Country Fairs Can be a Circus-A Peek-a-Boo-Project

Growing up in the Country we were excited when summer came and it was time for the Lycoming County Fair, as a youth I’d spend the week there walking the circuit and seeing who I could see, strange to think of now as I am a shy introverted individual. Back in the day there was a tent that was of the main pathway, hidden off to one corner behind the rides, it was the Sideshow or the Freak Show tent. It promised two headed chickens, five legged calves, alligator boy, conjoined twins, bearded ladies, and world’s strongest man. I was never brave enough to go inside nor willing to pay the fee with my hard-earned money. Now I’m intrigued by all such things and this is the inspiration for this installment.

 
Supplies:  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Arch Top Triptych 8 Inch, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Triptych-Arch Top, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Artist Trading Coins, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Trading Coin Covers Circus, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Number Cards, Circus Themed Papers- I Used Ciao Bella Greatest Show Collection, Pencil, Scissors, Weldbond, Ferro Metal Effect Paint-Copper, Gold, Steel, Plastic Spatula, TH Distress Stain-Crushed Olive, Bundled Sage, Mermaid Lagoon, Metal Clamps, Embossing Ink in Roller Applicator, Embossing Powders-I used Allure Mercury Rising, Wendy Vecchi Tree Branch, Ice Resin Garnet and Barnished Bronze, Mixed Media Funky Cold Patina and Satin Sunset, Heating Tool, Matte Varnish, Paintbrush,  Small Metal Hinges, Screwdriver, Awl, Miniature Screws, Weighted Bags-I Used Kitty Litter in Ziploc Bags

1.           I like mixing the sizes on my Triptychs for this I used Two  of the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Arch Top Triptych 8 Inch,  and one of the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Triptych-Arch Top.

2.           Use the back inside portion to trace and cut out paper you would like to use as the background.

3.           Cut Out and use Weldbond to Glue to GSLC Arch Top Frames.

4.           For the Top Frame Portion use a small plastic spatula to randomly apply Ferro Metal Effect Paint in Steel, Gold, and Copper.

5.           Once dry fill in the empty spaced with TH Distress Stains of Crushed Olives and Bundled Sage.

6.           Glue to frame to bottom securing with Weldbond.

7.           Hold securely into place using metal clips.

8.           While they are drying work on other components. I used Embossing ink in a Roller Applicator to apply Allure Mercury Rising Embossing Powder to the 1, 2, and 3 of the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Number Cards.

9.           Cure with a heating tool.

10.      Add TH Distress Stain of Mermaid Lagoon to fill in any empty spaces.

11.      Choose Scraps of paper to add a background to prepared numbers. Cut and Glue to back of Numbers with Weldbond.

 

12.      Choose Scraps of paper to add backgrounds to the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Artist Trading Coins. Trace with Pencil and Cut with Scissors.

13.      Secure into place using Weldbond.

14.      Use Embossing Ink in Roller Applicator and Embossing Powders like Wendy Vecchi Tree Branch, Ice Resin Garnet and Barnished Bronze, Mixed Media Funky Cold Patina to the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Trading Coin Covers Circus.

15.      Cure with a Heating tool.

16.      I wanted the Wendy Vecchi Tree Branch to be more dramatic and added Mixed Media Satin Sunset Embossing Powder and cured with a heating tool.

17.      Glue the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Trading Coin Covers Circus to the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Artist Trading Coins wit Weldbond. Secure into place with Metal Clips.

18.      Use Scraps of papers to add layers and details to back of GSLC Arch Frames and GSLC Number Cards.

 

 

19.      Once backs of Arch Frames are layered as you like use the same technique described in Step 4 and 5 above to unify the two sides.

