Altoid Tin Lid Ornaments

Hello crafty friends!  Last week I had a table set up for a local "3rd Friday"/Holiday Bazaar.  It was coooold and it took the whole weekend to thaw out.

Today I want to share 2 Altoids tin lid ornaments made from leftover paper.  In my last blog post I shared bright Christmas cards made with Blue Fern Vintage Christmas and Vintage Christmas 2.  (I've been hoarding the paper for a while but I think it's from 2015-ish.)

Anyway, I had the ephemera-card-type scraps and layered them into leftover Altoids tin lids!

Neat, huh?  They came together pretty quickly except for Stickles drying time... Oh how I love Stickles!  i used a nail and hammer mat to poke holes for the beaded charm and the hanging string.  Let me know if you have any construction questions -- I'm happy to help!

Thanks for your visit today!

Cheers,
Susan

Something Wicked Shadow Box

Hello crafty friends!  Today I want to share a steampunk-y shadow box made from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts' ATC Shrine Box.

The first thing to do is wipe down the edges with a damp cloth to remove laser residue (if any).  Lay the pieces out and put a dab of glue on the edges that fit together.  I did one panel at a time and held in place for a few seconds to give the glue a chance to catch.  Let this dry completely before measuring for paper inserts.

I used a corner of the 12x12 Texture Sheet Gears for the inside back, embossing it with a red/black/brown powder mixture I made a few projects ago.

I wanted a dash of color so I cut off a piece of the Banner Border Strips, traced each pennant on a different scrap of paper, then painted the pennant with black gesso.  While that dried I cut the triangles and inked the edges.  They are all slightly larger than the actual chipboard piece and overlap nicely to cover the space between each triangle.

I use the Zig glue writers a lot, and this one came in handy to draw a line on the pennant edges and allow me to easily apply the papers.

Next I picked out a few gears and backgrounds from the Steampunk Shape Set and painted them with  metallic paints I have on hand.

Once everything was dry I assembled in a whirlwind and didn't stop to take photos.  *sigh*  In the next two photos you can see the hint of the texture gear sheet in the back.  I chose a plain paper (black with white dots) so attention wasn't diverted from the embossed texture gears.

The pennants are raised up on a layer or two of scrap chipboard for added dimension.  You can also see the metallic gears layered in the right front corner, on which a black cat is perched.

I used more plain paper for the inside walls and ended up using strips of straight black Dresden foil  to finish the inside corners.  Once the outside was covered I used a more ornate Dresden foil to finish the front frame.

Here's a look at the back!

Thanks for visiting today!

Cheers ~ Susan

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Used

ATC Shrine Box BD12X
Texture Sheet Gears HR1
Steampunk Shape Set D33A
Banner Border Strips D34D

Other Supplies Used:
Graphic 45 Steampunk Spells
assorted acrylic paint
custom embossing powder
white glue
Zig writer glue
Brown ink for edges
Dresden foil
wood feet
assorted ribbon

New Christmas Cards!

Hi folks!  Just a quick note to let you know I have new Christmas cards in my Etsy shop.  Click here to check them out!

I'll be adding more throughout the month.  Thanks for your visit today!

Cheers,
Susan

A Set of Halloween Art Cards/ATC/ACEO

Hello crafty friends!  I'm here today to share steampunk-y art cards made with Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts ATCs!

Do you know the difference between ATC, ACEO, and art cards?  Lemme tell you my take on all of it.  ATC is short for "Artist Trading Card".  The creation of an ATC has to follow a size rule: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2".  An ATC isn't for sale, rather made for trading with other artists.  It's a great way to collect and share original art!

ACEO is "Art Card, Editions and Originals".  Yes, that's a mouthful!  ACEOs follow the same size rule but are traditionally the sellable version of an ATC.  They can be original works or numbered limited editions.

An art card is basically an ACEO.  I'm just not fancy enough to use ACEO, y'know?

I cut paper for the front and back sides to 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches.  Using the last bits of a glue medium I painted it onto the chipboard and added the paper.  Not shown is my brayer -- I rolled it on to smooth out the glue clumps.  You can also use a ruler or anything that will flatten out the paper if needed.

Next, I used the Postage Frames to give dimension to the spooky stamps.

And that's it!  These were quick projects to make and look neat as a set.  Here's a view of the back sides.

Thanks for your visit today!

Cheers,

Susan

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Used
ATCs - set of 3 (coming soon)
Postage Frames D79C

Other Supplies Used
Graphic 45 Steampunk Spells
Cheese cloth
Black and brown inks
Scor-Tape
Ranger Glue n Seal
TH Halloween baubles

More Halloween Cards!

Hello hello!

I'm still in love with this Graphic 45 "Happy Haunting" Halloween paper collection.  Here are a few greeting cards made using it!

Each card has a coordinating gift box and is available in my shop today!

Thanks for your visit today!

Cheers,
Susan

Halloween Cards

Hiya crafty folks!  I have a series of Halloween keepsake cards using Tim Holtz papers and ephemera.  Fun!

Here are the individual photos.  Each one of a kind card comes with a coordinating gift box is available in the shop.

Thanks for your visit today!

Cheers,
Susan

Fright Night Tombstone

Hi creepy crafty friends!  I'm getting ready to do a Halloween table at my local 3rd Friday and have a new bit of tabletop decor to share with you.  Well, new-to-you, anyway.  I found the blank tombstone at a box store last year and promptly made this guy.  I went back and bought a handful (or two) more to make a whole cemetery but this is the only one I have so far... Best laid plans and all!

