This post has been a difficult one to write. Like so many others, the pandemic has really thrown me into a loop and brought many unexpected and unwanted changes. I left my job of over 19 years in October. The stress, frustration, and unhappiness was too much and the negativity was seeping into my off-time and basically killed any motivation I had to write or make anything. Around that same time, my sister's breast cancer returned with a vengeance and destroyed the funny, loving, energetic woman I had always known and loved. She became a fragile shell and then she was gone. My heart was still raw when my mother, the rock of our family, died unexpectely on Friday. I'm stunned. Shocked. It makes no sense. She's gone. I'm not sure what the future holds for me. I've been working in the healthcare field and I'm happy with the job but life keeps telling me how short it is and I think I need to really listen this time.
During the shelter at home, I've been finishing more project including these framed creepy 'family portraits.' Supplies: Metal Frames (these are vintage frames I found at an antique shop) Alcohol Inks (I used Tim Holtz in Botanical, Orange Sunset, Teakwood, Gunmetal, Pitch Black, and Mushroom) Tim Holtz Paper Dolls (I used dolls from a Halloween pack) Scrapbook Paper (I used Tim Holtz paper from a Halloween stack) Distress Marker in Black Soot Distress Ink in Black Soot Distress Spray Stain in Aged Mahogony Duralar (or any other sheet of acetate) Thick backer board (I used a piece of heavy backer board from Tim Holtz packaging) Glue (I used Glossy Accents) Tools: Cotton Swabs Paper Towel Scissors First, I washed both frames to remove any dust or grime and let them dry. I dripped on Botanical, Orange Sunset, and Teakwood alcohol inks on the frames and once dry, I rubbed on Gunmetal with a cotton swab. To make them more tarnished-looking, I swabbed on Pitc