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,

Make Your Alphabet Mechanical by Betsy Skagen

What to you do when you have no idea about what to create? Some people turn to Pinterest for inspiration and some turn to YouTube. Sometimes I do that, but more often I just let the creativity flow.

This was one of  those times. When I sat down at my desk I had no idea in mind. For quite some time I had been wanting to make something with Gypsy Soul's Alphabet Stencil Blanks, but never had any inspiration. So I picked up a one of the letters and flipped it around it my hands. Soon, I decided it might pair well with a Trading Coaster.

I began wondering what I could put inside the letter to make it interesting and decided I should use some gears. Now, I had the beginning of an idea in mind, but no particular plan.

To get started, I began painting the Steampunk Shape Set with quinacridone nickel azo gold, burnt umber, teal, sky blue and yellow acrylic paint to to create faux metal pieces.

Next I rounded the edges of the alphabet stencil blank and then covered it and a 4" inch coaster with gesso.

After the gesso dried, I blended teal ink onto the trading coaster, covered the alphabet stencil with a page from a vintage book and blended brown ink around the edges to give it an aged appearance.

Next I glued my steampunk pieces onto the trading coaster so that it would line up with the letter J opening. 

I adhered additional components to the face of the alphabet stencil, and used Beacon Fabri-Tac to adhere translucent beads and a metal phrase.

I then painted some metallic ribbon and its spool to transform them into a hanger. I added an extra gear for decoration.

To finish the piece, I cut a piece of cardboard slightly larger than my coaster and tore off the backing to expose the corrugated surface. I then inked the cardboard with teal and brown inks and glued it to the coaster.

I was pleased with how this relatively quick project turned out--especially since I let free-flowing creativity guide its creation. Next time you feel like you are in a creative rut, instead of turning to Pinterest, YouTube or someone else for inspiration, try trusting your own creative process.

Have a wonderful and creative weekend! Betsy

Great Stuff

Steampunk Shape Set
Alphabet Stencil Blanks
4" Trading Coaster
Brown and Teal ink
Vintage book page
Translucent beads
Gesso
Metal phrase
Beacon Fabri-Tac
Acrylic paint: quinacridone nickel azo gold, burnt umber, teal, sky blue and yellow
Metallic ribbon and ribbon spool
Corrugated cardboard

wings of time

Hi everyone, Ann here today, sharing an ATC shrine that I call "wings of time."
From the moment I set eyes on the ATC Shrine-Time, I envisioned a Fornasetti face within the circular clock area of the door, but I was unsure where I would take it from there. I put off working on the project for a while and finally decided that it would be best to simply start and see where it would lead...
I apologize for the lack of process photos in this post, it seems once I started working, I was so intent on creating that I forgot to stop and capture all the steps. My hope is that my description is easily understandable.

I begin by painting all the pieces of the ATC Shrine-Time black. Then I locate the image that I intend to place within the clock face. I trace the outermost edge of the circle (clock) shape onto the graphic and fussy cut. A piece of black cardstock is adhered to the reverse side of the image so that when the door to the shrine is open, it will appear as a solid plane. Before adhering the face piece, I emboss the clock hands on the shrine door. This is easily accomplished with a VersaMark pen and gun metal embossing powder. I heat set the powder on the exterior surface and then complete the same process on the inside. I let the embossing cool and then adhere the image that has been cut to size in place.  Once the iconic image is set, the project seems to direct itself.

I know that at some point I would like the shrine to be functional, a place to store artist trading cards. For this reason, the interior of the shrine is not embellished with protruding objects. Everything inside is kept fairly flat. The rear panel of the shrine is covered with a piece of black and white tweed pattern paper. I ink the paper with hickory smoke and milled lavender distress ink to coordinate with the Fornasetti image. A sentiment is layered onto wilted violet oxide-inked cardstock and attached to the back panel reading "REMEMBER YOUR WINGS."
A stamped and colored butterfly is attached to the solid black circle on the inside of the shrine door. The butterfly's body is an embossed clock hand from the GSLC Steampunk Shape Set.

The Rear of the shrine contains a Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Butterfly of Gears. I love this chipboard piece. It is sold as a set of two identical butterflies, I am only using one for this piece, but I already have a plan for the second butterfly.

