Industrial Steampunk Altered Guitar - Before and After and the How To

Before photo

The finished Product......Yeah!!

Ok, Im very aware that altered art isnt a lot of folks cup of tea OR in fact anything Industrial or Steampunk.  BUT.....its my cuppa tea! lol.  I think its pretty obvious from my blog that I dont make cards.  Ok I do make a lot of flowers but I thought I would show you something else I like to do.  ALTERING....Yippeeee!  And this is the type of thing I do like doing and I make no apologies for it.  Yes, my name is Loops and Im a steampunk loving, altering obsessed Looper, heehee.

This is a gift that was given to me by Fiona Jennings and her hubby Ray (you will have seen a previous post about her Etsy Store).  And when Ray brought this home from the car boot sale and Fiona said it was available I nearly jumped through the laptop screen to grab it!  So they kindly gave it to me.

It is my wee brother, Corey's 11th Birthday on the first on November.  Corey is an incredibly smart child and has been playing guitar for a few years now and is amazing at playing it.  Ive never seen a child his age play as well.  But then Im slightly biased.....just a bit, heehee.

WHAT I DID

Well I couldnt very well leave it like it was.......that wouldnt be me.

So I wrapped the whole thing in aluminium foil tape.  This tape is much stronger than just wrapping it in tin foil.  BUT, you can use tin foil, it works just as well.  You just need to be a bit more careful or buy the extra thick tin foil.  I had to then use my bone folder, embossing tool and the best tool of all......my thumb.....to emboss it all as I didnt want to lose the fantastic textures of the wires.

Before the "Wrapping"

Many Foil Tape cuts to my hands later!!

One bad thing though is that I got LOADS of foil cuts.  Maybe if I hadnt been so eager.......ok......impatient to get it done I wouldnt have had so many cuts!  But at least I can say my blood, sweat and tears went into altering it......literally, heehee.

After embossing it all so the wires showed, I painted it in different colours.  WHAT??? I here you cry.  Dont panic...........I knew what I was doing (she says with the knowledge of hindsight, lol).

Heres how it looked.  Awful right?  Just wait though....I havent added the black paint yet.  WHAT AGAIN??  Calm down.......everything will be ok. lol

I painted the whole guitar is different coloured
 acrylic paints including gold and blue metallic acrylics

Close up of the awful multi-coloured paint job, heehee

Yeah.......I know.  What was I thinking!  But there is another step that makes it look even worse before it gets better, lol.

Once the paint is COMPLETELY dry, you need to take black acrylic paint and paint the whole thing black.  AHHHHH!!!!  WHAT ARE YOU DOING PAINTING IT ALL BLACK LOOPS?  Once painted completely black, take a cloth or kitchen roll and start to wipe it off!  Eh??  Yeap, wipe the black paint off carefully so as not to take the colours underneath off.  

You may find as you are doing this that some of the black paint has dried.  Simply spray the black paint with a light spray of water.  OR, you could do what I did, I used a wet one to wipe it off.  This meant I didnt need to use water so I had more control of taking off the black paint and not the coloured paint.

So, the black paint will cling to all the little nooks and crannies and I also left some of the paint in places all over the guitar.  Its entirely up to you how much or little of the black paint you wipe off.  And in some places you may find the coloured paint comes off too and some of the silver foil shows through.  But that was fine by me as I wanted it to look rough and ready.

So once I finished wiping off the black paint, I took some antique gold rub on's (or rub and buff) and put a bit on my finger and went over the guitar strings and the raised wire parts.  This makes the wires pop out and is a fantastic finishing technique.  I was a bit disappointed with the results UNTIL I used the rub on's.  It really lifted the whole guitar.

I then sprayed some matt varnish (kindly provided by yummy hubby) over the entire guitar to seal it to ensure the rub on gold and paint doesnt peel off.  And here is the end result.

The antique gold rub on highlights the wire parts and strings

The back of the guitar....more colour showing on the back

Close up of the side of the guitar

Side view

I LOVE this guitar....can I part with it???  Hmmmm?

Heres a shot of the different colours showing through

The strings highlighted with gold rub on's

So there you go folks.  Not my usual "Flowers" now is it?  Heehee.  But I thought I'd show you something else I like to do.  I aint no one trip pony, lol.  You may like it, you may not.  But I know Corey will love it.

DONT FORGET, if there is ever anything you would like a tutorial on.....anything at all, please ask.  I love a challenge as Ive said a million times before.  I got an email from a fellow DoCrafter the other night asking would I accept a challenge on how to make a small paper fir-cone for her cards.  Did I accept.....Oh I think so.  So I will do my best to help so please do not hesitate to ask for me to do a tutorial and if I can do it, I will.

I hope some of you try this technique.  It looks amazing on boxes.  If you take a box and add bits and pieces like buttons, chain, keys etc and put the foil over it, emboss the bits and pieces through the foil, then paint it as Ive described above, it looks incredible.

