The Gears of Inspiration: Steampunk Crafts by Jack & Cat Curio, Sherry Cheever, and Melanie Forbes
Hello Crafters!
Happy Monday to all of you! We hope that whatever you're up to today, that you're enjoying the day. We've been having that funny mix of clouds, rain, and occasional sun. Some days it's hard to believe it's spring! But that makes the warm, sunny days all the more sweeter. And speaking of spring, we're giving away a Once Upon a Springtime 12x12 paper pad as well as some other gorgeous craft goodies as part of this week's blog contest! If the weather isn't going to abide, at least we can have spring in our hearts. This week we're just asking you to leave us a blog comment telling us about something fun you've done this spring. Maybe you've had a nice walk in the park on a sunny day, or perhaps you're working on a beautiful garden. Let us know how you've been enjoying this wonderful season and you could win this terrific prize pack. A Once Upon a Springtime 12x12 Paper Pad, Metal Hinge Staples, Once Upon a Springtime Cling Stamps, and three beautiful chipboards by Imaginarium Designs! You can leave your comment any day this week and we will choose a random winner and announce them on Friday, June 3rd. Hooray!
You are in for such a treat today, crafters. Our Design Team has whipped up some spectacular Steampunk Debutant crafts that are out of this world! We've even got amazing tutorials by Sherry Cheever and Melanie Forbes! The thing that I love about today's crafts is that they all feature altered art with Steampunk Debutant. Altered art is always so much fun to create, especially with a decadent collection like Steampunk Debutant with all its rich colors and whimsical designs. So lets check out these amazingly inspiring creations! This first piece was created by the fantastic Jack & Cat Curio. This beautiful Steampunk altered tin has so many lavish details and a perfect rustic look. It's just another example of Jack & Cat's stunningly unique artistic vision. Take it away, Jack & Cat!
"We call it….”layering the strange”…. bring enough odd objects together, cover them, distress them, and disguise them. You will unify them into a grand piece of eye candy. Such is the case with this piece… we gathered a mint tin, ceiling mount, brass charms, and our favorite “Steampunk Debutante” imagery." -Jack & Cat Curio
Supplies:
Altoid tin, ceiling mount
Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante Collection: Ephemera Extraordinaire, Mechanical Mind, Time Flies, Nouveau Artistry
Ink: Ranger Distress Wild Honey, Walnut Stain, Black Soot, Distress Embossing Ink
Golden Light Molding Paste, Modern Masters Metal Effects Iron Paint and Rust Solution, Claudine Hellmuth Blank Canvas, KAISER Colour Sea Breeze, Golden Glaze Patina Green, Zing! Gold Embossing Powder, Adirondack Metallics Acrylic Paint Dabbers Gold, Judikins Fluxe
Leaky Shed Studios Gear and Cogs, Leaky Shed Studios Ornate Corners, Graphic 45 Staples Metal Flowers, Graphic 45 Metal Staples Buttons, Tim Holtz Idea-ology Sprocket Gears, Tim Holtz Idea-ology Timepieces Watch Faces, Tim Holtz Idea-ology Adornments—Regal, Tim Holtz Idea-ology Long Fasteners, Objects and Elements Oval Hobnail Copper Bezel, Resin Black Frame, vintage rhinestones, netting material, vintage dictionary pages, brass crown, brass keyhole
Glue: Claudine Hellmuth Multi Medium, Hot Glue, Super Glue gel,
Tools: Tim Holtz Alterations Sizzix Bigz Dies Tattered Florals
Next up is a beautiful Steampunk Debutant altered frame by Sherry Cheever. Overflowing with gorgeous flowers, butterflies, clock gears, and luscious colors, this altered picture frame is beautifully balanced and breathtaking. Want to know how it was made? Sherry has prepared a video tutorial that shows you her techniques! Amazing! Here's what Sherry had to say about this lovely creation.
