Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Steampunk Tic-Tac-Toe

How does Steampunk and Tic-Tac-Toe fit together you may wonder? Well we've done it over at SanDee&Amelie's Steampunk challenge. Pick a row (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal) from the board below and create anything you would like as long as it is Steampunk(ish).



We have not 1 but prizes to give away for this challenge. The lovely Retro Kraft Shop, La Blanche and Irish Teddy's are our sponsors. Awesome sauce right? You have to join in to win! 

I used the middle vertical row: Top hat - Metal - Rust. 


If you want the template for the hat and a total step by step on how to create the structure click HERE

This is what I started with: beautiful right? 


I cut all my crafters foam and glued it together, then gave it a coat of gesso.


 I then started dry embossing metal foil tape. I used alcohol ink in Pool and Rust along with some generic black ink. Note to self: only use real alcohol ink as the generic black ink kept coming off on my fingers (I fixed this by painting all the foil tape with DecoArt Matte Varnish). I then traced all the panels on the metal foil tape and cute it out while leaving the backing on the foil tape

A lot of the metal foil tape ended up in the trash due to operator (me) error. Oops. Anyway, once the varnish was dry I applied each panel to the top and sides of my hat. 

It was a process but I get 'er done! I outlined all the panels with a black marker to hide the white. Now I am not sure why I painted it white in the first place. Hehehe!

The middle panel was done with a clock embossing folder and I added TH clear crackle to it just for fun. You can see that panel better in the very first picture.

The left side of the hat was embellished with a Create light bulb, film strip, feathers, and half of a gear that was inked with the AI and stamped with a script stamp.

The gears for the top of the hat are Cheery Lynn dies that I painted with a silver metallic paint and added LSG sprays to. 

Hats are really hard to photograph so please excuse the random seeming angles. If anyone has a neat trick to photographing odd shaped art, please let me know. :)
I do so hope you enjoyed this post. And for further enjoyment I have added some lovely pictures of my hat being modeled by some gorgeous and handsome models. These models work for Milk Bones so I was able to reserve them for future posts and modeling gigs as well. 

My Husky, Nanook, modeling my hat. I think he is giving me the "eye"

The new puppy, Keen, wondering how this hat got on his head. :)
Hopefully you have many ideas swirling around in your creative minds and join in with all the fun!  Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to your sweet comments, it sure does brighten my day! Hugs and Carpe Diem! ~Niki

I would really love to share this mini top hat with:




44 comments:

  1. Fabulous Niki and very funny, my dog has also a steampunk hat
    and wears it regularly ;-)

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    1. Thanks Kerstin! I think we dog people put hats on our fur babies all the time. Or funny glasses. Hehe!

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  2. FAB-U-LOUS! I love when you make your hats and this one is probably the best with all those steampunk inspired embellishments. I must say that while the dogs look cute in the hat, I feel for them - mean Mommy embarrassing them like that. :) I think I might channel my inner steampunk and play in this challenge.
    Hugs!
    Cec

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    1. I bribed my models with Milk Bones and peanut butter Cec, lol. It was a hilarious mess for a moment only because peanut butter ended up on the cats head and the dogs kept trying to lick her. Lol. Good thing they all get along so well. I do hope you join in with some Steampunk action this month! Hugz to you muffin!

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  3. Fantastic hat!!! I love your steampunk hats, any version you have done so far!!

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    1. Ohhh, you are so sweet Samra-cakes. I shall make a gargoyle one some day! Or skull and crossbones? Hugz to you muffin!

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  4. Nanook and Keen are just perfect models for your wonderful piece of art, Niki. I can't believe that metal foil. It looks like real thick metal the way it becomes one with the foam.

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    1. Thanks J9! They sure we're good sports about wearing the hat. Lol! So glad you like the hat. :) Hugz!

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  5. Amazing hat created with lot of fantasy. It looks very decorative. So sweet your dogs wearing your hat. They look very relaxed.
    Dearest greetings
    Sabine

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    1. That is awesome you picked up on the fantasy side of this creation. :) Thanks bunches Sabine!

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  6. Stunning steampunk hat, Niki! I love all of your hats but this one is my favorite! Thank you so much for the tutorial! I am really inspired and I think I am going to play in this awesome challenge! I adore that metal grungy look and your fantastic design! Outstanding piece of art, my friend!
    Huge hugs :)
    Branka xxx

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    1. Aww shucks Branka, you made me blush. Hehe! I would love to see your creation for this challenge! Can't wait to see it! Hugz to you muffin!

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  7. Wow Niki I have got to say your hat has blown me away the colours and the fact that you have managed to get your dogs to model them inspired. x

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    1. Oh wowzers! That is such a sweet comment Dee! Thank you very much. :)

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  8. HOLT SMOKEROONIES!!! This is freaking awesome Doc! You make the most wonderful steampunk projects, this is just incredible! The design, the metallics, the hounds tooth textures, and the skill it takes to make a project like this perfectly balanced...well, let's just say I'm blown away but not surprised! You rock girl, love this to bits!! hugs :)

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    1. You make me laugh Bubbles! I wasn't too sure how this would turn out but am really thrilled with the results. It was one of those crazy experiments that turned out okay. Hugz to you muffin!

