Bring a little nature inside and welcome Spring with this fun, handmade nest. My Papertrey Ink tips and tricks post for you today explains how to whip up a few of these handmade embellishments.
You'll just need a few supplies including: the Rick Rack Border die, Classic Kraft and Simply Chartreuse felt, burlap, and the Delightful Dahlia die. I'll walk you through the process below, but first, here are a few projects I've created putting this sweet, handmade nest to use.
My first project uses the nest on a dressed up seed packet cut using the Seed Packet die, glassine from a large glassine bag, the Seed Packet Frame die with the coordinating Garden Variety II stamp set stamped in Aqua Mist and Sweet Blush. I also used the To You From Me stamp set just inside the open window on the Seed Packet Frame die using white and Zing Blush embossing powder.
This tag fits perfectly inside and was cut using vintage sheet music matted to cardstock to make it nice and sturdy. I used the Tag Sale #1 die along with the Limitless Layers: 1 3/4" Circles and the Trendy Tree Tops dies, and Sweet Blush Gingham paper. Once again I used the To You From Me stamp set on my Trendy Tree Tops die and stamped my sentiment in Classic Kraft ink using the Tag-Its #3 stamp set for my sentiment.
Vintage Cream Twill was used at the top along with an aged White & Cream button and felt leaf cut from Simply Chartreuse felt using the Lovely Layers die.
I attached this nest to the top of a paper mache egg box covered in vintage sheet music.
I stamped a tag cut from Rustic Cream cardstock using the Tiny Tags die and using a sentiment from the Friendship Jar Spring Fillers stamp set and Classic Kraft ink.
Lastly, I attached this handmade nest to the top of a spool of Rustic Cream Button Twine. I used Aqua Mist felt leaves on it just to switch it up a bit. I added a Tiny Tag stamped with a sentiment from the To You From Me stamp set.
A few trinket pins and glittered eggs create a perfect little nest to enjoy.
Now, here's how to put your own felt nests together.
Step 1: Cut 2 strips from Classic Kraft felt using the Rick Rack Border die and one strip of burlap the same width and length.
Step 2: Braid the 2 rick rack border strips and the strip of burlap together in a loose braid.
Step 3: Beginning in the center, adhere the braided strips of felt and burlap to a circular base, which is Classic Kraft felt cut using the Love Lives Here die. Wind and twist the braided strips moving from the inside of the circle, out.
Step 4: Adhere the ends of the braided strips to the underside of the base. Your burlap will have come undone a bit with pieces poking up and out of the weave, but that's just the effect you're looking for in your nest.
Step 5: Cut 4 small triangles from the burlap. They don't need to be nice and even or perfect. The more random, the better.
Step 6: Adhere the 4 burlap triangles around the outside of the nest.
Step 7: Fill your nest with eggs, candy, beads, even buttons. I chose to use small, speckled, plastic eggs purchased HERE. I wanted them to stand out from the nest, so I used my Copic Markers to transform them. I used BG32 Aqua Mint on these particular eggs, but used RV11 Pink, and G12 Sea Green on the eggs shown in the other projects. I coated each egg with a bit of Martha Stewart fine glitter after and adhered them inside the nest.
Step 8: Cut 2 leaves from Simply Chartreuse felt using the Delightful Dahlias die. Add hand stitching if you want to bring in more color and a cozy, homespun feel. Adhere the leaves to the underside of the nest.
That's it...hope you'll give these a try! I'd love to see how your handmade nests turn out.
Thanks so much for your visit.
Melissa
Beautiful and so creative - thanks!
Posted by: Joyce | March 22, 2013 at 04:24 AM
Whoa!! Amazing and so beautiful, Melissa! I just adore you! xo Love that seed packet and the paper mache egg, just gorgeous!!!!
Posted by: Danielle Flanders | March 22, 2013 at 04:24 AM
Gorgeous project and exactly what I was looking for!!
Thanks so much for sharing!!
Have a great weekend.
Bye from the Netherlands,
Marjolein
Posted by: Marjolein | March 22, 2013 at 04:31 AM
Oh my. Stunning with loads of texture. Love it. Thanks for the great detailed instructions.
Posted by: Jodi e | March 22, 2013 at 05:47 AM
You are such a creative genius! Everything you create turns out so pretty. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Dorine Ho | March 22, 2013 at 05:51 AM
All sweet but really love the nest on the spool!
Posted by: jan m | March 22, 2013 at 05:51 AM
Very pretty!
Posted by: Joyce | March 22, 2013 at 05:57 AM
Melissa,
These are just so lovely! I really love your style so much. It always conveys love and home to me. Thank you for sharing this wonderful tutorial with us and your beautiful little treasures.
Elaine Allen
Posted by: Elaine Allen | March 22, 2013 at 06:00 AM
This is one of the sweetest projects I have ever seen--Melissa, you're a gift to beauty-lovers everywhere!
Posted by: Debbie Olson | March 22, 2013 at 06:01 AM
The combination of felt and burlap for the nest is genius!! Love all of your projects today. Just beautiful!!
Posted by: Karen Corbett | March 22, 2013 at 06:04 AM
*Gasp...... beautiful - thank you for all the photographs too, it's wonderful to be able to see jow these little masterpieces come together :)
Posted by: janet wilson | March 22, 2013 at 06:10 AM
STUNNINGLY GORGEOUS!!!!
Thanks so much for the tutorial Melis!
Posted by: Holly Saveur | March 22, 2013 at 06:15 AM
These are so beautiful! I love the muted colors for Easter!
Posted by: Betty Sue | March 22, 2013 at 06:20 AM
Gosh, this is fabulous, Melis! My daughter loves them, too!
Posted by: Leigh Penner | March 22, 2013 at 06:37 AM
Oh how lovely, so truly Melissa style. Absolutely gorgeous.
Posted by: MarieL | March 22, 2013 at 06:41 AM
These are the cutest nests I have ever seen!! LOVE THEM!! Thanks so much for sharing your AMAZING talent with us! The detailed photos were just perfect too! Thanks so much for all the inspiration.
Posted by: Marci | March 22, 2013 at 07:12 AM
These are so very sweet! Thanks for the tutorial. Now I know what to use my burlap ribbon for!
Posted by: Lynn Darda | March 22, 2013 at 08:01 AM
I so love that little spool!
Posted by: kim n | March 22, 2013 at 08:03 AM
Oh, I do love these little nests, Melissa! The egg covered in the sheet music!!!...gotta do that! Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Geri | March 22, 2013 at 08:56 AM
Oh these are so darling! I will be receiving my order today and will have to make some these. Thank you for all of your inspiration.
Posted by: Elizabeth S. | March 22, 2013 at 08:56 AM
So pretty and special. I love the nest on the spool. This would be a fun little gift to leave behind at a special friend's house. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Mary Anne Perlmutter | March 22, 2013 at 08:57 AM
These are just ADORABLE, my friend!! You did such an amazing job! Perfectly spring :)
Posted by: Meredith | March 22, 2013 at 09:16 AM
Such a sweet and simple idea. I just made one and think I'll turn it into a pin. Great for teacher gifts too!
Posted by: Kim | March 22, 2013 at 09:48 AM
These are simply delightful Melissa! Thanks for sharing with us ;)
Posted by: Lisa | March 22, 2013 at 10:28 AM
What beautiful harbingers of Spring. Thanks so much for the fun how-to. So many fun ways to treat some special people. Happy Weekend!
Posted by: Troy Louise | March 22, 2013 at 11:28 AM