"The frame was painted black and then covered with Steampunk Debutante paper. The paper was glued down with Multi-Medium matte and the excess was removed by sanding away at the edges. Vintage Photo Distress Ink was then sponged on the edges of the frame. The middle image was centered and the wings were painted with Black Soot Distress Stickles. An extra hat and dress were cut out, the edges sponged with Vintage Photo and raised over the image with foam mounting tape. The hat was also painted with Black Soot Distress Stickles.
Craft Foil was die cut with Sprightly Sprockets and then covered with Black Soot Alcohol Inks with a drop of Copper Mixative added.
The flowers were made by die cutting/embossing Steampunk Debutante paper with Rose Creations and Carnation Creations. The flowers were shaped with a petal roller and a foam pad. All the leaves were die cut with the Foliage Die Template and then colored different hues of greens.
The butterfly in the top right corner was glued to a piece of Clearly for Art, heated with a heat tool and the wings were shaped with the Clearly for Art was still warm." -Sherry Cheever
Supplies:
Paper: Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante; Tim Holtz idea-ology GrungePaper
Spellbinders: S4-328 Foliage; S5-048 Sprightly Sprockets; S5-050 Rose Creations; S5-049 Carnation Creations; F-012 Premium Craft Foils – Precious Metals; Grand Calibur
Ink/Paint: Ranger Peeled Paint Distress Stain, Lettuce and Meadow Color Wash, Vintage Photo Distress Ink, Adirondack Copper Mixative and Pitch Black Alcohol Inks and Blending Solution; Black Acrylic Paint
Embellishments: Tim Holtz idea-ology Memo Pins; 7 Gypsies Brads; Maya Road Vintage Pearls and Brown and Turquoise Leaf Trinket Pins; Ranger Black Soot Distress Stickles
Tools: Ranger Ink Applicators w/Felt (alcohol inks) and w/Foam, Non-Stick Craft Sheet, Claudine Hellmuth Studio Multi-Medium Matte; Studio 490 Art Parts Clearly for Art; Black Craft Wire; Sanding Tools; Imaginisce Petal Roller; $1 Wood Frame from Michaels; Foam Mounting Tape; Foam Pad
Check out Sherry Cheever's video tutorial all about this amazing altered Steampunk picture frame!
Next up is this amazing Steampunk Debutnat alered clock by Melanie Forbes. This is a perfect example of Melanie's delicate and beautiful artisitc sensability. The multi-colored clock gears look so amazing in this altered clock, especially when combined with the gorgeous flowers and that amazing peacock feather. This is such a great example of taking a simple object and turning it into something magical! Lynette has even prepared a step-by-step tutorial on how this amzing clock was created! Get ready to be inspired!
Supplies:
Twiddleybitz
Butterfly multi pack BUT007
Steampunk Gears corner SPK004
Steampunk Blossum SPK009
Graphic 45
Steampunk Debutante: Mechanical Mind, Steampunk Debutante, Time Flies. Staples: Metal Flowers, Stickers
Prima blossoms
Creative Colour sprays – copper
Crafty Notions Jewel enamels – light copper CCE21 & Black
Lumiere Paint – halo blue gold
Black ink
Peacock feather
Steampunk Debutant Altered Clock Tutorial:
1. Cover backing piece with “Mechanical mind” paper. Middle cut out piece is reversed and placed on centre backing piece.
2. Top mdf piece is covered with Steampunk Debutante – all edges inked and sandpapered.
3. Cogs are coloured in using either crafty notions spray, enamels or black gesso
4. Assemble clock as per instructions
5. Attach inked black steampunk gears and blossom to either side of clock and glue flowers and butterflies into place.
Big thanks to our amazingly talented Design Team members: Jack & Cat Curio, Sherry Cheever, and Melanie Forbes. Their work is always so inspiring and it was a pleasure to be able to feature all of their amazing work in one blog post! We look foward to reading all of your blog comments this week. We hope today's crafts helped to brighten your spring day.
