Steampunk Seamstress

Hello and happy Friday!! It's Jennalee here today. Today I am sharing my last project as a team member with Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts. I've been with the team for 2 years and am so thankful to Gina for allowing me to be part of it all!! For my last project, I thought I would use one of my favorite chipboard pieces the Santos Doll. Although for this project I used just the cage skirt. 

This project was inspired by this amazing graphic from The Graphics Fairy . I instantly thought of a Steampunk Mannequin. 

I sized the mannequin down in Publisher and printed onto Ranger Sticky Back Canvas. The canvas provides the perfect texture reminiscent of a vintage dress form. I colored the image using Distress Markers. To achieve the subtle coloring I outlined around the edges and lines and then blended towards the middle with a water brush. And what Steampunk Seamstress would be complete without her wind up key? 

To add the haberdashery detail to her stash I stamped a ruler along a length of seam binding.

I tied the sash around her waist and added a pair of scissors dangling from a decorative chain. 

Of course, the cage skirt needed to be rusted. I was trying to mix a few techniques here that went awry. But instead of tossing the project I decided to embrace the extra crustiness of it. I wanted the skirt to have a more cage-like feel so dyed some skinny satin ribbon with Walnut Crystal Ink and then wrapped it around the Santos Doll. 

And how else would a Steampunk Seamstress get around? She needed wheels. Tim Holtz Mini Pulleys made the perfect wheels. Before attaching the Pulleys I distressed them using Mushroom Alcohol Ink. Using a Drill Punch I poked holes for the screws of the Mini Pulleys to go thru and attached them before assembling the skirt. 

The Steampunk Seamstress is ready to begin her adventures in sewing. I had a lot of fun with this project and feel it was a great way to finish my time with the team at Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts. 

Thank you for following along with me. I'll be back with more projects soon!!
Happy Creating ~ Jennalee 

The Traveler

Hello and happy Friday!! I had a lot of fun decorating this Hidden Drawer Book Box from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts. When I am creating I usually have an inner dialogue going of what I want the project to be. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to do a time travel themed project. I pictured the outside of the Book Box looking vintage and inconspicuous. But when you opened it up you found a little surprise.

I began by covering the outside of my Hidden Drawer Book Box. I had a vintage timekeeping ledger in my stash. I loved the original color and was hoping to just color copy it. I printed out the entire cover onto Ranger sticky back canvas. My printer had other plans though and it printed out very dark. Not wanting to abandon my idea or waste my canvas I made it work for me. Using a blending tool and Cracked Pistachio Distress Oxide I blended the entire piece and then sprayed with a bit of instant coffee. After heat setting I sealed the cover with Distress Micro Glaze. 

I made copies of a few of the pages from the same book and covered the outside of the Hidden Drawer Book Box. 

As I was trimming pieces to size my eye fell upon A. Anderson, my husband's name. I loved the personal touch it added but also how it leant to the idea of time travel. 

To finish off my cover I added a Classic Label sticker that I distressed and stamped with T 2 again a nod to Time Travel. I then stamped and distressed the Registered sticker. Because I wanted the side of my book box to be hinged rather than an actual drawer I used the sticky back canvas to make a hinge. I wanted the spine to open up so that I could add a secret message inside and also so that the inner box could be taken out and displayed. 

The hinged spine did not want to stay shut on its own so a simple closure made from a bit of trim did the trick. 

When you open the spine there is a Classic Label with a message. 

The message reads "If interested in time travel meet last Tuesday 3pm". The drawer needed a way to slide out easily so I made a little pull out of some Ruler Ribbon. 

The drawer inside features The Professor aka The Traveler. The Professor stamp from Tim Holtz and Stampers Anonymous is a stunner!! 

The background is a Journal Card distressed and stamped with the gears from Inventor 7. Layered behind the Professor is a ticket and a few gears. A vintage bulb is glued into the upper left corner. I think my favorite detail is the pocket square and gear. 

The sides of the box are lined with a rusted background embossed with 3D Foundry Texture Fade. 

I hope you enjoyed this project as much as I did. And be sure to keep an eye out for books that could contain a secret bit of magic.

Happy Creating ~ Jennalee 

ATC Ticket Journal

Hello and happy Friday!! Do you ever get inspired while cleaning up the random pieces on your table? That's how this ATC Ticket Journal came about. While I was cleaning up the aftermath of previous projects I ran across a photo with red stitching alongside a ticket and piece of floral ephemera from there the layers started to flow. The ATC Ticket Journal is the perfect size for a quick project you can complete in an afternoon. I also love that the chipboard is thin enough to stitch on your sewing machine.

I kept my layers simple using 3-5 pieces of ephemera. I love how the red stitching pops and adds so much detail. 

The Ticket Journal is the perfect size with 5 panels. Enough to tell a story but not overwhelming when it comes to decorating. 

Washi tape adds just the right amount of detail in the background. 

That pop of red sets my heart aflutter. 

I didn't decorate the back of the tickets yet so that I can have another reason to clean up the piles of inspiration that accumulate on my table. What's currently on your table?

Happy Creating ~ Jennalee

Note to Self

Hello!! Does your creative mojo just ever fly away and leave you hanging? That's what happened to me this week. When I started this project I knew I wanted to play with the Ornamental Birdcage Shape Set. I had a completely different idea in mind when I started and then bam my mojo up and snuck out the door. 

