Christmas Carol Lantern- Home Decor with the Flying Unicorns

Flying Unicorns Off the Page Home Decor for July with "A Christmas Carol"

The OTP (Off the Page )altered project for July was really cool - a bit unusual and fascinating.  I looked at it and it brought images of the "Christmas Carol" to my mind so I had my sweet little Julie Nutting dolls help me create my mini carolling scene.   

This piece is available in my ETSY shop while it lasts.  You can see it here.    I also have 30% off all items in my ETSY shop through Labor Day - Sept 4th.  Use code "KITTY30" at checkout.  

The metal lantern is from Darice and stands only  3.5 x 3.5 x 7.5 inches so I had to use the smaller children doll stamps by Julie Nutting.  I chose Toby and the little girl.  

  

I wanted the little girl to have a long Victorian styled dress so I made extra ruffles for her skirt and gave her a cape wrap instead of a shirt.  If you scroll down the page, I'll show you how to adapt your Nutting doll stamps to work well with an "off the page" project and yet be durable. 

Papers and flowers are from the Prima Victorian Christmas collection by Frank Garcia. 

How did I make the dolls? 

Julie Nutting's doll stamps are meant to be used in a variety of ways and not for just tags.  Sure tags are fun, but then so is any project you make with the little darlins.  

The real trick to using them on "Off the Page " projects is to make them as durable as possible so they do not bend.    This is how I accomplish that:

Step 1.  I stamp the doll shape twice and cut both out.  One shape will be for the front and the second for the back. This is the "Toby" doll stamp. 

 Step 2.  Go ahead and decorate the front of your doll as you desire.  Leave the second blank for now. 

 Step 3.  Once the front of the doll is done, ink all the edges of the second doll - both front and back.   This is in preparation for making a doll "sandwich".  When I glue the two dolls together, I do not see any white edges.  The project blends nicely. 

 Step 4.  After the edges of the second doll are inked, it's time to give the doll some "legs" to stand on.  

I love wood barbeque skewers.  They are inexpensive and I use them almost every time I craft.  Today they are going to become the "backbone" of my dolls.  haaaaaaa.  Little wood doll stamp humor.    Cut the skewers to fit head to toe and glue to the doll.  

Yes you do want to have the stamped side facing up.  This is the side you want to use when adding the wood skewers.  

 Step 5.   After the skewers are in place, you can go ahead and glue the sandwich together.  You may need to hold the edges together as they dry.  Once dry, you can continue to dress the back of the dolls. I just stamp the clothes and flip them around to use the backside if I do not want a lot of clothing detail.   

Here are the rest of the close ups of the finished lantern and "Christmas Carol " scene. 

Here are more close ups of the lantern and the whole piece. 

 I added Prima's snowflake paste to the lantern and embellishments after I was done to give that snowy winter feel.  It's also topped with a bunch of Prima products from the Victorian Christmas collection by Frank Garcia.  

Thanks for stopping by.  The Flying Unicorn kits move fast.  If you missed the kit already, you may want to think about the pre-order option avail starting the 20th of each month.  This provides you with a complete look at all the items and products contained in the kit.  You have 48 hours to purchase.  Now that's a great deal.  All the details can be found right here. 

Don't forget to visit my ETSY shop for 30% off everything

 (use code "KITTY30" at checkout).  

The lantern can be seen here and everything else is here. 

Products Used
Flying Unicorns July Kit - Your Passion Your Art
Darice Lantern
Prima Julie Nutting - Toby Stamp
Prima Julie Nutting - Little Girl -910600
Prima Frank Garcia Victorian Christmas - Flowers Midnight Kiss 583460
Prima Frank Garcia Victorian Christmas - Flower Rudolph's Nose 583477
Prima Frank Garcia Victorian Christmas - A4 paper pad
Prima Snowflake Paste

Altered Seahorse with Flying Unicorn and Prima/Frank Garcia

MAY Your Passion Your Art - May Kit from the Flying Unicorns

It's finally here...the May kit from the Flying Unicorns.  

***********If you missed out on the kit ( it does sell out monthly and quite quickly too!) - then consider our  "never fail" option of pre-ordering on the 20th of every month.  ***************

The wonderful amazing jammed packed kit.  Filled with Prima products, Prima's French Riviera Collection by Frank Garcia, and a heaping big box of embellishments. I love when my favorite kit is filled with wonderful papers from Frank Garcia. 

