Last Butterflies of Summer-A Peek-a-Boo Project

It seems like as summer turns to Autumn the likelihood of seeing butterflies diminish. Where they seemed bountiful in Spring arriving with all the blooming flowers, now that September is here they are harder to spot in the Autumn garden. These are the inspirations for this artwork.

 

Supplies:  GSLC Fern Fronds, GSLC Honeycomb & Queen Bees ATC Sized, Wooden Tags, Infusion Rusty Cars Stain, Spray Bottle, Turquoise Acrylic Paint, Paintbrush, Wooden Butterflies, Metallic Rub-Ons Flowers, WeldBond Glue, Decorative Silk Ribbon

1. Gather Supplies.
   
2. Use Leftover GSLC Fern Fronds and GSLC Honeycomb & Queen Bees ATC Sized Pieces. 
3. Spray Wooden Tags with Water Bottle.
4. Sprinkle with Infusion Rusty Cars Stain. Dab Until You are Satisfied with the Coverage.
   
5. Use a Paintbrush to Spread a Layer of Turquoise Acrylic Paint on Dry Waxed Paper.
   
6. Gently Press Stained Wooden Tags Into Paint.
7. Dry Thoroughly.
8. Collect Wooden Butterflies you Like to Use. 
   
9. Decide on Design of Tags so you can Add Metallic Rub-Ons Flowers.
   
10.  Use WeldBond to Glue on GSLC Fern Fronds and GSLC Honeycomb.
    
    
    
    
11. Add Decorative Silk Ribbon to Hang the Completed Wooden Tags.
    

    

    
    

    

    
    

    

Final Thoughts

There is a butterfly who has been looking forward to this change of seasons from Summer to Autumn. The Monarch butterfly is such an iconic insect and its beautiful story repeats every year through their migratory pattern. Each September this butterfly begins its long treacherous journey back to Mexico.

As daylight shortens, along with the aging milkweed, their exclusive food of their larvae form. Adult Butterflies enjoy a variety of nectar bearing flowers-sunflower, coneflower, ironweed, zinnia, and salvia to name a few.

As nourishment is depleted each fall, North American monarchs travel from their summer breeding grounds to overwintering locations. East of the Rocky Mountains, monarchs travel up to an astonishing 3,000 miles to central Mexico.

Using environmental cues, the monarchs know when it is time to travel south for the winter. Monarchs use a combination of air currents and thermals to travel long distances. Some fly as far as 3,000 miles to reach their winter home.

One of my favorite podcasts, Atlas Obscura, did  show about this journey, How This Tiny Mexico Town SavedTheir Monarch Butterflies-For Now.

Although the monarchs have left our home in Maryland, the queen is dead, deceptively we believe. They have but just flown to regions unknown. South by Southwest, a journey never taken alone, they fly in form of a magical fluttering cone. Wearily they to mountains in Mexico they come, Seeking the oyamel fir, there they will rest once again wings gently fluttering in the sun.

Goin Downy Oshun - A Peek-a-Boo Project

Many dream of a summer vacation at the beach, I am more of a mountain person myself. Growing up in Pennsylvania we never went on family vacations, but my da had a sister who lived in New Jersey, we’d go visit them sometimes. I don’t remember ever seeing the ocean until I was in college. Here in Maryland many enjoy “goin downy oshun” meaning going to Ocean City. These are the inspirations for this artwork.

Supplies:  Stencil Butter Ocean Blue, Turquoise, and Fuchsia, Neon Pink Acrylic Paint, Scissors,  Paintbrush, Magazine Pictures, Stickers,  WeldBond, Accent Glossy Accents, Mini Gems

1. Gather Supplies.
   
2. Trace Center Circle of onto Magazine Image of Your Choice.
   
3. Set Aside for Later
4. Paint Top Part with Neon Acrylic Paint and Fuchsia Stencil Butter.
   
5. Paint Bottom Part with  Ocean Blue and Turquoise Stencil Butter.
   
6. When Fully Dry, Glue Both Parts Together and Press Flat and Weighted Down.
   
7. Go Through Sticker Book and Choose Stickers of  Your Choice.
   
8. Layer and Glue Stickers to Prepared Circle. 
9. Glue Sticker Assemblage to Back of Frame.
   
10. Press and Weight Down Full Assemblage. 
11. Once Dry Add Glossy Accents to center of Frame.
    
12.  Use Tweezers to Add Mini Gems to Assemblage.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

Final Thoughts

When we went visiting my Aunt Irene and Uncle Robert in New Jersey the bathroom we used in the basement had wallpaper with mermaids in bathtubs. They were risqué retro in design and something my tender boy’s eyes never could have imagined. Cousin Val had a Show and Tell Phono Viewer & Record Player that was magical to a country boy without a television. 

To many the beach is just the getaway they are looking for as summer slips away and the  return to the school year for students and teachers is on the horizon. 

When I went to the beach for the first time in college I did enjoy watching the waves, walking on the boardwalk, and saltwater taffy. I however hated the crowds, the heat burning off the hot sands.

The beaches I prefer are of the Pacific Northwest or those found in  Northern New England. They are less crowded, the water much cooler and covered in pebbles not sand.

A Favorite e.e. Cummings Poem

maggie and milly and molly and may 

maggie and milly and molly and may
went down to the beach(to play one day)

and maggie discovered a shell that sang
so sweetly she couldn't remember her troubles,and

milly befriended a stranded star
whose rays five languid fingers were;

and molly was chased by a horrible thing 
which raced sideways while blowing bubbles:and

may came home with a smooth round stone
as small as a world and as large as alone.

For whatever we lose(like a you or a me)
it's always ourselves we find in the sea.

