Tuesday 23 March 2010

Steampunk 1

I kept seeing pieces that were described as "steampunk" on my travels, and I really liked the look but hadn't quite got around to finding out what it meant. And then the Sunday Postcard challenge blog put up a steampunk challenge, so I figured it was time to do some investigating. In case any of you don't know, steampunk is a style of art that blends Vintage/Victorian stuff with technological/robotic bits and pieces. I'm sure there aare other definitions out there, but this is what I started with.
So, I knew I would be making a steampunk postcard, but what would be the next step? I found a sketch and a colour scheme and a few other challenges that I thought I could work with, and this is the end result:


I'm really quite pleased with it, and I had such fun putting it all together :)
The above pic shows the colours much better, and some of the 3D detail, but it looks too thin to be a postcard, so, just for verification, here's a another pic. The colours aren't as good but the perspective is better.

All the metal bits and pieces came from James' junk drawer; they include a circuit board, a washer, some nails and an LED. The ephemera came from Itkupilli's Steampunk and Skellies sheet, the bride is from DezinaWorld's Weddings sheet, the map and the damask pattern I did in PSP. And I tried to find a Victorian quote to fit as well, so I used one by Edith Wharton. In case it isn't clear on the pics, the quote is "If only we'd stop trying to be happy we'd have a pretty good time."
So, the challenges:
Sunday Postcard - Steampunk
PolkaDoodles - sketch and the colour theme blue and brown. Because of all the other bits I've added in, the sketch might not be immediately obvious but the bride the balloon and the ribbon are the sketch pattern, the rest of the bits were added on later.
Totally Gorjuss - ribbon, and isn't the bride gorgeous?
The ABC challenge is Q for quotation
HFOS - Remove the Dust. Well, maybe not actual dust but I did have to rummage through some filthy and un-identifiable bits and bobs to get all my metal/techno bits ;)
Daisy Doodles - free choice (but use digi)
Your Next Stamp - distressing. The damask background is digitally distressed, and I also roughed up the edge of the bride image with scissors and then rubbed Antique Linen distress ink around the edges.

I think that was it, thanks for stopping by, and have a great day! :D

27 comments:

crafty creations said...

Fantastic Susan !!!!!! Love every bit about it - the pieces you've added are fab xx Hilda

cheryl said...

wow hun this is totally brilliant my friend gosh you are making stunning designs hugs cheryl xxx

Rhonda said...

this is great...it is very unique! Thanks for playing with us at Daisy Doodles.

Tammy said...

Great card! Thanks for joining us at Daisy Doodles Creative Challenges!

Tammy said...

Great card! Thanks for joining us at Daisy Doodles Creative Challenges!

Nettie said...

Great card. Thanks for joining in at Polkadoodles.x

craftymum said...

A super card. Thanks for joining us at TG
Love sarah XXX

Unknown said...

great card
thanks for sharing
michele

Sandy said...

Wow your card is fantastic.
Brilliant work.

Martina said...

Stunning steampunk creation, Susan!
Thank you for your participation.

FauxPainter - Dee Paramour said...

Great card, thanks for joining in teh Polka Doodles challenge.

Luv Dee xxx

Liz said...

Hi hun yur so far ahead on this kind of work you really have astounded me and its so very very good..not that I know much but it certaily looks brilliant well done!
I am so proud of you

Liz xx

Unknown said...

Beautiful card, fantastic imagery!

Cathy said...

Stunning. Thank you for joining in the ABC challenge this time.
Cathy xx

Hella said...

Great card.

LivArtNow said...

What a beautiful dream of a card!! love it!!

Linda

katesacraftybugger said...

how unusual , very unique work .
thanks for joining us at polkadoodles this week
Kate x

Debs said...

Fabulous.. Thanks for playing along at TG this week…Debs

Marlene said...

Quite the crafty little thing, aren't you?! :)

Kat said...

This is amazing Susan. Thanks for joining us at TG this week.

Kat x

Jane (Carroll's Creations) said...

Fabulous

Thanks for joining us on ABC :)

Hugs Jane x

Polkadoodles said...

fab card, really different and righ tup my street!! Thanks for joining us at Polkadoodles this week xx

Kerry said...

Great card, lots of detail and can see our sketch in your design. Thanks for joining in at Polkadoodles this week.

Lorraine A said...

Fabulous card :-) The vintage look is gorgeous :-)

thanks for joining the ABC Challenge :-)
luv
Lols x x x

Maureen said...

Just fabulous - love all the different elements! Thanks for playing along with us at Your Next Stamp!

Fliss said...

Hello Susan, I just love that card! I really like the look of steampunk and you've done a fabulous piece with all the bits and pieces.
Thanks for joining us at Polka Doodles this week.
x

Unknown said...

Beautiful, so happy you could find what you were looking for after getting past all of the dust!!! Thanks so much for playing along with HFOS.
Trish