Angels in Our Backyards-A Peek-a-Boo Project

This is Jon David Lowe for Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts, I have always love the song, One of Us, by Joan Osborn, because it reminds us that angels are among us. I like to think we have all the divine within us, the ability to choose good over evil, to be positive in our interactions, to treat others as we wish to be treated. I am not trying to get in a huge theological discussion, my faith is a simple one, modeled in grace, and elevated in love for others. These are the inspirations for this artwork.

1.  Gather Supplies.

2.  Use Crayons to Randomly Distress (2) Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Little Niche Scalloped

3.  Add Further Distress with Permanent Ink and a Wood Grain Texture Plate.

4.  Paint (2) GSLCuts-Little Niche Scalloped with Watercolors.

5.  Fill in Empty Spaces With TH Distress Stains.

6.  Add Texture and a Aged look with a Fan Paintbrush and DecoArt Terra Cotta Shale Green and Red Clay Textured Acrylic Paint.

7.  Add Another Layer with Fan Paintbrush and Golden Blue Lagoon and Titan Green Pale Acrylic Paint.

8.  Fold up Bottom Portion of GSLCuts-Little Niche Scalloped.

9.  Print Resized Copies of Prints of your Choosing- I Used Angels and Backyard Pictures.

10.                Cut to Size with Scissors and Glue to Cavity with a UHU Gluestick.

11.                Shape Bottom Portion of Niche and Glue Together with Heavy Matt Gel Medium.

12.                Hold Into With Clamps.

13.                Add Premium Gemstones To front Portion Of Scalloped Niche with Ranger Glossy Accents.

14.                Paint Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Petal Corners with FolkArt Matte Design Cream Gold.

15.                Once Dry Use Heavy Matte Gel Medium to Glue to Top Portion of Scalloped Niche.

16.                Cut DIY Modern Mini Repositionable Tile Stickers and Attach Where you Feel Best.

17.                Make a Stain of DecoArt Matte Varnish Medium and Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold.

18.                Use Ranger Glossy Accents to Add Collected Bits and Bobbins to Niche Frame.

19.                Use Heavy Matt Gel Medium to Glue to Add Collected Bits and Bobbins to Niche Cavity.

20.                Antique Bits and Bobbins using Metallic and Green Gold Paint.

21.                Use Weldbond to Glue Top Portion Frame of GSLC of GSLCuts-Little Niche Scalloped to Bottom Cavity.

Some Final Thoughts.

A few years ago there were two  movements-Do Random Acts of Kindness and Pay it Forward.  One ask the recipient to pay the act of kindness forward-"Do onto others as I have done to you"-the other remains random and anonymous.   I see these as ways for us to be mindful of those that come into our circle of communication, these good deeds can show the other person compassion and empathy. The gestures can be done out of the goodness of the person's heart. with zero expectation of reciprocation.  A kind word and treating others with kindness costs us nothing but we can brighten their world for that moment and it cheers our soul too.

 Another song I feel helps emphasize this idea of "Angels in Our Backyards" is Hands by Jewel.  

 Supplies:  (2) Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Little Niche Scalloped,  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Petal Corners, Crayons, Permanent Ink, Wood Grain Texture Plate, Watercolors, Paintbrush, TH Distress Stains of Your Choosing, DecoArt Terra Cotta Shale Green and Red Clay Textured Acrylic Paint, Golden Blue Lagoon and Titan Green Pale Acrylic Paint,  Fan Paintbrush, Resized Copies of Prints of your Choosing- I Used Angels and Backyard Pictures, Scissors, UHU Gluestick, Heavy Gel Matte Medium, Clamps, Ranger Glossy Accents, Premium Gemstones, FolkArt Matte Design Cream Gold, DIY Modern Mini Repositionable Tile Stickers, DecoArt Matte Varnish Medium, Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold, Collected Bits and Bobbins,  Metallic, Green Gold Paint, 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!

