Monday 20 August 2012

Design Team Project #1 featuring Chocolate Baroque Steampunkery Stamps (by Lesley)

A very happy Monday morning to all our lovely Snazzys DT blog visitors!

Well, where did the last four weeks go I wonder?  This year sure is whizzing by at breakneck speed and suddenly it's my turn to post a creation again, lol!  This month the DT are showcasing some smashing quirky steampunk style stamps from Chocolate Baroque and I decided to alter an old book picked up for a few pence from my local charity shop.


I've picked up several old unloved books with the intention of giving them a 'makeover' but this is the first one I've actually done and it was great fun.  First of all I cut out the aperture then tore away the pages to the depth I wanted and I also cut a square from the back pages to a depth of about 1cm but not the back cover.  I forgot  to take a pic of that but all will be revealed, lol!.  I applied a layer of Gesso to the whole cover of the book and followed this with a coat of light acrylic paint (I used Studio Trad Tan) and also stuck a lot of the pages together using the multi medium.  I then blended Distress Inks over a large piece of tissue paper and when dry scrunched it up then applied it to the cover with matte multi medium (Studio again).  I applied Distress Stains and Distress Inks to card, dried and then embossed with an embossing folder before tearing into pieces and applying these to the book with multi medium.  I then applied a layer of multi medium over the whole thing.


Now you can see why I cut the square out of the back pages!  


To make the drawer I blended DIs and then randomly stamped some of the images from the stamp sheet before creating half a box and putting in some metal bits and bobs.


All the word images were stamped onto card previously blended with DIs and the other images were stamped with black Archival Ink, cut out and coloured with DIs.  The Tando Creative wings behind the heart were painted with gold Acrylic Dabber and sprinkled with gold embossing powder before drying with the heat gun so the paint bubbled a bit.


The rest was just adding loads of Ideology and fab Snazzys Steampunk metal bits and bobs (they have a great selection).


While I remember a big thank you to the lovely ladies who joined in our impromptu Steampunk Challenge last week and my congratulations to the winner.  Such a hard task to choose just one as all the entries were brilliant and wonderful inspiration for everyone else.  There were a few entries I'd like to have a go at myself!

Last but not least, don't forget to leave an extra comment HERE to be in the random monthly draw for this month's prize.

Have a lovely week all!

Hugs
Lesley  Xx

30 comments:

Sandie said...

This is just amazing, so much glorious detail....

Rea' said...

Grungilicious ... don't know if there is such a word... LOL !! You got me good I had taken a nap when I camer in from church as it was so hot ladst night I did not sleep well... I thought it was treally Monday aslready !!

Suzanne C said...

Totally brilliant! The drawer is fantastic and all the details are wow!

Rea' said...

OMG, guess I should have weoke up first... all those typos... sorry !

Kate Yetter said...

Gorgeousness! The details are fab! Would love to see a tutorial on the drawer sometime!

judith@poppy cottage said...

Great project Lesley, fab colours and embellishments. I love altered books, they are such fun, you have made a fabulous job of this one. The texture on the surface is superb. Judith xx

Suzi B said...

This is a fabulous altered book Lesley... I love it!
suzi b xx

Beryl said...

Wow 0 and wow again. However long did that take you to make. It's an amazing piece of 'alteration'. So much detail and great design. You are one talented lady.
Beryl xx

Aquarius said...

What a wonderful way to transform an old and unloved book - it will certainly be loved again now. I'd certainly be proud to display it for all to see - brilliant.

Paula Whittaker said...

wow fabulous Lesley....lots of wonderful detail in this super project.

Astrid Maclean said...

Wow, wow and wow again Lesley, this is stunning and I really admire how you have done the drawer. I have altered quite a few books in my day and know just how tricky that sort of thing is, what you have done is amazing, love it!!!

rachel said...

fabulous altered project - love that cheeky little drawer - brilliant xx

Elaine said...

A great project Lesley, Fab colouring and you have acheived a real feeling of an aged book. Love all the steampunky detail, just great.The drawer must have been so tricky, I wish I could see how you did it IRL. Well done for fitting such a compex idea into your busy schedule. Really inspiring!

Elaine x

snazzyoriginal said...

This is simply stunning with great depth and texture. I have a whole pile of books set aside to alter but haven't been brave enough yet xx

HappyScrappin said...

This is amazing. Love it!! So much wonderful detail.

Paula (PEP) said...

This is quite amazing Lesley - I'd not know where to begin with such a project. I especially like your idea of the little drawer. The sentiment at the top about the journey awakening the soul really is so true. the texture & inking of this looks intriguing.
Paula (PEP)

Disco Queen said...

Hi Lesley, I love it! I have seen altered books before & considered giving it a go, but this one is stunningly beautiful & the drawer gives it a practical purpose. This is really important for me in my ever cluttered craft space. Thanks for the inspiration.

Minxy said...

Oh WOWzzer Lesley, This is just awesome, I fine balance of grungyness, texture and just plain old gorgeousness, What a fab way to start off the showcase :)

Netty said...

wow your altered book is terrific, fab work, x

Marianne said...

Really fabulous. What a beautiful creation! Hugs, Marianne MW

Words and Pictures said...

It looks sensational, but I think I'd still have a problem trying to rip the heart out of a book!! Gorgeous details and ideas, love the hidden drawer!
Alison x

Daniele said...

just loving all the wonderful details on this project, great set of stamps
hugs

Craftychris said...

what a stunning project! I would be too scared to try anything like this - maybe one day! xx

Unknown said...

Totally fab-love it! Well done.

Sarah said...

Lesley - I just love it!! S x

Gillian .... said...

Lesley ... wow o wow this is just stunning, genius project, love everything about it. x

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G Peplow said...

Totally stunning I love all the steampunkery and the fabulous colours WOW LOL Gay xxx

Redanne said...

This is a brilliant piece, you have altered the book so well, love the little drawer and love the steampunk stamps too. A x

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Be still my heart!!! I love this! The draw is icing on the cake or is that book?!? Oh the texture is amazing!!!!