Here's the other side!

The tombstones are wood and stand 17cm x 12cm (6 1/2" x 4 1/2").  Fun!

Thanks for visiting today.  (This is also available in my Etsy shop in case you can't make it for 3rd Friday. *wink*)

Cheers,
Susan

RESIST Shrine Grotto

Hello creative friends!  Today on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog I'm sharing a mixed media art project borne of current news topics as well as individual experiences many of us have endured.  This is a personal piece for me.

If you'd like to see my Shrine Grotto step-by-step, pop on over to the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog!

Here are photos of the shrine without blurred words.  As I said, this project reflects my own inner turmoil.  I edited some of the more derogatory words in the photo above with respect to GSL customers who may be shocked seeing them.  Even blurred, I believe the message is clear.

10/7:  This shrine is now available for purchase in my Etsy mixed media shop.  Click here to go to the listing.

Thank you for visiting today!

Cheers,
Susan

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Used
Shrine Grotto D179G

Winter Tree

Hello Crafty folks!  I have my August 22nd Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts team post to share with you... er, a few days late.

***

This week here in Maryland the heat indices have been reaching the upper 90s.  It's awfully warm!  I needed a mental break from it and this wintery scene did the trick.

This was a quick project until it came time to make the polymer clay bird.  I tried really hard to make a proper cardinal, but it wasn't in the stars.  We'll just have to use our imagination, 'k?  He's red.

I used the 3 inch 3D Chipboard Tree from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts.  This tree has delicate branches with tiny connectors.  I pushed my blade into the obvious connectors and held the tree up to a light to find the not-so-obvious ones. It worked like a charm!

The next step was to gesso the whole tree, including the sides.  I used a foam sponge and a lot of patience to go around each branch.  After it dried I double checked the branch edges and filled in missed spots.

On the next layer I dabbed white acrylic paint all over.  Dabbing it on created the tree texture.  I moved the trees off the leftover paint and let them dry on the spatulas.  This step was repeated on the other side.

When dry I put the trees together.  I had to use a straight edge to clear away excess paint from the grooves so the trees were even at the base.

I used a gorgeously weathered clapper from an old wind chime as my base.  A tiny bit of e6000 on the tree holds it to the clapper.  I added bits of moss to finish off the earth.

From tip to toe this is 4 inches tall.  It's so sweet!  I'm now on the lookout for a small glass cloche under which I will tuck this lovely winter scene.

Thanks for visiting today!

Cheers,
Susan

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Used
3D Chipboard Tree 3 Inch #C1C

Other Supplies Used
Green moss
White gesso
White acrylic paint
White glue
E6000 glue
Polymer clay
Red acrylic paint

Love Potion Altered Tin

Hello folks!  Today on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog I share a lighter version of my year 'round skeleton obsession.  Our friend here is in love and offers you a little magic love potion... don't mind the tombstones over there.  His love lasts an eternity.

I started out with the GSL products I needed to paint/finish with wet stuff.  I cut the tree with a paper cutter.

I knew the skellie would hold something, so I snipped the connector piece at the ribs and left the shoulder bone attached.  Later I reinforced the shoulder bone with a spot of clear glue on the back.

With my typical finger painting style, I covered all the chipboard with white gesso.

I wasn't sure how the tombstones would look at the end, so I started with the general color I was hoping for... The silver was covered over with a Golden micaceous iron oxide later, then I used a tiny bit of white acrylic paint on my finger tip for a weathered marble look.  It worked out even though it doesn't really look like weathered marble.  :)

I finger-dabbed white acrylic paint on the skeleton, then used a tiny brush with a super-watered-down brown to age him.  I painted one small section at a time, waited a beat or two then dabbed the excess of with a paper towel.

I covered the love potion "label" on the paper with Diamond Glaze and let it sit over night.  I'll be honest that I don't love this product since it's prone to air bubbles and is much thinner than Ranger Glossy Accents.  I'm working my way to the bottom of the bottle because I can't bring myself to throw it away.

The love potion paper and the various edges were cut out and glued in with Glue n Seal.  I used a scrap piece of wood for the base, and screwed it in.  (I'm moving away from just gluing these types of parts together; you don't have to!)

Here's a look at the finished GSL skeleton, creepy tree, and tombstones.  The piles of excess chipboard and the paper-covered pile of chipboard next to the skeleton are going to be used behind the pieces to create a 3D effect.

The tree was glued in then I layered the tombstones and "ground fog".  I used regular white glue for each of these layers.

The skelly boost was glued on the back, then I added him to the tin along with his party hat!  The shoulder reinforcement glue is visible in this photo also.  It was just a little bit, but it made me feel better.

Ta da!  It's party time!

Here's a look at the back. I will probably add more silver tinsel around the edges.

Thanks for your visit today!

Cheers,
Susan

GSL supplies used
Creepy Tree 5 Inch #D127D
Skeleton Shape Set D136S
Tiny Tombstones C55S

Other Supplies Used
3x5 tin
Scrap wood
Fancy Pants "Oct 31" paper
Cheese cloth
White gesso
Golden & Liquitex acrylic paints
Golden Micaceous Iron Oxide
Stickles glitter glue
Crafter's Pick white glue
Ranger Glue n Seal