Mom’s Side of the Family: A Peek-a-Boo Project

In my last blog I spoke of my momma's gardens and flowerbeds. She came by it naturally growing up in the majestic hills of Sullivan County, Pennsylvania. Sullivan County is known as the Gem to the Endless Mountains, it is the second least populous county in Pennsylvania.

It is magical and mysterious, with beautiful state parks like World’s End and Ricketts Glen. There are scenic vistas, breathtaking waterfalls, small villages, natural lakes, quaint little shops, a toboggan slide in Eagles Mere, and covered bridges. 

There is an unusual gravity defying, sandstone rock formation which stands at the edge of a steep cliff and resembles an upright hammer, named Ticklish Rock. A beautiful 45-acre spring-fed lake we used to go to with our church youth group, not it is not the famous Crystal Lake of Friday the Thirteenth movies, but we joked that it was. 

Some early industries for the area were a glass factory, mills for wool and flower, foundries, a copper mill, cigar factories, Specht Brewery, Schaad Distillery, a Clothes Pin Factory, and logging and lumberyards. These are the inspirations of this artwork.

1. Gather Supplies.
   
2. Use a Pencil to Trace the Upper Inner Portion of the GSLC Triptych-Towers Top.
   

   
3. Use Embossing Dabber and paintbrush to AddSeth Apter Patina Oxide and Emerald Creek Salted Shamrock Enamel Embossing Powders to the Top Portion of GSLC Triptych-Towers Top.
   
4. Cure With a Heating Tool.
5. Use a Paintbrush and Golden Green Gold and Quinacridone Nickel Azo Acrylic Paints to Fill in Gaps and Give Patina to the Top Portion of GSLC Triptych-Towers Top.
   
6. Paint Bottom Portion of the of GSLC Triptych-Towers Top with a Paintbrush and Quinacridone Magenta and DecoArt Ultra Violet Neon Acrylic Paints. Paint Edges of Thin Cardboard Pieces Also.
   
7. Dab with Golden Fluorescent Pink Paint to Add Interest and Depth.
   
8. Collect Images from Antiquarian Sticker Book: Imaginarium. I Found Unusual Images of Faces, Birds, Flowers and Feathers. 
   
9. I Glued Them Into A Collage Assemblage I Layered Upon Layers to Give a Rich, Deep Enchantment.
10. I Added Bits of Washi Tape to Unify The Individual Collages with a Vintage Appeal.
11. To Further Unify the Collages use a Ranger Glossy Accents Dimensional Medium and a Small Plastic Palette Knife.Use UHU GlueStick to Glue Collage to Bottom Portion of Bottom Portion of the of GSLC Triptych-Towers Top.
    

    
12. Hold Secure With Metal Clamps.
13. Once Fully Dry add Top Portion of the of GSLC Triptych-Towers Top Securing With a UHU GlueStick.
14. Hold in Place with Metal Clamps.
    
15. Once Fully Dry Paint Edges of Joined Frames with Metallic Blue and Gold Stencil Butter.
    

Final Thoughts

My Momma was one of eight children that lived in a tiny while house nestled on a dirt road who soil was reddened from the iron oxide content found in it. The views from their front porch were illuminated from the accrues of cut fields they tended to in their youth. My family would go visiting on Sundays and we’d always say we are “going Up Home to Visit Jim and the Girls” After my grandparents died there were two aunts and a uncle who never married living there together for many years. They were what would now to called Naturalist or Survivalist, we just knew them as savvy, thrifty resourceful relatives. Uncle hunted and trapped, aunties gardened and canned storing up for the cold winters. Living on the mountain roads they knew when it snowed there were likely going no place. Like my momma they were crafty and creative souls, also perhaps to bring joy to the long cold winter days and nights.  Mom tatted, another aunt would crochet or knit amazing afghans, hot pads, and even toilet paper Cover Dolls. The other aunt made soft sculpt dolls out of used pantyhose  and stockings. The hair was often repurposed wigs and each were clothed with items they also created. One of the most magical ones I can remember was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but there was Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. My Nephew was Given a Native American Chief. One uncle created lawn art by using recycled tools and hardware welded together. I like to think much of my creativity comes form my mom’s side of the family.

