Celtic Clockwork Kinda of Love-Peek-a-Boo Project

I have written how differently my husband and I are in past blogs: 

 “My partner and I are vastly different as the ocean from the desert. A love that can endure the differences and embrace the substances that matter last a lifetime. We are a mighty team, better together than apart, fuller because of our emptiness and sweeter because of shed tears. I love seeing what dreams will still come true, we have some huge ones left to dream.”

We continue to grow in love and respect for each other as we endure the daily grind with its joys and sorrows. They are the inspiration for this artwork.

Supplies:  GSLC Celtic Hearts, GSLC Steampunk Hearts, Metalic Acrylic Paints-Gold, Copper, Bronze, Acrylic Paints-Reds, Pinks, and Neon Orange,Chipboard, Cutter, Scrapbook Paper, UHU GlueStick, Permanent Ink Pad Brown, Ink Blotter

1. Gather Supplies.
   
2. Paint GSLC Steampunk Hearts in Metallic Acrylic Paints-Gold, Copper, Bronze.
   
3. Paint GSLC Celtic Hearts in Acrylic Paints-Reds, Pinks, and Neon Orange.
   
4. Cut  Two 5 by 5 inch Squares from Scrapbook Paper Using a Cutter.
5. Cut One 5.25 by 5.25 Square from Scrapbook Paper Using a Cutter.
   

   
6. Glue Scrapbook Paper to Chipboard Squares Using a UHU GlueStick.
   
7. Use Permanent Ink Pad in Brown and an Ink Blotter to Darken the Edges of the Squares.
   
8. Use a UHU GlueStick to Layer the Painted GSLC Hearts onto the Prepared Squares.
   
9. These can be Framed and Would Make Very Attractive Wall Display.

Final Thoughts:

I love the concept of of yin and yang, dark and light, good and evil, a time for everything under the sun. My husband and I seek balance in our life, knowing fully it is ebbing and flowing, to and fro from one day to the next one may be sad the other happy, one’s pain can be soothed by the other. Life is about give and take, the ups and the downs, burdens and days of joy, the soft and the hard, the rough and the smooth, the content and the restless. We are in constant flux but we can choose the perspective we will embrace.

To know someone fully is to dive into the depths of the deepest oceans. When we first fall in love we do not dive in too deep, it’s a drop in a cup of water or the shallow waters of a springtime shower. It’s only as we stay together and weather the storms that we discover the magnitude of our lifetime companions.

I love this song by Natalie Merchant, 

The Feast of Saint Valentine

In the deep and darkest night of your soul

When you curse and rue the day

That you did dare to give your heart away

Take courage in the thought you belong

Good comrade, you're not alone

We're here to give you shelter from the storm

In the blindness and confusion of the fight

When the blood is soaking through

We'll come to you, we'll come to bind the wound

We'll come to you

March on, march on you soldiers of the heart

You ragged, weary crowd

You retreat in your defeat but you move on

Such a vast uncharted wilderness to see

Strange lands, strange beasts

But I'll go where you lead

Where you lead

I'll go where you lead

I'll go where you lead

And on the feast day of Saint Valentine

In the bleak mid-winter cold

Come lay your blood red roses in the snow

Come lay them in the snow

Don't stop your search now

Go, by the grace of God

Keep your courage, keep your faith

And take this paper heart to keep you safe

Keep you safe, keep your hope and faith

Love will lead you safely on

Love will leave you wounded

Love will bring you harm

Love will be the curse and be the charm

Love will be the bruising and be the balm

Love will set you free 

And love, love love, will be your bonds

Love will win

Love will conquer all

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.

 

 

Time Flies By-A Peek-A-Boo Project

It may have seemed this past year that we have been stuck in slow motion and that circumstances will never change. The new year has not brought the turnaround we’re hoping for and we once again may be feeling we will never see the light at the end of the tunnel or find our way to a new normal but I am going to try my hardest to hold on to hope and try to lift my spirits. These are the inspirations for today's artwork. 

Supplies:  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Little Niche Pocket Watch, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-2 Inch Cage with Solid Back, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Rose Border, Decorative Paper, Golden Acrylic Paint-Titan Green Pale, Quinacridone/Nickel Azo Gold, Green Gold, Metallic Copper Lumiere Acrylic Paint, Paintbrush, Weldbond, Gold Leaf Rub'nBuff, Cardboard Scrap, Metallic Russet and Metallic Rust Lumiere Acrylic Paint, Neon Pink and Green Acrylic Paint.

1. Use a paintbrush to quickly add Metallic Copper Lumiere Acrylic Paint to the GSLC Little Niche Pocket Watch.

2. Once it dry add texture and patina with dry brush technique using Golden Acrylic Paint. I used Titan Green Pale, Quinacridone/Nickel Azo Gold, and Green Gold.

3. Assemble GSLC Little Niche Pocket Watch and glue together with Weldbond.

4. Add included hanging portion so your creation can be displayed on a wall

5. Choose decorative papers to add wallpaper and borders to the back portion of GSLC Pocket Watch Niche.

6. Use Gold Leaf Rub'nBuff to Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts 2" Bird Cage.

7.Choose an image to glue to back of GSLC Cage-I chose a decorative hot air balloon.

8. Add a bit of cardboard to keep birdcage from directly glued to background.

9. Paint Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Rose Border with  Metallic Russet and Metallic Rust Lumiere Acrylic Paint.

10. Add detailing and patina with Neon Pink and Green Acrylic Paint.

11.Cut and glue GSLC Rose Border to front of GSLC Pocket Watch Niche.

Some Final Thoughts.

I have a collection of "show hats" we design a new one for each show season. They are often steampunk themed. I  have always loved Miley Cyrus, I think she is a very talented singer. I like how she can see any genre of music. I think her song "The Climb" is a wonderful anthem for us as we press on in hope.

 I can almost see it

That dream I'm dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head sayin'
"You'll never reach it"
Every step I'm takin'
Every move I make feels lost with no direction
My faith is shakin'

But I, I gotta keep tryin'
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waitin' on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments
That I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep goin'

And I, I gotta be strong
Just keep pushing on

'Cause

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waitin' on the other side
It's the climb

Yeah

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody's gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waitin' on the other side
It's the climb

Yeah, yeah, yeah

Keep on movin'
Keep climbin'
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about — it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa, whoa, oh