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    2. Oh, Pamellia, your exclamation just made me hoot! :O!

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  9. So fabulous, Niki - the glow of the colours on the metallic surfaces and all that fabulous texture... and I love your models!
    Alison xx

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    1. My models really made this piece come to life. And they were such sweet models! :) Thank you kindly Alison!

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  10. WOWSERS!!! This is so cooooool! Can you make them in my size? I would totally wear a hat like that!!!

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    1. Thank you Bibi! My husband just asked the same thing. I may have to look into making a larger one. :)

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  11. Oh, in all my eagerness I forgot to say that your dogs are super cute!! ♥

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    1. My pups are cute right? I am a bit biased though and love em so much!

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  12. This is just sooooo amazing, Niki!

    Your top hat is absolutely brilliant and it suits your doggie so well! lol
    Love that you made your own top hat - wow!
    And all the texture and metal sheen is just perfect! Pure eye candy!


    Hugs,
    Claudia xxx

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    1. Haha! Thanks bunches Claudia! The template was so worth the $5 I spent to get a hat template. Love making these! Hugz!

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  13. I love your hats - they are super cool!! And I love your models for it too! You have such an eye for making these hats and I love that you shared your process xx

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    1. Thank you Gee, for the sweet words. I try to do things outside the box, if ya know what I mean. Hugz to you muffin!

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  14. Absolutely brilliant make,love it!

    Thanks for joining us at MMW too and good luck!
    Hugs
    Donna DT xxx

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  15. Absolutely stunning Niki...the dogs look a treat in the top hat which is fantastic..love the colours and textures...brilliant.

    luv CHRISSYxx

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    1. Haha! I agree with you Chrissy! My dogs are very good sports. Hehe!

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  16. Niki, your top hats are the bomb diggity!! I've admired them all, so cool! This one...awesome!! and the photos of the hat on your dogs is precious, they have a lot of patience, or you are very quick with the camera, lol!

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    1. Thanks bunches Maura! I do believe they have patience, lots of patience because I am not so good with a camera. Lol!

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  17. Wowzers! This is fantastic! Love your steampunk hat! I really enjoyed reading about the process of creating it and the final result is a pure perfection! Thank you for sharing it with us at Mixed Media World! Ingrid x

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    1. Why thank you Ingrid. These hats are just such fun to create and design. :) Hugz.

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  18. I know, I know, I am SO late to the party! I've a million and one excuses, but let's just say it was SO worth the wait for me! Punkin', your hats are just fabulous and this one really takes the cake! I love the colors and those perfect embellishments! I can just see Halloween top hats for everyone! I am so inspired to give this a whirl in the future! And I have to say your post is very entertaining, too, and your furry models are so underpaid. Keen looks as if he is totally embarrassed! My daughter is always putting hats and glasses on Roger, who by the way says that he would love to parade around in a Niki original! You are one talented Steampunkster, my dear! Congrats on your Designer's Favorites spot at Mixed Media World--your hat is certainly deserving. I'm off to personal message you right now. Love and hugs!

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    1. Thank you dear Sara! I am actually making a hat for Halloween for a friend. Lol! I bet Roger would look good it a hat with lots of feather on it. Now my brain is thinking of the possibilities. lol. I got your message and thank you! Big Hugz to you muffin!

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  19. Wow...how cool is that Top Hat...absolutely stunning Niki...I love it...looks great on the dog,lol...
    Thank you for joining us over at Rhedd's Creative Spirit...xx

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    1. Haha! Thanks Sandie! These hats are a blast to design and create. :) My dogs are good sports about helping with my art. Lol Hugz!

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  20. Wowsers this is gorgeous - I have a couple of these myself but not tried steampunk - tis fabulous hun
    Thank you for sharing with us over at Rhedd's Creative Spirit this month and hope to see you again in future challenges.

    Handcrafted by Ellapu
    Mother Hen for Altered Eclectics
    Mother Hen for Eclectic Ellapu
    DT Rhedd's Creative Spirit
    DT The Mirror Crack'd
    DT Anything but a Card

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  21. I came here this morning to tell you how much it made me laugh to see the tic tac toe had a top hat and you LITERALLY did one - eheheheheh - LOVE it Niki - and it's BETTER than the BEST. Wow. Wow. Wow. What an INCREDIBLE creation. WOW. And then I got caught up in seeing so many other wonderful creations you have done since this one... I just couldn't stop. I absolutely ADORE your artwork. For sure, for sure, for sure!!! j.

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  22. So amazing and very, very cool - awesome colors too. Nanook and Keen look quite handsome!

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