Steampunk Boutique Experience

Hi again,

It's Elle here from Empire of the Cat, and here's my project for today:

To make this project, I will be using the following chippies from GSL:


 There are two dress form / mannequin types included in this set but for my display I really wanted three so I used this circled piece of chipboard which I thought looked a bit like a dress form.  As you can see, it is just the waste piece that was leftover from the large wings that were there.  I have circled it for you in the photo below.  I cut out the whole piece and kept the cogs in place.

Since she would need something to stand on, I decided to use this key from the Steampunk Lightbulb set, but if you don't have this set, you could use something else as this is the only element I used from this set.

Here's how I laid them out inside the box to check that everything fit. 

The next step was to paint everything with white gesso - all of the dress forms and the inside and outside of the box pieces.   I am not using the internal dividers so I will keep them for another project.

Once everything was dry, It was time for the fun part - heat embossing!  I am using an Emerald Creek EP called Wrought Iron which seemed appropriate.

I ended up only using the EP on the dress forms, here's a look at them after heat embossing.   Now at this stage I was considering using that pink alcohol background in my display box but you'll see below that I changed my mind.

Much as I love the bright pink with the black embossed pieces, I decided to use one of these other backgrounds from my stash and so my project was definitely heading in a vintage direction!

Time to construct the box!  I am using regular white glue to glue everything together.  I made sure to measure my paper pieces first - much easier to do before the box is constructed.

Since my project is basically a display "window" I thought it could use a sign, so I die cut these letters from some old cardboard boxes, and since the cardboard was quite thin, stacked them on top of each other to make them more robust. But where to put my sign?

To construct my sign I am using this old piece of acetate from a cake box which I will wrap around the top of the display box and glue into place.  I laid everything out to make sure it would fit across the front of the box.

Now it was time to cover all of these elements with black gesso, ready for painting.  I don't have a painting photo but they were painted with black and metallic paints.

Leave all of those elements to dry and start gluing the background papers into the box and paint the outside of the box - I used Little Black Dress of course!

Next, adhere the acetate to the top of the display box, and then begin to arrange the painted gears and cogs, gluing them on to the acetate, and then add the STEAMPUNK letters on top.

Now to add the dress forms / mannequins to the display window.  I am using black foam tape 3-4 layers of it to attach to the back of each dress form (in a place where it won't show) and then affix them to the back wall of the display box.

Here's how the ladies look once they are in place:

At this point I was "finished" but I felt that it needed something else, and that something else was little feet.  I used a couple of plastic bottle caps, gessoed them and painted them in black metallic paint.  Once the paint was dry, I glued them in place on the bottom of the box.

And then, just when I thought I was finished, I found this little label that was leftover from another project and I thought it would be perfect as additional signage.  It was already gessoed so I gave it a coat of pewter metallic and added these word stickers from Prima.

Turns out I wasn't happy with how it looked, so I ended up repainting it in black acrylic.

I then glued it to the centre of the display box at the bottom.  The addition of this little plaque really finishes it off perfectly!

And that's my project for today.  I hope you enjoyed following the process and seeing the finished project.  Let me know in the comments below!


Elle
Empire of the Cat


PROJECT RECIPE

GSL:
Specimen Box C12Q
Steampunk Shape Set D33A *coming soon*
Gears Shape Set BB13
Steampunk Lightbulb Set D20D (one element used, can be substituted)
Stackable Labels Shape Set D35H (one label used, can be substituted)

Other:
Embossing ink and embossing powder
Silver, copper, pewter metallic paints
Black and white gesso
PVA glue
Black chalk paint
Word stickers
Double sided foam tape (black)
From stash: background paper, acetate, cardboard letters, bottle caps,

Time Marches On

January is a time of new beginnings, a time to reflect and take inventory of our lives. There is a quote by Warren Zevon, “we love to buy books because we believe we are buying the time to read them.” January is sort of like that it’s the promise of a full year ahead, the possibilities seems endless. But you and I both know that time is promised to no one, we must live each day as it is our last and tuck away memories that we can make along the way. This is the inspiration for this project.

1.  Cut Apart the GSLC Alice Trading Coin Covers, decide which you will be using.

2.  Emboss GSLC-Trading coins with German Silver and Granite Powders and filling in gaps with Brushed Pewter Distress Mica Spray.

3.  Cure and set with a heating tool.

4.  Use a paint brush to paint the rims of the GSLC Alice Trading Coin Covers.

5.  Trace pocket watch onto Faux Alligator Skin Paper, Cut out with scissors.

6.  Trace top hat onto Faux Black Velvet Paper, Cut out with scissors.

7.  Trace bottle onto Blue Metallic Tissue Paper, Cut out with scissors

8.  Use Brown, Black, and Blue markers to edge the GSLC Alice Trading Coin Covers coordinating with papers used

9.  Add a small piece of rusted ribbed ribbon to the top hat.

10.                Use Gold Leaf Rub ‘n Buff for the pocket watch top.

11.                Use Weldbond to glue chosen papers to correct GSLC Alice Trading Coin Covers. Adding a vintage text to the bottles label and gray marker to color the string and brown marker for the cork top.