Heres a link to a great video by a lady called Rachel (RachO113).  She alters a wee box.  Click Here 

Ok, Im outta here.  Thanks again everyone for looking and a big thank you to all my new followers and old followers for your continued support.  I only did my giveaway for my Blog Candy for hitting 10'000 hits last week and Im fast approaching 20'000 hits already!  Ahhhhh......you lot are gonna empty my craft room, heehee.  Seriously though, thank you everyone.

Toodles Noodles (Sorry if this was a longggggg post, lol)

Loops xx

Challenges I'd like to enter this into....My First time Entering a Challenge!  Yeah!


Come and Get it Challenges - Anything Goes
Crafting when we can challenges - Halloween and/or Anything But A Card
Dream Valley Challenges - Anything goes
Ruby's Rainbow - Metal

Flower Tutorial - Spellbinders Rose Creations Die Flower

Hi everyone.  I recently showed these little creations in a previous post but didnt do a tutorial as I found it on another bloggers site.  In my post I gave you the link to the tutorial on Gabrielle's blog.  However, a few of you have asked me to do a tutorial on how I made mine.  So, I asked Gabrielle would she mind and she has very graciously and kindly given me the go ahead to do my own tutorial on these flowers.  Thank you Gabrielle.  She has a beautiful site so if you want to visit her gorgeous blog, click here.

So here is what you will need

Spellbinders Rose Creations Die

You will need the Spellbinders Rose Creations Die. HOWEVER....it can be made with different dies, for example the Tim Holtz Tattered Floral die or maybe flowers from a couple of different punches or hand cut flowers of your own.

Glue - I use hot glue but you can use whichever you feel comfortable with.  Wet glues work just as well but will take a little bit longer to set.

Embossing tool or the rounded end of a pen.

White Cardstock (I use 300gsm) or if you prefer, patterned card stock or papers.

Distress Inks (optional)

Piece of foam or back of a mouse mat.

Now for the fun stuff.....

1. Cut 1 small, 1 next up, 1 next up again and 2 of the next size up

2. Ink all your flowers

So you need 5 flowers to make this flower.  So starting from the smallest cut, you need

1 x smallest flower

1 x next flower size up

1 x next flower size up to the last

2 x next flower size up again

If you are using plain cardstock and wish to add colour, you can use distress inks to ink each flower like photo 2.

3.  All flowers inked up

4.Take smallest petal and emboss the petal

5. Turn small flower into bud

Once you have all your flowers inked (if you chose to do this - photo 3), its time to make the centre of your flower.

Take the smallest flower, and place inked side down onto a piece of foam or the back of a mouse mat.  Using your embossing tool or rounded end of a pen in circular motions emboss the petals of the flower (photo 4).  This breaks the fibres in the paper and makes it easier to mould into a bud shape.

Form this little flower into a bud, and glue it to stay in this position.  I have other tutorials showing how I do this. (photo 5).

Once glued, set this bud aside until you need it.

6. Fold petals into pointed ends

7. Do this to the remaining flowers

Now, taking the remaining flowers, pinch or fold over the end of the petals to make it into a point. (photo 6 and 7).

8. Push thumb nail into petal and push forward

9. Here you can see how the petal is shaped

10. Do this to all 4 flowers

Once you have all the petals folded into a point, you need to shape the petals.  You need to take the petal point between your finger and thumb and with your other thumb, press your nail into the bottom of the petal whilst pushing the petal point forward. Do this with all the petal.  It creates a sort of bowl in the middle of the flower....see photos 8 and 9.

You can see what it should look like in photo's 9 and 10.  Do it to all 4 flowers.

11. Stack on top of each other and pinch in petals around the bud

12. Add next layer

13.  Add final layer

Now all you need to do is glue the flower together.  Place some glue on the bottom of the bud and place it into the next sized flower. Press the petals in around the bud.  See Photo 11.  Makes sure you alternate the petals as you glue them together.

Now, you can add as many or as little layers as you like, depending on the size of flower you would like.  The photos above shows you what the flower looks like with each added layer.

And thats it, your flower is made.  Here is what they look like.

Coloured using walnut stain distress inks

Coloured using Old Paper Distress Ink

Using different coloured Distress Inks

Here I have used the leaves from the Spellbinders Rose Creations Die
I coloured these 2 with Wild Honey and Victorian Velvet

Here I have added leaf veins to the leaves by embossing the
 lines on the back of the leaf and then colouring with Pine Needle Distress Ink over them

The end results

Distress Inks Used:

Walnut Stain,

Old Paper,

Victorian Velvet,

Wild Honey and,

Pine Needles for the leaves.

Thats it folks.  Hope you will make these beautiful flowers and I look forward to seeing your results.  Have fun and as usual if you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.  All comments and questions are greatly received and appreciated.

Have a lovely crafty day.

