Steampunk Journal

At the end of July I took a workshop with Sarah A when we did a Steampunk Journal.  This was not any ordinary journal - we actually made our own book from an old (unloved and destined for the tip) book.  Thanks Sarah, it was a great idea.

Sarah A was on the workshop (confused?  It was a different Sarah A) and eleven days later she put up her lovely work that she had done.  Shame on me - mine was still the same - but I had been thinking about it - getting nowhere - but thinking about it.

The other two people on the workshop were Sue and Cynthia and today Cynthia called round and showed me her progression.  That was the spur I needed and so here is what I have done to date:

This is my first page.  You can hardly see it but it was already stamped with a "This book belongs to ...." and so in scrawly writing I wrote "Phineas Pinchbeck".  That's Phineas on the right.  I love that stamp, I covet it, and my friend Mo has it.  I do wish I could track him down.  I WANT THAT STAMP!  And his friend!

Do you like the fingerprints?  I thought that would make the book look even more old and dirty.

 The second page begins the story of Phineas and his journey.  Originally I stamped lots of travel things on but thought it was too crowded so when my friend Mary sent Chas a birthday card with this train on I decided to steal it (only done that tonight) and block out some of my stamping.  This shows that Phineas is going to travel on various modes of transport when he begins his journey.

On the opposite side there is a torn vellum page with a couple of things stamped on and you can see that the next page has more things on but they are muted with the overlay of vellum.

The third set of pages has some torn out text on which I found by accident but thought it appropriate for he and his lady love saying goodbye as he set off.  You might just about read them (or click on it to expand the picture in another window)

On the right hand side is a small set of pages.  This has been run through the Cuttlebug with the ruler and then inked over.  You can just see the inside right hand page peeking out which has a map of London - showing the road from Paddington to Islington.  The left inside page, which you cannot see, has some luggage stamped on it but I won't upload that one.

That is more or less it.  I have one or two things on other pages but they are not completed as yet and I need to think carefully about my story.

It's been great fun, is going to be even more fun and I am really looking forward to getting to grips with those cogs and wheels and all things Steampunk.

I just wish someone would make a die with small cogs and wheels as I like the look and feel of texture and raised images.