Steampunk Parasol Protectorate

I've just finished reading the Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger, which is a delightful romp of steampunk, Victorian romance, werewolves, vampires and humor! So, off to my art journal to create a steampunk spread inspired by the book series. Of course, I have to enter this into Sandee and amelie's Steampunk Challenges! where anything goes....

First step is to create some metallic texture into my black 8x8 Dylusions art journal. Just had fun mixing colors, dragging tools and spritzing spray.

I was having so much fun, I forgot to take photos as I went. 

I added a 'perfect' layer using two of Seth Apter's stencils. Certain words like "story, secret, inside out" fit the theme of the book series. You can often find the characters high in the aether in a dirigible or balloon. The main character/member of the Parasol Protectorate is Alexia, Lady Maccon (married to a werewolf by the way) whose main form of protecting herself is her parasol. Oh, it is not just any parasol, it has many hidden secrets. Another member, Ivy Hisselpenny Tunstell absolutely adores hats, so when I found this scrapbook paper, it looked like the perfect fit. 

 On this page, I came across these images from Graphic 45, and knew they could represent the Protectorate. In the final story, "Biffy" is inducted as the third member. You will have fun reading about each of the characters in the series, if you get ahold of the books. I believe they are also available in several languages now too.

And, here is the full spread...

 Details, details...I mean, you really didn't think I could do a steampunk page and not add gears and bits, did you? Oh, and I had to add in some crackle to make it look even older...

More details...

BTW, I added the cluster of gears in the corner there to cover a mistake. I globbed the crackle on too thick and it hadn't even dried over night, so I tried picking that section off, but took up some of the paper too. Yep, gears look cool and they can hide things!

I hope you've enjoyed this little romp through the Parasol Protectorate with me, my steampunk friends!

A very fun and honorable note to add: my son suggested I send this to the author Gail Carriger which I did and received a lovely and prompt email!  I learned through doing this, if you have an author you really like, let them know - they like to hear from us! She asked if she could link this post to her blog, so if you are interested in seeing it, check here and scroll down to the links. WOW! am I honored!!