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 Marches On-A Peek-a-Boo Project

January is a time of new beginnings, a time to reflect and take inventory of our lives. There is a quote by Warren Zevon, “we love to buy books because we believe we are buying the time to read them.” January is sort of like that it’s the promise of a full year ahead, the possibilities seems endless. But you and I both know that time is promised to no one, we must live each day as it is our last and tuck away memories that we can make along the way. This is the inspiration for this project.

Supplies:  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Trading Coin Covers Alice, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Artist Trading Coin, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Steampunk Lightbulb Set, Embossing Powders-I Used Granite and German Silver, Brushed Pewter Distress Mica Spray, A Wash Made of Water and Black Acrylic Paint, Paintbrush, Blue Metallic Tissue Paper, Faux Black Velvet Paper, Faux Alligator Skin paper, Markers-Black, Blue, Brown and Grey, Rusty Ribbon, Rub ‘n Buff-Gold Leaf, Weldbond, Scrap of Vintage Text, Metal Clamps, Art Deco One Step Crackle medium,

1.  Cut Apart the GSLC Alice Trading Coin Covers, decide which you will be using.

 

2.  Emboss GSLC-Trading coins with German Silver and Granite Powders and filling in gaps with Brushed Pewter Distress Mica Spray.

3.  Cure and set with a heating tool.

4.  Use a paint brush to paint the rims of the GSLC Alice Trading Coin Covers.

5.  Trace pocket watch onto Faux Alligator Skin Paper, Cut out with scissors.

6.  Trace top hat onto Faux Black Velvet Paper, Cut out with scissors.

7.  Trace bottle onto Blue Metallic Tissue Paper, Cut out with scissors

8.  Use Brown, Black, and Blue markers to edge the GSLC Alice Trading Coin Covers coordinating with papers used.

9.  Add a small piece of rusted ribbed ribbon to the top hat.

10.                Use Gold Leaf Rub ‘n Buff for the pocket watch top.

11.                Use Weldbond to glue chosen papers to correct GSLC Alice Trading Coin Covers. Adding a vintage text to the bottles label and gray marker to color the string and brown marker for the cork top.

12.                Secure into place with metal clamps allowing to dry fully.

13.                Once dry carefully add Art Deco One Step Crackle medium to the blue bottle.

14.                Use Gold Leaf Rub ‘n Buff to add details of your choosing from the GSLC Steampunk Light bulb Set

15.                Glue and Screw in metallic embellishments to your GSLC Alice Trading Coin Covers.        

Some Final Thoughts.  

New Year Song- Over the Rhine

Here's a little New Year's song

Don't worry it won't take too long

Just a bit of New Year's cheer

To say I'm glad you're here

Little leftover Christmas tree

Just big enough for you and me

With just a single strand of lights

To tease the stars outside

And we thought perhaps we'd see some friends

But as the old year slowly ends

The dogs are dreaming in their beds

We might stay home instead

Here's a little New Year's song

Don't worry it won't take too long

Just a quiet New Year's eve

There's somethin' up your sleeve

And I might gently take your wrist

Read your body like a Christmas list

The first night that the New Year brings

I wouldn't wanna miss a thing

Let's stay home and play old records

Our future's bright our past is checkered

What do you say we lift a glass

Toast the ghost of another year past

Just a little New Year's song

Happy New Year everyone

It came upon a midnight clear

Another brand new year

New mercy comes with every morning

The unexpected with no warning

For loved ones who've gone on before

Sing me Auld Lang Syne

New mercy comes with every morning

The unexpected with no warning

Let the dear ones you love know

You'll miss them when you go