Natalie set it to music,  maggie and milly and molly and may , on her Leave Your Sleep the double concept album is "a project about childhood" and is a collection of music adapted from 19th and 20th century British and American poetry about childhood.

 

Awkward Introvert Independence Day-A Peek-a-Boo Project

I have written about my introverted side before and my avoidance of crowded situations.  July for many in the United States about celebrating our Independent Day on July 4th. As an introvert I tend to stay away from the crowded parades and firework celebrations, but they are the inspiration for this artwork- well, sorta…

Supplies:  GSLC Star Medallions , GSLC Banner Border Strips, Red, White, Blue, Gold, Yellow Acrylic Paints, Stencil Butter Blue and Red, Paintbrush, Embroidery Thread-TriColor Red, White, Blue, Needle, Small Hole Punch, Scissors 

1. Gather Supplies.
   
2. Paint GSLC Star Medallions and GSLC Banner Border Strips Using Red, White, Blue, Gold, Yellow Acrylic Paints, Stencil Butter Blue and Red and a Paintbrush.
   
3. Alternate Red, White, and Blue Paint on GSLC Banner Border Stars. Put a Dollop of Gold Paint on Circles Between Each Star.
   
4. Paint Each of the GSLC Star Medallions a Primary Color of Red, White and Blue.
   
5. Add  Shimmer with Metallic Paints and Stencil Butters.
6. To Add Patina Dry Brush with a Wash of Nice Azo Yellow.
   

   
7. Once Fully Dry use Embroidery Thread-TriColor Red, White, Blue and Needle to “Stitch” the GSLC Star Medallions.
   
8. Use a Small Hole Punch to Put a Hole at the top of Each GSLC Star Medallions and Evenly Spaced on the GSLC Banner Border Stars.
   
9. Use Embroidery Thread-TriColor Red, White, Blue and Needle to Connect the  GSLC Star Medallions to the GSLC Banner Border Stars.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Final Thoughts

Holidays for  the introverts of the world can be particularly challenging. In addition to uncomfortable conversations with strangers at the neighborhood cookout, the holidays can disrupt all the routines you've set up in your life to take care of yourself-the stay at home stare at walls and binge on Netflix days, leaving you with feelings of being trapped or unable to get the alone time necessary to recharge your introvert batteries.

So what an introvert to do if they are going to try and extrovert for the holiday:

• Go to the picnic-but don’t stay for the day. 
• Have a quiet get together at your home.
• Watch the fireworks, parades online if you are so inclined for nostalgia reasons.
• Take mini-holidays or staycations, it’s okay to pamper yourself.
  
  
  
  
  
  

It might be hard to believe that not everyone celebrates the good ole 4th of July. As Americans it doesn’t mean those people are not patriotic but maybe there not into a day revolving around hot dogs, beer binging, and loud fireworks.

Other countries also have vibrant, diverse, fun -filled celebrations of their found freedoms around the world.

From the article: Independence Day Celebrations Around the World 

• India has “Fifteenth of August Day”

Since India was freed from British rule in 1947, the Fifteenth of August has become a national holiday filled with flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades, and patriotic songs. Every year on this day, Indian skies become speckled with colorful flying kites of all shapes and sizes. When it comes to India's Independence Day cuisine, families and friends indulge in tri-color food dishes, which feature orange, white, and green - the colors of the national flag!

• South Africa has "Freedom Day"

While South Africa declared its independence from Britain on May 31, 1910, the country celebrates a very special day in late April as "Freedom Day." Why? Well, on April 27, 1994, the first democratic, non-racial elections were held and Nelson Mandela was voted president. 
This day marks the end of colonialism and apartheid, the restoration of human rights, and the liberation of South Africa and its people! While it's undoubtedly a day of mixed emotions, South Africans celebrate their unity and diversity with parties, inspirational speeches, and braais (barbecues).

• Mexico has "Dia de la Independencia"

On September 15th. Many people think Mexico’s Independence Day was on Cinco de Mayo.Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not really Mexico's Independence Day. On the night of September 15th, Mexicans take to the streets and begin to memorialize the Grito de Dolores, the battle cry of the Mexican War of Independence. 
For a full 24 hours, from the night of the 15th to the 16th, Mexico becomes one big party of parades, food, concerts, and fireworks. Traditionally, festivities start in Zocalo Square, Mexico City, where Mexico's president recites the cry of patriotism, and to which the enthusiastic crowd responds “Viva!"

• France has "Bastille Day"

Each year, France commemorates the day when, in 1789, just under one thousand Parisians stormed the Bastille fortress to release prisoners and free the country from tyrannical oppression. This pivotal event catalyzed the French Revolution! Since 1880, July 14th has been deemed a public holiday called "Bastille Day”
On July 14th, the French wake up to a day of no work and all play. In Paris, the day kicks off with a military parade on the Champs Elysees and ends with fireworks over the Eiffel Tower. But don't worry - there's tons of partying in between! It's a France-wide tradition to attend a Firemen's Gala on Bastille Day. All throughout the country, fire stations open their doors to the public for a jolly good time of dancing and drinking!

• Norway has “Syttende Mai” Day on May 17th

On Constitution Day, Norwegians wake up to the sound  of marching bands, the sights of parades and traditional "bunad" costumes, and the creamy sweetness of ice cream -a lot of ice cream. Commemorating the signing of the constitution in 1814, Constitution Day, or the "17th of May," is by far the country's biggest party.
Another yummy Constitution Day tradition, besides copious amounts of ice cream, is the "17th of May breakfast." Often a big happy potluck with friends and neighbors, this kick-off meal consists of favorites like fresh bread, eggs, smoked salmon - and lots of champagne, of course.

As noted in these holidays no matter where you are from or your country of origin there are reasons to celebrate your freedoms.