The Egg Hunt!

Hi all!  I am a member of the Out of The Box Sampler Etsy Team and we are holding an Egg Hunt that will be rewarded with prizes. 

 *If you’re just finding our scavenger egg hunt picture and info for the first time and would like to join in the fun ~ you must start the hunt on our team shoppe page at http://www.ootbsteamshoppe.etsy.com. Visit there for details. Have Fun!

Change

As I was reading last night in bed, I was really feeling the words displayed in front of me.  They splayed across the page looking like someone’s messy counter, a collage…actually.  The words were of David Mack’s in the collage at the opening of his book Kabuki, The Alchemy.  The whole book, really, is a collage.  But, it is not only a piece of art work; Kabuki is autobiographical journalism (for he surely has imbued his stories with bits of himself, all artists do).  Kabuki is poetry, a comic book, beautiful paintings; it is a piece of literature that holds so much human insight and inspiration it feels like creation.  I cannot put it better than Chuck Palahniuk writes in The Alchemy’s introduction, “Art is the lie that tells the truth better than the truth.”  I felt a burning need to share the collage of wonderful sayings David shares with us, that appear in the form of fortunes from fortune cookies. 

The book starts first though, with a quote from Andy Warhol:

“They say that time changes things.  But you actually have to change them yourself.”

I am currently going through some pivotal, positive change in my life and any words of encouragement at this point are hitting me hard.  David may have felt the same way at some point when he decided to save one or the other of these fortunes.  I love that he decided to share them with his readers.   As a fellow artist, the one’s he kept are the ones I would have kept.  I actually have kept a couple that follow.  They are all sage advice…

You will be successful through innovation and determination.

You have an unusual equipment for success, use it properly.

Your many hidden talents will become obvious to those around you.

A window of opportunity won’t open itself.

You will make many changes before settling satisfactorily.

Use your abilities at this time to stay focused on your goal.  You will succeed.

You are the controller of your destiny.

A new wardrobe brings great joy and change to your life.

When you gather all your resources together, Goals are accomplished.

He who waits to do a great deal of good all at once, will never do anything.

Love is the glue that holds together everything in the world.

Sometimes a stranger can bring great meaning to your life.

You will step on the soil of many countries in your lifetime.

Good instincts usually tell you what to do before your head has figured it out.

A great man never ignores the simplicity of a child.

Change is happening in your life, so go with the flow!

A close friend reveals a hidden talent.

Despair is criminal.

You will be called in to fulfill a position of high honor and responsibility.

You have the ability to accomplish great things.

Continue your present conversation for some valuable insight.

There is no wisdom greater than kindness.

Your example will inspire others.

You should enhance your feminine side at this time.

I really love that last one.  David Mack is amazing.  Check him out here.

P.S.  The picture of the pumpkin above, I carved last halloween.  It is a copy of David's painting of mc chris's album cover for mc chris is dead.

Embroidery FTW!

Embroidery can be really fun if you're stitching a design you love!  I have fun drawing my own and transferring the images to the fabric with transfer paper, a thin blue carbon paper that acts like the black paper behind your checks.  It can be found at any good craft store and is very easy to use.  I recommend using small embroidery needles to avoid excess finger pricking and always seperate your embroidery thread into 2-3 strand pieces (embroidery thread come in 6 strand skiens).  Use 2 strands for french knots and thin lines, and 3 strands when you want your design thicker or to fill in large areas. 

Shown here are a couple designs I am working on.  I'm thinking I may dye them as well!  Look for them for sale soon at www.mygibsongirl.etsy.com.  Some finished examples of these in tie dye were completed back in October. I then donated them to my fav' lil' white rapper and cartoon maker, mc chris. His fundraising efforts for Cystic Fibrosis have been quite successful thus far, and I felt the need to give what I could in hopes that he will be auctioning some fan-made goods in the future.  He is currently in between sales, but you can check for awesome stuff (toy fans, star wars fans...) frequently at his ebay auction page here. 

Keep your eye out for these!  Hopefully they are among the cool fan art/bootleg merch that he decides to part with, if and when he finds the time in his busy schedule to auction off some fan stuff!