With Love and Pretty Paper,
Team Graphic 45
This spring we put in a kid's garden, mostly for my 5 year old son. He just LOVES flowers...but I'm not supposed to tell anyone that! We let the kids pick out the seeds and are anxious to see what will actually grow!!!!
Posted by: Lisa | May 30, 2011 at 08:03 AM
My family went to the opening ballgame at the local minor league it was so much fun!
Posted by: Barbie | May 30, 2011 at 08:07 AM
Love taking pictures of all the flowers blooming, birds singing and deer munching on new foliage.
Posted by: Carol Miller | May 30, 2011 at 08:07 AM
we transfered a rose plant and a fig tree from my DH's g'moms home, they date back to the late 20s , early 30s..... well the fig tree is leafing out, hope we get fruit. and the rose bush is beginning to bloom. the old house will probably be demolished by the state for a road... a real shame because the early part of the house was built in the 1760s and the new part of the house was built in 1860s. fantastic projects as always
Posted by: bethann d | May 30, 2011 at 08:14 AM
In central FL spring is late March when the orange blossoms are blooming and then the Jasmine blooms - I take long walks and breathe in the floral bouquet. I love all of the altered art projects!
Posted by: Nan G | May 30, 2011 at 08:24 AM
This Spring I took a trip with my husband, my sister, and brother-in-law to Portland! They were experiencing their first string of beautiful Spring weather days while we were there. I don't think it had stopped raining since October, and we got to experience the lovely weather!
Posted by: Jenna | May 30, 2011 at 09:11 AM
Such beautiful projects! So far this cold spring hasn't produced many fun outdoor activities but my grandson spent time outside blowing bubbles - very enjoyable.
Posted by: Victoria | May 30, 2011 at 09:13 AM
Wow - what incredible projects - That altered tin is so fabulous!
Posted by: Sarah R | May 30, 2011 at 09:33 AM
Your DT projects are just so wonderful beyond description! I loved walking my dog around the city pond watching the ducks and geese and basking in the sunshine and wind !! Ahh a bit of Heaven!
Posted by: Lana Edwards | May 30, 2011 at 09:34 AM
wow - totally gorgeous projects!! LOVE all the intricate designs on each piece!! Wonderful to see the bold colours in this collection!
Posted by: Tara Orr | May 30, 2011 at 09:40 AM
this spring i walked in my first 5k!
Posted by: nicole s | May 30, 2011 at 09:52 AM
This spring has been spent at the baseball field wathing my son play!
Love every minute of it!
Posted by: {vicki} | May 30, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Went to a learn how to make a kite party in the park.
Posted by: Domenico | May 30, 2011 at 10:30 AM
I have been enjoying sitting in my new lounge chair on the deck, reading a good book, sketching, doing a little watercolor and often enjoying an adult beverage:) Thanks for the chance to win, the projects are so gorgeous!
Posted by: karla | May 30, 2011 at 10:31 AM
Amazing projects! Such a talented DT. This spring I have been spending time with my boys and making use of my grill since April. No better way to end a day of scrapbooking then with BBQ from the grill.
Posted by: kate | May 30, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Wow amazing details on these projects! TFS!
Posted by: Michelle Bertuzzi | May 30, 2011 at 12:04 PM
Great fun projects! I especially like the gears and metallic flowers. I've been enjoying the lovely weather.
Posted by: Noreen | May 30, 2011 at 12:39 PM
these are all beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Ginger | May 30, 2011 at 01:29 PM
these are wonderful creations ! I definitely LOVE these papers. Springtime : this is the season when my son, Hadrien, had his first bicycle and learned how to ride it ! It was a few weeks ago and it is a very special moment to remember for me. I took lots of photos !
Posted by: cat lacigale | May 30, 2011 at 01:34 PM
I have been making a family tree out of card board to hang at our family reunion next month!
Love these projects!
