Saturday 23 June 2012

Steampunk'd

Recently I bought a stencil frame which has cogs all round it (can't remember who's) but did you know that you can run your stencils through an embossing machine? So along with all my other stencils which I obviously had to try out, I came up with a couple of backgrounds from this one and from there evolved the two cards below.


The cut out images are Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante and I've used Spellbinders cogs dies.The metal corner embellishments are upholstery tacks.


I raided my other half's supplies of sticky aluminium roll from the garage, stuck it to some card and ran the dies through the machine and then dabbed them with alcohol ink for the metallic effect.  The shrink plastic words I have had in my stash for about ten years!  If you enlarge the pictures, you can see that I've coloured the TH Idea-ology word bands with brown Staz-on to match with the rest of the colour scheme and to make the words stand out I highlighted the words with picket fence Distress Stain. 

20 comments:

Lynne Moncrieff said...

Hi Carol
These are fabulous cards.
Makes me with I had a die cutting machine as your backgrounds are so interesting.
Wishes
Lynne

Suzanne C said...

Brilliant! Gorgeous steampunk cards. Love the layering and details. The hand with the little man is fun!

Heather said...

I didn't think I like Steampunk designs but these are great. I love the shapes of cogs and the way you have used them, and all the other little additions. What a great idea to colour metallic tape with alcohol inks. Clever you.
Have you chosen a name for your beautiful doll yet?

sam21ski said...

Oooh gorgeous and thanks for the tip about the stencils.

Sam xxx

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Fabulous and deliciously Steampunky!! Love the texture and the added touch of lace :))

Paula J Atkinson said...

Fantastic design, Carol.
I have read about running stencils thru my BS but have not been brave enough to try (at least if I found them, i might!)

Cath Wilson said...

Great images, Carol and beautifully made. Love those furnishing tacks... x

Sarah Anderson said...

love those Graphic 45 images, and the cogs look fab!

hazel said...

Fabulous steampunk cards Carol, I love the image on the second one,
xxx Hazel.

Sid said...

Fab steampunkery !!

Anonymous said...

Both are absolutely gorgeous, my favorite one is the bottom one. Love steampunk

Paula Whittaker said...

love how youve given the stempunk look a softer edge on that first card.Both stunning cards

flutterbycrafter said...

Thanks for the tip about the stencils, great cards, so much detail, love them xx

Pia said...

wow wow so beautiful steampunk,gorgeous details
hugs Pia

Sue said...

Fab cards Carol....as you pointed out, we have both used the same image this weekend...all I can say is "great minds....." etc etc!

Gillian .... said...

Brilliant Carol, this Graphic 45 collection is just perfect for your steampunked backgrounds, love them both. x

Neet said...

Fabulous Carol - I love Graphic 45 and used their images in my steampunk album. This was one of my favourite ones.
Love how you have used the cogs and thanks for the heads up on the stencil. A terrific piece - as usual.
Love
Net xx

Darlene said...

both great cards ! (but I like the second one best LOL)

Darlene

Words and Pictures said...

Haven't worked out templates yet... this tempts me strongly to give them a go. Gorgeous, textured pieces.

Chris said...

Fabulous cards, Carol. I still haven't got my head around steampunk and by the time I do it will be yesterday's news. lol