Faucet Flowers-A Peek-a-Boo Project

   

A nostalgia image of summer is kids splashing in a open fire hydrant or a lawn sprinkler. Growing up in the country I had my own summer fun as a creek was just across the road from our family homestead. We would spend our summer days building dams, looking for crayfish, or making our way to our favorite swimming holes. The homestead was sold last year and the renovations to the old home are bringing new life into the estate. My parents grew up in the Depression era and were frugal with their belongings. We were upcycling before it was trendy.  It is these memories and hopes for the new owners that inspire this artwork.  

Supplies:  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Waterworks Shape Set, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Gears Shape Set, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Propellers, Upcycled Christmas Wall Plaque, Metallic Paints-I Used Lumiere Metallic Rust, Metallic Copper, and True Gold,  Large Plastic Spatula, Cosmic Shimmer Gilding Flakes, Matte Gel Medium, Chili Powder, Nutmeg, Aqua Net Hairspray, Seth Apter WOW Embossing Powders-Crusty Copper, Weathered Gold, Etched Platinum, Heat Tool, Acrylic Paints-Green, Blue, Pink Tones, Paintbrush,  Upcycled Leather from Vintage Purse, Texture Paste-Red Oxide, Russian Mud, Deep Brown, Cosmic Shimmer Lava Paste, Blue Acrylic Paints, Micro Screws, Screwdriver, Awl, Heavy Gel Matte Medium, Leather Deerskin Lace, Thick Thread

1.  Gather Supplies  

2.  Use a Thick Plastic Spatula to Randomly Paint GSLC Propellers with Lumiere Metallic Rust, Metallic Copper, and True Gold Paints. This Unconventional Tool can be Used in a Spreading Motion or in a Dabbing Motion Depending on your Desired Effect.

     3.  While Pint is Still Wet Sprinkle with Cosmic Shimmer         Gilding Flakes.

4.  Secure Gilding Flakes Into Place Using Matte Gel Medium.

                 

5.  Spray with Aqua Net Hairspray and Sprinkle with Chili Powder and Nutmeg.

     6.  Seal in Place by Spraying with Aqua Net Hairspray.

7.  Use Matte Gel Medium to Adhere Seth Apter WOW Embossing Powders-Crusty Copper, Weathered Gold and Etched Platinum to GSLC Gears Shape Set.

8.  Cure with a Heating Tool. 

9.  Add a bit of Metallic Copper Paint to the Finished Gears Using the large Plastic Spatula.

10.                Paint the GSLC Hardware Silhouettes with Shades of Green, Blue, and Pink Acrylic Paints with a Large Bristle Paintbrush.

11.                Use Same Paintbrush to add Tiny Flicks of Metallic Copper and Neon Pink to These Pieces.

                   

12.                 Use These Same Steps to Color the GSLC Waterworks Shape Set.

  

           

13.                Allow All GSLC Chippies to Dry Fully and Flat.

14.                Use Large Plastic Spatula to Upcycle a Christmas Wall Plaque-Waste Not Want Not- I Dabbed with These Texture Pastes-Red Oxide, Russian Mud, Deep Brown. Allow to Dry Fully

                                

       15.                Add Blue Acrylic Paints to Cosmic Shimmer Lava Paste and Randomly Dab onto Wall Plaque. Cure with Heat Tool.

16.                Cut Strips of Leather from an Upcycled Vintage Pocketbook aka. Purse.

17.                Punch Holes into Leather Strips and Attach to Wall Plaque Using an Awl to Start the Holes for the Microscrew. Securing with Your Screwdriver.

18.                Preview and Plan the Design of Assemblage.

19.                 Use Heavy Matte Gel Medium to Secure Your Pieces. Allowing to Dry Fully Flat and Weighted Down.

20.                Braid Three Different Shades Of Deerskin Lace.

21.                Put Through Plaque Opening and Tidy up ends of the Leather Lace Wrapping With Thick Thread.

Some Final Thoughts.

I like unexpected finds, the treasure troughs found in junk shops, a swimming hole just off the long county dirt road, a roadside orchard or farmers market, a county fair full of concession stands  stand and all their naughty pleasures-funnel cakes, corn dogs, kettle corn, bloomin' onions, Italian Sausages, cactus taters-ribbon fries, whoopie pies, shoofly pie, pierogies, and birch beer. May we all take the time to safe a tossed out treasure, to dip our toes in the cool water of a mountain stream, to take a road less traveled and to constantly choose gratitude over grumbling.

