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Jun 5, 2016

Mixed Media Bird Tag With DIY Nest


The oh so fabulous and sweet Niki of Pawsitively Creative is hosting our challenge at Anything But Cute this month.  Niki says, "With the lovely warm weather in my neck of the woods, I am seeing so many wonderful birds and bee's, so I would love to see those in your mixed media makes! Pull out those bird stamps, think of feathers and maybe some honeycomb. Or you could even go for a non-traditional interpretation like a family crest that has a bird emblem on it. The sky is the limit but NO BUTTERFLIES please!"  What a great theme Niki!  

 


I am teaching a class this weekend on a reverse canvas bird collage and couldn't help but roll with that theme to create a mixed media tag, complete with a handmade book page nest!  This awesome bird image is from The Graphics Fairy.


So here's the skinny.  Take three book pages (smaller text works best) and cut or tear them about 4 inches wide.  Create a fringe with scissors, leaving about half an inch on one end.  Next hot glue the unfrayed side into a ring.  Then crunch up the shredded portion.  Sort of roll the ends in, twisting and tucking sort of like a vine wreath.  Spray ink for color variation.  Tip: When you hot glue it to your project, glue in a spiral covering the entire base and your nest will keep its shape.
Don't Forget to Pin It!  <3


I used both a vintage feather and a real feather for embellishment.  My background was made with a floral stencil and texture paste that was sprayed with loads of Glimmer Mist and Infusions dropped over the wet spray, hence the dark walnut dots.  As I heat set it, the shimmer puddled around the stencil paste, which I loved.  I splashed some watery gesso for interest.


My friend Mimi shared some library cards with me.  I inked these and cleaned off some gold paste from my palette knife, then cut the leaves with a Prima die.


Behind my nest is torn lace.  I have to add more lace to my projects!  I love vintage lace and trim.  <3


I'm also playing with these challenges:
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter

40 comments:

  1. Gorgeous colours Autumn, lots of lovely texture and interest and what a great idea adding the feather to carry the bird theme.

    Have a lovely Sunday.

    B x

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  2. So much detail and so much to look at, absolutely fabulous. Love the colours, the texture and the vintage feel to your gorgeous tag. Thank you for the step by step on how to make the nest and as always loving your attention to detail x

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  3. OMG, Autumn, your tag is beyond stunning! There is so much things to love here! Your background is simply fantastic and that bird nest is so unique and fabulous! What a genius idea to use old book pages to create the nest! Marvelous design, my friend! Big hugs to you! Branka xx

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  4. This is absolutely stunning, Autumn!! The bird next looks amazing and so creative!! I love the texture of the background!! The colors and details are fabulous!! And that bird is beautiful...the perfect centerpiece of this spectacular tag!! Love it my friend!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  5. So beautiful Autumn!! I just love your bird, one of the loveliest bird images I've seen! I loved your bird nest tutorial, what a creative recycle piece and a genius idea! The aquas and browns work so well together and I am loving the addition of the different feather mediums!! What a wonderful mixed media project, thank you so much! hugs :)

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  6. It's just AMAZING!!! Adorable!

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  7. Well this is splendid! From the library card (how sweet of Mimi!) to the real feather and the book page nest! Hot diggity dang dearie! I can totally see the allure of using Browns and blues in your design. The colors work so well together and then the pops of gold add such interest! It's like a treasure nest! Hehe. Gorgeous design and details. Thanks for the steps about the best as well. I'll have to try that. Your bird image is WOWZERS! Fantabulous and awe-mazing! Have fun with your class! Hugz to you muffin! ~Niki

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  8. so very pretty Autumn - gorgeous colours and so soft and textured - love this xx

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  9. Autumn, your bird tag is gorgeous--love the colors and your bird image! Thank you for the tutorial on the nest; pinning this for future reference. Your pasted background is just lovely, and I too, love the way the shimmer pools around the pasting. Just a lovely creation! Hope you had a blast at your class! Hugs!

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    Replies
    1. Yippee, Autumn! congratulations on winning at AVJ! Well deserved, my dear!

