Upon Becoming Sixty-A Peek-a-Boo Project

Do know someone who is turning the BIG Two One—Oh or the even BIGGER Five-OH-NO? Well they have come and gone for me, I turned 60 on September 3. Never did I think I would be here to celebrate with you all. I wrote a short story 25 years ago titled “Obituaries” Some excerpts are part of this blog.

My birthday was the third birthday in my family the last week of August and the first week in September. My dad’s birthday was August 30th, my sister’s September 2nd, and mine September 3rd…My dad always wanted a spice cake, my sister a mayonnaise chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting, then there was me. I often remember sharing birthday cakes as our birthday’s were so close together. We grew up with limited income so it made sense at the time.

I don’t remember birthday parties with party hats, and streamers flowing from the ceilings, or the extravagant ones now posted on social media with each year needing to top and be better than the last one. Mostly it was cake and ice cream and maybe a rendition of the birthday song. I’m not much of a party person now or wanting to be the center of attention, I am still quite introverted and shy in large gatherings.  There was no big turning 50 birthday party, with “Over the Hill” themed decorations, at 60 I am guessing if we had a party it would be “Damn Your Old” themed. If I had an alter ego, and extroverted wild child side, that is the inspiration for this artwork.

1. Gather Supplies.
   
2. Use a Paintbrush to Randomly Paint GSLC Little Niche Sun Burst.
   
3. Add Highlights to GSLC Little Niche Sun Burst with Stencil Butter Turquoise and Green Gold Golden Acrylic Paint.
   
4. Create a Frame Using Washi Tape on Top Portion of GSLC Little Niche Sun Burst.
   
5. Select Images for Your Perceived Composition.
   
6. Glue a Background Image to Box Portion of GSLC Little Niche Sun Burst Using UHU GlueStick.
   
7. Layer Other Images to This Boxed Frame.
   
8. Use Washi Tape and UHU GlueStick to Secure Bottom Portion of GSLC Little Niche Sun Burst.
   

   
9. Use a Paintbrush and Deco Art Matte Gel Medium to Seal in all Images of Niche.
   
10.  Add Iridescent Thread to Inside Box Portion Before Gluing on Top Part of GSLC Little Niche Sun Burst.
    
11.  Hold Tightly Into Place With Metal Clamps and Allow to Dry Fully.
    
12.  Use Ranger Glossy Accents to Add Micro Jewels to Your GSLC Little Niche Sun Burst.
    
13. Now Go Celebrate You and Your Unique Gifts Your Bring to This World.

Final Thoughts:

From my short story , “Obituaries”…

“As he approached the podium, few people could see his knees shaking under the burden  on his shoulders, not to mention the weight of his heavy heart. There was a butterfly convention being held in his stomach. He was not prepared for this public spectacle. The notes he carried in his beast pocket were sure to be out of sequence. Why was he so annoyed with the eyes that were now gazing upon him?”

“How can he be thirty-five and still be thinking about school playgrounds and taking sides? Can't anyone see the scraped knees, the hand-me downs, the scared little boy. Why does age seem to betray him?”

Our childhoods leave a lasting impression, some for better some for worse. If you want a deeper understanding of mine read my “Obituaries” Blog Post.

It ends with these words…

Thus began the man's reintroduction to the land of the living. he continues his epitaph saying; "Today we remember an accomplished author, a published poet, an enthusiastic entertainer, an artistic artist, an incredible cook, a kind soul, a lover of the lost one and walks in the woods, a terrific teacher, a beloved brother, a spiritual being, a quiet thinker, a dreamer. We remember a man more or less who was aware of his demons, who had faced some of his fears, who sailed through some scary storms, who spent many a sleepless nights awake wondering if this was it. But a man none the less who was willing once again to say, "I'm sorry,  I was wrong, I should have listened better to what you said.”

Thoughts of becoming fifty...Much remains the same love those put in your path (Family and friends float to the top). Save time for silence and stillness, and treasure serenity in the small simple pleasures. Find your passion and allow it to soothe your soul. Never give up the hope in better days nor the adage "This too shall pass." Blessings upon your journey!!

I am not sure I can top that one written ten years ago for the big Five-Oh. I love my life with my husband and our Gladyses in our imperfect condo community of Marvin Gardens.

Supplies:  GSLC Little Niche Sun Burst, Vintage Party Images, Acrylic Paints Pale Green Tones, Stencil Butter Turquoise,Green Gold Golden Acrylic Paint, Paintbrush, Stamperia Sweet Paper Pad, Washi Tape, UHU GlueStick, DecoArt Matte Gel Medium, Iridescent Thread, Metal Clamps,Ranger Glossy Accents, Micro Jewels

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!

Bees In August-A Peek-a-Boo Project

For the bees, August marks the start of their New Year! I wonder what bees wear to a party? I am sure the queen would have a proper crown. The drones will not even be asked to the festivities as they have served their purpose and worker bees are likely kicking the poor drones to the curb. Fewer eggs are being laid and some of the party goers won’t be attending this year, the number of bees in the hive is declining. 

Bees become more feisty and rambunctious this time of year, as days are growing shorter and nectar supply is lessening. They are right to be defensive as this is the time of year that hunger hornets and yellow jackets could become party crashers. They want what’s on the menu inside.  There are bigger concerns, as the local field mice will be looking for a cozy place to spend the winter. After all the bee boxes are honey bee heated and filled with yummy honey.

This is the time of the season when colonies start the cycle for next year's season by producing healthy and vigorous worker bees that will raise the final cycle of bees before Winter. These are the inspirations for this artwork.

