Friday 9 June 2017

Steampunk lantern

Hello

I'm linking to TIOT for the fab Steampunk/Mechanical theme  and hope this piece is acceptable.  Not clockwork but I thought the wind-up mechanism was the the nearest thing to being almost steampunk.
The black rubber looking surface of one of our wind up lantern torches went very tacky and horrible to touch like it was disintegrating. We weren't using it, so I had nothing to loose and gessoed over it - and when it dried it was a much nicer surface.
Then I  mod-podged some dictionary papers over that (the lower part of porch) and painted. Added some painted foam die cut cogs and hands.
The top was also black but I mixed up some glass bead medium with some paint for texture and painted that and added my painted silk flower. I didn't overdo the decoration as this still has to be usable and not have things get in the way when winding it up.
 
The photos aren't very good because the light has been bad with the rainy days we have had this week.



 
 
First play with some new stash including some more TH distress oxide ink pads and a set of stamps called 'Katrina' designed by the lovely Donna from Inky and Quirky Designs.
I needed to add to my cards supply so made a couple of quickish and simple cards.
The first card has some paper piecing, the cutting out is hard on my hands but I love the results.  Used the oxides on the background, coloured Katrina with Neocolor 2's. Unfortunately the photo isn't showing the iridescent glitter glue I added to the circles on her hair and skirt or on the hanging heart. The sentiments used are rub ons.
There are some lovely quirky fish in this set which is on my list to play with next :)
 

 
A big old Cactus is starting to flower again - hopefully it will have more than just the one flower which when it opens always seem to be around midnight and doesn't last more than a day or so. It was almost 15 years before it flowered for the first time.
 

 
 I mentioned using shrink plastic the other day but I will post that piece another day. 

 Thanks for stopping by
Gill x
 

14 comments:

  1. What a fantastic project Gill! Unique and just BEAUTIFUL!
    Thanks for joining TioT's!
    The cards with Donna's stamps are gorgeous - I love the color sheme you used here----looks superb!
    Wow what a giant catus and I guess the bloom just lasts for a short time! Reminds me of the giant cacti my grandma had - summetimes on her balcony - winter inside.
    As she passed aways the three cacti died as well -- even though we cared with love for them.

    Thanks for your weekend wishes- we arrived and it is like paradise here....
    wish you a wonderful weekend as well.

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  2. Your lantern looks good with its new steampunk additions and I do like the pretty blue flower.
    I just love your cards. She's wearing a rather nice shell top, haven't seen one of these before.
    The flower card looks terrific too, with its jazzy flower.

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  3. Gorgeous steampunk lantern, thanks so much for joining us at TIOT. Lovely artwork with the new stamps, have fun. Hugs, Valerie

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  4. Your steampunk lantern is amazing, I love the translucency of the pretty colours and your embellishments are perfect! Now it's both practical and beautiful 😀. The Distress Oxide backgrounds on your cards are lovely, I really like the effect you have created with them and the addition of those quirky stamps makes them a delight! Wow, your cactus flower looks huge and I bet it's a beauty when it opens - very naughty to be opening at midnight though ... lol! Happy Friday and have a lovely weekend! J 😊

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  5. You are the mistress of steampunk Gill. I love your lantern. It is really mechanical/steampunk and cool. And fun playful cards. I think it cool to see you cactus about to bloom. Hope you show us the bloom once it comes out. I havea couple of small ones but have never seen flowers on them. Wow-15 years is a long time and I wonder if that is the normal bloom cycle. Hugs-Erika

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  6. Wow, Gill that's an amazing Steampunk lantern, the mechanical cogs and details are fabulous. Thank you for joining us all at TioT's.
    Wonderful cards as well, they look great quirky images you used and the backgrounds are super.
    Hope you get a photo of your cactus flower.
    Yvonne xx

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  7. Oh Gill, where do I start?! I love your steampunk creation but of course my eyes are drawn to your wonderful cards. Absolutely adore what you've created with my stamps, Katrina looks stunning, you're the Queen of paper piercing too. I really appreciate all your support :)
    Hugs
    Donna xxX

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  8. Steampunk should be your middle name, dear Gill. I love, love, love this lantern/torch. It turned out great and you gave it new and important life, too. So glad you found a way to recycle it in a very useful and creative way.

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  9. I love the lantern. I agree that your steampunk artworks are excellent...I love them. I like the mermaid too. I wonder where did you get your distress oxides...?

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    Replies
    1. Thanks June :)
      I got the oxides and stamps from 'That's Crafty'

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  10. Your steampunk lantern is gorgeous! The cards are looking wonderful, the Distress Oxide backgrounds are lovely - my favorite is the flower-card!
    This old cactus is a treasure!

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  11. Wow! Love your steampunk lantern torch! What a great way to give it a makeover! I love those stamps of Donna's - they are on my list and think they may be on my desk sooner rather than later! Love the colours you used! Thanks for joining us at Try It On Tuesday! Chrisx

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  12. So nice your little lantern with steampunk look. Great idea! Your two cards look also very good, nice colors too. Well done.
    Greetings
    Sabine

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