Fly.... or Squirrel?

A few years ago, I signed up to be a tester for new products.

Many times it's for adhesives, lotions, tape, etc.

This go-round, I'm testing painter's tape.

Well, as many of you know, I have a lot of items I could use a roll of painter's tape on. This time, I tested it on an old, 8x10 picture frame backer board. I used the frame for another project some time ago. (I'm not a hoarder!) The outer side of the board is a velvety layer adhered to cardboard, so I decided to tape off a couple of stripes on the front side.

One strip. Two. Three. Four.

A narrow stripe at the top and a wider stripe at the bottom - the space created between two of the pieces of tape. Wider at the bottom to create a bit of weight.

Well, not having ANY sort of plan or design, I was just going to paint a couple of white stripes and peel the tape to see how the tape edges worked, not really thinking through I was taping on old cardboard. I really wasn't expecting much. I was playing.

A happy accident. Not usually a good thing when painting stripes on walls or signage, but the tape peeled off some of the painted cardboard surface. TEXTURE! Hmmmm... kind of cool.

Well, one thing led to another. I dug into a tote or two. Found some old Tim Holtz plastic letters, (leftovers from a previous project) Hmmm. What if?.... and then... what if? Things were kinda coming together into something black and white and dimensional.

I grabbed a round cap and dipped it into white paint. A little askew on the edge... one, two, three. Or should I stamp five circles? Three. No idea at this point what would go into those circles, if anything. I was just playing with space. White space...or in this case black space.

Then came dry brushing the plastic letters. I started at the right top corner... then had to reload my brush. Hmmmm... What if?... Yeah. I like that. Do a gradient from top to bottom and left to right. Yeah. That's working for me.

What about that white area at the bottom left? Hmmmm...What do I have? Oh, an old, black radio knob. Hey. It's a circle. Continuing with the circle theme. Odd number - 1 to go with my other odd number - 3.

The center had two staples coming through from the stand in the back. What can I put in there as a focal point? Sky is the limit here.

Then, I found a set of cast resin dragon fly wings my friend, Erik, molded and cast as a goof years ago. (Ok. Maybe I am a hoarder of sorts.) They are SO thin and delicate, and a little worse for wear, but I'm just playing, right?

Well, if I put the wings in place, I'll need a body. Bullet casing? Bolt? Something rusty? Hey, I know. A painted paint brush. In BLACK and WHITE!

Then, using a couple of the spare plastic letters, FLY.

I ended up removing the staples in the center and the back standee thing since the backer board also had a hanging ring.

So, there you have it...my painter's tape test!

Squirrel.

Now, I need to focus and do a REAL painter's tape test.

***eta: I just noticed the last two question marks... Fitting, huh?

Be Still.

There's something about winter snow that beckons for a slower pace. Might be the cold? The deep snow? Or just the yearning to sit in front of a fire with a good book and a cup of warm Chai Tea or Mocha.

Unfortunately, some elements of winter actually stress me out a bit. I'm nervous about the roads and our steep mountainous driveway at home. Can we get to work? Can we get back home? Will the power go out...again? Will I be able to shower? Reading online about all the traffic accidents and losses.

Why is it that just as I come down from the fun and excitement of the Holidays, (albeit, most times, there's added anxiety!) I don't really hit my stride again until early Spring?

Snow is SO pretty. It makes everything look fresh and inviting. And who doesn't love a snowman or making a snow angel? I'm just ready for warmer weather already. I applaud those who live in the snow 6-8 months of the year. You got this! Here in Southern Oregon.... not so much. Our schools close. Been closed all week, and many parents are posting online how stir crazy they are going with the kids being home since before Christmas. Our county offices shut down. The SAR, LE, and repair personnel work around the clock. It's just crazy! 8, 10, 12-inches of snow, and we shut down.

So, I'm going to keep dreaming of Spring. Until then.... I'll take a DEEP breath and maybe create some art.

I love sewing. The loose, messy-type of sewing using lots of texture and layers. I enjoy hand stitching too. I find it very relaxing.

Recently, I found this HUGE roll of 6" wide cotton twill tape (?). I'm guessing it's original purpose was for upholstery or ??? I'm not sure, but I'm going to have fun with it. Possibly as a ceiling bunting? Maybe in smaller sections used as a canvas for paintings? Or how about making cute little totes with cotton lace?

It's the perfect VANILLA base. Hmmmmm....