I loved how rusty and crusty the cage turned out so decided to keep it as the focus of my piece and build a collage around it with elements to remind myself that it's okay to need to rest and take a break. 

The Ornamental Birdcages Shape Set comes with 3 different style cages in 3 sizes. 

I started by painting my cage with Raw Umber both front and back. 

Then using Distress Collage Medium and Paper Artsy's Rusting Powder rusted my cage. From chipboard to rusty crusty goodness!! 

I really loved the solemn graceful look of the woman in the Photobooth Photo and that button with the pop of original red thread spoke to me. As I was digging thru my Tim Holtz Ephemera pieces I found this "Handle with Care" label and it was perfect for my message to myself. 

The bottom corner of the frame says Cloudy days good as sunshine another excellent reminder!! 

Carrying on with my note to self theme I added the airmail label and the Story Clipping to remember. 

How do you handle your mojo leaving for vacation? I can usually find mine again after a nap and some chocolate and a good day of free play in the studio. 

Happy Creating ~ Jennalee 

Mini Accordion Book

Hello!! I always love when a big box of inspiration comes from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts. It's always so fun to dig thru and see what really sparks an idea. In my most recent box, there were these fabulous Mini Trading Coasters (coming soon) and I instantly thought they would make the perfect covers for a small book of some sort. I have been wanting to try my hand at an accordion book so decided to dive right in. 

I got so caught up in making this project I forgot to take a bunch of pictures but I'll walk you thru my thought process. 

These Mini Trading Coasters come in a 3 pack and measure 2.5 x 2.5. The possibilities for these are endless. 

I wanted to keep my book simple with a focus on textures. The cover has a die-cut pattern layered with a torn bingo card. Using a craft pic I was easily able to poke holes thru the Mini Trading Coaster. I then stitched on a button and tied a length of seaming binding around the stitching to act as a closure. 

 I started out by making my accordion insert first. Once the accordion was made I adhered either end to the Coasters. In design, I usually strive for odd numbers but for this particular book 6 pages worked the best. 

Wanting a mixture of textures I did every other page out of fabric. 

I picked all my pieces for the main pages and stitched them together on my sewing machine. Once the main pages were sewn together I went back and added any hand stitching or embellishments. 

This page is actually a baby wipe left over from making rusty ink backgrounds. I accidentally burnt a hole in while drying the page next to it. But it only adds to the texture and interest.

Keeping it simple by letting the textures of varying papers do the talking. 

A handstitched photo printed on muslin. 

I loved this piece of a vintage time card with the original bit of adding machine tape still attached. 

I kept the back simple but love the natural patina of the paper. 

I hope this simple project brings a small spark of inspiration. These trading coasters also come in a larger size so I think I see another book in my future. As always thanks for spending a few minutes with me today. 

Happy Creating ~ Jennalee 

I am entering this project into the challenge over at Mini Album Makers. Be sure to check out all the inspiration!! 

http://minialbummakers.blogspot.com/

With a Head Full of Numbers

Hello and happy Friday!! Jennalee here today with a project featuring a few of my favorite things wings and rust!! The Butterfly of Gears wings from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts are the inspiration behind this piece. Who knew you could make wings better by adding gears?

The Butterfly of Gears comes in a 2 pack and are just so inspiring. 

To add faux rust to your wings paint a base layer of white acrylic paint using a cosmetics sponge to dab it on. Using the same sponge randomly dab on Distress Grit Paste and allow to air dry. Once dry sprinkle a generous amount of Rusty Car Infusions directly onto the wings. Spray generously and allow the water to work its magic. Keep adding Infusions and spraying until desired coverage and color is achieved. 

Once the infusions have dried fill in any white areas with Rusty Hinge and Walnut Stain Distress Crayons. Using a very light touch add some detail with Cracked Pistachio Distress Crayon. 

Faux rust three Tim Holtz Hardware Heads using Ginger, Latte and Mushroom Alchohol Inks. Add detail with Walnut Stain and Cracked Pistachio Distress Crayons. Adhere to gears on wings. 

Add faux rust to Clock Hands using Rusting Powder from Paper Artsy. 

Create a ruler piece using the ruler from Tim Holtz's Thrift Shop Ephemera pack and a piece of scrap chipboard. 

Add Distress Crazing Medium to the ruler image and once dry add Walnut Stain Distress Crayon. 

Prepare a Ticket Booth ticket colored with Fired Brick Distress Oxide Spray. 

Cut out Found Relative and trace around edges with Brushed Corduroy Distress Marker to get rid of harsh white edges. 

Gather chosen Ephemera pieces and distress using instant coffee. Layout collage and adhere to book cover. 

Layer dial, wings and Found Relative on top of the collage. 

Adhere Clock Hands to the ruler and then adhere to the bottom of the book cover. 

Add faux rust coloring to a Tim Holtz Vintage Clip using Ginger, Latte and Mushroom Alcohol Ink. Add details with Cracked Pistachio and Walnut Stain Distress Crayon. Prepare Numeric embellishment using the same colors and adhere to clip. 

It felt so good to get back in the studio and play with some of my favorite mediums. I really took my time to just enjoy the process and the flow of the project. Plus who knew you could rust so many pieces in multiple ways? 

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you get to sneak in some creative time this weekend along with hopefully a bit of Spring weather. 

Happy Creating ~ Jennalee