Wednesday, April 15, 2015

The Gentleman

Today I am sharing the story of The Gentleman and what awaits behind a raised curtain. This month at SanDee&Amelie's Steampunk Challenge is all about "Raise the Curtain". Let's begin!


The Gentleman comes home and lays his goggles and pocket watch on the table, he looks up at his beloved's portrait knowing he will always keep her in his heart. He then turns with a light step and can not contain the glee he feels as he opens the curtains to his...........



Lab! He knows he is so close to figuring out how he will see his beloved again. His beloved is waiting for him to come home after he finishes inventing his latest creation, the "BopperDopper Dimension De-Tangler". His beloved actually lives between dimensions and they have only met through her dreams. But Alas! He is done and finally they can be together in real time! To be continued......

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I started with an Altoid Tin. I cut some papers to fit the front, back, and insides. 
I used washi tape to line the inside edges, as paper is too thick for the top edges, and the tin won't close properly. 
I then added the front key piece and knob with E6000. I edged the paper with black archival ink. Adding a scrap piece of fabric completed the front. 
Next came the goggles, brooch and frame around the brooch (this is the Gentlemans Beloved "portrait").Then I added the watch and passport to the inside lid. 
 The Lab section was made using bits and bobs from my stash. I made the curtain rod from a small dowel piece that was leftover from a previous project, the dowel was painted black. I used some TH fabric and added small hoops to the top of the fabric to represent the curtain hooks and I love that the curtain can actually open and close. 

The big copper piece in the back lower left corner is from a watch I had that stopped working, so I took its guts out. And of course there has to be a periodic table, every scientist needs one right?

Are you ready to try out this challenge? I bet your head is spinning with possibilities for Steampunk curtains of some sort. What will you come up with? Carpe Diem! Happy crafting! ~Niki



24 comments:

  1. OMG, Niki, your altered Altoid tin is absolutely stunning! So many fabulous details amazingly arranged! I love your little lab especialy the curtain! It is an outstanding steampunk piece of art, my friend!
    Big hugs :)
    Branka xxx

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    1. Oh Branka dearie, you so sweet! Thank you. And big Hugz to you muffin!

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  2. Wonderful altered Altoid tin Niki, such a fantastic story behind your creation, love it! :-) xxx

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    1. Thank you! It is a fun little place to be, in that lab. Hugz!

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  3. Niki This is brilliant! love all your bottles and of coarse the curtain but the periodic table is just a brilliant touch to your lab. x

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    1. Haha! Thanks Dee! I had to add the Periodic table. I am truly a need at heart. Lol! Hugz!

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  4. Wow, what a great transformation, gorgeous!

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  5. Omg Nikki! What a fab piece! Love the curtain. You've given me ideas on how use my small squares of fabric elements. Hugs

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    1. Thanks Nan! Sweet! Love sharing ideas. I bet you come up with something fabulous using your fabric elements!

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  6. This is utterly fab, Nikki! That curtain as well as what's hidden behind it - and altered Altoid tins have never looked better! A brilliant piece! LOVE it!

    Hugs,
    Claudia x

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    1. I have so many Altoid tins I just couldn't resist using one for the SASPC this month! So glad you like it Claudia and thank you! Hugz!

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  7. Amazing Doc!! I can't believe how much detail you squeezed into such a small little space, and it doesn't look forced at all!! An Altoid tin, genius! Love the curtain and your little bottles, such an amazing project, I just adore your creative mind! hugs :)

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    1. Thanks Bubbles! A friend at work is giving me bags of tins so I needed to use it. This seemed like the perfect way to build a little Laboratory! Creative minds abound here in Blogland! Awesome sauce! Hugz to you muffin!

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  8. Oh thank you for the tutorial Niki. I've wanted to do one of the hundreds of tins we have sitting at home but just didn't know "where" to start. Now I have something to follow. And I love that yours is masculine since hubby keeps telling me I should do something with our tins! LOL

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    1. So happy to help out Janine! There are millions of ways to use these little tins. I am going to make my friend a small sewing kit with an Altoid tim, she is a sewing queen and gave me the tins. Can't wait to see what you create for your hubby! Hugz to you muffin!

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  9. Brilliant Niki! The story sucked me right into the lab behind the curtains! Great upcycling of the Altoids tin! Now, I am wondering, will they ever find each other?? Have a beautiful day!
    Maura

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    1. Thanks bunches Maura! So glad you liked the story behind the curtain. We will have to see if they find each other, who knows? :) Hugz!

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  10. I love to watch behind your Lab curtains ! So great transformation of the tin!

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    1. Why thank you hun! It was a fun project and flowed smoothly. Love when that happens! Hugz. ~Niki

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  11. This is pure genius!! I love the little scene you've put into this space and the story to go with! I'm the same when creating pieces I give them history, of how they may have come into being if not being 'made'. hehe. Love your take on the theme.
    huge hugs dear friend,
    Georgie xx

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    1. Thanks bunches dearie Gee! First time I have really had a "story" line with my art but it was a blast and made it more fun to create. Who knew curtains could say so much? Lol! Huge Hugz to you muffin and dear friend! ~Niki

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  12. Wow!!! What a fantastic transformation from Altoids to advanced chemistry kit!!! Blogger never notified me you had a new post?!? Good thing I decided to marvel your blog on my lunch break!!! Love it cupcake!!!

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    1. Thanks Samra! Blogger has been a bit fussy lately, not sure why though. I have so many tins to alter but I had a bout of Artists Block! Aaahhhh! I guess my new space was messing with my head. Lol!

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