Other memories we have shooting a muzzle loader, Carbide lanterns,  watch for the albino deer using binoculars from the front porch, Christmas cookie platters, fishing in their small pond, climbing  the large rocks in their yards, Russian Nesting Dolls, hummingbird feeders, and piles and piles of piles. 

The place now resides with a cousin and it has been years since I have been there. I often wished I had spent a summer with them and asked them of their memories and write a historical fiction book to celebrate my heritage. 

Supplies:  GSLC Triptych-Towers Top , Antiquarian Sticker Book: Imaginarium, Thin Cardboard, Pencil, Scissors,Embossing Dabber, Seth Apter Patina Oxide and Emerald Creek Salted Shamrock Enamel Embossing Powders, Heating Tool, Golden Green Gold, Quinacridone Nickel Azo, Quinacridone Magenta, Fluorescent Pink, DecoArt Ultra Violet Neon Acrylic Paints, Paintbrush, Washi Tape, Uhu GlueStick,Ranger Glossy Accent  Dimensional Medium, Small Plastic Pallets Knife, Metal Clamps, Metallic Blue and Gold Stencil Butter

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!

Where Do We Go From Here?A Peek-a-Boo Projects All Grown Up-Part 1

 As we begin a new year many often reflect on the year gone by, to weigh what was, goals realized, magical memories made,  the good, the bad; the ugly. 2021 was a year of changes for us, we were skeptical homeowners, wanting to get out of our charming, but in need of repair 1930's brick Cape Cod house in Catonsville, Maryland. We doubted we would ever be able to move into a more suitable condo for our needs. But through incredible circumstances and an amazing realtor agent we managed the impossible in May we moved to our single level ranch condo, just seven minutes from my middle school job.

We returned to full in person learning  this school year, with interruptions made by close contacts and student needing to quarantine for days or weeks depending on the mandate at the moment. I said last year was my most challenging in my 32 years of teaching, I was wrong. This school has proven to be even more challenging as we try to get our student back into a routine and practicing social norms.

My foot is finally one hundred percent healed as I changed podiatrist when we moved and they immediately started me on a new regime of skin grafting. I was unable to attend our largest art show as it was on uneven terrine and my foot could not be forced to endure those conditions. But we have had two very successful shows. Former customers are commenting on how my artwork has become so much brighter. It is amazing what the natural light in our condo has done to evolve my art.      

Many of you ask where I get my creative inspirations, many of them come from my love of nature and a desire to try to be unique and not copy other artist but further my brand. I love to Upcycle my Peek-a-Boo Projects and use them on my Hand Bound Treasure Books and Alter Boxes.

I will be posting my "Top Ten Peek-a-Boo Regenerations of Favorite GSCL Products"

10. My favorite GSLC Frames are often used on my book covers and boxes.

GSLC-Arabian Triptych, GSLC-Reliquary-Arch Top, GSLC-Triptych-Arch Top, GSLC-Triptych-Tower Tops

9. Fern Fronds, Ginkgo Leave, Mushrooms were fantastic  additions to these project.

GSLC Fern Fronds, GSLC Ginkgo Leaves, GSLC Mushrooms Shape Set

8.The picture patchwork tiles make a great addition to book covers also.

 Patchwork Tiles-Peek-a-Boo Project-GSLC     

  

7. The Tribal Tidal Pools Project was the inspiration for this book cover.

Tribal Tidal Pools-Peek-a-Boo-Project-GSLC

6. The  coins from My Coin Collect make nice additions to many book covers.

My Coin Collection-Peek-a-Boo Project-GSLC         

Country Fairs Can be a Circus-A Peek-a-Boo Project

Growing up in the Country we were excited when summer came and it was time for the Lycoming County Fair, as a youth I’d spend the week there walking the circuit and seeing who I could see, strange to think of now as I am a shy introverted individual. Back in the day there was a tent that was of the main pathway, hidden off to one corner behind the rides, it was the Sideshow or the Freak Show tent. It promised two headed chickens, five legged calves, alligator boy, conjoined twins, bearded ladies, and world’s strongest man. I was never brave enough to go inside nor willing to pay the fee with my hard-earned money. Now I’m intrigued by all such things and this is the inspiration for this installment.

 

1.           I like mixing the sizes on my Triptychs for this I used Two  of the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Arch Top Triptych 8 Inch,  and one of the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Triptych-Arch Top.