Posted by: Saranne | May 30, 2011 at 01:54 PM
J'ai travaillée dans mes plates bandes et pendant les jours de plus je me suis fait un mini album "mon jardin"
merci pour ce beau cadeau,
Posted by: rosa | May 30, 2011 at 02:02 PM
Oh, your projects are so stunning! You all rocked the altered art! This spring I learnt for my final exams;) And I'm so glad they're over now, so I can enjoy summer:)
Posted by: Romy | May 30, 2011 at 02:24 PM
I've been re-designing my studio with a new sink, counter, and drying racks for my paper making. It is so wonderful to go out and open the french doors (yes, someone gave me french doors), turn on the music, and just relax while crafting. Thanks for the chance to win.
Posted by: Sandy W | May 30, 2011 at 02:34 PM
Fabulous projects!! Our family took an early summer trip to the beach- in NC, spring IS summer. :)
Posted by: jengd | May 30, 2011 at 02:49 PM
Beautiful projects! Here it is raining, windy and down right yucky out!! We are waiting for the sun and some heat but in the meantime have torn down our deck and are waiting for the sun to come out so that they can install our new pool. . . . rain rain go away!!! PLEASE!!!
Posted by: Nikki Brown | May 30, 2011 at 03:22 PM
I went for a bikeride to the park with the girls and played on the swings :O)
Posted by: Glynis | May 30, 2011 at 03:43 PM
Just love looking at the way people can express themselves so differently. Thanks to all the design team members for being willing to share their beautiful projects.
Posted by: Shelley Mucha | May 30, 2011 at 04:02 PM
Stunning ... absolutely wonderful projects. Walked by the ocean today, still a little nip in the air but listening to the water pound the rocks ... be still my heart. Love it, so peaceful and calming.
Posted by: Carole | May 30, 2011 at 04:29 PM
Today was really nice out so I sat in the sun before I went to work.
I love weather like this!!
Posted by: Dorothy | May 30, 2011 at 05:30 PM
wow what gorgeous pieces from your team. Finally the rain stopped so we walked the dogs but got ate by the mosquitoes and I got the garden in two week ends ago and then my dad phoned sunday morning and said all the above ground plants froze from frost OH PHOOEY!
Posted by: Kim Henrich | May 30, 2011 at 05:48 PM
We leave Fri for Seattle and a family gathering to celebrate my husband's 85th Birthday. My husband and the G45 Perfect Gentleman album will be main attraction. I am so excited for the family to see this gorgeous album with a part of his life. It took 4 albums and not finished yet!!
Posted by: Judy Webb | May 30, 2011 at 06:28 PM
Played golf all weekend, fun time with great friends! Saturday evening celebrated Dad's 83rd birthday, we had a great lobster feed with our entire family.
Posted by: Doreen | May 30, 2011 at 06:48 PM
well it's actually Autumn here in Australia, but we have managed to get some time out in the vegie garden and hubby and the kids have planted some snow peas, carrots and broccoli! Can't wait for them to sprout!
Posted by: Emma | May 30, 2011 at 07:00 PM
I love all the flowers!! This spring we've been going for walks and playing at the park.
Posted by: Tami | May 30, 2011 at 07:10 PM
Wowee, my family went to Thailand to enjoy ourselves with a family friend..... we got soooooooo much craft stuffs from Thailand!!! Thanks for the chance!!
Posted by: Cheryl Leong | May 30, 2011 at 07:11 PM
Stunning work from all three artists!
Posted by: dcorder (deb) | May 30, 2011 at 07:16 PM
I LOVE finally being able to work outside in my garden. The roses are blooming outrageously already. I could devote an album to my garden every year - it amazes me each spring.
Posted by: Julie Parrish | May 30, 2011 at 07:54 PM
My daughter, granddaughter and I attended an Astros game together. Great fun!!
Posted by: Sandy | May 30, 2011 at 08:03 PM
Wow, these are such amazing creations. It is hard to say which I like best. I really appreciate the tutorials.
Posted by: Micki | May 30, 2011 at 08:31 PM
Great projects--!And the BEST giveaway EVER!
Posted by: Kelly Massman | May 30, 2011 at 08:46 PM