Iconic Imaginings- A Peek-a-Boo Project

I’m honored to be posting on this Christmas Day. I was raised in a strict Baptist home and have had a long and winding road to my current beliefs.  This is not meant as a religious post but rather a reverence remembrance of a promise kept, and a longing fulfilled. I’ve always loved the majestic masterpieces manifested during this holiday season. They are inspiration behind this project. Many of the images are copies of those gifted to me from a fellow designer.  

Supplies: Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Arch Top House Silhouettes [D10L] (2 Sets), Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Wrought Iron Miniatures [C32A], Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Altoids Tin Topper 2 [C23E],Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Petal Corners [C33F],Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Printers Ornament Corners [D30J], Ink Jet Copies of Iconic Artwork, Spray Bottles of Rubbing Alcohol and Water, Acrylic Paints in Prussian Blue Hue, Quinacridone Nickel Gold Azure, Vintage Gold, Cerulean Blue Deep, Fluorescent Blue, Matte Varnish Medium, WOW Embossing Pad, Embossing Powders in Gold Tones I used Metallic Bronze, Tarnished Bronze, and Gold, Heating Tool, Weldbond, Pressing Tool of Your Choosing, Rub ‘N Buff is Silver Leaf and Gold Leaf, Script Stamp, Red Embossing Powder, Q-Tips, Paint Brushes      

1.  Using all six Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Arch Top House Silhouettes [D10L] Dry Brush a base coat by alternating between Prussian Blue Hue, Quinacridone Nickel Gold Azure, and Vintage Gold Acrylic Paints

 2.  To add further highlight and depth gently dry bush on Cerulean Blue Deep and Fluorescent Blue Acrylic Paints. I also like using a spread and press technique on glossy magazine pages.

 3.  Make Ink Jet Copies of Iconic Artwork of Your Choosing, many of these were shared with me from a fellow designer.

4.  Add patina to the copies by spaying with rubbing alcohol and water curing with a heating tool. This does not work with laser printed copies.

 

5.  Fussy Cut out Portions of Artwork You Find Most Pleasing.

6.  Adhere Selected Images to Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Arch Top House Silhouettes with a Matte Varnish Medium.

7.  While they are drying Completely Flat by Using Clamps or Some Other Method Prepare the Other GSLC Products Listed.

8.  I Used my WOW Embossing Pad and Embossing Powders in Gold Tones I used Metallic Bronze, Tarnished Bronze, and Gold.

9.  Cure with a Heating Tool Adding Layers Until You are Pleased with Their Patina.

10.                Carefully Select and Cut the Pieces You Would Like to Add to Your Artwork

11.                Glue first to the Front and Dry Completely Flat and Pressed Before Adding Additional Pieces to the Backs

12.                Edge Each Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Arch Top House Silhouettes with Silver Leaf Rub ‘N Buff for Added Interest and Patina

13.                Still Feeling Like They Needed More Depth I Took a Script Stamp and Added Red Embossing Powders to the Pieces

14.                Once Cured with a Heating Tool I Went Back and Touched up the Gold Embellishments Using a Q-Tip and Gold Leaf Rub ‘N Buff

 15.                I Have Left Them as Is as I May be Adding Them to Books or Boxes, but They Could Easily Be Turned into Ornaments by Drilling A Hole at the Top and Adding a Decorative Ribbon.

Some final thoughts. I Hope You Will, Take Time This Holiday Season to Relax and Reflect on the Wonderful Masterpieces You Are. Take a Moment to Wonder.

One of My Favorite Holiday Songs is by Another Amazing Artist, Tori Amos titled “Star of Wonder”

We three kings are coming again
Bearing gifts from the East
From the East

Some say a star will rise again
In the hearts of humankind
Some say we have been in exile
What we need is solar fire

Star of wonder, star of night
Star of royal beauty
Westward leading, still proceeding
A star
A star of wonder

We bring gold and myrrh for him
From the East, frankincense
From the East

Some say a star will rise again
In the hearts of humankind
Some say we have been in exile
What we need is solar fire

Star of wonder, star of night
Star of royal beauty
Westward leading, still proceeding
A star

Star of wonder, star of night
Star of royal beauty
Westward leading, still proceeding
A star
A star of wonder
Of wonder.

