Na Na Na Na, Na Na Na Na, Hey, Hey Hey Goodbye-A Peek-A-Boo Project

 

To say I am happy to see 2020 fade into the sunset is  a huge understatement. Never in my life could I have imagined a year so full and angst and frustration. In my 32 years of teaching it was by far my most challenging year. We started out teaching virtually to a group of students we have never met face to face, they on their devices appearing as a colored lettered circle on my laptop Google Meet. We finally went to a hybrid model which was even worse than the original all virtual model as I was teaching a group of students socially distanced in my classroom 6 feet apart, while simultaneously I had another group of student learning virtually.

I  missed out going to the sale of our family homestead, that had been in our family for over 80 years.  I have not been back to Pennsylvania since last spring.  When I return my childhood home will no longer be ours. I have photographs and memories I'll need to process when I am able to go pay my last respects.

I had wounds on my feet that would not heal and I  could not enjoy a quiet early morning walk through my newly discovered older neighborhood from early in the pandemic. I would take walks through the narrow streets and alleyways seeking signs of life, beholding bits or beauty, and hunting for hints of hope.

All of our art shows were canceled and time in my studio making my creations came to a screeching halt in September. This project is one of my first attempts at being creative again.

I am still very weary from the journey as I still go into school to teach my students virtually from my classroom, trying to convey any sense of normalcy.  I have tried to stay positive and maintain balance and a sense of humor.  This is the long introduction, to my longest titled blog post to date and the inspiration for this cheeky banner.

1.1. Gather your supplies, we will start with the GSLC Number Cards and white acrylic paint.

     2. On a protective surface quickly  cover the GSLC Number Cards with white acrylic paint we are not aiming for perfection but want some of the chipboard to show through. Be sure to paint on both sides as this will help the chipboard to stay flat.

3. While paint is still wet sprinkle with Infusion Walnut Stains- I used Rusty Car, Lemoncello, Slime, and Emerald Green.

4. Spray gently with spray bottle. Can set with a heating tool if you so desire. I do because I am an impatient artist.

5. Use Weldbond to attach prepared GSLC Number Cards to Thick Black Cardstock.

6. Cover with waxed paper.

7. Allow to dry fully pressing down with heavy books.

                           

8. While the GSLC Number Cards are drying using the same process described above to paint and patina your GSLC Corona Shapes. Do not cut out individual pieces but paint in its entirety. Once fully dry carefully remove desired pieces.

                             

9. When GSLC Corona Shapes are dry cut them apart with scissors.   

                       

   10. Once all GSLC Number Cards are separated lay out the GSLC Corona Shape Pieces you want to use on each slide.

                      

 11. Find Alphabet Paper set and choose the letters to spell the phrase of your choosing.

    

                           

 1   12. Assemble cards using Weldbond to attach each piece, cover with waxed 

        paper allow to dry flat a fully, being weighted down with heavy books.

         13. Next we will use Crop-A-Dile Eyelet and Snap Punch to punch holes into the top corners adding decorative eyelets in a variety of colors.

14. Use decorative ribbon to attach the completed GSLC Number Cards.

   I put ribbon through the front of the cards and taped down with scotch table

  15.As I did not want the scotch tape to show I cut pieces of decorative paper to 

seal in the tape and give the back of the cards a more finished appeal.   

Some Final Thoughts.

There are many songs I could use to end this post, Over the Rhine-Don't Let The Bastards Get You Down, Simon & Garfunkel-Bridge Over Troubled Water, Tracy Chapman-Fast Car, Seal-Crazy among others. The title is taken from an oldie Steam-Na Na Na Na, Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey Hey, Kiss Him Goodbye. Any of these songs could adequately describe by salutations to 2020. May we find ourselves in a better brighter world soon. 

Supplies:  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Number Cards, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Corona Shapes, white acrylic paint, paintbrush, Infusion Walnut Stains-Rusty Car, Lemoncello, Slime, Emerald Green, Spray Bottle of Water, Heating Tool, Weldbond Glue, Thick Black Cardstock, Waxed Paper, Heavy Book, Scissors, Letter Pieces, Eyelets, Crop-A-Dile Eyelet and Snap Punch, Decorative Ribbon, Scotch Tape, Decorative Paper, Matte Gel Medium

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!

 

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!