Steampunk Emporium Preview.

Hi Folks!

hope you're all ok? 

I have some very exciting news for you - still can't believe it.  Yesterday the postie came and brought me a little package from Joanna Sheen.  Couldn't remember ordering anything so was puzzled.  Opened it and there was a letter in there saying that one of my cards had been placed 2nd in the Joanna Sheen category in Cardmaking & Papercraft's National Cardmaker of the Year 2012 competition!  I was absolutely stunned as I'd only entered for a bit of fun and never expected to get anywhere.  If you're not familiar with the competition, there are around 10 categories and you can enter as many as you like (I entered three) and the person who wins the most categories is named as Cardmaker of the Year.  Really looking forward to seeing who that's going to be so waiting for my copy of the mag to land on my doormat.  I'm just pleased as punch to have come 2nd in the JS category...especially as I've won £150 to spend on her wonderful site.  You can see the card that I entered into the Joanna Sheen category here .
   Anyway...moving on...

Today I'm showcasing two cards I have made for the Kraftyhands' Boys (Mike & Ian) using their brand new CD which is called Steampunk Emporium.  Some people will already have picked up copies at the NEC but the official launch isn't until 19 November, but here's a quick peep at some of the things you'll be able to create using the CD and your imagination.  Now, I'm not a messy crafty and my hands are usually clean) so I thought I'd stick to that and leave the other team members to get their hands dirty and show you a different take on Steampunk...a nice, clean take, lol.

So...here are the two cards I came up with.  Please note, the open book design isn't on the disk...I did that myself using Serif software and punches.  I have done a tutorial (top of page) to show you how it's done if you fancy having a go.

There are lots of layers and some decoupage on the first card, though it doesn't show well in the photo.  I made the two cogs myself in Serif, printed and cut them out and then smothered them in glossy accents.  The faux gems are from my stash.

I've used canvas paper for the open book card, which really does pick up the colour brilliantly. 

It's a great CD and will be available  here on the 19th November.

Take care of yourselves & happy crafting!
xx