This month featured the coolest Off the Page piece I've seen is a while.  It's a large  paper mache Seahorse from Bare Naked Crafts.  

Below is the transformation from unfinished to framed.  Once I was done with it, I decided it needed more of a showcase type base,  so I bought a frame and took the glass out.  

I took the glass out of the frame and instead lined the photo mat with Prima paper from the French Riviera collection by Frank Garcia.  The paper is from the kit as well.  

I used the leftover paper pieces from the sheet and cut tiny sections of paper to use in the spine of the seahorse.  I glued each piece down with Prima's soft matte gel medium.  This gel medium is perfect for the paper mache project.  

WARNING:  It's really important to read the instructions that come with this paper mache piece.  

The instructions say not to saturate with a lot of moisture....that means limited misting, water colors, paints and spritzing.  This particular style of paper mache will indeed warp and rip with a lot of moisture.  

I stuck with products with low moisture - Tim Holtz Distress Ink and Prima's Soft Matte Gel Medium.

My finishing touches on the piece were  Prima Memory Hardware Pearls by Frank Garcia as well as Prima's Glass Beads and MicroBeads.   The larger gold and burgundy pearl beads are the Memory Hardware pearls.  I love them.

I adhered them also by using "gobs" of Prima's Soft Matte Gel Medium as glue.
OK gonna get technical here for a moment..... Do this by globbing dabs of gel medium into the seahorse using my finger ( or a paint brush if you prefer) - then dropping the pearl , glass beads or microballs into place.    Let air dry.  Works like a champ BUT you need to "gob" the gel on.  No worries because it does dry clear.

This is what it looked like before being set onto the frame. 

Time is precious.  I value the time you spent here.  Thanks so much for stopping.  I value your feedback. 

If you missed out on the kit ( it does sell out monthly and quite quickly too!) - then consider our  "never fail" option of pre-ordering on the 20th of every month.  





Products Used:
Flying Unicorns May Kit for the Month - Your Passion Your Art
Bare Naked Crafts - Paper Mache Seahorse
990787 P rima12x12 French Riviera-Journees De Rives et Aventures 990787
990381 Prima Memory Hardware - Pearls 
961428 Prima Soft Matte Gel Medium
962579 Prima Micro Beads - Copper 
963934 Art Ingredients Glass Bead Set 963934
584269 Prima Confection Watercolor Pan - Tropicals
Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Vintage Photo

My Little Piece of Summer ( Altered Home Decor)

My Little Piece of Summer ( Altered Decor)

This is my altered art for the month of February using the Flying Unicorns kit.  A wonderful unique item is included in the Flying Unicorn "Your Passion Your Art" main kit each month.  This month's "Off the Page " (or OPT as we like to call it) project was a cool large wooden  sign from Darice.  

Here is a photo of the "before".  It's really a beautiful piece on it's own.  But the fun part of the OTP is taking the item and enhancing it to something personal and extraordinary - artful if you will. 

February is the time to sit and let love into your heart. With that, we know you'll just love this month's perfect "Off the Page" piece. The "Off the Page", or "OTP" as we call it, is included in every main kit. Now that's a LOT of love!

 I decorated the Darice OTP with a beachy theme because the beach is the place where I feel at peace, and refreshed.  It's a much beloved place for my husband and me.  The shells and small coral pieces included in this piece are shells that I found and brought home from Florida.  

Scroll down and I will show you how I altered this piece. 

Step 1.This home decor piece comes pre-painted with a black finish.  The first step in altering and changing the color is to prime it.  I am priming mine with gesso.  When the gesso dries, it has a rough surface that grabs and holds paint.  

A foam brush is perfect for getting into nooks and tight spots. Plus you can can rinse out the foam brush and re-use on step 2.  

Step 2.  I wanted to add some sand colored warmth to my piece so I added chalkboard paint. This is Prima's Chalkboard Paint in Sand Color.  I did not let this dry before moving on to step 3.  

