Steampunk Penguin Journal Page

Have you ever had a project that kept coming out wrong, but you had to keep going, if only to get the idea out of your head? This journal page is that project. The version you see below is actually "Plan D" after the preceding three didn't work out the way I wanted.

I should tell you that I have started a series of Steampunk Journals. Steampunk Journal, Volume 1 -- The Aviary was recently published in Just Steampunk 7. The journal's base is a Worn Journal (Ideaology)that I decorated with paint, stamps, ink, die-cuts, flashing tape, and a mess of other things. The journal measures 5" x 7" and holds two-hole punched pages that measure 4.75" x 6.75". I will be adding journal pages that showcase my rather large collection of steampunk bird images.

This project is the first page of The Aviary and features Steampunk Penguin, one of SCACD's fabulous digital stamps. If you are not in the USA, you can purchase SCACD's great digis HERE.

Steampunk Penguin was resized in PhotoElements, printed out onto Neenah cardstock, colored with Copic markers, fussy-cut, then edged with a Black Pitt Artist pen (Faber Castell). Several layers of Clear Gelly Glaze pen (Sakura) were added to Steampunk Penguin's beak, goggle lenses, and feet. Liquid Glass (DecoArt) was added to the light bulbs on his hat. Steampunk Penguin was then put safely away from curious fingers (I always like to see if the glue has set, which of course ruins everything) while the Liquid Glass set.

A scrap of 140 lb. Mixed Media cardstock was sponged with a wash of Cerulean Blue Media Fluid Acrylic paint (DecoArt). Jonathan Alphabet rub-ons (Maya Road) were applied to the cardstock. A nameplate from a Grungeboard set (Idealogy) was brushed with Metallic Gold MFA paint. Quinacridone Gold MFA paint was stippled over top, then allowed to dry. The edges of the name plate were darkened with Black Pitt Artist pen. The nameplate was adhered over the sentiment. One-Step Crackle Glaze (DecoArt) was applied inside the name plate over the sentiment and allowed to dry.

140 lb. Mixed Media cardstock (Strathmore) was cut to size. Americana Short Circuit stencil (DecoArt) was placed over the top of the cardstock. VersaMark (Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko) was sponged over the stencil, the stencil was lifted, and Polysparkle embossing powder (Ranger) was heat set. A wash of Cerulean Blue MFA paint was sponged over the embossing powder. A baby wipe was used to wipe the paint from the embossed circuit.

The top pattern from the Rock Wall stencil (The Crafter's Workshop) was placed over the bottom part of the cardstock, VersaMark was sponged over the stencil, and Polysparkle embossing powder was heat set. Pthalo Turquoise and Pthalo Blue MFA paints were sponged over the stenciled embossed cardstock.

140 lb. Mixed Media cardstock was was die-cut with all four dies of the dies from the Stitched Scene Builder Edgers die set (Frantic Stamper). The die-cuts took a ride through the Big Kick inside the Gears Texture Fades embossing folder (Sizzix) and then were painted with a mixture of Cerulean Blue and Translucent White MFA paint. When dry, a wash of Quinicridone Magenta MFA paint was sponged onto each die-cut. Another layer of Cerulean Blue MFA paint followed, allowed to dry, then Translucent White MFA paint was sponged again. When all the die-cuts were dry, Iridescent Medium (Winsor and Newton) was brushed across each to add a touch of sparkle. The die-cuts were adhered to the stenciled painted journal page. The page was then punched with my Binder Punch (Idea-ology)

The Mixed Media cardstock was was die-cut with Medium Steampunk Pipes (Memory Box) several times. The pipes were adhered to each other to form a four-ply stack, which was then painted with Silver Metallic MFA paint. A faucet and bent pipe from the PipeWorks chipboard set (Creative Embellishments) were sponged with Silver Metallic MFA paint. Translucent White MFA paint was brushed onto the face of the pressure gauge and a gold gel pen was used to add a bit of detail. Silver Metallic MFA paint was dry brushed onto the rest of the gauge. Black Pitt Artist pen was used to add a bit of detail to all the pipes and the faucet and to give them a black edge as well. A clear plastic circle was adhered over the face of the pressure gauge.

A scrap of transparency was painted with Pthalo Turquoise MFA paint. When dry, 1/4" Wonder Tape (Ranger) was applied to the non-painted side. The red liner was pulled off and micro-beads were pressed into the tape. This strip was then adhered to the reverse of the faucet.

The four-ply pipe was adhered over the embossed die-cuts on the journal page and the faucet was added. The bent pipe was adhered to the left side of the page and the pressure gauge was adhered over it.

Quinacridone Gold, Quinacridone Burnt Orange, Payne's Grey, Metallic Silver, and a touch of Metallic Gold MFA paints were mixed with Ultra Matte Varnish (DecoArt), then dry brushed over parts of the pipes, pressure gauge, and faucet to add some rust.

Steampunk Penguin was adhered atop the pipe and some Remnant Rubs (Ideaology) were added around him. Two metal gears were adhered around the binder holes. A third was added around one of the rub-on graphics.

The Crackle Glaze inside the name plate had dried and crackled and the nameplate was adhered to the journal page using screw-top brads (Idealogy).

If you've read all the above, pat yourself on the shoulder and get a glass or cup of your favorite beverage. You deserve it!

I shall enter this journal page into the following challenges:
• Just Us Girls Challenges: Trend Week - Metal/Metallics
• Creative Artiste Challenge: Anything Goes -- Twist-Use Chipboard
• Die Cut Divas Challenges: New Technique, Stamp, Color, Die
• Happy Little Stampers Mixed Media Challenges: Stencils
• SanDee and amelie's Steampunk Challenges: Anything Goes