2.           Use the back inside portion to trace and cut out paper you would like to use as the background.

3.           Cut Out and use Weldbond to Glue to GSLC Arch Top Frames.

4.           For the Top Frame Portion use a small plastic spatula to randomly apply Ferro Metal Effect Paint in Steel, Gold, and Copper.

5.           Once dry fill in the empty spaced with TH Distress Stains of Crushed Olives and Bundled Sage.

6.           Glue to frame to bottom securing with Weldbond.

7.           Hold securely into place using metal clips.

8.           While they are drying work on other components. I used Embossing ink in a Roller Applicator to apply Allure Mercury Rising Embossing Powder to the 1, 2, and 3 of the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Number Cards.

9.           Cure with a heating tool.

10.      Add TH Distress Stain of Mermaid Lagoon to fill in any empty spaces.

11.      Choose Scraps of paper to add a background to prepared numbers. Cut and Glue to back of Numbers with Weldbond.

 

12.      Choose Scraps of paper to add backgrounds to the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Artist Trading Coins. Trace with Pencil and Cut with Scissors.

13.      Secure into place using Weldbond.

14.      Use Embossing Ink in Roller Applicator and Embossing Powders like Wendy Vecchi Tree Branch, Ice Resin Garnet and Barnished Bronze, Mixed Media Funky Cold Patina to the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Trading Coin Covers Circus.

15.      Cure with a Heating tool.

16.      I wanted the Wendy Vecchi Tree Branch to be more dramatic and added Mixed Media Satin Sunset Embossing Powder and cured with a heating tool.

17.      Glue the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Trading Coin Covers Circus to the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Artist Trading Coins with Weldbond. Secure into place with Metal Clips.

18.      Use Scraps of papers to add layers and details to back of GSLC Arch Frames and GSLC Number Cards.

 

 

19.      Once backs of Arch Frames are layered as you like use the same technique described in Step 4 and 5 above to unify the two sides.

 

20.      Seal quickly with a Matte Varnish and a paintbrush.

21.      Assemble Pieces layering with Weldbond to hold all securely into place.

22.      Allow to dry while completely flat and weighted down with something like kitty litter in Ziploc bags.

23.      Once fully dry add small metal hinges using an awl, screwdriver and miniature screws.

Some Final Thoughts…

“Life is a circus ring, with some moments more spectacular than others.” Janusz Korczak

“Just cause you got the monkeys off your back doesn’t mean the circus has left the town.” George Carlin

“So many freaks and not enough circuses!” Rachel Renee Russell

“We are all freaks. Yes! Alone in our rooms at night, we are weirdos and outcasts and losers. That is what ‘life’ is all about! Whether you admit or not, you are all worried that the others won’t accept you, that if they knew the real you, they would recoil in horror. Each of us carries with us a secret shame that we think is somehow unique…and if we are, each of us, freaks—then can’t we accept what’s different in each of us and move on?” James St. James

“We’re all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that’s all.” The Breakfast Club

“Just because everyone is behaving like a clown, it doesn’t mean you have to join the circus.” Matshona Dhliwayo

"If you ever start to feel like you have the goofiest, craziest, most dysfunctional family in the world, all you have to do is go to a state fair. Because in five minutes at the fair, you will be going, 'You know, we're alright. We are dang near royalty.'" Jeff Foxworthy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies:  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Arch Top Triptych 8 Inch, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Triptych-Arch Top, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Artist Trading Coins, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Trading Coin Covers Circus, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Number Cards, Circus Themed Papers- I Used Ciao Bella Greatest Show Collection, Pencil, Scissors, Weldbond, Ferro Metal Effect Paint-Copper, Gold, Steel, Plastic Spatula, TH Distress Stain-Crushed Olive, Bundled Sage, Mermaid Lagoon, Metal Clamps, Embossing Ink in Roller Applicator, Embossing Powders-I used Allure Mercury Rising, Wendy Vecchi Tree Branch, Ice Resin Garnet and Barnished Bronze, Mixed Media Funky Cold Patina and Satin Sunset, Heating Tool, Matte Varnish, Paintbrush,  Small Metal Hinges, Screwdriver, Awl, Miniature Screws, Weighted Bags-I Used Kitty Litter in Ziploc Bags

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!