Father's Day Paper Weight Class by Melissa Baldwin

Adapted from a live online class


Melissa will be teaching how to make paperweights from our Ice Cube acrylic mounts. These are such a cool gift idea for your favorite Father, Grandfather, or Fur-Kid Father. Or really anyone
you want to give a special gift to!

Here is the supply list; Ice cube acrylic block Crystal lacquer photograph printed on text weight paper approx. the size of your acrylic block O'So Sticky Tape (to use if you want to add micro beads) Micro Beads (optional) Stamps and Ink ribbon (optional) brass charm and epoxy circle (optional)
Let's get started! The first thing you are going to want to
do is print out your photograph onto text weight paper. You
want everything that will be glued to the paperweight to be 
very flat. Then gather pattern paper and stamps, and
ribbon, and the glue we will be using is Crystal Lacquer.
Trim you pattern paper (I used Sublime Collection from
BasicGrey) and photograph to size.
Approach this project as you would a card or scrapbook
page... matt and layer!
Don't forget to accent with stamps! I stamped the word
"blessings" from our Spring Sentiments set, and a clover
leaf from the "cheerful wishes" set in black ink so that it 
will be seen easily through the acrylic.
Since this is a Father's day gift...shhhhh don't tell
"Husband"!! I stamped the word DAD with our typewriter
alphabet stamps, and punched out with our 1/2" punch. Easy!
Glue the letters down, and add a snippet of ribbon if you
would like.
Now is a good time to clean your acrylic block. I like to
use these alcohol pads. These little pads are also great
for cleaning your scissors. (Thanks for idea Stephanie!)
We are now ready to glue, so grab your Crystal Lacquer and
apply to the front of your design.
This is about how much glue you need.... I hope you can see 
it?
I just use my finger to "mush" it around. Be sure to cover 
all area's real well.
Turn over your glued image onto your acrylic block
Use an ink pad, or a bone folder to smooth the image down,
and get all the air bubbles out. You can flip it over to
see the air bubbles. Wipe away any excess glue with your
alcohol wipe or a damp rag.
Whala!... the Crystal Lacquer will dry crystal clear.
Now let's embellish! You can use all sorts of fun stuff on 
your paperweight... micro beads immediately come to mind. 
And I decided to use rick rack, a brass charm, and epoxy
circle on top of my paperweight.
The best way to adhere ribbon, rick rack, or micro beads is 
to use our O'So Sticky, red liner tape. That way... that
embellishment will not be going anywhere!! This shows me
applying 1/8" O'So Sticky.
Over lap the tape on the back a little bit.
Place your rick rack or ribbon over the sticky tape, and
there ya go!
I wanted to add another 3D embellishment to my paperweight, 
so I started out with one of our brass charms, and using an 
old pair of scissors I cut off the hanger. Be careful!! It
may go flying!
Here is the "before" and "after" shot
Then place an epoxy circle on top of the charm. These are 
the perfect size, and are self adhesive.
The epoxy circle will slightly magnify the engraved wording 
on the brass charm. Very cool!
Then just glue your charm to the paperweight using either
O'So Sticky, or a touch of Crystal Lacquer
To finish the back off nicely glue a piece of cardstock, or 
felt to the back of the paperweight. I used O'So Sticky on 
mine, or Yes! glue would work great too... just make sure
that you have glue or tape on all the edges.
Then show off your creation to your family!! Except to
Dad... wait until Father's day. This is sure to be a
treasured memento.