Monday 13 August 2012

Steampunk, Hot Air Balloons and Resist Technique

It's about time we had another steampunk card. Another Graphic45 patterned paper pad I fell in love with is Graphic45's Steampunk Debutante. I've nearly used all my patterned papers, but one of them inspired this homemade version using every hot air balloon stamp I could find in my collection and my favourite resist technique:

"Up, Up & Away Resist Background"

Pine Needles Distress Stain is swiped across an A5 sheet of white card until completely covered and left to dry completely. I use distress stain to get a stripy effect, but using ink pads with foam gives a more even look to the colouring, or you could use coloured cardstock if you have the right colour to start with.

Next, each of the stamps is used to stamp clear versamark ink onto the inked card and the stamped images are sprinkled in turn with clear embossing powder before heat-embossing. I normally stamp a couple of images at a time, sprinkle & heat-emboss, then stamp some more so that the ink doesn't dry out between applications. Turning the card to the light helps you to see where the previous stampings are.

When finished, apply Black Soot Distress Ink from a pad with cut 'n' dry foam to get into all the nooks and crannies, colouring the background black and leaving the balloons in that glorious Pine Needles greeny blue.

This sheet of coloured card was used as the background for the following steampunk card. There is a tutorial for the stepper card construction, which is made from black card.

"Steampunk Stepper Card"

Another of my favourite techniques is to diecut embellishments from patterned papers and distress the edges with inks. With such a detailed background, I didn't want to cover too much of it with layers so opted instead for the addition of some diecuts along the "flight" theme.

"The birdie king"

All the embellishments on this card are diecut from scraps of Steampunk Debutante papers. The bird here is edged with metallic aquamarkers and decorated with a self-adhesive gem for an eye. Matching gems are used on the diecut butterflies.

"Happy Birthday Banners"

The diecut banners are stamped in black archival then heat-embossed in clear. This gives a cleaner embossing than using black embossing powders, which often leave little spots where you don't want them!

Ingredients:
Graphic45 8" x 8" paper pad: Steampunk Debutante
Kaisercraft clear stamp set: Up, Up & Away
Creative Expressions unmounted stamp set: Vintage Aviation
Craft Stamper free stamp: Hot air balloon
Paper Artsy Hot Picks stamp set: HP1106
IndigoBlu stamp set: Grand Tour III
Spellbinders Donna Salazar: Mix'd Media Elements
Papermania Hampstead stamp set
Marianne dies: Butterflies
Distress stain: Pine Needles
Distress ink pads: Black Soot, Walnut Stain
Versamark ink pad
embossing powder: Stampendous clear
yellow self-adhesive gems
adhesives: PVA, Pinflair
cardstock: black 300gsm

Entered for the following challenge:
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Favourite Technique
Dream Valley - Diecuts and Punches
Penny Black and More - Whiskers and/or Wings
Stamptacular Sunday - Shape it Up
Sweet Stampin' - Things with Wings



12 comments:

  1. Absolutely gorgeous card! I love your version of the G45 papers from Steampunk...probably better than the original! haha Your card is so striking! Thank you so much for sharing your lovely card and technique with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy

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  2. Wow Maddy, this paper you've made is FANTASTIC!! Its really amazing Maddy and the card is brilliant. Wow....that paper really is stunning. Lee x

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  3. Superiorly stunningly steampunk. It's absolutely striking.

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  4. Good morning Maddy,

    I'm not sure where to start, you piece of artwork is absolutely stunning not to mention very imaginative.

    Your clever choice of colours really makes a statement and draws the eye to both stamped background and gold embellishments.

    It's great to see you at Penny Black and More challenge this month, many thanks to joining in.

    B x

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  5. Hey there love your piece of art, fabulous card combined with Steampunky and the G45 papers wowzerssss Hugs Terry xxxx

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  6. What an original and interesting take on our challenge theme - I love the colours and the DP that you have made yourself. Thank you for playing at Sweet Stampin' this week. Tracey x

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  7. I love these - especially the colours and resist technique! Thanks for joining our punches and dies challenge at Dream Valley. Susie x

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  8. WOW! This is amazing Maddy. I really love the design and the colours are wonderful.

    Thank you so much for your very kind comment on my blog today, it really does mean a lot to me. I was so surprised when Paula asked me to join the design team and feel very lucky indeed.

    Take care
    Big Hugs Sue

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  9. Your card is amazing. Love this technique and your colour choice.
    Thank you for joining us at Sweet Stampin` “Things with Wings” Challenge and we hope to see you again soon.
    Hugs
    Natali

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  10. Fab card! Love the shape :-) Thank you for joining us at Dream Valley! Love 'n' hugs, Mel xx

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  11. Beautiful card as always, l love the detail you put into all your projects and this one fits the challenge perfectly.
    Thank you for joining in the Whiskers &/or Wings challenge over at Penny Black and More @ Allsorts and good luck x Susan x

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Thanks for leaving a comment, it's nice to know I'm not just talking to myself :)