Winter Tree

Hello Crafty folks!  I have my August 22nd Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts team post to share with you... er, a few days late.

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This week here in Maryland the heat indices have been reaching the upper 90s.  It's awfully warm!  I needed a mental break from it and this wintery scene did the trick.

This was a quick project until it came time to make the polymer clay bird.  I tried really hard to make a proper cardinal, but it wasn't in the stars.  We'll just have to use our imagination, 'k?  He's red.

I used the 3 inch 3D Chipboard Tree from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts.  This tree has delicate branches with tiny connectors.  I pushed my blade into the obvious connectors and held the tree up to a light to find the not-so-obvious ones. It worked like a charm!

The next step was to gesso the whole tree, including the sides.  I used a foam sponge and a lot of patience to go around each branch.  After it dried I double checked the branch edges and filled in missed spots.

On the next layer I dabbed white acrylic paint all over.  Dabbing it on created the tree texture.  I moved the trees off the leftover paint and let them dry on the spatulas.  This step was repeated on the other side.

When dry I put the trees together.  I had to use a straight edge to clear away excess paint from the grooves so the trees were even at the base.

I used a gorgeously weathered clapper from an old wind chime as my base.  A tiny bit of e6000 on the tree holds it to the clapper.  I added bits of moss to finish off the earth.

From tip to toe this is 4 inches tall.  It's so sweet!  I'm now on the lookout for a small glass cloche under which I will tuck this lovely winter scene.

Thanks for visiting today!

Cheers,
Susan

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Used
3D Chipboard Tree 3 Inch #C1C

Other Supplies Used
Green moss
White gesso
White acrylic paint
White glue
E6000 glue
Polymer clay
Red acrylic paint

Love Potion Altered Tin

Hello folks!  Today on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog I share a lighter version of my year 'round skeleton obsession.  Our friend here is in love and offers you a little magic love potion... don't mind the tombstones over there.  His love lasts an eternity.

I started out with the GSL products I needed to paint/finish with wet stuff.  I cut the tree with a paper cutter.

I knew the skellie would hold something, so I snipped the connector piece at the ribs and left the shoulder bone attached.  Later I reinforced the shoulder bone with a spot of clear glue on the back.

With my typical finger painting style, I covered all the chipboard with white gesso.

I wasn't sure how the tombstones would look at the end, so I started with the general color I was hoping for... The silver was covered over with a Golden micaceous iron oxide later, then I used a tiny bit of white acrylic paint on my finger tip for a weathered marble look.  It worked out even though it doesn't really look like weathered marble.  :)

I finger-dabbed white acrylic paint on the skeleton, then used a tiny brush with a super-watered-down brown to age him.  I painted one small section at a time, waited a beat or two then dabbed the excess of with a paper towel.

I covered the love potion "label" on the paper with Diamond Glaze and let it sit over night.  I'll be honest that I don't love this product since it's prone to air bubbles and is much thinner than Ranger Glossy Accents.  I'm working my way to the bottom of the bottle because I can't bring myself to throw it away.

The love potion paper and the various edges were cut out and glued in with Glue n Seal.  I used a scrap piece of wood for the base, and screwed it in.  (I'm moving away from just gluing these types of parts together; you don't have to!)

Here's a look at the finished GSL skeleton, creepy tree, and tombstones.  The piles of excess chipboard and the paper-covered pile of chipboard next to the skeleton are going to be used behind the pieces to create a 3D effect.

The tree was glued in then I layered the tombstones and "ground fog".  I used regular white glue for each of these layers.

The skelly boost was glued on the back, then I added him to the tin along with his party hat!  The shoulder reinforcement glue is visible in this photo also.  It was just a little bit, but it made me feel better.

Ta da!  It's party time!

Here's a look at the back. I will probably add more silver tinsel around the edges.

Thanks for your visit today!

Cheers,
Susan

GSL supplies used
Creepy Tree 5 Inch #D127D
Skeleton Shape Set D136S
Tiny Tombstones C55S

Other Supplies Used
3x5 tin
Scrap wood
Fancy Pants "Oct 31" paper
Cheese cloth
White gesso
Golden & Liquitex acrylic paints
Golden Micaceous Iron Oxide
Stickles glitter glue
Crafter's Pick white glue
Ranger Glue n Seal