Create some sunshine...

Trying to hang onto the warmth and the sunshine as we move into August.  Just had to do one more summer project before I give into oak leaves and ghosts.  

Today, I'm using these fun suns and cute flip flops from Unique Laser Designs on a straw wreath that I wrapped with bulky blue variegated yarn.

Last month, Kimberly gave us some great ideas for ways to add color to our wood shapes from Unique Laser Designs (if you missed that post, you can see it HERE).  That got me thinking...how about nail polish?  Shining up these flip flops was my chance since I wanted to color them a bright green and I didn't have the right color in my box of acrylic paints.  Two coats did it--added color and shine all at once.

Then, I used a Copic marker to add the pink around the edge. Lastly I put a heaping ribbon of Tacky Glue on the straps and poured on pink super fine glitter (that took a while to dry).

Onto the suns...

The top sun, I painted with Ranger Distress Crackle in white and then after it dried I rubbed Wild Honey Distress Stain over it---I love, love, love how it turned out.

The swirly sun, I covered in Tacky Glue and then poured super fine yellow gold glitter over.

For the bottom sun, I painted it with a mustard yellow acrylic, then stamped it with Versamark ink using a chevron pattern stamp. Lastly I covered the wet ink with clear embossing powder and heated it up with a heat gun to get that powder to "rise and shine" (sometimes I crack myself up)!

So, I am definitely not ready to say goodbye to summer...we have a whole month of sunny goodness before the "s" word (school) is back in the vocabulary.  What's your August summer project?

~Kelly

Create for summer...

In my never-ending effort to have a year-ful of seasonal decorations (all hand-made by me), I am finally feeling like it is time to recognize summer.  My last day of school is tomorrow and I am THRILLED--ready for some relaxation and a whole lot of nothin'.

So, to celebrate...I used these banner shapes from Unique Laser Designs.  I covered them with patterned paper (from Close to My Heart) and added burlap letters, a vellum die-cut doily shape, and more wood summer shapes all from Unique Laser Designs.  

I colored the shapes (the cute bee, flowers, stars, ladybug, and watering can) with Copic markers.  I LOVE how the natural color of the wood softens the colors from the markers so that you get a subtle intensity.

For these daisies below, I covered them in white ink and then dipped them in UTEE a couple times to get an extra-thick shine.  I added clear buttons and white twine and I think they just scream SUMMER!

So, what are you screaming now that summer is finally arriving?
How about, "Can I have more crafty time please?!"

Don't forget, Unique Laser Designs is looking for their next design team---it could include YOU!
Check out the info HERE

~Kelly