StencilGirl Blog Hop: Viva Las VegaStamps!

The StencilGirl creative team is back again all this week with a new blog hop going with the team over at Viva Las VegaStamps.

Without further ado, here's my project for the hop - a steampunk inspired index card art journal in its own little case.

I got to use a fabulous plate of stamps - steampunk animals and lots of other fun images. I combined their stamps with a bunch of great StencilGirl stencils and used the steampunk theme as inspiration for the project. Here are the stencils I used:

• Warped 9 by Lizzie Mayne
• Industrial Fence by Jamie Fingal
• Grid A1 by Margaret Applin
• Seeds by Maria McGuire

And now for the tutorial...

I started with the case using a matboard diecut that was made with the Sizzix / Eillen Hull Index Card Folder XL Die. I took the Warped 9 stencil and picked the part of it I wanted to use and traced it onto the part of the diecut that was going to be the front of the case.

I used a sharp X-Acto knife to cut out the pieces and then went through with a small pair of detail scissors and some files to help smooth any little bumps and notches left behind.

Next I painted the whole thing on both sides with Golden Irridescent Stainless Steel (Course) acrylic paint. I thought that would work pretty well with the vibe I was going for.

Then I added pewter Liquid Pearls to suggest rivets and some copper mica powder to make it look a little bit aged around the edges (you can also use eye shadow!) For this, I edged the places where I wanted the powder to apply with some Versamark (you need something to make it stick) and then applied with a brush.

To finish off the case, I ended up taking a few pieces of thin cardstock and cutting / folding them to fit on the sides so that the ends would be closed off - I didn't want the cards to slide out the sides. I painted those as well.

For the insides: I took six index cards and gessoed both sides. I only decorated the fronts so that the backs could be used for journaling or adding photos or whatever I might want. Here's the process I used for all of the cards after the gesso layer was dry:

1. Stencil the background - I used either the Industrial Fence or Grid A1 stencils along with either a greenish turquoise or copper ink.

2. Add some collage elements - I used book paper or sheet music along with some graph paper. Just a few bits since I was going to add more layers.

3. Since steampunk is Victorian, I found a piece of patterned paper (an old sheet from Prima) that had some Victorian looking roses and did a little fussy cutting until I had enough flower groupings to use on each card. I added that on top with gel medium and then, while the medium was still wet, I used an eye shadow applicator to add some more copper or blue mica powder.

4. Stamped elements: I stamped one of my steampunk animal stamps onto deli paper with black Archival Ink and cut it out, then adhered on top with more gel medium.

5. I added a few words that I'd cut out of magazines and saved, and then once everything was dry I wrote some journaling around the edges of the front of each card. Then I used my finger to add in a bit of paint here and there.

You can also see where I added an actual gear onto the card over the gear in the stamp design that was the elephant's eye - I did this on each card using some watch parts I had in my stash from when I thought I was going to make my own steampunk jewelry (ha!)

6. I used some cream Distress Paint and the Seeds stencil to just give a little bit of brightness and texture, and then used a black Stabilo All Marks pencil to outline and highlight a few areas. I went over that with a slightly damp baby wipe to get just a bit of smudging.

And that's it! It doesn't actually take all that long since you can do each step for all the cards at the same time.

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For the closure on the case, I had a large, round, silver bezel that happened to be the perfect size for a metal clock face I had (I think it's Tim Holtz). So I glued those together and then added a few other watch pieces. I attached that to the front flap of the case - I used Weldbond glue for all of that part - it's super strong and works great for this kind of thing. I also added a few old Making Memories metal hinges toward the bottom. They help give support and add to the steampunk look.

That's it for today's project... I'm loving my little steampunk art journal :)

Don't forget to visit the rest of the blogs on the hop because every comment on every blog will all be eligible for a grand prize from StencilGirl and Viva Las VegaStamps! So, the more blogs you comment on, the more chances you have to win! (One comment per blog per person, please.) 

Updated: Here are the winners from the blog hop drawing - congrats!

Here are the rest of the blogs for you to visit today, and don't forget to check StencilGirl Talk every day to get all of the blogs for the whole week!

• StencilGirl Talk
• Gwen Lafleur <-- you are here!
• Kirsten Reed
• Linda Kittmer
• Karen Knight
• Amy Lassiter
• Viva Las VegaStamps!

Thanks for popping in... I hope you enjoy all of this week's projects!

Comments

[Linsey Rickett]

Oooo I love this so much! It looks like real metal--super cool and creative!!! What a beautiful and inspiring project and it looks like it was lots of fun to make too! TFS your wonderful book!

[SisterCraft (Nataliya Balabanchuk)]

Wow! So many interesting ideas! Thank you!
Nataliya - sistercreaft(at)mail(dot)ru

[Patty Bocciarelli]

Gwen you are a genius. This is awesome I love your techniques for making it looks like an old metal tin, which at first glance that is exactly what I thought it was.

