Supplies: Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Mini House Album, Pencil, Card stock,
Scissors, Electrical Tape, School Theme Scrapbook Paper, Bone Folder, Spray
Paint-I Used Krylon Stone Coarse Texture-Obsidian,
Matte Medium, Paintbrush, Iron Paste, Cursive Stencil, Plastic Spatula, Script
Stamps, Poppy Ink Pad, Leaf Green Ink Pad, Quinacridone
Nickel Azo Acrylic Paint, Decorative Napkins
1. The Gypsy Soul
Laser Cuts-Mini House Album comes with 6 sections, I have never used them
before so this was a learning opportunity for me. I like how the shape reminded
me of one room schoolhouses I see often when I grew up in Pennsylvania.
2. I made a
template of the shape as I wasted to connect the houses together accordion
style.
3. I cut the
template a bit smaller as I wanted the papers to be framed with a border.
4. I used electrical tape to put the pieces
together.
5. I made sure
each section would fold pressing the electrical tape with a bone folder.
6. I wanted
the border to look like a chalkboard but did not have that type of paint, so I
improvised and used Krylon Stone Coarse Texture Spray-paint-Obsidian. Do this in a well-ventilated area.
7. While allowing to dry fully trace and cut out
panels you will use on each of the conjoined pieces. I also cut out additional
pieces I would use in layering the individual “frames”
8. Before
gluing chosen images to panels I coated entire piece with matte medium.
9. Use Weldbond to attach papers.
10.
I wanted to add more layers and I used a cursive
stencil applying iron paste with a plastic spatula.
11.
To further this theme, I added other script using
stamps and poppy and leaf green inks.
12.
To unify the piece, I made a wash of Quinacridone Nickle Azo Acrylic Paint and Matte Medium and a paintbrush.
13.
I felt there needed to be more drama and layers and
found some decorative napkins I could use to do just that.
14.
Make sure you take apart the napkins so that you
have just the one ply remaining.
15.
Add these napkin pieces using matte medium and a
paintbrush.
Some Final
Thoughts.
It’s hard to settle into a new school year.
This year I begin my 32nd year of teaching. People ask me when I
will retire, and I wish I could some days but also know that teaching keeps me
young at heart and I have been reminded of my lasting impressions on former
students. These are two I keep nearby that carry me through dark days of
summer’s end.
“I had you for my 6th grade home
room. I’m 22 now and I just wanted to let you know I’m a shift supervisor at a
Starbucks. In my training I tell everyone, “Don’t be sorry, be different.” I
remember you used to say that to us every time we got talking or goofing off.
Never really understood what you were saying then, but as of today I take those
words and use them 9/10 times while coaching my baristas. They always ask me
where I heard the saying and I always tell them my experience while you were my
teacher. Thank you for all that you do Mr. Lowe, your teaching never goes
unnoticed…even years later!”
“I am graduating this year and middle school
just feels so far away, but I remember your class like yesterday. I just wanted
you to know I always remembered you and that you are an amazing teacher and
person, you were my favorite teacher! The most important thing you taught me
besides science, is how to be myself, always so accepting, that was something
that nobody helped me do before you and I wanted to thank you for all of your
hard work and compassion, never ever change”
Reading these among others gives me the
courage to go back into the strange land called “Middle School”. It’s never to
late to thank a teacher.
