steampunk shapes

Hello everyone, today I am sharing some steampunk inspired artist trading blocks on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog. Artist trading blocks have always drawn my attention. Each set is so unique to its creator and each block unique unto itself. The multitude of surfaces presents so many opportunities for creativity and artwork to be showcased; yet it remains a relatively small scale size, making it very manageable.

I started with Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts artist trading blocks. Three blocks in graduated sizes arrived flat with score lines along  the areas intended for folding to make it easy to construct. 

 Before I begin, I fold each piece along the score lines and create the box. This allows me to visualize which side of the tabs will be glued into place. To make it easier to add embellishments later on, I do not glue the top flaps into place, leaving the boxes "open". Once the blocks have been formed, I paint the outsides with black acrylic paint and set aside to dry.

 Each artist trading block has six sides to be embellished. For each block, I created a full piece of art that was cut into squares to fit the sides. While creating the pieces of art, I tried to keep in mind the size increments that the paper would be cut into. The smallest size block is a 2" cube, and each ascending block size is 1/2" larger. Using Distress and Distress Oxide inks, Tim Holtz stamps and stencils by Stampers Anonymous, as well as Seth Apter stencils from Stencil Girl, I created the papers to adorn my trading blocks.

 Once I was satisfied with the overall design, I cut the sheet into squares. Each square was inked along the edge with black soot Distress Oxide ink to create a seamless transition when adhered to the painted block.  These squares were then adhered to the six sides of the block.

   While I attach the pieces of artwork, I constantly keep in mind ideas for the next layer of embellishments, this helps me decide the locations for the different pieces.

I found it easiest to work on one block at a time, meaning that I created a sheet of artwork, cut it to size and attached it to the corresponding block before starting the next piece of artwork.

Although I was using the same color inks, and similar themed stamps and stencils, I wanted each block to have its own unique quality. You might find it easiest to create all of the artwork at the same time. It's best to work in whatever way you are most comfortable.

I searched through my stash of bits and pieces and found elements I felt went well with my steampunk theme; then I  die cut gear pieces, which I coated with gunmetal alcohol ink, to complement the palette.

The embellishments were attached to the blocks, using eyelets, brads and adhesive. The possibilities for these artist trading blocks are endless, they could be done in any style you choose, each creating a very different display.

I hope that you have enjoyed my photo heavy post, and perhaps are inspired to create something of your own. Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today.
~Ann

I am entering this project in:
SanDee & amelie's Steampunk Challenges: May-Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Stencil it!
      

spring discoveries

Hi everyone,

I am so excited this share my Pinworthy Guest post project for A Vintage Journey. 

I created this piece for their May Challenge: Words and Music,

 which is currently underway.

Coming off a winter season that has seemed to be never-ending this year, I knew in my heart that spring was on its way, the morning I awoke to the glorious sounds of birds singing. It brought joy to my heart and peace to my soul. This was the inspiration behind my "words and music" piece. I have created a panel covered with vintage sheet music that has been coated with vintage beeswax embossing powder to create a faux encaustic appearance. I am in love with the new Baked Textures Embossing Powders by Seth Apter/Emerald Creek. The Vintage Beeswax is the perfect translucency. After coating the paper with embossing ink, I sprinkled the powder and heated it. This process should be completed multiple times to create the faux encaustic look. Each time you add another layer, the depth and richness get better.

 In my excitement to start, I embossed the paper with two layers before I realized I should have adhered it to the panel first. Using collage medium, I adhered the paper to a canvas board that had been painted with black paint. I weighed it down to assure that it would lay flat and set aside to dry. While that is drying, I select my focal image from the Tim Holtz Wallflower paper stash. I fussy cut the image of birds on a branch. This piece is inked around the edges with distress ink in walnut stain.

 I select a scrap of burlap, then select some alpha chips and label letters to form the words that will be placed at the top of the panel. Using distress ink, I ink the Alpha Chips around the edges to give them a more vintage appearance. While trying different layouts, I decide to replace the printed branch with a clipping from a real pussy willow.

