Hi Folks,
First time posting here 
I actually made something!
I started with this Ornament (Now I am stuck as to how to finish it) Yup masking still on…
Then I engraved a cutting board (Now I am stuck as to how to finish it) Yup masking still on. Coasters are fine just the way they are.
I was hoping to use resin but looking for ideas if anyone has some.
At least I have gotten started so that is a win for me. I hope to post all kinds of work in the near future…
Thank you!
Hey, nice projects!
For the cutting board, I don’t know how you’ endup finishing it… But I would like to talk about masking.
For that kind of engraving I think you’ll probably get a lot of use out of 12 inch wide masking tape. The problem with using blue painters tape like that is that it’s really hard to get the seams correct and you’ll see that in your engrave. Wherever the tape is either doubled up or there is a gap you’ll actually notice it in the engrave.
Check out number two here for information about where to find 12 inch masking, I think you’ll really like it
Great first projects! Way better than anything I first made.
Great projects
Very nice!!
Great start! Welcome to the forum!
Nice start. There is definitely a time for research but there also comes a time to roll up your sleeves and just do it.
If I couldn’t be bothered to mask, I usually print “upside down” so the burn goes “up” on the finished piece. It’s often a desirable effect…
Welcome to the 
ohana!
Welcome to the forum! Great first projects! You could simply use acrylic paints or acrylic paint pens to color the ornament (nice design!). I’d probably leave the house the regular wood color, but paint the trees, moon, and the bottom white (for snow?). Maybe paint the chimney, door frame and window sills. As far as the cutting board, if you’re planning on actually using it to cut on, just be sure to cut on the other side so the engraving doesn’t get messed up (ask me how I know! 
). As far as finishing it, I would just be sure to treat it with cutting board oil.
Again, nice projects! Looking forward to seeing more of what you do!
I have that same ornament from Homestyle Customs - Laser Designs & Community. I painted the back black and splashed white dots on it for stars, painted the trees white for snow, the moon yellow, and the house different colors. The bottom part is also white with the text filled black.
Take care,
Barbara
Good Job, off to a great start.
Finally got the masking and some precut maple from THD. I have seen where some people have sealed the wood with Shelac or ??? I do plan on painting some of the pieces different colors so they are already to go for the project.
Thoughts on sealing the wood? I still have research and I am now bookmarking videos I watch with details or info I liked. (what a concept)
Thanks!!
Edited
Apologies, this is what I bought:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Columbia-Forest-Products-1-4-in-x-1-ft-x-1-ft-7-in-PureBond-Maple-Plywood-Project-Panel-10-Pack-4735/312106043
I have to say the description " 1/4 in. x 1 ft. x 1 ft. 7 in. PureBond Maple Plywood Project Panel (10-Pack)"
The pieces are 12 inched by 19 and 1/8th. Not sure what the “7 in” refers to…
yeah they are 12" x 19"
I often just do a clear spray either before or after printing.
My go-to for sealing/enhancing wood is pure tung oil mixed 50/50 with mineral spirits (the spirits help it dry faster). (click through for images and links)
19". Apparently they know how to type in “1/4 in.” but not “19 in.”, so they put it as “1 ft. 7 in.” 
Maybe they think people will think they’re getting a better deal by going, “Ooh, it’s over a foot long!”
Thanks!
I am tring a sanding seal since I already have it from a project I had done. Thank you for the link!
SO, I just learned I can reply more efficiently thanks to a popup from the forum! Even the forum knows I am a newbie.LOL
Anyway yeah I was confused by that…
If I had to guess I would say that most likely everything is done in inches or even metric and then converted and displayed a certain way based on rules. That’s how I would do it anyway, the Home Depot website probably takes the pay data and massages it into whatever format the marketing people think is more relatable or more profitable.
They may even look at your customer profile and change the displays rules based on how you tend to respond or your age or where you live. There’s no reason why they couldn’t and it might make them a little bit more money over time which adds up.
It’s kind of like how Netflix changes the movie poster that they display for you depending on your demographics. If you’ve watched a lot of Scarlett Johansson movies when they present the avengers movie they’ll probably put Scarlett’s poster up.
