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

love letters folio

Being that February is upon us, and everywhere we look we are reminded that Valentine's day is near, I am sharing a tutorial for my love letters folio. This piece is something that could be used anytime of year, to store special love notes received, or even simply to store your favorite stationery for writing letters.

Before starting my project, I like to assemble the pieces I plan to use (without adhesive). This gives me a visual of how the final piece will present, as well as an idea of the areas that will be covered. I have really been enjoying creating my own papers lately. I am using these along with preprinted designs. This allows me to coordinate the colors exactly as I like. The GSLC folio and mini book has many surfaces that will need finishes.

With an idea in mind, I raid my stash of special papers and select some pieces to use as accents. Using distress oxide and distress inks, I create custom papers that coordinate; then, also gather some embellishments that I might like to incorporate.

 All of the edges of the bare chipboard base are inked with distress ink. This makes for a finished appearance at the edges where the paper and chipboard meet. Along the areas that will be opened and closed repeatedly, I add linen hinging tape and ink on top of that. This serves to reinforce the edges that will repeatedly be folded back and forth, thus extending the life of the folio.

Depending on the area of each surface, I determine what will be the best adhesive for attaching the finished paper. Along the spines, I use collage medium and in the larger, flat areas, I use sookwang double sided adhesive tape. I begin by covering the interior surfaces of the folio. Glittered washi tape adds a bit of interest along the edges of the paper at the fold locations, while sparkle ribbon edges the pocket that will hold the mini book.

In an effort to create more spaces to tuck special notes, a piece of my inked paper is attached only at the top and bottom, creating a central pocket and the two squares of decorative papers that flank either side are open at the top for additional secret compartments. A die cut heart is inked and wrapped with copper wire and beads, then attached to the special pocket.

Included with the folio and mini book set is a 4 page chipboard book base. Instead of creating a book to slip into the folio pocket, I use one piece of the folded base to create a stationary holder. 

T create the insertable holder, I adhere decorative paper to the outside cover and add "X" and "O" from the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts alphabet stencil blanks. These stencil blanks are so fun to incorporate into your project, they can be used separately (as I have here) or even as a complete set.

Each stencil blank is painted with copper colored paint and allowed to dry. I then attach a piece of distress oxide inked paper behind each stencil blank and the combined pieces are secured to the cover with decorative brads. The stencils are only attached at two corners to allow additional opportunities to tuck special things. 

The interior of this part is simply covered with papers. When open, each side contains a pocket along the edge to hold stationary and envelopes or, treasured, keepsake love notes, whichever you prefer. Pieces can also slip into the bands on the pockets.

As much as I had anticipated keeping the outside of my folio simple, I could not resist using the GSLC double hearts flourish as an accent. 

It's size fit so perfectly onto the back outer panel, and I saw it as an opportunity to bring a bit of the copper accents seen on the inside to the outside. This heart piece can be used in so many ways. Either layered (as I have) or separately, it is wonderful as a frame or even just as a decorative element.

For my piece, I paint the top scrollwork heart with copper colored paint and allow to dry. Is is adhered atop the bottom layer which has been inked with distress ink and then crackled. After they are secured with collage medium, I wrap some copper wire around the edges at three locations to form "X"s. Then some spiraled pieces of wire are attached. This piece is adhered to the back cover (distress oxide inked paper) with hot glue. 

The folio and mini book set comes with a belly band; however, I did not use this piece. The front flap of my folio is secured by means of a piece of lace that has been inked. 

The colored lace, once dry, is secured with collage medium along two and a half inches in from each side.  The middle portion of the lace is not attached, which allows the flap to slide under it. Another die cut heart (inked and coated with crazing) is attached to the lace piece with mini staples in an "X".

 
I was so pleased with the way this folio turned out, I think it will be a beautiful way to store treasured notes and other things.

I hope that you have enjoyed my post, and perhaps it has inspired you to create something. The design team and I'd love to see what you create with Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts. If you haven't joined already, please consider sharing your work on our Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Craft Group facebook page.  Thanks so much for stopping by.
~Ann
  xxx

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts used:

Alphabet Stencil Blanks
Double Hearts Flourish 

Folio & Mini Book