The butterfly has been painted with seedless preserves distress paint and then dipped in wilted violet oxide ink to create a beautiful finish. Some of the steampunk cogs and gears are embossed, as well as the body, and tips of the wings. I use the same method that was used for the shrine's clock hands, a VersaMark pen and gun metal embossing powder. When the embossing has cooled, Ideaology metal embellishments are adhered to the butterfly with collage medium. Once the collage medium is dry, the butterfly is attached to the rear panel with collage medium and set aside.  A big chat "FLY" sticker is inked with wilted violet oxide ink and then attached below the butterfly.

I secure a ball hitch through the circular opening on one of the clock hands of the shrine door. This becomes a knob that allows easy access to the shrine's interior. I also emboss four wooden beads and attach these to the base of the shrine to raise it up off the surface it stands on. The crown atop the shrine is another piece from the Steampunk Shape Set. This set has so many pieces, I find myself reaching for it often to use on my projects. The crown has been colored with wilted violet distress oxide and then splattered with seedless preserves paint. The tops and back side of the crown has been embossed with gun metal embossing powder.

I really like the way that this ATC shrine turned out. The Gypsy Soul laser cuts store has many different ATC Shrine styles, from nautical, to steampunk, and everything in between. It's definitely worth checking out! I hope that you are inspired to create something of your own, perhaps something that you have put off because you are unsure of how it will turn out. You will never know if you don't start somewhere.

Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today,
 I really appreciate you taking the time.
~Ann

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts used:
ATC Shrine - Time
Butterfly of Gears
Steampunk Shape Set

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

ladies and gents, hold the phone

Hello everyone, it's hard to believe that August is here already. I know that during these summer months it can be very busy, so today I am sharing a fairly simple project that makes a big impact. I have been meaning to make up one of these tablet/iPad/phone holders since I received it in my DT box. I often put my phone down while I am working and when it is time to snap a quick progress photo, it is buried beneath all of my supplies. I hope to alleviate this issue with this steampunk inspired phone holder. Since I have two of these in my stash, I thought it would be fun to create a his and hers version.

The sturdy chipboard tablet/iPad/phone holder arrives flat in three separate pieces.

I want the finished pieces to have a steampunk/industrial look, and since I will be making a his and hers version, I think the Steampunk Lady and Steampunk Gentleman will be the perfect addition to each holder. Both of these GSLC pieces are fabulous. Each comes in a pack of two, this project only uses one so I will put the second lady and the second gentleman away for another day.

 I paint the side of the heads that will be showing on the front of the holder with distress paint in walnut stain and allow to dry. Once dry, the back side of each head is painted with black soot distress paint and set aside. I select some pattern papers from the French Industrial paper Stash that coordinate with my theme. I choose to combine different patterns for each of the planes of the holder. This could also be made with a large sheet of single pattern paper if you prefer. I like the interest of having different patterns, yet keeping them all within the same color family. I measure the pieces to be covered and cut the paper to size. It is alright if the paper overhangs a bit when you adhere it to the chipboard, this can easily be cut off with a craft knife. The most important thing to remember is not to adhere paper to the tabs of the pieces that will be secured into the base. The papers are adhered to the chipboard with collage medium. I add a layer of grunge to the surfaces as well as the edges with distress inks.

Since the front stop pieces are now complete, I go ahead and secure these into the base with a multi-purpose adhesive. These are set aside to dry while I complete the uprights for each holder.

To give the heads a more vintage feel, I add a layer of black soot distress paint on the walnut stain colored side and gently wipe it off before it dries. Knowing that the holders will be serving a function, I want to ensure that the embellishments I add are not too invasive, thus keeping things clean and simple. I decide to add a few additional cogs and gears to adorn the lady and gentleman. Using one of my favorite GSLC sets, the Steampunk Shape Set, I select a few pieces for each head that work well with the scale. I also select two clock hands to add under my titles on each holder. I emboss all of these pieces with charred gold embossing powder and secure them in place.

Each holder has a title. The words "LADIES" and "GENTS" are made with alpha parts. Beneath each title I adhered and embossed clock hand.

Once each upright was completely dry, I secured it into place by adding multi-purpose adhesive along the edge that attaches to the base and to the tabs, then inserting them into the respective slots in the base. The lady and gent are standing tall and the phone holder is ready to be put to use.

I hope that during these busy days you are able to make some time to get creative. Perhaps this simple steampunk project has got your gears moving and inspired you.

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by.

~Ann   

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Used:

Tablet/iPad/Phone Holder

 Steampunk Gentleman

 Steampunk Lady

 Steampunk Shape Set