Revisiting Spring - Update

(Click on any picture to view a larger image. Scroll to the bottom of the post to see the update.)

Original panels 2011

New panel 2016

Filigree butterflies adorn each corner.

One of several whimsical ladybugs.

About five years ago I created some simple floral panels as part of the spring decor for the Dorchester Senior Citizens Center. After years of use they were in need of some refurbishing so I decided to spruce them up. As usual, what started out as one thing turned into another and I didn't refurbish them at all. I decided to remake them. I kept all the same elements of the original panels -- a winding vine with flowers attached and butterflies flitting about -- but decided to make them really pop with color and texture. The updated version has larger flowers in clusters and leaves in vibrant colors. The butterflies are really fancy and are suspended off the face of the panel so they appear to be floating over it. I reused some of the flowers from the original panels and I even added little ladybugs for a touch of whimsy. I folded and manipulated the paper so the various elements had three dimensional depth and didn't lay flat against the background paper.
At 28 inches, the new panels are about two inches longer than the originals. This first prototype panel took me a long time to decide what I wanted to do. Now that it's completed, the other three should come together a lot more quickly.

As the days grow longer and the weather is turning slightly warmer, it won't be long before spring erupts in its annual display of color and sound. This year the Dorchester Senior Citizen Center will be ready to welcome her in style.


UPDATE (2.26.16)

Four Completed Panels

The new spring panels are complete! As you can see, they are much livelier than the original panels they were based on. It won't be long before they're mounted on the wall at the senior center. Spring soon come. Bring it!

Ballo ergo sum 
- Gitana, the Creative Diva

The Hurrieder I Run, The Behinder I Get

I've been living life on the fast lane for at least a week now since I returned from my daughter's graduation in North Carolina. No sooner did the plane's wheels hit the tarmac than I hit the ground running and I haven't stopped running since, so much so that my Thursday afternoon senior citizen's crafting class was looming large and I didn't have a project ready for them. I couldn't show up without anything for my ladies especially since I had been absent the week before but I was so tired that my mind literally shut down. I couldn't come up with anything until the wee hours of Thursday morning when I pulled this blue and green rabbit out of my hat. I actually cut and pulled all the pieces of this card together in a couple of hours before I had to be at the center. The card opens like a matchbook with the front flap tucking into the scalloped turned-up edge at the bottom. I added a small heart charm on the bottom edge that is inscribed with the sentiment "Hand Made from the Heart". Overall this is probably one of the least inspired of anything I've made but the ladies didn't seem to mind at all. The bright colors and the charming touches of trim and tassel were enough to appeal to them. They are a very forgiving group.

That's me instructing a member
on project assembly.

Two of my wonderful senior crafters.

At least I got a jump start on this week's project. It's relatively simple but I think they will enjoy it. It is a small treat box featuring a medallion front and a string wrap closure. (When they're finished making the boxes, I'm going to fill them with some treats!) The pattern on the card stock was formed with a small rubber stamped image stamped multiple times. This will mark the group's first foray into rubber stamping and I have fingers and toes crossed that it will be successful. Up until now I have stamped the images that were used in any of our projects because we simply didn't have stamps and ink enough for everyone. The combination of my constant solicitation of donations on Facebook coupled with the small grant I received from the Department of Cultural Affairs has produced enough stamps and ink pads to accommodate everyone in my small group.



Ballo ergo sum
- Gitana, the Creative Diva
Design team member for About Art Accents

Crafting with Seniors

(Click on an image for a larger view.)


Today I conducted my first crafting class with the members of the Dorchester Senior Center where I saw some familiar faces from last week and met a few new ones. By way of introducing myself to them, I brought along some samples of my previous work so everyone could acquaint themselves with what I do and to show them the variety of possibilities inherent in card making. Because Friday afternoon is somewhat slow at the center, only a few members stayed around for the class. This actually turned out to be a good thing. It allowed me to give everyone individualized attention but, more importantly, it allowed me to observe and slowly maneuver through their physical limitations. This information will help me put together projects that suits their abilities and gives them a sense of accomplishment.

I had pre-cut most of the pieces at home and organized everything into individual kits that I distributed to everyone along with a set of instructions and a photo of the completed project. However I deliberately left some things undone so I could see how they carried out the necessary tasks. Right away I discovered that a most of them can't see well enough or do not have the dexterity to cut anything out with a scissors. Also they tend to move more slowly than I anticipated. This is good information for me to have for future crafting sessions. Now I know where I have to make some modifications to allow everyone full access to my projects.

This was a new learning experience for me that I found very satisfying. The seniors came away with a pretty little card and I came away with a whole new perspective. To see the card they created this week, check out the blog post just before this one.

Ballo ergo sum
- Gitana, the Creative Diva