A FEATHER PIN

Hi friends, Martha Lucia here with a Feather Pin for you. For today I want to create something different and this time my imagination give me a Pin.

Don´t think that this is a card. My pin is attached to the card but before I explain all the details let me show you how beautiful the designs of all the Feathers are that you can find in Unique Laser Designs Store. They come in a package of 6, 2 of each model and in two different sizes, 2" and 4".

I started my project using the Feathers in MDF version. They are available in MDF, chipboard and cork. My first step was to apply GooseBumps directly over the feather and let it dry for a few minutes to give it a little more texture. On the third photo you will note the difference between a natural feather (left side) and the feather with the GooseBumps.

I started to give it color using four different colors of Gelatos. I began with the soft to dark color and I applied the color with my finger tips. I used the brush paint only to clean the spaces inside the feather.

Now you will see how looks my feather after I all the color was applied and how the GooseBumps gave to it a little texture.

To create the base of my pin I used a canvas fabric that I cut with a Circle Die and decorated with some Sequins, Tulle Ribbon and Thick Backer´s Twine. I attached my feather to this using silicone. And behind it all I put a  little clothespin. 

To finalize my idea, I created a base card to attach my pin and present it to you.

Materials:

• Feathers - Unique Laser Designs Store
• Gelatos - Faber Castell
• GooseBumps
• Canvas Fabric
• Tulle Ribbon
• Sequins
• Thick Baker´s Twine
• Silicone
• ClothesPine
• Cardstock

See you the next week with another unique idea because with the products of Unique Laser Designs the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

Martha Lucia

Glittery Gingerbread Ornament Teacher Gifts

I always love to make something special for all my kids teachers especially for Christmas.  This year it was more about the outside of the gift than the inside, but the inside had some really yummy homemade peanut butter chocolate crunch bars.  We ended up giving these glittery gifts to more than just the kids teachers, we also gave some to the principals at my eldest school.

I used the wonderful 6 piece set of Gingerbread Ornaments from Unique Laser Designs as the base for the for these gifts.  Each ornament comes with its own string to hang up on the tree, they are all unique, really perfect just on their own, but I decided to glitter them up.  Below is a tutorial on how to glitter these fun little ornaments with this amazing Sparkle Medium.

  Techniques for Glittering Intricate Chipboard or Wood

1) Start with the chipboard or wood of your choice (these are wood).  I used these cute little Gingerbread ornaments, but as you can see there are lots of cutouts in the men, and that is what gives them their charm, but hard to glitter without getting in all the crevasses.  Below are some tips.

2) If you just do a light coat with the glitter (like below), it looks great, but for these gifts I wanted a complete coverage so I needed to apply a thick coat of Sparkle Medium to the entire surface.

3) Once you apply the thick coat of sparkle medium with a foam brush it covers up most of the details of the ornament, but that is an easy fix!!  Hint- only do one side of the ornament at a time so it has time to dry and not smudge.

4) Using needle, thumb tack, paper piercer, or other long thin object (I used my paper piercer and cleaned it up really well after) poke the tip into the holes of your object to scrape out the extra glitter inside.  You may have to do this a few times in the front and back of each hole, wiping away the extra that builds up with the foam brush.  This step takes some time, but really worth it in the end.

5) It takes about 2-3 hours to dry due to the thick layer or glitter medium applied, but they look amazing when they are done.  They are now super sparkly and perfect for these gift bags.

6) I used plain lunch bags as the base for the gifts.  I filled the bags with the yummy homemade treats, folded over the top a couple of times (squeezing out the air) and stapled it at the top.  I then took a hole punch and punched 2 holes at the top and used green satin ribbon and laced it through the holes tying a simple bow lacing the ornament string in as I tied the bow and let it hang down the bag.

These gifts are filled with homemade goodies, topped with a homemade glittery ornament, and place in a homemade gift bag.  It is a simple gift, but it is one from the heart to show my kid's teachers just how much I appreciate them.  When I taught the best presents given to me were the ones that were made not just a simple gift card, it meant so much more that the parent or student took the time to create something for me - straight from the heart, and years later those are the presents I remember and still have!!

Supplies Used

Wood - ULD

Glitter- Imagination Crafts

Ribbon - May Arts

Foam Brush - Plaid

Paper Bag

Hole Punch

Staples

Paper Piercer

Enjoy!!

We All Need To Wag More

I'm excited to bring you my final project for the Unique Laser Designs team.  I have been guest designing for a couple of months now and I have been inspired and left speechless by the beautiful creations put together by the other ladies on this time.  They are certainly a wonderfully talented group!

The first time I reviewed the Unique Laser Designs catalog of products there was one piece that immediately caught my eye.  It's the Unique Laser Designs Wag More Bark Less die cut.  I love this saying and the way these simple words are designed are too cute to pass up.  For for my last project, I knew I needed to feature this product.

Here's what the MDF die cut looked like before I started to work my magic.

While the piece looks amazing in its natural state, I choose to paint the words black and use it in combination with one of the newer Graphic 45 lines, "Raining Cats and Dogs".

I purchased this bare frame for a dollar and then covered it with a patterned paper and embellishments from G45.  I then added the Unique Laser Designs Wag More Bark Less piece to the top.  

This inspiring saying fits perfect with this classy line from G45.  I plan to give the frame as a gift to a friend that just rescued a middle-aged Lab from our local animal shelter. 

I hope you are inspired by this project and it gives you a chance to get your fingers a little inky! 

Stay Scrappy My Friends,

P.S. And, remember to wag more and bark less!!!

Just a Note

Hi everyone!  Once we are closing in on November, I start thinking of fun little ideas for gifts or even favors for holiday gatherings and parties.  I love something I can make quick, easy, yet cute!  Even better if I can slip a gift card inside!  This project is a perfect example:

These note pads are very easy to make, which means you can make a lot of them quickly for a great little gift that anyone can use.  You can personalize them to any occasion by using different patterned papers.  I used a fall theme for this one.

The Unique Laser Designs Music Notes are a perfect touch to give them a little extra pizzazz!  These are the ULD pieces I used:

                                          W-1071L Music Notes 1"

Even better....since it's a set of 10, you can make at least three note pads with one set.  Again, great for making a large amount....you could even use a personal name instead of the word "notes" and they could be used as place cards at a party.

The base is simply a 8" by 3&1/4" piece of cardstock, scored at 3", 3&1/2", 6&1/2" and  7".  Here's a peek at the inside....it holds a standard size post-it note pad:
 

The closure is a piece of ultra thin velcro....but regular velcro works just as well.

On the music notes, I used Walnut Stain Distress Paint and then when dry, brushed Black Soot Distress ink on the edges to give the notes some depth and shading....again, I was thinking quick and easy so I can make a lot of these:

Thanks for stopping by the blog today....hope you are inspired to get that holiday crafting started....a lot of great ideas in the Unique Laser Designs store....check back soon for more ideas!