Three Sides of January- Peek-a-Boo Project

January is named after the Roman God Janus, he is depicted with faces one looking into the past, the other into the future. He is the god of beginnings and endings, openings and closings, gateways of to and fro, transitions through time, duality of our days. The two sides of January that many of us contemplate are the year that has been and look forward to the year that will be, the third side if January and if I daresay in life is the day and time that is, the present. These are the inspirations of this artwork.

1. Gather Supplies.
   
2. Paint the GSLC Triptych-Towers Top  and GSLC Cathedral Frame with Acrylic Paints- Base Layer of Browns, Metallics, and Yellows.
   
3. Next Add Patina with Green Gold, Neon Green, and Gold Acrylic Paints.
   
4. Use Frame to Trace on Scrapbook Paper.
   
5. Cut Out and Glue to Back Portions of Frames using UHU GlueStick.
   
6. Choose Stickers from Antiquarian Sticker Books, Fussy Cut, and Glue to Scrapbook Paper.
   
7. Once Fully Dry add Rub-On Transfers. 
   
8. Glue Front Portion of GSLC Frames to Back Portion. Secure Tightly with Clamps.
   
9. Once Dry, Use a Small Plastic Spatula and Add a Thicker Layer of WeldBond to Unify the Stickers and Rub-On Transfers. 
   
   
   

Final Thoughts:

“The Past is Dead, and has no Resurrection: But the Future is Endowed with such a Life, That it Lives to us Men in Anticipation.”

~Henry Kirk White

“Let go of the Past, But Keep the Lessons it Taught You.” ~Chiara Gizzi

“Your Past is Done, so Forget It. Your Future is Yet to Come, so Dream It, But your Present is NOW, so Live it with No Regrets.”

“The Past is Filled with Pain, the Present with Opportunity, and the Future with Uncertainty.”

“Tell me, tell me, smiling child,
What the past is like to thee?
'An Autumn evening soft and mild
With a wind that sighs mournfully.'

Tell me, what is the present hour?
'A green and flowery spray
Where a young bird sits gathering its power
To mount and fly away.'

And what is the future, happy one?
'A sea beneath a cloudless sun;
A mighty, glorious, dazzling sea
Stretching into infinity.”

~Emily Brontë

The Song of Himself by Natalie Merchant puts these thoughts into perspective.

Supplies:  GSLC Triptych-Towers Top , GSLC Cathedral Frame , Antiquarian Sticker Books, Acrylic Paints-Browns, Metallics, Yellows, Green Gold, Neon Green, Golds, Paintbrush, Scrapbook Papers, Pencil, Scissors, UHU GlueStick, Rub-On Transfers, WeldBond Glue, Metal Clamps, Small Plastic Spatula 

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         

Magical Misfits-A Peek-a-Boo Project

This project grew out of a pile of mismatched and discarded items. I had leftover hummingbirds from a decorative napkin, a back portion of a triptych tower top, an arch top house silhouette piece, some fern fronds, and honeycomb, all parts from previous installments. I’ve long been fascinated by hummingbirds and Vintage Audubon Prints. These are the inspiration for this installment.

1.    Look through your treasure trough of misfit art supplies and be inspired. I found part of a Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Arch Top House Silhouettes,  and part of a Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Triptych Tower Top to use for this project.

2.    I painted the GSLC Arch Top House Silhouette with black ink and a paintbrush.

3.    I had leftover hummingbirds from a decorative napkin.

4.    After taking off the two plies I realized they were too thin, and I would not see their gorgeous details, so I painted the back of them with white gesso.

5.    Once dry I arranged them onto the prepared GSLC Arch Top House Silhouette using matte medium.

6.    I layered several of the hummingbirds to assure clarity of design.

7.    I next painted the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Triptych Tower Top with halo blue gold acrylic paint.

8.    I used two different shades of fingernail polish to add details and interest to frame.

9.    Using Embossing ink with a roller applicator I added some script to the frame. Using Allure Mercury Rising Embossing powder and a heating tool.

 

10.                   Glue the prepared hummingbird piece to the green frame. Offsetting leaving space at the bottom to create a small assemblage.

11.                   Hold pieces together with metal clamps until fully adhered.

12.                   Go through your stash of embellishments and choose some interesting pieces to add to the bottom portion. I am using fern fronds, honeycomb, leaves and flowers to build up the bottom portion of your project using Ultra Thick Gel Medium.

13.                   While still wet sprinkle with mica flakes and microbeads.

14.                   Allow to dry fully.

 Some Final Thoughts.

I love happy mistakes, magical misfits or what Bob Ross called “happy little accidents”. This project surprised me and allowed me to be fully creative as I had no idea what the final project would look like.

Other Bob Ross Quotes.

“I guess I am a little weird. I like to talk to trees and animals. That’s okay though; I have more fun than most people.”

“I can’t think if anything more rewarding than being able to express yourself to others through painting (art). Exercising the imagination, experimenting with our talents, being creative; these things, to me, are truly the windows to your soul.”

“Let’s get crazy.”

“this is your world, you’re the creator. Find freedom on this canvas. Believe, that you can do it, ‘cuz you can do it, YOU CAN DO IT!”

 

 

 

 

Supplies:  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Arch Top House Silhouettes, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Triptych Tower Top, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Fern Fronds, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Honeycomb & Queen Bees ATC Sized, Black Ink, Paintbrush, White Gesso, Decorative Napkins, Halo Blue Gold Acrylic Paint, Nail Polish, Embossing Ink Roller Applicator, Script Stamp, Allure Mercury Rising Embossing Powder, Heating Tool, Weldbond, Metal Clamps, Ultra Thick Gel Medium, Embellishments, Mica Flakes, Micro Beads

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!