 

 

 

Gentle Snows- A Peek-a-Boo Project

Hard to imagine how quickly seasons change from one to another and we find ourselves in the season of stillness and waiting. Although truth be told, the holiday season for most is far from that with the hustle and bustle of all the to-do lists it sometime difficult to find solace in this season. This is the inspiration for this project I’ve created what I liked to see looking out my drafty cold ancient wooden windows.

Supplies:   Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Double Window Ornate [D32C],  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Stained Glass Frame Fergus [D83G], prepared wooden embossed substrate, (I used Tim Holtz Sizzix Lumber #D Texture Fades Embossing Folder and various acrylic paints),  Golden Interference Blue Fine Acrylic Paint, Embossing Powders Oil Rubbed Bronze, Walnut Stain, Versa Mark Pad, Heating Tool, Images and Text, Weldbond, Metallic Pale Blue Cardstock, Clamps or a Pressing Tool of Your Choosing

1.                   Take apart  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Double Window Ornate [D32C]

2.                   Paint Back Portion with Golden Interference Blue Fine Acrylic Paint. Use several layers to get the full effect and flash of color.

3.                   Use Versa Mark Pad and Oil Rubbed Bronze and Walnut Stain Embossing Powders to cover the front portion of the frame. Cure with a heating tool. Repeat until you have the desired effect.

4.                   Print your graphics and text, using a vintage parchment paper adds an aged look to your images easily.

5.                   Use a pencil to trace the image you’d like showing through your window frame.

6.                   Cut and secure to frame using Weldbond.

7.                   Next carefully add the front portion of your GSLC Ornate frame to the back portion.

    8.                   Allow to dry flat using clamps or pressing tool of       your choosing. I’ve used plastic bags filled with kitty

      litter, a basket filled with coins, or a stack of heavy

      books.

9.                   While it is drying prepare your wooden embossed substrate. I used a Tim Holtz Sizzix Lumber #D Texture Fades Embossing Folder and acrylic paints to give mine an aged panel appeal.

10.              Glue a piece of pale blue metallic cardstock to the prepared wooden panel.

11.              Trace  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Stained Glass Frame Fergus [D83G] onto a piece of white cardstock and paint with Golden Interference Blue Fine Acrylic Pint to mimic the GSLC frame used for the font of the card.

12.              In a similar fashion use the embossing powders and techniques you used on previous frame on this one.

13.              Place the text inside the window and glue all pieces sandwiched together and dry completely flat using the pressing tool of your choice.

14.              Send out these greetings to special friends knowing that many will be framing them and adding to the winter or holiday decorations for years to come.

Some final thoughts. It is no secret that I love walks in the woods, a good Robert Frost poem, or a song from my favorite singing group, Over the Rhine.

Their song “Let It Fall” is my wish for you this holiday season:

Have you been trying too hard
Have you been holding too tight
Have you been worrying too much lately
All night
Whatever we've lost
I think we’re gonna let it go
Let it fall
Like snow

‘Cause rain and leaves
And snow and tears and stars
And that’s not all my friend
They all fall with confidence and grace
So let it fall, let it fall

Have you been carin' too much
How this one ends
Y’know it’s not the kind of fight
That you lose or win
When you’re down so low
You feel…

Have you been carin' too much
How this one ends
Y’know it’s not the kind of fight
That you lose or win
When you’re down so low
You feel the imprint of the ground
On skin
Look around
Breathe in

‘Cause rain and leaves
And snow and tears and stars
And that’s not all my friend
They all fall with confidence and grace
So let it fall, let it fall

A treasured memory I have is visiting a dear friend while he was living on a uncle’s farmland home and we walked to the nearby forest in the gentle falling snow and we reached a clearing where we had gone camping earlier in the year. It is circled in mighty pine trees with a fire circle in the center. We built a booming bonfire and stood nearby staring up into the sky as the snowflakes fell and melted onto our warmed faces. A time of rare  peace and beautiful share solitude, in the silence of the snow storm.

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