Runs with Springtime Scissors

 

Hello, everyone!  Glad to be running with scissors on the Penny Black blog today.  And it’s a very good thing I didn’t stay away any longer.  After weeks that included “How-To’s” and a video blog hop and “Hip and Modern” this blog was in a bit of disarray.  There was acrylic paint, gesso, and torn paper bits all over the place.  Creativity does exact its toll!  It’s all neat and tidy again, though, with room to play.

In all seriousness, I believe the video blog hop was the best hop I’ve ever hopped!  There were so many great ideas and techniques and the most talented group of artists anywhere.  If you missed it, here’s a link.

This past week has been a week of Spring beauty here at the Penny Black blog, with one lovely bloom after another. It all makes me want to use exclamation marks at the end of my sentences instead of periods.  I think I need to get that out of my system!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I read on one blog that the blogger allows herself to over-use exclamation marks every Friday.  I like that idea.

Speaking of too much of a good thing, take a look at this:

 

There is a story here.  Sequins are popular right now and in my determination to become more “hip and modern” I realized that my tiny supply of about 25 sequins was not adequate.  On my recent trip to the big box craft store I browsed the amazing display of packaged sequins.  There were packages of individual colors, each costing about $3.00 per little package.  I was calculating the cost of purchasing enough colors to ensure I would have what I needed when I needed it, when I spied a LARGE plastic container filled to the brim with sequins of every color I had seen on the display.  It was the one and only container of such size and I felt myself extremely lucky to have spotted it.  The coupon in my purse would reduce the cost to a mere $6.00!  I quickly went to the check out to secure my purchase.  I was a happy stamper.

Fast forward to the mail delivery that afternoon.  A package arrived with an online purchase of paper and embossing powder  .. and you guessed it; a large package of assorted sequins.  The joy of being my age … the packages that arrive are a surprise, even though I placed the order!  So I combined the two packages and this is what happened.  The good news: the second package contained white sequins which the first package didn’t include.  I think I am prepared for any sequin event!!

I’ve been working on “hip and modern” and hoping to be able to share a little “how to” also while playing with the beautiful Penny Black florals in the “Happy Everything” release.  This is what happened first:

 

The background was created by using gesso instead of ink for stamping the palm frond background stamp.  This is the “third generation” of stamping, as I was a bit too generous with the gesso.  I colored the flower with Copics and added the enamel dots, another trendy item.  I’m thinking this may qualify as “hip and modern”.

The black cardstock was still on my desk when the idea was born for this card.

 

I lightly “inked” the woodblock stamp with gesso and stamped it twice, a bit off the second time.  I really liked the look and finished the card, cutting the circles and adding some of my new ribbon.  When I returned to review my work several hours later I realized it was pretty boring and not very “hip”.  I got out my chalks (remember those?) and added color to the flowers and leaves and liked the result.  And then … l spotted the sequins.  I was happy to use up six of the silver ones.

This next card was an experience very much like working with mixed media, only with different ingredients.

 

The chalks and black cardstock hadn’t yet been put away and I began playing, which is the experience of working with mixed media.  I had no idea where I was going with this, but just let it happen.

I first dusted the cardstock with chalks in colors I would like to show up on the tags.  I then stamped the tag image on top of the chalks using VersaMark ink and then I embossed with clear embossing powder.  The colors weren’t obvious enough for me, so I added more chalk.  I thought I had ruined everything as the chalk obliterated the shiny embossed lines of the image.  Not knowing what else to do, I grabbed the heat gun and reheated the image.  Presto!!  Shiny lines and more color.  I did this several times, adding more chalk each time and reheating.  The end result was a bit dark, so I added the diecut dragonflies and sentiment in bright white for accent.  Don’t know if it’s hip and modern, but it was a how to and fun to play with.  I did try splattering gesso and discovered the splatters don’t always go where you want them to, so there are very few on this card and more than a few on my craft mat.

While we have been waiting for spring to arrive, my youngest granddaughter Evelyn Rose has been growing.  Here she is sporting a new hairdo (now that she has hair) and a lovely spring outfit.

 

Mr. Runs with Scissors recently returned from a ten day trip to visit his brother in Arizona.  I could post ten of these photos of Cooper waiting and watching by the front door for his buddy to return, one for each day.

 

Finally, here is Cooper seconds after he charged through the door after having spotted Mr. RWS coming up the walk.

 

I wish I had captured the reunion on video.  I had received a phone call from the airport saying he was on his way, so I could calculate the time of arrival.  I sat with Cooper for the last five minutes to let him know that FINALLY his vigil would be rewarded.  When Cooper saw his hero, he tried desperately to leap through the door.  I opened it and out he shot, almost knocking husband to the ground!  (Note the fate of the backpack).  He’s little, but mighty!  (Cooper,not husband).  There was tail wagging, face kissing and leaping and jumping.   It was a wonderful ending to a long, lonely and quiet ten days for Cooper.

All in all, it’s been good to have my Penny Black floral images to play with while waiting for spring.  I have taken a few steps toward hip and modern and learned a few new techniques.  I also used up six sequins.  What could be better?

It is time now to put away the scissors, vacuum up the bits of paper and the errant sequin or two that escaped from the box.  Thanks for sharing your Saturday with me.  I love hanging out on the Penny Black blog and your comments make my heart smile.

 

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