Toodles Noodles, 

Loops xx

BLOG CANDY WINNERS! PICKED BY MY HUBBY!

Ok Folks, we have our winners.  PLEASE READ HOW THE WINNER WAS FAIRLY DRAWN.

My hubby picked the winners.  He doesnt know anyone on here and was in no way swayed by me.  I didnt look until he told me to look!  I didnt want to have to write down over 160 names, so I asked my hubby to pick from the computer.  To make it completely fair so people at the top and bottom had a chance he scrolled up and down the blog page without watching the screen, randomly stopped and then pointed randomly at the screen.  So wherever his finger fell that was the winner.  If he went between comments.....he tried again....and again!!  Until we finally got fair winners.  These names were picked completely fairly without me seeing.

So without further ado..............DRUM ROLL.............

The first BIG Blog Candy goes to.........Wendy from Flowergirl Cards

And the Second Prize goes to ............Sandy from Sandys Crafty Bits

Congratulations ladies, if you would please contact me through the contact button on the top right hand side of my blog.  I wont be able to get it posted tomorrow, but your goodies will go out first thing Monday morning, first class post.  if you could email me and let me know when your goodies arrive too please.

Thank you to everyone who entered.  Dont worry though, I will be offering more Candy in the future.  I also have more flower tutorials coming up.  Ive been asked to do a tutorial on the Spellbinders Rose Creations even though I added the link to Gabrielle's tutorial.  So, I asked Gabrielle for permission to do the tutorial which she graciously agreed to.  Thank you Gabrielle.  So it will be coming soon.

Thanks again to everyone who joined again and to all my followers.  Watch this space.  More Candy in the future.

Ive decided to offer a SECOND Candy!!!!! NOW CLOSED!

Ok folks, thats right.  You have read the above correctly.  I have decided to give a SECOND candy to someone.  I thought since I had so many people join the candy that I had to put together another wee prize.  This one of course wont be as big as the BIG CANDY, but it still has lovely goodies in it which I hope the lucky winner will like.


Ive tried to co-ordinate this second giveaway so it will make a nice little project.  But then the winner can do what they want with it, of course.


So, heres whats up for grabs for the SECOND candy prize.  BY THE WAY.......you dont have to do anything to get this.  Everyone who has entered the big candy will get the chance to win this candy also.  So if you have commented on the Biggie one, no need to do anything else.  Im just showing you whats in this one.


Im going to show you a few collective photos then some close ups of a few of the bits and pieces.

Part of the 2nd prize goodies

2 xTim Holtz hanging sign die cuts, vellum punched butterflies

2 x Tim Holtz bird & Cage, large selection of pastel feathers, flower stemen

2 Large Kraft tags, 3 Tim Holtz small Kraft tags, 2 small white tags
2 Tim Holtz Keys & Locks (not shown)

5 x mini red pegs

Large Wooden back red rubber stamp Brand New

Crafters Companion Holly Stamp Brand New

6 x Laura Ashley 6x6 papers

Roll of Deep Red Sparkly Ribbon

A collection of my handmade flowers

5 x small spiral roses (paper & cardstock)

2 x brand new handmade by me Crazy Daisies

1 x Spellbinders Rose Creation Roses Flower (Tutorial to follow soon)

2 x mini Yo-Yo flowers

2 x Rossettes with vintage button centres

3 x long lengths of lace

Wide White Lace

Cream Lace

Wide Royal Blue Lace

2 x My Fluffy Goodness Flowers

1 x small Whipped Cream

1 x small Floating Meringue

Dont know why my hand is so shiny!!!!
1 x binder hinge (1 inch diameter of rings)

Selection of Buttons

Folks thats it for the Second Prize Candy. I would love to give each and every one of you a prize but then I would need to just give you all access to my room and let you do a trolley dash!  And as much as I would love you all to get something, I just cant stretch to that!!!

So I hope you like what is on offer.  Again, you dont have to do anything.  If you have entered the big Candy, you are automatically entered into this draw for Second Prize. Good luck and thanks again everyone.

Heres the goodies list

SECOND PRIZE CANDY

6 Laura Ashley 6x6 papers

2 x Tim Holtz Bird and Cage dies cuts on cardstock

2 x Tim Holtz Key and Lock die cuts on cardstock

2 x Tim Holtz Hanging Sign die cuts on cardstock

A large selection of pastel Marabou Feathers

Selection of pastel vellum Punched Butterflies - Tonic Punch

Selection of Buttons

1 Large Wooden Stamp - Xmas Brand New

1 x Crafters Companion Holly Rubber Stamp Brand New

5 x small red pegs

2 x large Kraft Tags

3 x Tim Holtz small Tags die cuts on Kraft cardstock

3 x small white tags

Bunch of flower Stamen

Roll of Deep Red Organza Ribbon

14 x My Handmade Flowers

3 Long Lengths of Lace

1 x Binder Hinge and Rings

Toodles Noodles,

Loops xxx