I also just got some amazingly cool artistic supplies as x-mas gifts from the awesome Mum-in-law, and have been doodling the last couple days.  This is the one I just finished.  She's a hoodie ninja! If you haven't taken the opportunity to become a fan at Gibson Girl Arts on Facebook, take a moment to do so now here.  I hope you are also enjoying some quality family time this holiday season and thanks for reading!

Brrrrrrrr!!!

    

     It's so cold!  We all need a little something to warm us up at this point.  So... to help myself in this way, I am drinking milky hot chocolate with peppermint and little marshmallows...aaah...mmm...makes me think of the holidays of yester-year. <3

     And I came across some pics today that are very spring/summery.  These were several soapy projects I did while working at Bramble Berry...they made me feel warm too.  View them here.   

    Think of warm sunny days on the beach by laying your gaze upon this handmade bikini by your's truly.  Then go get one for summers to come at Gibson Girl Arts on Etsy.

     I also spent my time today creating a business Facebook page...I will be calling it my FAN page..hee hee.  Go here and fan me!  Then take a moment to share me with everyone you know by clicking the 'share +' link in the bottom left corner!  Thanks all!

Tattoo Soaps DIY

    Making tattoo soaps is a totally fun and easy DIY project. All you need is some crafty skill, some soap, some radical tattoos and wa la! you have the most envious of soaps around!  Okay, it's a little more involved than that, but you will find these instructions super easy to follow. 

Please read all instructions before beginning!

Stuff you'll need:

1 lb clear melt and pour soap base
1 lb white melt and pour soap base
A plastic mold with plain small (guest size) cavities
Temporary tattoos of your choice
1x1 inch square of sponge
Rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle
Fragrance oil (optional)
Plastic eyedropper if using fragrance
Pyrex Measuring Cup
Microwave
Water
Toothpicks

Step 1, Preparation:

First, you will want to have all your soap cut into small squares (1x1 inch is fine) for melting.  Your tattoos will need to be cut close around the designs to fit into the molds.

Step 2, Melt and Pour #1:

     Place the clear soap in your pyrex measuring cup.  Melt the soap in your microwave at 10-20 second bursts until completely blended and add fragrance if using.  You will need approximately 3 ml of fragrance oil per pound of soap for a strong fragrance.  Now, pour a layer of clear into the soap molds until about half way filled.  Spray the soap with rubbing alcohol right away to get rid of bubbles.  Allow this layer to harden fully.

Step 3, Place tattoos:

     Peel the plastic covering off the trimmed tattoo and place the tattoo face down on the hardened layer of clear soap.  Rub the back of the tattoo paper with the back of a spoon or your fingernail to better adhere the tattoo to the soap.  Now, dip your sponge in water until it is soaked, but not dripping and dab the water onto the backs of the tattoos until saturated (being careful not to get water on the soap part).  Allow the water to penetrate the tattoo for 20-30 seconds (just as if you were applying the tat to your skin).  Using a toothpick, lightly lift the tattoo paper backing off the soap, being careful not to peel up the tattoo.  Allow to dry.

 

 

Step 4, Final Pouring:

***Important:  Always spray rubbing alcohol between layers of soap pouring, as this causes the layers to stick together.

     Re-melt your clear soap.  Spray rubbing alcohol on the first layer of clear.  This will also spray the backs of the tattoos, which will help the second clear layer adhere.  Pour a thin layer, just enough to cover the tats and prevent the white soap from sneaking under the images.  Allow to harden completely. 

 

     Melt your white soap and add fragrance if using.  Spray the soaps with rubbing alcohol again and immediately pour your white soap up to the edge of the mold to fill the cavity completely without overpouring.  Spray immediately with rubbing alcohol to get rid of bubbles.  Allow your soaps to sit in the molds overnight to fully harden, then pop from molds and enjoy!

The Finished Product:

If you are looking to purchase some already-made tattoo soaps, visit me at www.mygibsongirl.etsy.com.

For supplies and such, you can find many suppliers online, but I recommend www.brambleberry.com.  They supply everything you need and you will find the best buys there.  You can also view some of my past projects involving tattoo on soap application at Bramble Berry's Flickr!

Happy Creating!