The Witching Hour-A Peek-a-Boo-Project

In Folklore, the witching hour or devil’s hour is the time of night when supernatural creatures are thought to be their most powerful, a time of magic and mischief. One of our favorite musicals is “Wicked” the untold story or the re-imagining of “The Wizard of Oz.”  More recently I’ve started following “Nocturne” a storytelling show that explores the night, the landscape of the unseen, and how thoughts, feelings and behaviors transform in the dark. These are the inspirations for this instillation.

1.  Cover all pieces of Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-ATC Shrine - Time with a variety of green Metallic Paints. Do this quickly and randomly use a dry brush technique.

 

2.  Once dry, fill in any empty spaces with TH Crushed Olive Distress Stain.

3.  Working quickly before pieces dry, sprinkle with Allure Forest Foliage Embossing Powders.

4.  Cure with a Heat Tool.

5.  Assemble GSLC ATC Time Shrine and secure with Weldbond.

 

6.  Make a photocopy of a witch of your choosing. Decide what type of material you want to print it on.

7.  Cut and secure to inside of GSLC ATC Time Shrine using Glossy Accent as an adhesive. Once in gently coat photocopy with a thin layer of Glossy Accent.

 

8.  Use a skull stamp and black permanent ink to make a transparency to put behind clock face.

9.  Trace with a circle template and glue to a Scrap of TH Abandoned Paper using Weldbond.

 

10.                Take apart Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Trading Coin Covers Halloween.  Trimmed cat on fence so that I could use it inside the shrine.

11.                Paint coin covers with watercolors.

12.                Use a metallic green paint to paint the edges of coin covers.

13.                Use a bit of paper clay to make a ledge to secure cat on a fence piece inside the shrine. Securing with Weldbond.

14.                Paint with green paint and sprinkle with Allure Forest Foliage Embossing Powder and Set with a Heat Tool.

15.                Attach two Coin covers to clock face, one inside and one outside. Secure in place with metal clamps.

 

16.                Once dry add a TH Clock Key as a handle securing with a Screwdriver and adding a bit of Weldbond.

 Some Final Thoughts. I like the idea of magic and mischief cohabiting in the midnight hours and re-imaging long-held perspectives.  Wicked Quotes: “Everyone Deserves the Chance to Fly”

“I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn, we are led to those who help us grow the most if we let them, and we help them in return. Well, I don’t know if that is true. But I know I am today because I knew you.”

“The trouble with school is they always teach the wrong lesson. Believe me, I’ve been kicked out of enough to know. They want you to become less callow, less shallow, But I say ‘Why invite stress in? Stop studying strife and learn to live the unexamined life.’”

I have several favorite episodes of “Nocturne” among them being “I’m a Monster” a gay man journey into embracing his true self as he portrays a monster in haunted attractions, “Finding the Void” about a secret apartment hidden in the bowels of a giant mall, and “Blackfish” the story of Malcolm Saunders, a fishermen from Cornwall, on the southern tip of the UK. These are just a few of my most revisited episodes.

 

 

 

 

Supplies:  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-ATC Shrine - Time, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Trading Coin Covers Halloween, Metallic Green Acrylic Paints, Paintbrush, TH Distress Stain Crushed Olive, Allure Forest Foliage Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Weldbond, Photocopy of Witch, Glossy Accents, Skull Stamp, Black Permanent Ink Pad, Transparency Scrap, Scrap TH Abandoned Paper, Circle Template, Pen, Watercolors, Paper Clay, Metal Clamps, TH Clock Key, Screwdriver 

I cannot wait to see your interpretation of this project. Share it on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Craft Group Page on Facebook. I would love to see what new creations you are working on!

morbid manse

Hello everyone, today I am sharing my October project for Gypsy Soul Last Cuts. I could not let the month go by without a project befitting the spookiest of holidays. Imagine a foggy, moonless night in Old Salem. Adjacent to the rows of tombstones and monuments stands a historic manse. The door is ajar, why not take a peak... what's inside is absolutely morbid.

I begin with a Gypsy Soul Last Cuts mini house room box. Using an exacto knife, I cut apart wall, roof and divider pieces. As usual, I do a test fit to understand how all the pieces fit together. Then, using acrylic paint, I add paint along all the edges and at areas where pieces join together. This allows me a bit of play when I am cutting and attaching papers into the sections (if a paper cut is slightly off, the gap does not show). The "attic" area is covered completely with the paint. Since I want it too look like an unfinished attic space, I will not be covering any of these surfaces with paper.