 

20.      Seal quickly with a Matte Varnish and a paintbrush.

21.      Assemble Pieces layering with Weldbond to hold all securely into place.

22.      Allow to dry while completely flat and weighted down with something like kitty litter in Ziploc bags.

23.      Once fully dry add small metal hinges using an awl, screwdriver and miniature screws.

Some Final Thoughts…

“Life is a circus ring, with some moments more spectacular than others.” Janusz Korczak

“Just cause you got the monkeys off your back doesn’t mean the circus has left the town.” George Carlin

“So many freaks and not enough circuses!” Rachel Renee Russell

“We are all freaks. Yes! Alone in our rooms at night, we are weirdos and outcasts and losers. That is what ‘life’ is all about! Whether you admit or not, you are all worried that the others won’t accept you, that if the knew the real you, they would recoil in horror. Each of us carries with us a secret shame that we think is somehow unique…and if we are, each of us, freaks—then can’t we accept what’s different in each of us and move on?” James St. James

“We’re all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that’s all.” The Breakfast Club

“Just because everyone is behaving like a clown, it doesn’t mean you have to join the circus.” Matshona Dhliwayo
"If you ever start to feel like you have the goofiest, craziest, most dysfunctional family in the world, all you have to do is go to a state fair. Because in five minutes at the fair, you will be going, 'You know, we're alright. We are dang near royalty.'" Jeff Foxworthy

  

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Never Been a Beach Person-A Peek-a-Boo Project

I grew up in the country and my family rarely went on vacations. We would sometimes visit my Aunt Irene and Uncle Bob who lived in New Jersey. Their property must have been near the ocean as I remember they had sand instead of soil in their yard. They also had a bathroom that had “Naughty Mermaids” wallpaper in it, with their breasts a showing. I was also raised a strict Baptist so that bathroom always made me feel a bit uncomfortable.

I don’t remember seeing the ocean until I was in college and spent time on the beach then. I now live in Maryland and the ocean seems a lot closer, but it does not entice me. I am a mountain person but do the love the beaches of the New England Coastline and the Pacific Northwest, they seem more haunting and less crowded. This is perfectly suited for an introvert like me.

My partner and I enjoy going to antique stores looking for treasures that can be added to my mixed media art pieces. These Wooden Coaster have been waiting for an upgrade and are the inspiration for this instillation.

 

Supplies:  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Artist Trading Coins, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Trading Coin Covers Under The Sea, Found Sea Themed Wooden Coasters, Scraps of Sea Themed Papers like Authentic Sea Maiden Collection, Scissors, Pencil, Weldbond, Damp Cloth, Sandpaper Block, Glossy Accents, Paintbrush, Transparent Glitter, White Gesso, Colored Pencils, Random Acrylic Paints, Metal Clips, Rubbing Alcohol, Light Blue Alcohol Ink, Eyedropper, Hairspray

1.       Take apart the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Artist Trading Coins, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Trading Coin Covers Under The Sea.

2.        Use a Pencil to trace GSLC Trading Coins unto Scraps of Sea Themed Papers like Authentic Sea Maiden Collection. Then Cut with scissors.

3.       Use Weldbond to glue paper to GSLC Trading Coins.

4.       If they are not a perfect fit a quick rub with a damp cloth and a sandpaper block is an easy fix.

5.       Sometime when using the sandpaper block the paper peels, this also can be used to your advantage and should cause no aggravation.

6.       Coat quickly with Glassy Accents.

7.       While still wet randomly sprinkle with transparent glitter.

8.       Use White Gesso to lightly paint the GSLC Under the Sea Coin Covers.

9.       Randomly Color GSLC Under the Sea Coin Covers with Colored pencils.

10. Add depth and detailing using random acrylic paints.

11. Glue the GSLC Under the Sea Coin Covers to the prepared GSLC Artist Trading Coins using Weldbond.

12. Hold securely into place with metal clamps.

13. While they are drying use dry brush technique to add patina to the Wooden Coasters, I used Green Gold and a Medium Grey Acrylic Paints.

14. Glue prepared GSLC Trading Coins into Antiqued Wooden Coasters, securing into place using the metal clamps.

15. Once completely dry I added Soft Touch Varnish and One Step Crackle Finish to the coins to make them look like sea glass you might find along the beach.

16. Once they are fully dry, I added a wash of diluted blue alcohol ink to highlight the crackle.

17. I sealed everything with a quick coat of hairspray.

Some Final Thoughts.

I have found solitude and solstice on both the beach and in the woods. For me it tends to do with the amount of people at these locations. I would never intentionally go on vacation to the beach in summertime nor would I go to any of the National Parks at this time either. My soul is restored by time spent in nature and find inspiration whenever I partake in its offerings. No matter your preference I hope you find peace and joy wherever you find yourself as summer wanes into Autumn.