12.                Secure into place with metal clamps allowing to dry fully.

13.                Once dry carefully add Art Deco One Step Crackle medium to the blue bottle.

14.                Use Gold Leaf Rub ‘n Buff to add details of your choosing from the GSLC Steampunk Light bulb Set

15.                Glue and Screw in metallic embellishments to your GSLC Alice Trading Coin Covers.        

Some Final Thoughts.  

New Year Song- Over the Rhine

Here's a little New Year's song
Don't worry it won't take too long
Just a bit of New Year's cheer
To say I'm glad you're here

Little leftover Christmas tree
Just big enough for you and me
With just a single strand of lights
To tease the stars outside

And we thought perhaps we'd see some friends
But as the old year slowly ends
The dogs are dreaming in their beds
We might stay home instead

Here's a little New Year's song
Don't worry it won't take too long
Just a quiet New Year's eve
There's somethin' up your sleeve

And I might gently take your wrist
Read your body like a Christmas list
The first night that the New Year brings
I wouldn't wanna miss a thing

Let's stay home and play old records
Our future's bright our past is checkered
What do you say we lift a glass

Toast the ghost of another year past
Just a little New Year's song
Happy New Year everyone
It came upon a midnight clear
Another brand new year

New mercy comes with every morning
The unexpected with no warning
For loved ones who've gone on before
Sing me Auld Lang Syne

New mercy comes with every morning
The unexpected with no warning
Let the dear ones you love know
You'll miss them when you go

Supplies:  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Trading Coin Covers Alice, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Artist Trading Coin, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Steampunk Lightbulb Set, Embossing Powders-I Used Granite and German Silver, Brushed Pewter Distress Mica Spray, A Wash Made of Water and Black Acrylic Paint, Paintbrush, Blue Metallic Tissue Paper, Faux Black Velvet Paper, Faux Alligator Skin paper, Markers-Black, Blue, Brown and Grey, Rusty Ribbon, Rub ‘n Buff-Gold Leaf, Weldbond, Scrap of Vintage Text, Metal Clamps, Art Deco One Step Crackle medium, 

I cannot wait to see your interpretation of this project. Share it on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Craft Group Page on Facebook. I would love to see what new creations you are working on!

gathering ideas

Hi everyone, it seems like the closer we get to the summer months, the busier it is; and the more difficult it becomes keeping track of everything, especially creative ideas. 

Today I am sharing an "idea" journal I created to help me keep track of things. I thought it would be fun to make the journal in a steampunk style. In my mind, steampunk and innovation go hand in hand. Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts has some wonderful steampunk shapes and pieces that are perfect for incorporating into journals.

I begin with an Eileen Hull passport journal die cut from medium weight chipboard. The base journal is covered with papers I created with Distress Oxide sprays in Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain and Cracked Pistachio. I also added some Distress spray stain in Spiced Marmalade. I love the results achieved from the combination of colors and inks. 

The Steampunk Lightbulb Set has so many great pieces to choose from. Since my journal only uses a few, I look forward to using this set for multiple projects.

I use Tim Holtz worn text stamps to create the word "Ideas." This is stamped with Versamark ink then heat embossed with Oil Rubbed Bronze embossing powder, in the bottom right hand corner of the cover. I also emboss the small simple lightbulb shape from the Steampunk Lightbulb Set with the same powder.

 
Combining all my creative ideas, I use the lightbulb as the central focus of the cover, layered above a Tim Holtz Gearhead die cut and adorned with embossed pieces from theSteampunk Shape Set.

Inside the journal are three inserts.

The first is a Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts ATC folder. It has been covered with another piece from the papers I created with Distress Oxide sprays. I have added a few embossed cogs and gear pieces from the Steampunk Shape Set to complete the outside.

The interior of the folder has two pockets to store miscellaneous findings. I have edged each pocket with strips of the inked paper.

The second insert is a mini lined composition notebook. The notebook has been covered with colored card stock and adorning this cover is a section from the GSLC Collage Border Steampunk. Using snips, I simply cut the length I want and then emboss the section with Seth Apter's Patina Oxide Baked Texture embossing powder.

 I love the way the embossing color plays off the inks I have used throughout the journal. I adhere the embossed piece to the covered notebook and also add some stenciling.

The final insert is completely hand made, using the Oxide spray paper as a cover and containing watercolor papers for filler. Using a pointing hand piece from the Steampunk Lightbulb Set, I first heat emboss one side with oil rubbed bronze embossing powder, and when it is cool, I glue a paper clip to the back side to use as a planner clip. The clip will help me to hold the page I am working on and make it readily available after the book is closed. I love the way this turned out, and will definitely be making a few more clips to use in different journal inserts. It's a simple way to use up those small extra pieces that you have laying around, and super helpful for keeping organized.

Sometimes it's the embellishments that have the most impact on a project. I believe that by adding the Gypsy Soul Laser Cut steampunk pieces to this simple journal, I was able to give it the style I was looking for without a lot of added work. The perfect solution to busy days and staying organized, all the while gathering ideas.

Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today, 

I really appreciate you taking the time.
~Ann

I hope that you are inspired to create something with Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts. The design team and I would love to see what you are making, feel free to share it on out Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Craft Group Facebook page. You can find it here.

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts used:

ATC folder (coming soon)

Collage Border Steampunk

Steampunk Lightbulb Set

Steampunk Shape Set