 

Iconic Imaginings

I’m honored to be posting on this Christmas Day. I was raised in a strict Baptist home and have had a long and winding road to my current beliefs.  This is not meant as a religious post but rather a reverence remembrance of a promise kept, and a longing fulfilled. I’ve always loved the majestic masterpieces manifested during this holiday season. They are inspiration behind this project. Many of the images are copies of those gifted to me from a fellow designer.  

  

1.  Using all six Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Arch Top House Silhouettes [D10L] Dry Brush a base coat by alternating between Prussian Blue Hue, Quinacridone Nickel Gold Azure, and Vintage Gold Acrylic Paints

 2.  To add further highlight and depth gently dry bush on Cerulean Blue Deep and Fluorescent Blue Acrylic Paints. I also like using a spread and press technique on glossy magazine pages.

 3.  Make Ink Jet Copies of Iconic Artwork of Your Choosing, many of these were shared with me from a fellow designer.

4.  Add patina to the copies by spaying with rubbing alcohol and water curing with a heating tool. This does not work with laser printed copies.

 

5.  Fussy Cut out Portions of Artwork You Find Most Pleasing.

6.  Adhere Selected Images to Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Arch Top House Silhouettes with a Matte Varnish Medium.

7.  While they are drying Completely Flat by Using Clamps or Some Other Method Prepare the Other GSLC Products Listed.

8.  I Used my WOW Embossing Pad and Embossing Powders in Gold Tones I used Metallic Bronze, Tarnished Bronze, and Gold.

9.  Cure with a Heating Tool Adding Layers Until You are Pleased with Their Patina.

10.                Carefully Select and Cut the Pieces You Would Like to Add to Your Artwork

11.                Glue first to the Front and Dry Completely Flat and Pressed Before Adding Additional Pieces to the Backs

12.                Edge Each Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Arch Top House Silhouettes with Silver Leaf Rub ‘N Buff for Added Interest and Patina

13.                Still Feeling Like They Needed More Depth I Took a Script Stamp and Added Red Embossing Powders to the Pieces

14.                Once Cured with a Heating Tool I Went Back and Touched up the Gold Embellishments Using a Q-Tip and Gold Leaf Rub ‘N Buff

 15.                I Have Left Them as Is as I May be Adding Them to Books or Boxes, but They Could Easily Be Turned into Ornaments by Drilling A Hole at the Top and Adding a Decorative Ribbon.

Some final thoughts. I Hope You Will, Take Time This Holiday Season to Relax and Reflect on the Wonderful Masterpieces You Are. Take a Moment to Wonder.

 

 

 

One of My Favorite Holiday Songs is by Another Amazing Artist, Tori Amos titled “Star of Wonder”

We three kings are coming again
Bearing gifts from the East
From the East

Some say a star will rise again
In the hearts of humankind
Some say we have been in exile
What we need is solar fire

Star of wonder, star of night
Star of royal beauty
Westward leading, still proceeding
A star
A star of wonder

We bring gold and myrrh for him
From the East, frankincense
From the East

Some say a star will rise again
In the hearts of humankind
Some say we have been in exile
What we need is solar fire

Star of wonder, star of night
Star of royal beauty
Westward leading, still proceeding
A star

Star of wonder, star of night
Star of royal beauty
Westward leading, still proceeding
A star
A star of wonder
Of wonder.

 

 

 

 

 

 Supplies: Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Arch Top House Silhouettes [D10L] (2 Sets), Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Wrought Iron Miniatures [C32A], Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Altoids Tin Topper 2 [C23E],Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Petal Corners [C33F],Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Printers Ornament Corners [D30J], Ink Jet Copies of Iconic Artwork, Spray Bottles of Rubbing Alcohol and Water, Acrylic Paints in Prussian Blue Hue, Quinacridone Nickel Gold Azure, Vintage Gold, Cerulean Blue Deep, Fluorescent Blue, Matte Varnish Medium, WOW Embossing Pad, Embossing Powders in Gold Tones I used Metallic Bronze, Tarnished Bronze, and Gold, Heating Tool, Weldbond, Pressing Tool of Your Choosing, Rub ‘N Buff is Silver Leaf and Gold Leaf, Script Stamp, Red Embossing Powder, Q-Tips, Paint Brushes    

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!