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  10. So gorgeous, Autumn! Wonderful earthy colors blended with the jewel tone turquoise! Delightfully surprising design elements sweetly tucked in here and there. I'll borrow part of your phrase..... Oh So Amazingly Heartwarming! Hugs, de

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  11. Stunning tag Autumn! Love the colors, DIY nest and fabulous embellishments.
    Thank you for the inspiration.
    Hugs
    Samra
    Paper Talk with Samra

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  12. WOWZERS...this is outstanding! I love the colors and all the yummy elements! The background is beautiful and love the gold leaves tucked beneath the gorgeous flowers! Really beautiful creation!
    Have a super day!
    Sherrie K

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  13. Utterly delightful Autumn with so much wonderful detail. So glad you shared this with us at AVJ. Have a great week. Xx

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  14. Wonderful creation! Love the colors, the gold touches and find your birds nest really amazing! So inventive!

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  15. What a lovely tag packed to the rim with elements of nature, arranged to create fabulous dimension and visual interest. Just the perfect colours too
    hugs x

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  16. Your tag is just beautiful. I love the feather and all the fabulous details.

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  17. Oh my - so intriguing Autumn. Lovely colors for sure but what fascinates me is that it almost looks like you made this.... "thinking" like a BIRD. It's just the way you laid the pieces helter skelter - here and there - and built up the tag in such a uniquely lovely way. And that nest - heheheeh - it's fabulous! Really special creation! Thanks bunches for joining our 'A Beautiful Mess' challenge at OUR CREATIVE CORNER. j.

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  18. So beautiful, Autumn! Totally love that you used just the feathers to suggest Winged Things. Thanks for sharing this on Creative Carte Blanche, we love your work!

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  19. Wow, this is incredible! Love the soft nature of it.

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  20. Your tag is just stunning
    thanks for joining our challenge over at
    http://creativeartistemixedmedia.blogspot.com.au/
    Debbie DT

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  21. Gorgeous‼ Thank you for joining us at TioT.

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  22. Such a wonderful tag. You must be a keen observer of the natural world to create something so in tune with the great outdoors. TFS

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  23. Wow this is delicious!!! I love your colour choice and al those fabulous details give your tag such dimension.
    So glad you joined us at Creative Artiste Mixed Media Challenge this month.
    Hugs Sheryl DT member xx

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  24. What a gorgeous tag! Love the whole composition! The layers are just perfect! Thanks so much for joining us at Creative Carte Blanch and sharing this wonderful project!

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  25. Seriously beautiful Autumn and so prettily striking! LOVE your texty nest - fab idea - thanks for the 'skinny'!! Lol - that's a new term to me! Terrific make! Nicola x

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  26. Good grief, girl!! I am so making that nest, and wow - those feathers are awesome as well!! Love all your step-outs, and your whole concept - perfect!! xxx Lynn

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  27. Autumn....this is Awesome! I totally am in LOVE with it! Thanks so much for sharing your step by step. I have GOT to try that! Your entire piece just captures my heart; from the teals to the bird...just magic! Thanks for sharing your lovely art and your always willingness to share ideas!

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  28. Love birds~this is gorgeous!!!

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  29. This is amazing, stuffed full of wonderful texture and colour xx

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  30. Oh Autumn, you are so clever, this tag looks incredible! Beautifully put together, - I just love that bird! Thanks for adding another super project to our texture challenge at AVJ!

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  31. LOVE!!!!!!! You are sooooooo good at lots of fun layers and doodads!!!

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  32. Gorgeous! Lovely mix of texture with the feathers, leaves and flowers. The bird is so pretty!

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  33. Ooh, so many gorgeous textures and materials - this is one for the fingers as well as the eyes! I love all the bits and bobs your bird has been busy collecting to create his beautiful nest - fabulous!
    Alison x

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  34. love love all the elements to your creation
    Thank you so much for entering our challenge over at Creative Artiste Mixed Media Challenge Blog, we hope to see you join in again...
    Hugs Rhonda DT & Owner xxx
    http://creativeartistemixedmedia.blogspot.co.uk

    Creative Artiste Challenge Blog
    creativeartistemixedmedia.blogspot.com

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  35. How great this is! I adore the bird and that clever nest. Your collage is wonderful! Thanks for joining us at Creative Carte Blanche.

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  36. Gorgeous!Thanks for joining us at A Vintage Journey. Julia S-W

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  37. Your tag is just gorgeous!!! I love the collage and all the fun pieces...What a great way to showcase winged things! Thanks for joining us at Creative Carte Blanche!

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  38. Really really gorgeous! Love the beautiful bird, stunning. Amazing layers and so much goodness to view!~kim

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  39. Love this and then I saw the book page nest..now I LOVE it :)

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