steampunk die cuts for country view crafts challenge

well where does the time go ...another month full of wonderful entries and now another challenge over at country view crafts challenge....and lucky me as I was lucky enough to be able to choose the them...Die Cuts...

I love die cuts be it grunge or vintage , steampunk or feminine...they are so versatile and there are so many fab ones to choose from...I love them and enjoy the added elements they bring to a piece.

So for my first make this month a steampunk style hanging...the second make..here on Tuesday will be very different. So here is my make :

I had so much fun making this piece, including so melt pot play! and hope that this shows .

I started by covering my hanging board with lots of gear die cuts using gears and movers and shapers gear die cuts. And also the on the egde steampunk gears die.

 Then a layer of gesso and then layers of black soot distress ink and dabs of black soot and brushed pewter distress paint.

 I love how simple die cuts can create such texture and layers. Now on to more layers and die cuts and then yummy goodies. I added some strips of the new Tim tissue tape...

I created a pocket watch using grey board and cut and layered up to create dimension and filled with a couple of cogs..I also utilised the centres of the pocket watch and added a cog cut out from the centre(these went inside the pocket watch ...so no waste!)  I coloured the pocket watch with black soot and dusted with brushed pewter distress paint.

I also added some cog die cuts from DIY tape  and ran it through an embossing folder. I also added my first ever piece using my first texture tread...thrilled with it...now i need more !! Thank Hels Sheridan! (for the continued melt pot inspiration). I added these pieces in the corners and brushed some pewter treasure gold over them. I also added a large piece in the centre....

 I also added a key die cut stuck in the gents back..

Here is the melt art piece from  the centre

I added some washers for the centres of some of the cogs and some chain for the pocket watch.Finally a fab steampunk gent from time travellers set, painted using distress and a waterbrush and a great Tim sentiment ..

well hope that you will be inspired to join our challenge...you have a whole month to get your thinking caps on!...hop here for plenty more inspiration!

I will be linking this up to Hels some like it hot challenge when i get home ( day in Kent with my Mum and Dad ...been too long and James seems fit enough..fingers crossed!X)

I am entering this for some like it hot (sunday stampers)@ http://pinkleart.blogspot.co.uk/

have a fun and inky one !

trace x