Envisioning the birds gathering bits and fibers to create their nests for spring, I embed the scrap of burlap along the left side of the panel using the embossing powder while I add the final layers of embossing on the sheet music. I attach the bird's claw to the pussy willow.

I then add the birds, letters and words to the panel. Another clipping of pussy willow that has catkins, is attached on top of the burlap using the embedding method.   

 An Idea-ology "DISCOVERIES" word band, that has black soot distress crayon rubbed into the crevices, is adhered to the bottom of the panel.

I am so thankful for this opportunity to be a Pinworthy Guest for A Vintage Journey.

 I hope that you are inspired to create something for this month's challenge. 

You have until the end of May to submit your project on their site. 

a little bit rusty

It seems that most often when I am cleaning up my creative space, I generate ideas that scream to be worked. I have yet to understand if it's simply a diversion from the task of cleaning, or rather a flurry of thoughts generated from "seeing" so many beautiful supplies.  Regardless, this was the case last night, and it led to the creation of this tag.

I really and truly love working with the new Tim Holtz collage papers. They are thin enough to tear easily along a wet line, yet strong enough to stand out against a layer of watered down gesso. They're perfect for mixed media layering. The floral paper has such beautiful, finely detailed flowers. I used the cream colored roses section on my tag. I wanted the roses to "climb" the full height of the tag, so it took two sections of the roses layered to make it appear as one continuous piece. The best way to create the seamless edge is to use a water brush (or fine paintbrush with water) draw a line along where you want the edge, then pull the two sides apart and allow the wet edges to dry. 

[the following pictures show the technique using a different section of the collage paper]

Using a heavystock tag,  I coated the right side of the tag with distress collage medium and adhered the section of collage paper, then added a top layer of collage medium. Once that was dry, I applied texture paste through the Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous mini brick stencil (Set 3), using a palette knife. I only added the paste through sections of the stencil along the left side of my tag, varying the edge that extended towards the middle. Once that section was somewhat dry, I moved the stencil down the tag and completed the brick pattern to the bottom. I set the tag aside to dry completely.

[the following pictures show the technique but with a different tag and larger scale stencil]

While the texture paste was drying, I created some "rusty" Ideaology heirloom roses. Using a paint brush, I first coated each rose with a layer of Finnabair brown rust paste. Then, I highlighted some areas of the roses with the rust colored paste, and next I added small spots of the gold paste. Once this was dry, I went back in with the brown and rust colored pastes to create the appearance I was looking for. I set these aside to dry. 

I created a "rusty" Ideaology trinket pin by coating the pin with embossing ink and sprinkling with Chunky Rust Baked Texture by Seth Apter/Emerald Creek. I heat set the powder and then added another layer of the powder and re-heated some areas. Once the metal had cooled, I painted small areas of the pin with brown rust paste. This was set aside to dry.

Using Distress Ink in fired brick and vintage photo, I lightly colored the "brick" portion of the tag. I was trying to create a neutral appearance, so I added each color in a very light layer with a blending foam, starting with fired brick and alternating with the vintage photo until I achieved the color I was hoping for. I also blended a little of the color over the brighter, open areas of the collage paper. The entire tag was inked around the edge with walnut stain Distress Ink. 

 

I wanted the rusty flowers to appear as f they were integral to the roses from the collage paper, so I adhered them in locations to look as if they were flowering from a stem. To complete the tag, I added an Ideaology quote token in the upper left portion of brick, and wrapped the center of the tag with beige seam binding ribbon from my stash. The "rusty" trinket pin was stuck through the knot and a fussy cut stamped bee (Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous CMS328 Entomology) was attached to the pin with glossy accents. 

When I posted a picture of the top portion of this tag, I was asked by some followers if I would be doing a tutorial. This tag was created in the moment; I have done my best to recreate some of the steps, but I apologize for missing many "in-progress" photos. I hope that what I have put together is helpful to those that made the request.

 Thank you so much for stopping by the blog.

 I hope that you are inspired to create something beautiful.

~Ann 

Challenges I am entering this in:

Frilly and Funkie: Neutral Point of View

Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #48: Rust