Oktoberfest Observations-A Peek-a-Boo Project

This is Jon David Lowe, for Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts. October is one of my favorite months as it a time of changes and hopefully the return of cooler temperatures. A long ago tradition of one of my dearest and longtime friends to host an Oktoberfest on one of the uncles wooded farmland outside of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. I wrote of this property in this April 2021 Blogpost. I have also been lucky enough to attend an Oktoberfest-type Celebration when I traveled to Europe the summer after graduating from college so many years ago. These are the inspirations for this artwork.

1.  Gather Supplies.

2.  Make Copies of Vintage Kem Cards Featuring  Oktoberfest Themed Face Cards.

3.  Use Top Part of GSLC Heart Playing Cards Frame to Cut Cards to Proper Size.

                       

4.  Use UHU Glue stick to attach Face Card Images to Vintage German Script Pages.

5.  Once Fully Dry Use Saddle Brown StazOn Ink Pad and Blending Tool to Soften the Edges of the Cards so They Appear More Unified.

6.  Use a Paintbrush to Carefully Coat Prepared Pages with Embossing Reinker Gel.

7.  Randomly Sprinkle with  Seth Apter Vintage Beeswax Embossing Powder on Both Sides.

8.  Ever so Carefully Using a Heating Tool to Cure the Embossing Powder.

                    

9.  Use a Fine Point Sharpie or Pencil and  Top Part of GSLC Heart Playing Cards Frame to Cut Prepared Pages to Proper Size.

10.                Use a Paintbrush and Shades of Red and Florescent Pink Acrylic Paints to Randomly Paint Bottom Portion of GSLC Heart Playing Cards Frame.

11.                Use a Versa Mark Pad and German Silver, Oil Rubbed Bronze, and Slicked Smoke Embossing Powders, and Heating Tool on Top Portion of GSLC Heart Playing Cards Frame.

12.                Once Full Dry Add Wendy Vecchi Black Embossing Paste to Top Portion to Make it Look More Vintage.

13.                Use Weldbond to Glue Prepared Images to Back Inside of Top Portion of GSLC Heart Playing Cards Frame.

14.                Use Weldbond to Glue Top Portion and Bottom Portion of GSLC Heart Playing Cards Frames Together.

Some Final Thoughts.

I grew up in home where alcohol was  never consumed not even a beer, and it was grape juice served at communion on the Lord's Supper at our small Baptist Church. I went to a small Christian College where we signed a policy waiver saying we would not drink alcohol or use any controlled substances. But I was a rebellious lad and did go off campus drinking and even got called to the dean's office for having Bartles & Jaymes Wine Coolers hidden in my closet. I  was turned in my roommate Willie.

In my twenties and even early thirties I was a big beer drinker actually I enjoyed a variety of alcoholic beverages, some may even say I was a binge drinker or an alcoholic.  I know I drank more than my fair share and I'm happy that it no longer consumes me nor do I need it to escape or interact in social situations. I still enjoy a drink with friends or socially when out to eat.

So in my younger years I looked forward to the Oktoberfest Celebrations hosted by my dear friend on one of the uncle's wooded farmland properties. It was a family affair with a huge firepit, many tents, and lots of lovely food. So much merriment and camaraderie.  That sense of community and belonging is the spirit of pubs that I visited with one of my other college roommates after graduating from college so many years ago and what my above friend has created near our hometown in Williamsport, Pa. If you are ever in the area be sure to visit the Moon & Raven Pub.

While in Germany and Austria my roommate and I would take our evening meal in one of these Old Style Pubs reminiscencing of our days adventures. We also visited his families homeland is Oslo, Norway, stayed on a friends farm near Kalmar Sweden, named Öland Island, seeing sites of where Sound of Music were filmed, the majestic Matterhorn reflected best in a puddle, going to Lucerne, seeing its famous lion monument, reconnecting where my father had visited while stationed in Germany during WWII, attending a Oktoberfest type beer garden with its huge soft pretzels and even larger beer steins, watching U2 in concert, taking a Rhine River tour are but a few of the events I will forever remember. It was my first time flying and traveling outside of the US. My roommate should have been sainted for taking me with him as I now know I was not very helpful in planning all of our stopovers. He has since gone on to become a world traveler with his family and has been to all 50 states in the USA.

May the memories you make along the way come to cheer you on some of your darker days. Godspeed. Prost! Zum Wohl! 