Step 3 I went ahead and accented the piece with some light blue chalk paints before the sand color dried.  I wanted the paints to blend.   I used Prima's Chalkboard paint in Egg Blue and Sea Breeze. 

Step 4  After the paint was thoroughly dry, I glued the hemp rope to the piece.  I used strong glue that really holds the test of time.  I chose Beacons 3-in-1.  It dries clear, quickly and provides a strong bond. 

I did not use a hot glue gun.  Why?  Simple...hot glue does not form a lasting bond.  In a matter of time, the glue breaks down and your gorgeous creation will lose it's embellishments, rope and beauty.  No good.  Not my suggestion.  

Step 5.  I wanted to add a sandy, chunky texture to my piece so I slathered on the Texture Paste in White Sand by Prima.  It looks like sea foam to me.  

You definitely need to let this dry before moving on.  

Step 6. Last step before adding embellishments was to give this piece a sun bleached, salty weathered look.  I painted white acrylic paint lightly onto the piece  -  the hemp rope, the base, the back, and sides.  When I felt the acrylic paint was too thick, I watered it down a bit by mixing the paint and water on my craft mat as in the photo below. 

Some folks may use gesso in this step.  I did not. I tried, then decided to go for acrylic paint instead.  I felt the gesso was too light and did not provide the results I wanted.    

Time to decorate. 

I had some pretty gold weave trim that I glued in place, twisting and turning it as I glued it to the wood.  The twisted trim adds movement to the piece, like a gentle wave that breaks and leaves a frothy path as it hits the sand.

In this photo you can see  I added  a few Prima's Crystals (SIIC) tucked here and there for accent, flowers from Petaloo that reminded me of coral and floral berries

In this photo you can see more Prima crystals, some beach shells and coral.  All of my embellishments are attached with the Beacon's glue as well.  I want them to last and stay attached. 

Thanks for stopping for a visit.  I appreciate your support.  

Kits and Add On Kits are limited

so do not delay in getting yours!

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Stop in and say hello!
Plan a day trip! Crops -Classes-Fun

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Tel: 850.270.6366 Toll Free 800.231.7119

Flying Unicorns "Your Passion Your Art" February
Darice Wooden "Love" word
Gesso
Prima Chalk Board Paint - Sand 577148
Prima  Chalk Board Paint Egg Blue 577216
Prima  Chalk Board Paint - Sea Breeze 577230
Prima Atr Extravagance - Texture Sand - White  961473
Prima SIIC  576226
Petaloo Flowers Textured Teal Blossoms 1256208

Create a Custom Drink Coaster Set - LemonCraft and Flying Unicorns

Custom Drink Coaster Set - from the Flying Unicorns and LemonCraft

January is a month to start a'fresh. This month, the Unicorns have the perfect "Off the Page" piece to help keep everything around you fresh as well. Included in every main kit is this handy unfinished, wooden coaster set.  Your job is to finish it any way you choose... as a gift for someone? Custom crafted for your home?  You decide. 

Make sure you scroll down to see two Giant tips when making this project. 

1.  The first tip is to create this project to last- even when you dribble your coffee or tea on it.  (whoops that probably just me that spills and dribbles).

2.  Second tip?  It's really super important...so keep reading and you'll thank me.

This is how it started.  I added the mug as a visual in case folks were not quite sure what a drink coaster set was.

I wanted something delicate, elegant and perfect for a sweet gift.  My obvious paper choice was LemonCraft from Poland...the House of Roses collection.  You can find all the collection right here at the Flying Unicorns.  While I used the House of Roses collection, trust that each collection is equally gorgeous, delicate and super sensational.  Just take a peek for yourself!   See the beauty right here. 

Here's my super important  project tip #1!

Other than the beautiful papers and the wood coaster set, then next most important product in this project is to use some sort of medium that will nicely adhere the paper to the wood, but then seal the paper as well as the wood to protect from the beverages that may get spilled and drip and slopped.  Not sure about your household, but in my household, that is all too real a scenario. 

Add a generous coating of gel medium to protect everything.  You can use the gel medium as the glue to hold the paper to the project.   13Arts makes a great gel medium - you can find it here.   

Is it easy to use?  

Is it easy to use?  Oh heck yes!  I'm going to take a moment to talk about the wonderful properties of gel medium and how to apply it to projects.   

