful? The both of us are Faerie garden fiends! It's a addiction and we love it! Like catering to our inner child. :)
Now here is my mini Mermaid garden.
It's the perfect size for a mantle or a spot on a work desk.

To make this, all you need is a small pot, some colored glass pebbles, sea shells, one Mermaid and fish, pretty wire tinsel, pearls, tooth picks and fake flower stems. You can find some really neat stuff at the fish section of your local pet store. :)

I stuck the toothpick in the center of the plastic stems from the flowers. This creates my kelp.

I rolled up some plastic bags and put them in my pot and then added the glass pebbles. I pushed in the "kelp", fish and added the Mermaid. Then I made her a crown of the star wire, and draped some pearls about her, adding a few seashells for a final touch!


This weeks giveaway will include the kelp, pearls, some sea shells and colored glass for you to start your own Mermaid garden!
Every Tuesday I'll post a craft and giveaway, if you are new to this- please go here to see how you can properly have a chance to win... Then leave a comment "here- on this post" and on last weeks post too!