When the paint is dry, I assemble the house. Applying a thin line of glue along the edges and tabs, I then secure the pieces in place. Sometimes it helps to clamp the pieces while drying. When the piece is assembled and the glue is dry, it is time to add the details. I begin with the outside of the house.

Using a die that cuts different styles of shingles and shakes, I select a style to use for the main exterior clapboards. I cut rows of siding from blackout kraft cardstock, then lightly sand and ink them to create an aged and weathered appearance. I begin adding the die cut pieces to the house, working from the bottom up so that the shingles can overlap and stagger mimicking traditional siding. Work on row at a time all the way around the three sides before moving onto the row above. 

I have always admired the special details that are found on historic houses. I thought it would be fun to add a section of fish scales in the upper gabled area. Before switching patterns, I add a frieze (trim) board across the rear to transition to the new pattern. When the fishscale shingles are all in place, I add trim boards along the angled edges to finish the look. The roof is completed in the same manor as the exterior walls, but using heavyweight kraft paper inked with distress ink.

Now it is time to finish the interior rooms. I select papers that give the look of historic wallpapers and plaster. Each "room" is finished in a different paper. Measure and cut a square for each rear wall. Then, cut a strip of matching paper that will cover both the side walls and the ceiling. When papers are cut for each room, ink all of the edges with a dark brown or black ink. 

To add an element of authenticity, create "cracks" by tearing into the paper and inking the torn area. You can also create the appearance of leaks within the walls by dripping dark ink down the wall sections.

The "wood" floors of each room are made by cutting pieces of woodgrain embossed paper that's been inked and and painted. All of the papers are attached to the surfaces using collage medium.

In keeping with the undertaker theme, I decide to give each room its own function that would be found in a funeral home. Starting with the attic, I adhere small pieces of hay randomly on the floor where a skeleton lies. The only remains of a long forgotten guest from years ago. 

Located on the second floor is a mourning room,  complete with prayer candles. An area to gather and contemplate lost souls. 

Adjacent is a store room for found objects; misplaced parts and pieces.

The selection room can be found on the first floor. Here you can find items for all your funeral needs- from flowers to urns and caskets. 

The undertaker's office completes the tour.

Two tiny eye hooks are screwed into the gable to secure a hanging sign. The undertaker is open for business, established 1876.

I hope you have enjoyed this haunting holiday make, perhaps you are inspired to create one of your own. If you've run out of time, consider making a house for a different holiday. I can imagine a wonderful Christmas inspired elf's workshop, or an easter egg factory. The possibilities are endless with the GSLC mini house room box.

Thanks so much for stopping by today, I truly appreciate it.

Enjoy these hallowed days.

Ann

xxx 

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts used: mini house room box 

Christmas will be here before we know it . . .

Seems as if this year is flying by. 

Christmas will be here before we know it 

and I'm going to be ready this year (I hope).

I've decided to make Christmas ornaments with some beautiful cuts from 

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts

This image from The Graphics Fairy was my inspiration. 

I love images of angels holding babies as 

Gotcha Day for us is December 28.

Here's the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts I used and altered:

Arch Top House Silhouette

Reliquary Tower Top

Hinges Shape Set

First step was to paint & cover:

Both the piece on the far left (I'm using it as a door)
and the top decorative piece (shown in the middle)
were painted with acrylic Barn Red.

The decorative piece on the far left
used 2 different colors:
the front was painted around the edges with bronze acrylic;
the back of the piece was painted with acrylic Barn Red.

Then the piece shown on the far left

(previous photo)

was covered with bronze paper.

Simply trace around the image

and don't worry about those points at the top.

For the back of the piece, I used this Tim Holtz stencil,

laid it on top of the chip piece

and inked with VersaMark.

Removed the stencil and covered the piece with 

Stampendous Chunky Gold Deep Impression embossing enamel.

Heat the enamel with a heat gun and be still my heart.

This stuff is amazing!

There's dimension to this enamel.

Taking the top piece and the door,

I first placed the door inside the top piece

and

used this Crafty Individual Stamp

inked with VersaMark . . .

both pieces at one time.

Then added the embossing enamel

& heat set.

Turn to the back of the door and repeat the last step

with the other side of the door only.

I fussy cut around the angel image

and glued it inside the reliquary.

Glue the hinge inked with dark brown,

and a tiny knob 

(Tim Holtz or Prima carries them),

gold Stickles to the peaks

and you're all finished.

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts used:

Hinges Shape Set

Arch Top House Silhouette

Reliquary Tower Top

Other Items Used:

Gold Stickles

Red Barn Acrylic Paint

Stampendous Embossing Enamel

Prima Memory Hardware knob

VersaMark Ink

Tim Holtz Stencil