First the properties:

As the description reads: Water - dilatable medium, waterproof and transparent when dry. Can be used as an all-purpose glue, image transfer, sealer, paint extender, and it create glazes and textures. You can apply it with masks and stencils or with different tools. You can mix it with acrylic paints and water color inks Achieve a gel. 

On projects like this, I use it as a glue to hold my paper in place by using a layer of gel under the paper the same way I'd use glue. Then I paint a layer of gel over the paper to seal it in place.  

 How to Apply the Gel:

I apply the gel to all parts of the project with an inexpensive foam brush.  They can be purchased anywhere and come in a variety of sizes.        

  I use the foam brush because:

• it has great coverage  - it can cover my project surface faster than a paint brush
• applies the gel smoothly without brush strokes that a paint brush can leave
• it seems to be able to squish into corners and little spaces where paint brushes  would need a bit more finesse
• yes you can even wash it out and reuse it - BUT for those of us on the lazy side, you can toss it out without guilt. 

  Confession time - I am the world's worst person when it comes to cleaning paint brushes.  I'm simply too lazy, or inattentive, or unconcerned, or whatever - pick your adjective.  BUT the foam brush is so cheap that I have no guilt when it gets hard and crusty.  Yeah for that! Boot -out it goes. 

Back to the project.  The papers chosen make such a difference here in the look you want to achieve.  I wanted more of a victorian tea time look - with a touch of elegance and grace.  Hmmm does that even make sense?  In my head it does.  LemonCraft is the only paper I can think of that would create that result. 

I wanted each individual coaster to be different but still be a cohesive set.   

Here's my super important  project tip #2!

Keep your coasters flat!   I repeat - keep your coasters flat! 

As much as you may want to add textures, stencils, molding pastes, lace, trim, flowers, micro beads, glitter, lots of paper layers, and whatnot.....don't do it!  Nope , just walk away and leave the embellishments on your scrapping table.  No coffee cup or wine glass will ever sit flat.  No good will ever come from that.  You'll be destined to messy catastrophes - unless you simply are determined to test the waterproof properties of the gel medium.  

Here are the details of the floral cluster up close.  I chose fabric flowers for the simple reason that once again, if a beverage drips on them, they do not get destroyed as a paper flower would.  

Kits and Add On Kits are limited

so do not delay in getting yours!

and stop by for all your new LemonCraft goodies too!  Divine! 

Supplies:
Flying Unicorns - Your Art Your Passion Main kit for Jan
Darice Wood Coaster Set ( included in the Main Kit) 9190-111
LemonCraft from Poland - House of Roses collection 
13Arts Clear  Transparent Gel Medium
LemonCraft - House of Roses Buttons
Lace
Prima Lyric Flowers 564452
Petaloo Spring Berry Cluster Pink 1105101 but these are great too
Hemp Twine
Floral Berries

June Flying Unicorn OTP

Canvas Techniques

Flying Unicorn is celebrating the start of those lazy days of summer. June's "Your Passion Your Art" features a 13Arts collection that really feels like a warm relaxing summer day - hazy, warm and dreamy. Without further adieu we offer you our June - Your Passion. Your Art kit of the Month

 Included in each Main Kit, is always a fun and unique "off the Page " item. We have the perfect "Off the Page" piece to help celebrate - a sweet wooded lighthouse. 

I decided to make a shadow box scene by combining the black canvas from the Mixed Art kit for June and the OTP from the main kit. 

I painted my canvas first.  Then decided to add my lighthouse.  I toyed with cutting the thing in half.  Decided that it was not realistic.  

Yeah - it was quite the challenge to get that lighthouse into the backside of the canvas. It did involve a few impolite words I must admit.  It also involved a  significant amount of persuading and ultimately some gentle pounding with a mallet.   Alas - my sweet wooden lighthouse is never coming free from this wooden canvas frame.  It is wedged very snugly. 

With that, I proceeded to gussy and decorate. 

Part of my gussying included 2Crafty chippies.  One of the pieces was a most amazing recent release -the anchor shown below. 

ATC Tiny Hearts & Stars act041

2Crafty Anchors m00572

Don't hesitate in picking up your June's "Your Passion Your Art.  They sell our super quick.