1. Gather Supplies.
   
2. Plan Out Your Composition.
   
3. Find a Magazine Image you Want to Use or Base of GSLC Reliquary Frame.
   
4. Trace Pattern and Cut Out with Scissors.
5. Use a UHU GlueStick to Attach Image to Frame.
   
6. Paint Edges of Image with Purple Acrylic Paints.
   
7. Paint Upper Portion of GSLC Reliquary Frame with Green Acrylic Paints.
   
8. Use UHU GlueStick to Connect Parts of Frame.
9. Hold Securely to Fully Dry with Metal Clamps.
   
10. Use Various Acrylic Paints to Paint remainder of GSLC Items.
    
11.  I Used Metallic Pain in Gold and Cooper Hues to Paint The Honeycomb.
    
12. I Used Golden Interference Blue Paint to Make Bee Wings Shimmer.
    
13.  I used Liquid Pearls to Add Interest to the GSLC Hypericum Berries.
    
14. Spread a Layer of Ranger Glossy Accents on Prepared Frame.
15. Lay Prepared Items In Making Sure All are covered with a fresh layer of Glossy Accents.
    
16. Allow to Dry Fully, Likely Overnight or a Full 24 Hours.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

Final Thoughts

Not Only is August the Honey Bee’s New Year but the this Saturday in August is World Honey Bee Day. It is a day to celebrate all things honey bee, Their delicious honey, their ability of being super pollinators, their beekeepers dedication to the honey bees longevity, providing them with a supportive environment-all things blooming.

Suggestions for Celebrating World Honey Bee Day

~Collect and spread local wildflower seeds to promote honey bee pollination.

~Replace your usual sweetener with honey for the day. Taste the difference!

~Give the gift of honey to a friend, neighbor, co-worker or family member.

~Give a bottle of Mead-we like Linganore Medieval Mead-it is the mead served at the Maryland Renaissance Festival.

~Enjoy a Hot Toddy

~ Search for Sweets laden with honey, a favorite of mine is baklava.

~ I like to think that I invented honey mustard, when I worked all those years ago at Friendly’s I would mix regular yellow mustard and honey and eat it on my salad, then it seemed like years later honey mustard was the flavor of the choice. 

~Many Skincare and Cosmetics also contain honey as an ingredient-it serves asa moisturizer, clarifying, antibacterial and/or flavoring agent. Bert’s Bees is a popular brand.

~Honeycomb Beeswax Candles can brighten your late summer picnic table.

~Manuka honey has helped me heal many a wounds, soothed my itchy throat, and curbed a cold.

Supplies:  GSLC Reliquary-Arch Top, GSLC Honeycomb & Queen Bees ATC Sized, GSLC Hypericum  Berries, Pencil, Magazine Image, Scissors, UHU GlueStick, Purple Acrylic Paints, Green Acrylic Paints, Metal Clamps,Various Acrylic Paints, Liquid Pearl in Colors of Your Choosing, Metallic Paints Gold and Copper, Yellow Paint, Golden Interference Blue, Ranger Glossy Accents,

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!

In the Eye of the Beholder-A Peek-a-Boo Project

It is an old axiom, and well said, That “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”.  Small paintings of eyes first became popular during the late eighteenth century. They reminded wearers of a loved one, whose identity remained a secret. The single eye also symbolized the watchful gaze of a jealous partner, who feared that his or her lover might stray. These are the inspirations for this artwork.

1. Gather Supplies.
   
2. Go Through Magazines Adverts Looking for Expressive Eyes.
   
3. Use a Pencil to Trace Smaller Portion of GSLC Mini Frames.
4. Cut Out Traced Eyes Using Scissors.
   
5. Now Look Through Magazine for Texture Images.
   
6. Use a Pencil to Trace Larger Portion of GSLC Mini Frames.
7. Cut Out Traced Textures Using Scissors.
8. Paint Inner Smaller GSLC Mini frames with Metallic Paints-I Used Copper and Golden Tones.
   
9. Paint Outer Larger GSLC Mini Frames with Metallic Paints-I Used Blue  and Toned it Down with Golden Transparent Iron Oxide Paint.
   
10. Use a Pencil to Trace Larger Portion of GSLC Mini Frames on to Scraps of Thin Cardboard.
    
11. Cut Out Traced Templates Using Scissors.
12.  Glue Larger Portion of GSLC Mini Frames on to Scraps of Thin CardboardUsing a UHU GlueStick.
    
13. Glue Eyes to Back side of Inner Smaller GSLC Mini Frames.
14. Glue Inner Smaller GSLC Mini Frames Onto Inside Center Of Larger Outer GSLC Mini Frames.
15. Press and Dry Completely.
16. Add Micro Gems to Frames Randomly Securing with Ranger Gloss Accent.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

Final Thoughts:

As a child when we would take the road trip to visit our cousins in New Jersey  we’d play a version of the “I spy with my little eye” game. Mostly it would turn into the alphabet  game where we would teach for letters on signs or license plates.  The end of this game proved to be more challenging than the first part.

Eye Quotes

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.

~Marcel Proust

Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes.

~Jim Carrey

He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.

~Albert Einstein

You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.

~Mark Twain

Let my soul smile through my heart and my heart smile through my eyes, that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts.

~Paramahansa Yogananda

Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards.

~Benjamin Franklin

What the eyes see and the ears hear, the mind believes.

~Harry Houdini

Supplies:  GSLC Connie's Mini Frames , Magazine adverts, Pencil, Scissors, Metallic Paints, Scraps of Thin Cardboard, UHU GlueStick, Ranger Glossy Accent, Micro Gems

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!