In My Heart There Rings a Melody-A Peek-A-Boo Project

 My childhood was spent going to church at a small Baptist Church that stood on a hill just  about a mile from my county home. There were many restrictions and expectations about what a Christian should look like and behave. I felt trapped sometimes by its dogma. As a gay man I knew that I was condemned to "hell"  and I was an abomination. These words kept me from expressing my true self, but I did grow up with a value system that seems to be missing from much of our world today. I have made my peace with my faith and am thankful for all the darkness it has carried me through. I used to pray that my hope would be taken away because I have known some very deep disappointments. BUT  I am thankful that prayer has never been answered and I have somehow managed to keep a positive disposition through most of this past year. This is the inspiration for this artwork.    

    1. Attach Song Sheet to Wooden Cigar Box Substrate with Weldbond. This is from a church hymnal that came from Moreland Baptist Church. My dad loved singing in their small choir.

2. Add additional depth and interest using  ArtFomies Writer's Block and  Golden Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold paint and script stamp and pink ink.

3  3.First Paint Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Sandra Evertson Filigree Heart - Mixed Media Chips (Pack of 2) with neon pink paint.

    4.  Paint Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Leafy Hearts with Transparent Red Iron Oxide and Pyrrole Red Paint.

    5. Paint  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Heart of Gears with Lumiere Metallic Rust and Copper Paint.

6  6.  Layer Hearts to see if there is enough contrast between the three layers.

7  7.I felt it needed more contrast and added some acrylic pain first then embossing powders  and  a Script and  a Wooden Grain Stamp. I used these Embossing Powders-Red, Metallic Bronze, Vintage Photo. Etched Platinum, Pewter, German Silver. Cure with a Heating Tool.

     8.  At same time Use Versa mark Gel to add Etched Platinum, Pewter, German Silver embossing powders to the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Barbed Wire Shape Set, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Wrought Iron Set. Set with a heating tool.

   9. I layered again and felt like there still was not enough contrast between my layers and added metallic blue nail polish to the base heat.

    10. I added some streaks of neon pink to base layer to further unify the pieces.

    11. Add all the components creating your assemblage and adhering with Weldbond.

     12. Cover with waxed Paper and add heavy books to make sure all components dry securely and flat.

Some Final Thoughts.

My faith is now best described by Over The Rhine's song "All My Favorite People Are Broken"

All my favorite people are broken*

Believe me, my heart should know

Some prayers are better left unspoken

I just want to hold you and let the rest go

All my friends are part saint and part sinner

We lean on each other, try to rise above

We are not afraid to admit we are all still beginners

We are all late bloomers when it comes to love

All my favorite people are broken

Believe me, my heart should know

Orphaned believers, skeptical dreamers, step forward

You can stay right here, you don't have to go

Is each wound you've received just a burdensome gift

It gets so hard to lift yourself up off the ground

But the poet says we must praise a mutilated world

We're all working the graveyard shift

You might as well sing along

Cause all my favorite people are broken

Believe me, my heart should know

As for your tender heart, this world's going to rip it wide open,

It ain't gonna be pretty, but you?re not alone

All my favorite people are broken

Believe me, my heart should know

Orphaned believers, skeptical dreamers, you're welcome

Yeah, you're safe right here, you don't have to go

Cause all my favorite people are broken

Believe me, I should know

Some prayers are better left unspoken

I just want to hold you and let the rest go

Supplies:  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Waterworks Shape Set, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Heart of Gears,  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Sandra Evertson | Filigree Heart - Mixed Media Chips (Pack of 2), Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Leafy Hearts, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Barbed Wire Shape Set, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Wrought Iron Set, Wooden Cigar Box Lid Substrate, Music Song Sheet, Weldbond, ArtFomies Writer's Block, Golden Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold, Transparent Red Iron Oxide, Pyrrole Red, Diaylide Yellow Paint, Lumiere Metallic Rust and Copper Paint, Neon Pink Paint, Script  and Wooden Grain Stamp, Embossing Powders-Red, Metallic Bronze, Vintage Photo. Etched Platinum, Pewter, German Silver, Versa Mark Gel,  Heating Tool, Metallic Blue Nail Polish, Paintbrush, Heavy Books

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!

 

A card with love

Hi everyone!

Myry again and today I gonna show you how to make this lovely card.

This month is my wedding anniversary and I was thinking to make a gesture towards my husband.

This beautiful heart caught my eyes indeed!

So for our base we need one white cardstock piece of 15'5x31cm (6 7⁄64" x 12 13⁄64") and two scrap papers of 15x15cm (6"x6"). Glue them after choosing how the card will open. Optionally you can glue another two scrap papers inside the card.

If you don't like the dark color of the chipboard you can lighten it with a lighter tone, like this cream.

Glue the chipboard to a piece of scrap paper that harmonizes with the ones chosen for the base... 

...and cut the edge. At first I wanted to use both parts but in the end I only used the main one.

So to give volume we are going to mke another base with one white cardstock pieces of 13'5x13'5cm (5 5/16"x5 5/16"), one scrap papers of 13x13cm (5 1/8"x5 1/8") and 3D foam tape.

Carefully pass the folder over the entire base so that it sticks well.

Choose all the elements that you'll need to decorate the card.

Before gluing the chipboard and other elements use a piece of cardboard to give more volume and stability to the heart.

Now put all the elements in their place and give the last touches with white paint.

Easy peasy! 

And what happened to the other part of the heart?? See here!

I hope I've given you some idea. Bye!

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts items used:

Leafy Hearts

Other items used:

Scrapbooking paper

White cardstock (250gr) and a piece of cardboard

Glue, 3D foam tape, scissors and scoring/folder tool

Flowers, leaves and butterflies

White acrylic paint and dots