Robot Mechanic Notebooks

Hello!! I recently found out that my 6-year-old nephew enjoys collecting found objects to build sculptures. Sadly we don't live in the same state so I haven't been able to see his latest masterpiece which is proudly displayed at Grandma's house. But he was very excited when I told him that he is, in fact, an Artist!! I asked him if he would like some gears to add to his pieces and he was very intrigued by the idea!! As I was thinking of what to include in his package I thought everyone needs a notebook to record their thoughts. When I showed my hubby he insisted that I make one for him as well haha!! 

Begin by stamping a robot from Tim Holtz's Robots Blueprints - CSM233 set with VersaMark embossing ink and heat embossing with Burnt Copper Leaves. 

Bend and tear edges of card. Distress edges with blending tool and Vintage Photo Distress Ink. 

Smoosh Gathered Twigs, Frayed Burlap, and Iced Spruce Distress Oxide onto the silicone mat of your Glass Media Mat. Spray each color once or twice with water. Dip stamped card in ink. Set aside to dry. 

Using the same colors as the background accents color in the robot body using a water brush. 

With craft pick poke holes for eyes, in center of the gear on the chest and at the knee joints. Add small Hex Fasteners for eyes. For chest layer Sprocket Gears and MiniGears in corresponding sizes with a Game Spinner attach all pieces to card with Hex Fastener. For knee joints add Mini Gears to the card with Hex Fastners. 

For the smaller notebook - cover a piece of mixed media paper with aluminum foil tape and emboss using Mechanics 3D Texture Fades folder. 

To add the perfect patina color aluminum foil tape with Mushroom, Gunmetal and Gold Alcohol Inks. Begin with Mushroom and build layers until desired patina is achieved. 

I mean seriously how yummy is that? The tape did leave a seam but I knew the robot card on the front cover would hide most of this. 

For the larger cover using one of my rust backgrounds that had been embossed in the Foundry 3D Texture Fades folder, I adhered the rust background to a piece of Sizzix Mat Board cut to size.

Underneath the stamped card is layered a piece of drywall tape and a couple die cut gears from Gearhead Thinlets. The bottom left corner is finished off with a Quote Chip that has been sanded and blended with Copper Metallique Wax. 

For the smaller cover adhere the stamped robot card to the front cover. 

Both covers were bound with a Cinch. 

I really had fun building these little robots. I know my hubby likes his notebook and I can only hope my nephew will be just as excited. 

Happy Creating~ Jennalee 

Within My Heart

Hello!! This is one of those projects that had a mind of its own and couldn't be forced. Those are always my favorite after the fact. The ATC Shrine With Feet was the perfect home for this brave lady.

Begin by preparing your medal. Cut vintage photo into medal shape The one I used here I found in my stash and was already shaped this way. Heat Emboss photo using Vintage Beeswax. The Vintage Beeswax may make your photo a bit transparent. If so back photo with a scrap of gold paper from Tim Holtz's Metallic Kraft Paper Stash. Stitch around medal and add Dresden trim to the top edge. Adhere button.  

For the Shrine covering emboss aluminum tape in Botanical 3D Texture Fade from Sizzix. Color the aluminum tape using Alcohol Ink in Mushroom, Gun Metal, and Gold. Using a felt blending pad dab on colors until desired effect is achieved. Blend in Vintage Photo Distress Crayon.  

Apply aluminum tape to Shrine pieces. Making sure to adhere to the outside surfaces. The benefit of using the aluminum tape is it's self-adhesive and easy to trim using an Exacto knife. 

Cover inside surfaces of Shrine with a piece of scrapbook paper. 

Assemble Shrine with adhesive of choice. I love Distress Collage Medium for this step. 

Heat emboss a key and plate from the Keys and Plates set using Burnt Copper Leaves and drops of Patina Oxide. Cut key in half. 

Add detail to the front edge of Shrine. Lightly press Versamark embossing ink pad on edge. Heat emboss with Ancient Amber. 

Add brads to key plate and adhere to front bottom edge of Shrine. Plan placement of key and adhere to Shrine with foam squares. Apply sentiment from Tim Holtz's Clippings Stickers and adhere bird charm from Idea-ology. 

Finalize placement of all pieces and adhere your medal using foam dots. Stack foam dots 2 or 3 deep to get the depth desired. 

Although this project had a rough start I really enjoyed the process once I started trusting it. And I can say I am happy with how it turned out. I wish I knew this lady's story she looks like she has a brave heart. 

Thanks for stopping by and spending a few minutes with me today. I hope you have a great weekend!! I will be teaching a class on Saturday so I am excited to create, chat and eat some cake!! 

Happy Creating ~ Jennalee

Stay Curious

Hello, happy Friday!! When I saw this ATC Shrine I knew it would make the perfect housing for an assemblage. A little faux rust and a few gears and your piece is well underway. 

Begin by preparing a faux rust background. Cut to size and run thru Xyron. Adhere faux rust pieces to the back sides of ATC Shrine pieces. Use an Exacto knife to trim notches. 

Adhere faux rust piece to the border of the ATC Shrine door. Emboss clock face with Burnt Copper Leaves and clock hands with Charred Gold. Paint the back of the shrine door with Raw Umber acrylic paint. 

Prepare background for the inside of shrine by embossing a piece of gold paper from Tim Holtz's Paper Stash Metallic Kraft pad using the Mechanics 3D Texture Plate from Sizzix. The secret to getting a good impression is to mist your paper with water before running thru your machine. Once embossed lightly sand and ink with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink. 

Cut background to size and run thru Xyron. Adhere background to inside pieces of the shrine. Be sure to leave the tabs uncovered so your shrine will fit together correctly. 

Assemble shrine. I used Distress Collage Medium to adhere all the joints. 

Add finishing details. Using a drill punch add a hole to the side of the shrine to attach an Idea-ology Clock Key.  Adhere round ephemera piece from Layer Collector pack to shrine using foam dots. Add detail to the background with Mini Gears. Adhere a Paper Doll using two foam dots stacked for extra dimension. Fashion a cane from a Game Spinner and layered Mini Gears. 

Look at that faux rusty goodness on the back of the shrine!! 

I really love this ATC Shrine. The clock on the door was the perfect inspiration for this make. 

Thanks for stopping by!! I hope you have a great weekend and get a chance to make a creative mess. Happy Creating~ Jennalee