Luna Santos by Michelle Talley

Hello again! Here we are, it’s August already, and time for my 2nd project!  Still super excited to be a part of this, and I am sure that soon I will settle into a more “mature about this gig” kind of groove. NOT!

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One afternoon, my doorbell rang, and when I meandered out to see what was up, I found a package from PaperWhimsy! We all know what that means! Something magical could happen, if we let it.
I opened my treasure trove and pondered the possibilities. And it happened! I saw a Curious Medallion Santos #3, with of all things, Curious Starburst wings!

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Then I saw a face, and remembered a quote by E.E. Cummings, and I knew. It was going to be about a girl, we’ll call her Luna, but she could be any one of us. It’s about learning to accept who we are, and more than that, loving who we are.

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So here it is, a story about a girl named Luna. A girl with self -esteem issues. Her face is too round, she blushs too easily and often, and was not amused to be called Rosy. She could be moody, often felt just too full, and, when she wasn’t, she couldn’t enjoy it, because she knew it wouldn’t last.
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Then something happened. Her friend Stella read her a quote, about growing up and courage. It made her think. She realized that every girl, at one time or another has had some guy come calling, who walked all over her, and then took off. Or maybe she thought she wasn’t bright enough.

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She knew that things can wax and wane, we can be blue, and go through phases.   Finally she realized she was a force to be reckoned with, because really, what other girl could control the tide?
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What Luna is made of
Curious Medallion Santos # 3 
Gothic Faerie 01PNG
Digisheet 171
Digisheet 196
ModPodge glue
E6000
Super glue
InkaGold Old Silver & Platinum
PanPastel in neutral gray
Gelato stick in red
Embellishments: Metal stars, German scrap, mica chips, frosted white bead, round acrylic pendant, and foam board to make the quarter moons.
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For Luna’s lovely visage, I used one of the smaller images from digisheet #171. I used ModPodge to adhere her face to a round acrylic pendant disc. I clipped off the top, and filed it to make the circle. I outlined her face with the German scrap using super glue, and then I realized she needed a bow!

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I used one of the bows from Gothic Faerie 01 PNG then used a Gelato stick to color it, I thought it should match her rosy cheeks. I also used the super glue to attach it.
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On to her celestial body. I gave the base and body pieces & parts a coat of the Old Silver paint, using a foam brush. While that dried, I used the “frame” with the red rays from digisheet 196 for Luna’s “ torso”, and ModPodged it into place. I dabbed some of the Old Silver in the center, and when dry I added the quote, again with ModPodge. I love the sassy red “rays” highlighting the message.
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Next step, glue all the pieces & parts together! I used E6000 and Super glue. Because what CAN’T you fix with the power of Super glue! After I pried my fingers apart, ouch, I gave the arms, wings, frame and base pieces of Luna the “mooshing “treatment with the Old Silver and Platinum paint. Happily tapping away until the texture resembles the surface of the moon. Honestly, work with me on that, because I’ve never been. When the paint is almost dry, I brushed on the PanPastel in neutral gray, just enough to give some depth to the uneven finish.
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Now, the embellishments! I used some small metal stars, some moon shapes I cut out of foam board. Full disclosure, I should NEVER be allowed to use an Exacto blade, EVER!!! I just can’t talk about it. So anyway, Wayne did the actual cutting, thank goodness, so there was no need for medical intervention. Moving on, the edges are a little wonky, but that is okay because we are giving them a lot of love from the Old Silver and Platinum InkaGold paints. Really, use a heavy hand, it gets that yummy textured look, which is what we want. I did the same on the stars, and when everything was dry, I adhered it with the E6000.
All she needed was to hold a star in one hand and a tiny moon in the other, (enter the white acrylic bead) and some extra twinkle, (mica chips).

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And that my friends, is how Luna found her groove, as the girl who controls the tide, and understands her moods and the courage to embrace them. Good and bad, and sometimes that is all that matters!
The end (NOT – its just the beginning!).

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Michelle