[Consie @ Atop Serenity Hill]

That is a really cool project! Love all the steampunk elements!

[Glenda T.]

I looovveeee this set, gorgeous work!

[auntie em (emily)]

Not only is each card a neat little work of art on it's own but the case you created to keep them stored in is absolutely amazing. Thank you for the great tutorial and for sharing your work! :)

[stamping sue]

so much inspiration! I like those steampunk animals and I like to use stencils for layering backgrounds.
stamping sue
http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

[Amante del Papel]

The box is awesome, and the ATC so beautiful, thanks for sharing how do you do it!

[Shari Czerwinski]

This is so creative and absolutely wonderful!

[Hermine]

Its gorgeous!

[Denise Huntington]

This is such a cool project! Very creative!!

[Tina Walker]

GORG!!! Love this!

[Maria McGuire]

SUPER SUPER creative way to use a stencil Gwen! Absolutely gorgeous!!!! I'm inspired :)

[Kathy Adams]

So cool! It look like real metal. Brilliant use of the stencils!

[Atticelf]

Wow! The case is especially brilliant. Great idea to use the pewter Perfect Pearls. I never thought I needed that - how wrong I was! The eyeshadow tip is another winner. Great project - thanks!

[Shanti Day]

Hi I like this project and the stamps are ubercool!

[Amy King]

Great journaling card set- I love this project idea!!

[Margaret Griffiths]

Love the steampunk theme. What a great gift Idea. thanks for sharing.

[Nancy Sherman]

This is beautiful, thanks for the great tutorial!!!

[ros]

really like this thanks for sharing

[vickie]

Love the way the stencils were used and your addition of steampunk.

[Gill]

Stunning - I love the cards and the holder!!

[Carol Samsel]

WOW!!!! Love the cards you made and the little box.... I need to borrow some of these ideas for an Inspirational Deck I"m making :)

[Saundra A.]

very very creative!!

[Jo Murray]

Absolutely wonderful!....I'll be giving this a go. THANK YOU for the detailed instructions.

[Vernetta]

LOVE this steampunk creation! Super talented!

vmarquis(at)gmail(dot)com

[Janea McDonald]

Amazing project and creative use of the stencils and stamps. Thanks for sharing with us.
nayamcd(at)gmail(dot)com

[Pam Hall]

What a fabulous project! Love the Steampunk!

[marylouh]

Thanks for the detailed instructions on how you made this wonderful project. It's amazing all of the things that can be used to complete a project.
thanks for sharing.

[Nancy Sapp]

LOVE your fantastic cards & "faux metal" box! Wow.
I need more ideas so I LOVE these Blog Hops for all the new ideas & techniques.

[Michael]

What a fantastic project! Inspiring! The plate you used is one of my favs from VLVS! And I love how you "aged" the case. Would be great as a business card holder.

[Elizabeth Kaplan]

A great look! Thanks for sharing. 💜

[bea savellano]

I like the way you used the mica powder with the versamark. I'll try it...bea

[cheryl]

Very interesting and unique. I like your idea of using part of the stencil to cut out a design. It's very cool! Thanks for sharing.

[Cathleen Perkins]

Awesome pieces Gwen!! Thanks for this share.....;-)

[Denise Spillane]

Gwen, I love this project. I have a good friend who just loves steampunk. So I have to try this!

[Anne Lou (Nan) Robkin]

Love these! Steampunk is one of my favorites, too!

alhrobkin (at) aol (dot) com

[Liz]

Love this project! That seeds stencil is one of my absolute favorites. Beautiful work.

[Martha]

Wow. Just. Wow.

[Kristiina]

Thanks for such an inspiring tutorial!

[Leslie]

Beautiful! Different! Love it!

[Cathy von Hassel-Davies]

I so love this!!!

[Glenda Hoagland]

Great project and use of the stamps and stencils. This is a keeper.

[Jami]

SO cool and fantastic inspiration!

[Kathie]

Love the metal look.

[Martice Smith II]

Oooo, Gwen, I love your project so much! You really made the paper look like metal. I also like your idea of using part of the stencil to cut out a design. Great inspiration :) I'll be trying a few of your techniques- I especially have my eyes set on those steampunk animals. Wow!

[Meme]

This is amazing! You have really given me inspired me on this box! I love the cut outs!
Way to go, this is stunning!

[Susan Schultheis]

Love your art and the stencils and stamps you used to create this project. StencilGirl and VLVStamps go together very nicely.

[Janice]

Very cool use of the stencils and the paints, textures, colors, etc.

[Heather Ferguson]

Love the carry case, the colors and the textures!!! Great ideas