Thursday 26 November 2020

'Ironing snowflakes' . . .

, , , is not a phrase that normally comes to mind in winter, but here we go.  It's winter, and I'm ironing snowflakes.


It started with my realization that it was fast nearing the end of November, and I'd not yet designed a Christmas card, never mind made any of the two dozen or so that are required.

This meant that I was under the gun for an idea, and even more so for the execution.  Of course, my go-to for any paper project is gel prints, given the stack of them I always have on hand.  Since childhood, one of my favourite winter pastimes has been to cut snowflakes, so combining the two thoughts was a no-brainer.

Enter my scissors, three or four sizes of gel-print squares, and the diagnosis of a rotator cuff injury which obligated me to do nothing in the way of housework for the foreseeable future, and there I was with a leaning-like-Pisa pile of cut snowflakes.

Folded and bent to the max, they needed a light touch with the iron before stage two could commence.


Not only the snowflakes are beautiful, though - the remainder of the squares from which they're cut are very interesting.  I've always been a fan of  'the space between', so I've carefully saved the outsides and ironed them as well.  And I've saved the teeny-tiny bits of pretty paper cutouts too, because - artist, -right?


And then it occurred to me that my painted dryer sheets might be a possibility instead of paper, so there's a pile of them started too.

I'm truly glad that no other options have hit my brain (yet), or I'd be cutting snowflakes from concrete and then ironing that!  We artists are very strange people, are we not?

Anyway, I'm sure I'll get to the point of actually making these cards, if I can just. stop. cutting. these. snowflakes 

Please, somebody send help!


18 comments:

  1. Oh yeah, Win! We, artists (I dare telling this word for me), are strange people, but he are happy people because he have our art. I save all the tiny pieces of papers too! Your snowflakes are beautiful, my friend. I have but snowflakes from papers, and from my painted pages, a lot of times in the past, and certainly I am going to do it again. I think I will cut snowflakes from napkins soon. You can make a lovely garland with all these snowflakes, my dear friends. Hugs, sweetie.

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    1. Happy indeed, Mia. It's no surprise that you're a snowflake-cutter, my friend. And they are so beautiful in journals. I'll bet they will be fabulous cut from your napkins as well!

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  2. Just gorgeous Win and the snowflakes too! I had to smile when you mentioned the negative spaces left behind as I have loads of these and find it so difficult to throw them away. The other day I had cut out lots of insects and the negative sheets looked brilliant in fact I think I liked them more than the actual die cuts. You would laugh at how many times I take them in and out of the bin Lol! Hugs, Angela xXx

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    1. Oh, it's so nice to know that I'm not alone in my craziness, Angela...the 'in and out' of the bin is an ongoing process here. :D Happy week, my friend...

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  3. Love your little colourful snowflakes Win! I guess "Ironing Snowflakes" would give a cool name to a rock band - similarly cryptic to "Counting Crows" or "Snow Patrol" LOL! Happy Winter and thanks for visiting! xx

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    1. That's just brilliant, Zsuzsa - what a GREAT name for a rock band. :D Now you've got me wishing I could start one, just to use it. Lovely to see you here - thanks for stopping by, and for being such a constant inspiration!

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  4. You gave me a laugh there, Win - ironing snowflakes :) They look great. And of course there has to be an upside to a rotator cuff injury. I have no excuse to neglect housework except that there is way too much more interesting stuff that I can find to do first.

    My Zach had a kirigami calendar one year with something to cut out each day. I used the shapes and their 'outsides' on the gelli-plate. Yes, I know, that's dangerous ground to mention to you... ;-)

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    1. Any old excuse to neglect housework is my idea of a good one, Tracy. :D And oops, you're right it's a bad thing to mention gel printing to me...I'm obviously off to the studio now! :D

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  5. Your ironed snowflakes (giggle) look fabulous ! They will look very lovely on your Christmas cards !
    Corrie x

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    1. Thanks, Corrie - I suspect they will, if I can ever stop making them and get to the cards. :D

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  6. Hahaha! Not so crazy! It's wonderful!
    Still ironing and making cards is possible in the same day...
    You'll do it, won't you?! :D
    (I so would like to have one of these cards! :)

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    1. Yes, I definitely will do it - some 20 made (and now mailed) already. I'd be delighted to send you a card if you email me (windinn@telus.net) your address, although I can't guarantee you'll get it in time for Christmas! :D

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    2. Oh, thank you!!! I'm going to send you my adress...
      I would like a swap, if something in my work would please you... Of course.

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    3. I most certainly will send you a card, Sim - it will go out in Monday's mail, and with the slow boat to France, likely arrive sometime around Easter. Email response on the way, and thanks for your address! xo

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  7. The going from gelli plate papers to dryer sheets just shows how an artist's mind works. I love the creative process. Hand made cards are treasures.

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    1. We're truly wide-ranging, aren't we, Eileen? And I do agree about hand-made cards; I have a special file for the ones I receive, and treasure each one of them. Thanks for stopping by to say hello - I'm so looking forward to seeing you both back in town! xo

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  8. I am so sorry about your shoulder joint injuries are the worst. It seems you have to be careful with every move so you don't throw something out of whack. As far as art goes I think weirdness comes with the territory.
    I love your snowflakes you are a master cutter too. I'm surprised you have a rug left in your house...you do have rugs left don't you? lol
    I would come up and help you but I am too busy make pictures sniveling about CoVid, and going through all my boxes and files trying to loose some baggage. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season, get your cards finished and your shoulder heals up real fast. Best wishes and Hugs.

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    1. I'm expanding my philosophy to see the shoulder injury in a positive light - no housekeeping for a year? :D

      To answer your question vis a vis the rugs in the house - they are now v.e.r.y. small, for some reason. Those scissors really do get around.

      Oh, I can just see your sorting boxes, filing stuff and sniveling as you go - what a fabulous picture. ;-) I am looking forward to the day when we can actually have a chance to play together...in the meantime, sending scissor-happy hugs! xo

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