Clockwork Princess

I recently came across a very cool website with steampunk challenges...oh, be still my heart! And felt right at home. I missed their very first challenge, but am ready for this one: Fairytales into a Steampunk World.

I have an upcoming art swap and the challenge was to make a ribbon doll, and that is how the Clockwork Princess came to be.

As you can see she is a real metal head all geared up and ready to roll. Ideas are always spinning in this gal's head!

Started off with a Graphic 45 image from the Steampunk Debutante line and layered it onto cardboard. I stamped the face and added that on. A bit of color using my Distress Markers, and buttoned her camisole right up.

Cinched in her waist for that Victorian hourglass figure, added the ribbon skirt and a bit more lace to bring it all together...

She needed some jewelry, so she now has 2 bracelets made of jump rings and washers. Jewelry is always useful in the steampunk world, and these are no exception - one never knows when a washer will be needed.

Details of the ribbon skirt with all kinds of nuts, washers, cogs tied into the skirt. This princess is ready for whatever may come her way.

The adventures of the Clockwork Princess have only begun!

April Showers Bring May Flowers...but did they mean snow showers??

Honestly, the weather today is totally wacky - white outs with snow squalls to sunshine to a mix of both! Oh, well, I am on the inside looking out and enjoying some crafting play today! I have an art tag swap, so decided to start with that since it had a spring theme.

Playing with some distress inks and water...

Stamped some French inspired designs onto the background. Not perfect, but I can work with that!

Pulled out some Ladies Diary paper from Graphic 45 to layer and fussy cut for a spring garden theme. Back is done....needed something more, so found this cool "ribbon" to add along the bottom.

Thought I was done with the front here, ( see how I fixed the not so great stamping of the flourish with a white pen), but changed my mind (like the weather today) LOL!

Pulled out the Diamond Glaze to add some dimension to the flowers I cut, then still not satisfied, I dug deeper and found this fine gold powder (by Jaquard) and sprinkled it on top for a bit of gold dusting.

To exchange or keep? Now, that is the question! What the heck, why don't I link this up to Simon Says April Fool's challenge where anything goes! It has certainly been Mother Nature's weather joke today!

Ribbons and Threads, oh my!

I've been working on some "Inchies" for an art swap I am hosting next month. These are little 1"x1" felt squares, much like creating your own embellishments. I recently hand dyed some ribbon with the Tim Holtz Distress Stains in wonderful spring colors, so each Inchie has a ribbon rosebud I made, and then a few other goodies and a bit of embroidery. I love color, and you can definitely see that with these.

Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Embrace the Old

I always like it when I can do two things at once. Today, I am working on the challenge over at Simon Says Stamp, and making my altered Valentine tin for an art swap.

I started with an Altoids tin, and covered it with Tim Holtz tissue tape.

Covered inside and out

Next, I thought I would add a bit of color with some Distress ink.

Added some vintage images to the tin.

New paint to try out from Martha Stewart - pearl, and I like it!

Didn't want to stop playing, so added some crackle paint next, here and there.

Oh, flowers, metal, ruler, metal number to add some dimension inside.

Screwed on a skate key, added on a love key, tulle(Stampin Up) and some bakers twine.

Another new item to try out that I learned about from Creative Jumpstart - glass bead gel medium. This is very cool stuff! It's not quite dry for the photo, should be clear, but I put it on thick, and I need to finish this up. There you go - my altered tin and its creative journey.

Calendar Swap!

What do you get when twelve crafters agree to work on a year-long project together?...an amazing calendar filled to the brim with their unique talents and style, that's what! Now that I have mine mounted onto a 7 Gypsies 12x12 easel book,I can share it with you all.

Tracey

Sheree

Maura

Lynda

Leslie

Beth

Sheila

Fran

Lori

Doris

Colleen

Michelle

Now, I just have to decide where to put my beautiful calendar on display for maximum enjoyment! I love that this is an endless "calendar" that celebrates the seasons.