To say I am happy to see 2020 fade into the sunset is a huge understatement. Never in my life could
I have imagined a year so full and angst and frustration. In my 32 years of
teaching it was by far my most challenging year. We started out teaching virtually
to a group of students we have never met face to face, they on their devices
appearing as a colored lettered circle on my laptop Google Meet. We finally
went to a hybrid model which was even worse than the original all virtual model
as I was teaching a group of students socially distanced in my classroom 6 feet
apart, while simultaneously I had another group of student learning virtually.
Ok I missed out going to
the sale of our family homestead, that had been our family for over 80
years. I have not been back to
Pennsylvania since last spring. When I
return my childhood home will no longer be ours. I have photographs and
memories I'll need to process when I am able to go pay my last respects.
I had wounds on my feet that would not heal and I could not enjoy a quiet early morning walk
through my newly discovered older neighborhood from early in the pandemic. I
would take walks through the narrow streets and alleyways seeking signs of
life, beholding bits or beauty, and hunting for hints of hope.
All of our art shows were canceled and time in my studio
making my creations came to a screeching halt in September. This project is one
of my first attempts at being creative again.
I am still very weary from the journey as I still go into
school to teach my students virtually from my classroom, trying to convey any
sense of normalcy. I have tried to stay
positive and maintain balance and a sense of humor. This is the long introduction, to my longest
titled blog post to date and the inspiration for this cheeky banner.
Supplies:
Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Number Cards, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Corona Shapes, white acrylic paint, paintbrush, Infusion Walnut Stains-Rusty Car, Lemoncello,
Slime, Emerald Green, Spray Bottle of Water, Heating Tool, Weldbond Glue, Thick
Black Cardstock, Waxed Paper, Heavy Book, Scissors, Letter Pieces, Eyelets,
Crop-A-Dile Eyelet and Snap Punch, Decorative Ribbon, Scotch Tape, Decorative
Paper, Matte Gel Medium
1.
Gather your
supplies, we will start with the GSLC Number Cards and white acrylic paint.
1. On a
protective surface quickly cover the
GSLC Number Cards with white acrylic paint we are not aiming for perfection but
want some of the chipboard to show through. Be sure to paint on both sides as
this will help the chipboard to stay flat.
2. While paint is
still wet sprinkle with Infusion Walnut Stains- I used Rusty Car, Lemoncello,
Slime, and Emerald Green.
3. Spray gently with
spray bottle. Can set with a heating tool if you so desire. I do because I am
an impatient artist.
4. Use Weldbond to
attach prepared GSLC Number Cards to Thick Black Cardstock.
5. Cover with waxed
paper.
6. Allow to dry fully
pressing down with heavy books.
7. While the GSLC
Number Cards are drying using the same process described above to paint and
patina your GSLC Corona Shapes. Do not cut out individual pieces but paint in its
entirety. Once fully dry carefully remove desired pieces.
8. When GSLC Corona Shapes are dry cut them apart with scissors.
9. Once all GSLC
Number Cards are separated lay out the GSLC Corona Shape Pieces you want to use on
each slide. 10. Find Alphabet Paper
set and choose the letters to spell the phrase of your choosing. 11. Assemble cards
using Weldbond to attach each piece, cover with waxed
paper, allow to dry flat
a fully being weighted down with heavy books.
Next we will use Crop-A-Dile
Eyelet and Snap Punch to punch holes into the top corners adding decorative
eyelets in a variety of colors.12. Use decorative
ribbon to attach the completed GSLC Number Cards. I put ribbon
through the front of the cards and taped down with scotch table
13.As I did not want
the scotch tape to show I cut pieces of decorative paper to
seal in the tape
and give the back of the cards a more finished appeal.
Some Final Thoughts.
There are many songs I could use to end this
post, Over the Rhine-Don't Let The Bastards Get
You Down, Simon & Garfunkel-Bridge Over Troubled
Water, Tracy Chapman-Fast Car, Seal-Crazy among
others. The title is taken from an oldie Steam-Na Na Na Na, Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey Hey,
Kiss Him Goodbye. Any of these songs could adequately describe
by salutations to 2020. May we find ourselves in a better brighter world
soon.
