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 on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Blog 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 to the bottom edge of the pieces and 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  

I am entering this project in:
 SanDee & Amelie's Steampunk Challenge: Summer Special
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes


Materials Used:
Emerald Creek Craft Supplies: charred gold embossing powder
Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts:
Tablet/iPad/Phone Holder, Steampunk Gentleman, Steampunk Lady, Steampunk Shape Set
Ranger Distress collage medium: matte
Ranger Distress Inks: black soot, walnut stain
Ranger Distress Paint: black soot, walnut stain
Tim Holtz Ideaology: alpha parts-signmaker
Tim Holtz Paper Stash: French Industrial
Versamark embossing ink