 

 

Tribal Tidal Pools-A Peek-a-Boo Project

As stated in previous blog posts I have traveled to both Chemanius, British Columbia and Dublin, Ireland. En Route to Dublin we stopped by Giant's Causeway, known to the Irish as the 8th Wonder of the World.  It is a promontory of hexagonal, basalt columns along 4 miles of the northern coast of Northern Ireland, the results of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption. While in British Columbia I was intrigued by the Totem Poles located there. These are the inspiration for this artwork.

Supplies:  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Tribal Dolphin, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Tribal Jellyfish, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Tribal Turtle, Planet eARTh Mixed Media Chips-Coral Wreath, Golden Acrylic Paints , Shades of Red and Orange-Cadmium Red Medium Hue, Pyrrole Red, Vat Orange, Chili Powder, Ice Enamels-Garnet, Mixed Media Embossing Power-Scarlet, Bookboard Cut to 6 by 5.5 Inches, Prepared Embossed Wallpaper in Shades of Blue and Green, Brayer, Wooden Grain Embossing Folder, Water Bottle Sprayer, Sizzix Big Shot Embossing Machine, Golden Acrylic Paints-Raw Sienna, Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold, Sap Green, and Van Dyke Brown Hue, Sanding Blocks, Distress Stains-Rusty Hinge, Bundled Sage, and Iced Spruce, Weldbond, Viva Decor Ferro Metallic Paste Celtic, Steelblue,  Red Oxide Paste, Thick Mud Acrylic-Russian

1.  Gather Supplies.

2.  Randomly Paint the Planet Earth Mixed Media Chips-Coral Wreath with  Golden Acrylic Paints in  Shades of Red and Orange. I used Cadmium Red Medium Hue, Pyrrole Red, and Vat Orange.

3.  While Paint is Still Wet Sprinkle with Chili Powder, Ice Enamels-Garnet, and Mixed Media Embossing Power-Scarlet.

4.  Cure With a Heat Tool

5.   Cut Three Bookboard Panels Measuring Six by Five and Half Inches.

6.   Cut Three Pieces of Embossed Wallpapers in Shades of Blue and Green Measuring Six by Five and Half Inches.

7.   Use Weldbond to Glue Wallpaper to Bookboard Panels-Roll Down Flat Using a Brayer. 

8.  While Panels Dry Use Wooden Grain Embossing Folder, Water Bottle Sprayer,  and Sizzix Big Shot Embossing Machine To give a Textured Look to Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Tribal Dolphin, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Tribal Jellyfish,  and Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Tribal Turtle.

9.   Paint GSLC Tribal Critters with Golden Raw Sienna, Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold, Sap Green, and Van Dyke Brown Hue. Making Them Look Like Charred Wood.

10.                Use Sanding Blocks to Distress Edges of Prepared panels.

11.                Distress Further Using TH Distress Stains-Rusty Hinge, Bundled Sage, and Iced Spruce.

12.                Add More Patina by Using Viva Decor Ferro Metallic Paste Celtic, Steelblue, Red Oxide Paste,  and Thick Mud Acrylic-Russian.

13.                Use Weldbond to Attach Coral Wreaths and Tribal Critters to Panels.

14.                Dry Flatten and Weighted Down.

Some Final Thoughts.

This is closer look at these animal totems from the website Spirit Animal.

The turtle totem wisdom teaches us about walking our path in peace and sticking to it with determination and serenity. Slow moving on earth, yet also incredibly fast and agile in water, those who have the turtle as totem or spirit animal may be encouraged to take a break in their busy lives and look around or within themselves for more grounded, long-lasting solutions. Traditionally, the turtle is symbolic of the way of peace, whether it’s inviting us to cultivate peace of mind or a peaceful relationship with our environment.

Turtle Symbolism

The turtle symbolism is characterized by the association with the Earth and earth symbols of groundedness and patience:

Symbol of the world, of the Earth

Ability to stay grounded, even in moments of disturbances and chaos

Slowing down, pacing yourself

Determination, persistence

Emotional strength and understanding

Ancient wisdom

The dolphin spirit animal represents harmony and balance. Dolphins are both highly intelligent and closely in tune with their instincts, striking a balance between the two states. Dolphins are also a symbol of protection and of resurrection. Their playful nature is a reminder that everyone needs to approach life with humor and joy. People who identify with the dolphin totem are usually peaceful and gentle, but with a deep inner strength.

Dolphin Symbolism

The dolphin is a complex animal and has had many different meanings attached to it throughout history, including:

Peace and harmony

Protection

Playfulness and joy

Resurrection

Inner Strength

Cooperation

Jellyfish might symbolize various things. They are a symbol of protection, but also of caution. They can symbolize emotions, sensitivity, flow, faith and trust.

They are also a symbol of inner strength, power, organization, challenges and delegating duties.

Jellyfish also signifies acceptance, softness, transparency, drifting and simplicity.