Monday, December 5, 2011

Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines...

...is the title of a rather wacky film about a 1910 flight race with an equally zany and like-named theme tune. Taste and childhood aside, I have seen it, and was soon humming the melody whilst creating my new piece for Simon Says Stamp & Show! Monday brings the wonderfully inviting new theme of Elements of Time. From the impending festivities to your favourite memory, just think of how many ways you can play with such a theme. This is what I came up with...
I still had an empty Configurations Box left over from my Houses project and thought it was the ideal candidate for a makeover. With a good dose of Distress Stain and Rock Candy Crackle Paint I was able to create an antique wood effect for my vintage cabinet. I lined the inner box with torn dictionary pages and white-washed them with Picket Fence Distress Stain.

Then the real fun began with bringing these three airborne Gents into being...
This guy is The Head Dandy so he gets to wear the big Wings! Big cheers for Glossy Accents holding them on!!!

I used three of Tim's Pocket Watches tinting them with Alcohol Inks. I inked and stamped each Gent onto white washed paper, glued a length of Ball Chain trim around the edge  with Matt Medium and added off-cuts of Sprockets.
In an ancestral mood, I added three typed words and used a Swivel Clasp to suspend each watch.

I adjusted the chain lengths which is possible with a bit of 'snip and squeeze'... Fiddily, but doable and worth the effort.

I die-cut several Weathered Clocks from Grunge board, coloured them with Distress Stain and Embossing Powder before gluing them onto the back. I wanted differing depths and with patience, super glue and ultra tiny snippets of foam pads I got there!
I made two tiny holes in the inner box top, through one of which I threaded some fine wire. I passed it through the jump ring at the end of each watch chain before going back through the other whole and securing firmly. I staggered the distances and widths to gain more interest and dimension. You will have to do a bit of tweaking to find the right 'hanging' position of each watch. Luckily all the wire and hole work can't be seen because of the outer lid!

I raided my metal stash and came across this odd handle. It was just destined for the top!
Just added a few extra details with inked and sanded Time Pieces, Spinners and a rusty metal corner.
 And finally...a  length of Ruler Ribbon brings some fitting numbers into the picture and you can also see the feet which are just four old drawer knobs. I am loving that crackle effect, but my pot no longer runneth over! I have to say I was amazed at how well everything went and I had a great two days seeing it come together. I hope you can see that there are lots of ways to play with the Elements of Time theme, Idea-ology and your Configgy boxes!
My fabulous Design Team buddies have created some truly wonderful interpretations on this theme. Take a look here! I just love seeing what we all come up with each week and I'm including you in that too! Come on, make a bid for the Top Three and check out that fabulous $50 spree. Ooooh,  just in time to buy yourself a Christmas treat!
So I'm all done. It's high time I legged it! I'm on a mission to crack my deadlines and get busy with a little festive decorating.
(You know... one toe on a table corner, garland hanging from ear, mouth full of drawing pins...left a bit!!!)
Thanks for being here. Wishing you all a really great week.
Sarah.

24 comments:

Gio said...

Sarahhhh, it's one of your best piece ever! ( i know I can tell you everytime :-))

Juls said...

wow this is such a fabulous work of art! Hugs Juls

Nancy Wethington said...

This is so cleverly designed and beautifully executed. I am always in awe of your work.

Crafty Loops said...

Oh my word Sarah, this is truly a masterpiece of steampunk art. I really love it. The pocket watches are amazing and I love the wee feet on the box. Good luck the the festive decorating. Lee x

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Simply fabulous, your creations are always so beautifully put together. Looks a little like a brief case too, and would make a wonderful gift. What a fabulous use for an empty configuration box. I love the finish on the outside of the box, my vintage photo is a little on the green side, it's coming towards the end of the bottle but your piece makes me realise how green mine is. I love your men in their flying machines, very clever idea and the wings are the perfect touch and the lighter background compliments everything so well. A masterpiece Sarah. Tracy x

Candy C said...

Sarah...your magnificent men are just that....magnificent! I LOVE your design and your use of a configuration box! This is just simply brilliant! Your projects are always so fresh and imaginative! And you always make them sound so easy to just throw together...which I know they are NOT! Love Love your work! <3 Candy

Anonymous said...

Wow, how beautiful is that!!!!

Sandy said...

I absolutely love this. Such talent.

jude said...

Wow this is absolutely stunning .love what youve created a beautiful master piece!
hugs judex

Melody (lacyquilter) said...

This is awesome and fabulous all rolled into one!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

This is absolutely over the top cool!!! What creativity you have. Tim needs to see this!!!

Dawn said...

Sarah,
This is just beautiful. I love your use of "found" objects in your art.

Anonymous said...

This is so imaginative and cool. I love those watch cases.

Anonymous said...

I agree, Tim needs to see this. He would be so proud! I love all of your "metal" work. Loved your row of houses and now this fabulous piece. Amazing!!!
Gail Bales
Gail in Oklahoma

Hetty said...

This is awesome! Beautiful all around to every little detail. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Unknown said...

Wow this is an incredible piece Sarah!

france papillon said...

that wood color is so appealing! love how you dressed the box, how you combined the elements and those little words on the pocket wachtes are an awesome finishing touch!

Gillian .... said...

Oooo Sarah, love that film, just watched it the other day in fact. Love the use of the configuration leftovers, the exterior looks so like an old rosewood type furniture piece. LOVE LOVE LOVE The Magnificent Men ... Inspiring. xx

Lori said...

Oh Sarah, this is spectacular! I've been a little remiss in my blog reading, and have missed seeing your inspiration! I love your recent pieces!

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

Very cool project, Sarah! I love the newspaper background and the tape along the bottom!

*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp!

Shoshi said...

Oooh I LOVE this project! What fun, what fun! And what an imaginative take on "those magnificent men in their flying machines" - one of my favourite films! Thanks for sharing.

Neet said...

Oh Sarah - this is fantastic. I just love it. Came on here to go to WOYWW and got side tracked by your side bar. Ab Fab!

Linda M. Cain said...

Simply brilliant!

~Linda

Catherine SIWCZAK said...

amazing piece !