* Gecko Galz: Steampunk Autumn

Hello!

Happy September!

A new month brings a new challenge at the Gecko Galz blog and this month the theme is Steampunk Autumn. I love everything Steampunk, but can't say I have made many Steampunk projects myself.

I decided to start by researching what Steampunk is all about and this is what I found out:

What is Steampunk? 

It is a genre of science fiction that has a historical setting. It features technology and 19th century steam powered machinery. Since its origins in literature, it has developed into architecture, culture, fashion and art.

There are 5 elements to Steampunk:

1. Era - The Retro Element. The whole point of steampunk is that the story is set in the nineteenth century steam age. 

2. Power - The Fuel Element.  Things work off steam power. Vehicles are either horse drawn, steam powered or wind-up.

3. Technology - The Contraption Element. Steampunk features fantastical contraptions, inventions and innovations - think of modern day technology, but powered by steam or clockwork (featuring a spring, a winding key and toothed gearwheels).

4. Materials - The Wood and Copper Element. Steampunk uses all natural materials such as wood, copper, brass, leather. These materials are decorated with intricate designs. 

5. Atmosphere - The Romance Element. Very much evident in the fashion elements - bustles, corsets, gowns and petticoats for women and  suits with waistcoats, top hats, tailcoats, spats or military garments for the men. Steampunk accessories include timepieces (fob watches), parasols, flying or driving goggles and ray guns. Goggles are an iconic symbol of Steampunk as aviators and drivers wore them to keep dirt, oil, sparks, wind and steam out of their eyes.

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Now on to my Gecko Galz DT projects.
I made two steampunk projects, both cards.

Steampunk Butterflies

For this I used one of the papers from Time Passages Mini Paper Pack. I inked the edges with Vintage Photo ink. I selected a butterfly from the Tic Tock Cameos collage sheet and resized it creating a large and smaller butterfly - each was printed out twice, so that the middle could be cut out and decoupaged. I love that this butterfly has cogs and gears in its wings and an old fashioned door knob plate for its body. I added gold Posca pen to the cogs and Glossy Accents to the door knob plate. I placed pieces of cheesecloth over the background paper, added some gold thread and attached the butterflies, gluing the centres down so that the wings are free.
The background was matted onto black, then gold textured paper. The sentiment, from the Simple Sentiment Stamp Set, was die cut, inked and popped on foam pads along with a butterfly charm. Finally some gold metallic trim was added to the bottom left of the card.



 Time Passages                     Tic Tock Cameos                       Simple Sentiments
       

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Steampunk Clockwork Lady

I used another paper from the Time Passages Mini Paper Pack and used an AAll & Create cog stencil to add some extra pattern using Vintage Photo ink. The paper was matted onto black then gold textured paper.  I printed the steampunk clockwork lady image from the Industrial Age Stamp Set. I added lots of Gold Posca pen doodling, fussy cut the image and inked the edges and other white areas to match the background. I popped the lady on foam pads and added gold metallic trim to the corners of the card.



    Time Passages                     Industrial Age
        

I hope you'll join our Steampunk Autumn Challenge where the Winner will get a 

$25 shopping spree 
at the Gecko Galz shop.

The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product 
(this can be one of the freebies or, of course, you can buy at the Etsy store!) 

Also if you sign up for the Gecko Galz newsletter, you'll be able to claim a free collage sheet each month and get first claim on the weekly $1 deals!

Please pop over to the Gecko Galz blog to see the fabulous designs by the very talented DT.

We also have a Private Facebook Group where there are 4 monthly challenges, each with a collage sheet prize. 
Come and join us!

I'll be back on the 22nd with more Gecko Galz projects.

Here's all the info you need:

Gecko Galz blog

Current Gecko Galz Challenge : "Steampunk Autumn"

Gecko Galz Etsy Shop

Gecko Galz Facebook group

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Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

I'd like to play along in the following challenges: 

Steampunk Butterflies Card
* Creative Moments #175 AG 05/09
* Not Just Cards Aug AG 07/09
* Ceative Crafters #19 AG 08/09

* A Bit More Time To Craft #99 AG 14/09

Creatalicious Challenges #170 AG 14/09

* International Art & Soul #66 Layer It Up 14/09

3D butterflies, cheesecloth, patterned paper, black & gold paper

Mix It Up #29 AG/3D 30/09

* 613 Avenue Create #225 AG 31/09 TOP ROCKER

* Sandee and Amelie's Steampunk Challenge Sept 31/09

I'd really love some feedback :)      

I read and appreciate all your comments.