Supplies:  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Hearts Playing Cards, Copies of Vintage Kem Cards Featuring  Oktoberfest Themed Face Cards, Vintage German Script Pages, Scissors, UHU Gluestick, Saddle Brown StazOn Ink Pad, Blending Tool, Embossing Pad Reinker, Seth Apter Vintage Beeswax Embossing Powders, Heating Tool, Fine Tip Sharpie or Pencil, Shades of Red and Florescent Pink Acrylic Paints, German Silver, Oil Rubbed Bronze, and Slicked Smoke Embossing Powders, Wendy Vecchi Black Embossing Paste, Weldbond,

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!

Voodoo Love-You Put a Spell on Me-A Peek-A-Boo Project

I've always had a bit of a darker side and been mystified by strange things. We have a collection of oddities just a few are featured in these images. From my last post you know that featuring a Ouija Board would be frowned upon with my Baptist Church upbringing.  I am of the firm belief that there is someone for everyone but some may feel they need a little black magic to find their one and only. This is the tongue and cheek inspirations behind this artwork.   

1.  Collect your supplies.

2. Quickly Paint Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Small Rectangle Niche with Lumiere Indigo, Midnight, Halo Violet Gold Paint.

3.  Fill in empty spaces using Neon Pink ink and a paintbrush.

4.   Using just top portion of the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Heart Playing Cards Paint it with Lumiere Metallic Russet Paint and  Pink and Scarlet Nail Polish.

5.  Add detailing with Lumiere Metallic Copper Paint.

6.   Glue to GSLC Rectangle Niche using Weldbond.

7.   Assemble GSLC Rectangle Niche and let dry completely.

    8. Stain GSLC Miniature Ouija Board with TH Distress Stains. I used Scattered Straw, Wild Honey and Rusty Hinge.

9.  To add some patina and age I added some clear embossing powder while stains were still wet and sealed with a heating tool.

10.  Roll up a piece of vintage script and add a scroll to the test tube.

11. Cut out miniature vintage valentines of your choice.  Add age by adding a bit of clear embossing powder and cure with a heating tool.

12. Assemble your masterpiece attaching all pieces with Weldbond.

 

Some Final Thoughts.

I spent my younger years never believing there would be someone for me. I tried for the longest time not to be the "me" who I knew that I was. Growing up in rural Pennsylvania under a strict Baptist tutelage, and going to christian college I hid who I was for many years. Even after college I went through counseling trying to "pray away the gay" and be what was expected. It was only in my thirties that I could finally say I am gay and a christian. I lost friendships over my declaration, I was compared to a child molester, and told God loves the sinner, But HATES the sin. I endured much pain and suffered in silence but have found my one true love. I constantly tell him,"I love our life!" We are polar opposites in many ways, he is organized, neat and tidy, I, a hot mess and totally disorganized. I tend to be more optimistic, he more logical. I'm easily distracted, he fiercely focused. I never watched Science Fiction, he a lover of all things SciFi. I'm a horrible shopper and gift giver, he always finds the best most special gifts and enjoys shopping. I want to be there fast, he enjoys the journey. We both are quiet introverts but have extrovert jobs. Both of us are creative and kind. We treat others as if they matter and were favorites at places we ate, and shopped. We HATE drama and steer clear of it at all cost and say make your choices and and live with the consequences, come what may. I am beyond blessed and thankful for my special valentine.

I like Annie  version of this song:

I Put a Spell on You

Screamin' Jay Hawkins

I put a spell on you because you're mine

You better stop the things that you do

I ain't lying

La la la lying

It can't stand it

You're running 'round

I can't stand it, when put me down

And it's heartache because you're mine

I put a spell on you because you're mine

You better stop the things that you do

I ain't lying

La la la lying

I love you babe,

I love you anyhow

And I don't care if you don't want me

I'm yours right now

I put a spell on you because you're mine

(You're mine)

(You're mine)

Supplies: Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Heart Playing Cards, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Small Rectangle Niche, Coming Soon-Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Miniature Ouija Board, Lumiere Indigo, Midnight, Metallic Russet, Metallic Copper, and Halo Violet Gold Paint, Paintbrush, Neon Pink Ink, Pink and Scarlet Nail Polish, Weldbond, TH Distress Stains-Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Clear Embossing Power, Heat Tool, Test Tube, Vintage Script, Decorative Vintage Miniature Valentines Cards, Weldbond

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!