Hats off to Steampunk by Tracey Fairgrieve

We are absolutely delighted to announce that we have some new DT members who will be showcasing That's Crafty! own brand products for us, so we'd like you to join us in wishing Tracey and Dorthe a very warm welcome.

Hello everyone, it's so nice to finally showcase my first Design piece for That's Crafty! so please be gentle with me. Grab yourself a beverage, light snack and let me introduce you to *Hats off to Steampunk*

I first painted a That's Crafty! Top Hat Upright in black gesso and painted cardboard cogs and gears cut from the Gadget Gears Bigz Die. I created a pair of goggles using the larger gears sticking them to bottle tops to give them the dimension needed to lift them away from the Top Hat. The goggle glass is 2" circles painted in Hauser Green and clear embossed to create a reflection.

A layer of Burnt Umber is painted over the hat allowing the black Gesso to peek through with modelling paste pushed through the Dinky Cogs Stencil repeating the pattern.

When dry, the Dinky stenciled cogs have been darkened by stippling black gesso around them with areas brought to life by rubbing gilding wax over the cogs. The gears and cogs have been given a dot and dab of textured sand then painted using a selection of DecoArt paints creating a rust and aged look before gluing onto the hat.

The 8x8 Steampunk Bug Stencil has been placed on top of the gears and modelling paste pressed through it allowing the paste time to sink in between those gears.

When thoroughly dry I have highlighted the bug by stippling black Gesso then applying silver gilding wax with a stippling brush. The silver gives contrast to the golds and  almost looks as if the Bug has melted into the background.

I used the Steampunk Bug stencil on the Upright base, priming with black Gesso and stenciling through with white. A layer of DecoArt Transparent Red Iron Oxide marries the Top Hat and base together when glued. 

The word reflection in the goggles has been created by stamping Dare to Dream like no Other from Lynne's Affirmations onto tissue paper. When turned over it exposes the wording in reverse.

Using a VersaMark Watermark Pen, I clear embossed the tissue onto the goggles creating the illusion of looking into a mirror. Off cuts from the gears have been used to create screws throughout the design with my trusty white Posca Pen adding those finer details.

I do hope you have managed to keep up with me, I often think I really should supply you with popcorn and a soft drink before you start reading my blogs. 

Thank you for sharing your time, I look forward to sharing another real soon.

Hugs Tracey xx

Crafty Supplies:

That's Crafty! Surfaces MDF Uprights - Top Hat 

That's Crafty! Dinky Stencil - Cogs - TC090

That's Crafty! 8x8 Stencil-Steampunk Bug - TC8006

That's Crafty Clear Stamps - Lynne's Affirmations - Set 2

Tim Holtz Sizzix Bigz Die - Gadget Gears 2

DecoArt Media Fluid Paint - Metallic Gold

DecoArt Media Fluid Paint - Quinacradone Gold

DecoArt Media Fluid Paint - Transparent Red Iron Oxide

DecoArt Media Fluid Paint - Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide

DecoArt Media Fluid Paint - Burnt Sienna

DecoArt Media Antiquing Cream - Patina Green

DecoArt Media Fluid Paint - Dark Grey

DecoArt Media - Black Gesso

DecoArt Media - White Gesso

DecoArt Media - Texture Sand

DecoArt Media Fluid Paint - Hauser Green Medium

VersaMark Watermark Pen

Clear Embossing Powder

Modelling Paste

Pebeo Gilding Wax, Antique Gold, Empire Gold and Silver

White Posca Pen