Make a Galaxy Background Card

Hello everyone,
Today I have my second GSL DT post for April and this time, I have a card featuring a galaxy background and some heat embossed elements that could be used as a birthday card or encouragement card.

Galaxy Background

Cut a piece of watercolour paper measuring 5.5 x 8.5 inches.  Start the design by drawing in some zodiac constellations.  You can find a chart of all zodiac constellations here.

For this card, I used Taurus, Gemini and Cancer and drew them in with a wax pencil.  You can also use a wax crayon instead.  If you don't want specific star signs, you could draw random patterns or you could draw one big one using the star sign of the card recipient.

For my galaxy background I started off with this lovely turquoise colour, but you could use blues, purples, greens etc.

Then I added in some purples and payne's grey around the outside.  Black could be used instead of payne's grey.

Keep adding paint and layers, drying in between until you are happy with how it looks.  For an extra pop of colour I added this bright green in the centre along with some magenta.  

Adding star details

Once the watercolour background is dry, I added some white acrylic paint splatters to represent stars of various sizes.

Use a stiff bristle brush and flick the paint to add a fine spray and then splatter some bigger drops.

For added interest add some gold metallic ink splatter to the background.  If your constellations aren't bright enough you can draw over them again with the same wax pencil/crayon.

 

Chipboard Embellishments

For the sentiment I used this Smile curly word chipboard but I cut it in half to fit on the card front, then gave it a coat of white gesso.

 

Once the gesso was dry, I used some white embossing powder to heat emboss the word and the curly tail.

I also used these gold stars that were already altered in this post and glued them into place using PVA glue.

To make the card base, use one piece of 8.5 x 11 inch card, fold it in half along the short side, and adhere the card front to it and that's the card completed.  If you want any further embellishments, draw some little star/asterisks on with white pen. as shown below.

Hope you enjoyed this post.  Till next time, 

Elle
Empire of the Cat

Project Recipe:

Smile curly word D147E
Deco Stars D88S
watercolour paper, watercolour paint, acrylic paint, acrylic ink, white wax pencil or crayon, card base, white embossing powder, embossing ink, white gesso

Picture Patchwork Tiles-A Peek-a-Boo Project

 Back in March 2020 when our world turned upside down I started rediscovering my well established neighborhood just outside of Baltimore, Maryland. It is a fantastic collection of older homes with diverse architectural components.  I called these hood-hikes-Seeking Signs of Life,  Hunting Hints of Hope, and Beholding Bits of Beauty. I discovered a love for photography and would post ten images I collected from each of my jaunts. I unfortunately developed foot issues and had to stop my walks in my little wonderland. I spent time making these picture patchwork squares from my collections. They are the inspiration for these tiles. They now stand a monument to our time there as we have recently moved into a 55+ community less than 10 minutes to where I teach. I still have foot issues and will explore what our new neighborhood has to offer once fully healed. I’m hoping by summertime.

1.  Prepare Picture Patchwork Squares using an editing tool. Then resize and print for your tiles.

2.  Cut apart Prepared Images and Glue to Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-4 Inch Trading Coasters, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-2.5 Inch Trading Coasters using Weldbond and a paintbrush.

3.  I like to use Deli Paper to rub images making sure they are secure to the coasters.

4.  Use a fine grade Sanding Block to easily round the corners of the coasters and to assure no extra paper is over the edges.

5.  Use a rougher grade Sanding Block to add vintage and interest to your coasters.

6.  Choose Tiles that will be stacked on top of each other.

7.  Add a quick coat of Matte Gel Medium on each of the trading coasters.

8.   Next, Choose a piece of complimentary sari  ribbon to sandwich between coaster layers.

9.  Once layered use an awl to punch holes in 2.5-inch Trading Coasters, then use miniature screws and a screwdriver to secure the two pieces together.

10.                Sometimes the screws come through the backside. Use a file to flatten these sharp points.

11.                Next use embossing ink and Foamie Moroccan to add texture to the tiles.

12.                Spread Clear Embossing Powder on inked portion and cure with a heating tool.

13.                Gently rub Gold Lead Rub'nBuff to the elevated surfaces.

14.                Now use an ink applicator to add Saddle Brown StazOn to the Coasters giving them a rich vibrant look.

 

Some Final Thoughts.

This is a simple project to create and allows you to showcase some of your own photographs if you can figure out how to download them for your device. One thing that Covid taught us is that simple pleasures can be immensely satisfying. Some people learned to slow down and take time to appreciate what they have long taken for granted. Some folks discovered a new talent or took up a new hobby. As we look forward in hope to the upcoming month I hope the lessons we learned along the way are not forgotten. I am  slowly able to get back to taking short walks through my every changing neighborhood as seasons pass from one to another. May we always have eyes to see the simple gifts being offered to us each day, hearts to heal what is wounded, and hands to hold as hugs return and the human touch is restored slowly but surely!!

"When I'm in turmoil, when I can't think, when I'm exhausted and afraid, and feeling very, very alone. I go for walks. It's just one of those things I do. I walk and I walk and sooner or later, something comes to me, something to make me feel less like jumping off a building." -Jim Butcher

"There comes...a longing never to travel again except on foot."-Wendell Berry

"If you seek creative ideas go walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk."-Raymond I. OD Myers

'If you pursue happiness, you are an ordinary person. If happiness pursues you, you are an extraordinary person. Do not chase happiness; let it chase you!"-Peter Deunov

I liked how taking walks through my neighborhood never going out father than a  couple of miles offered such riches and treasures. I was fascinated how many people asked me where I lived because I was able to capture the charm of a countryside village but in the shadows of major US city.

 Supplies:  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-4 Inch Trading Coasters, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-2.5 Inch Trading Coasters, Prepared, Sized and Copied 4 inch and 2.5 inch Patchwork Picture Squares, Scissors, Weldbond, Paintbrush, Deli Paper, Sanding Blocks,  Matte Gel Medium, Sari Ribbon, Miniature Screws, Screwdriver, Awl, File, Foamie Moroccan Tiles, Embossing Ink, Clear Embossing Powder, Heating Tool, Gold Leaf Rub'nBuff, StazOn Saddle Brown Ink, Ink Applicator,

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!

 

 

Little and portable frame

Hi everyone!

Myry again and today I'm going to show you how to make a frame to keep in a pocket :)

I'll not be able to embellish the frame (with flowers or something like that) so I choose this one that is so beautiful with all these filigrees!

I'm going to stick both parts before painting. I'll use a cold white tone and I'll sprinkle glitter before it dries.

I'll use a 11'5cm scrap paper for the inside of the frame and a cardboard piece of the same size cover  with fabric for the back.

Also I'm going to stick 3 strips of the same paper folded in half: 2 of 11'5x5cm on the sides and 1 of 6'5x5cm in the bottom. 

Then stick the frame on top of the tabs so that the photo enters without problems

And this is how my little portable frame looks! So cute!

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts items used:

Layered Frame Felicity

Other items used:

Acrylic paint, glitter, brush and sponge

Scrap paper, cardboard and fabric

Scissors and glue (optionally: paper clips)