Steampunk Winged Heart

Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you had a fantastic weekend. With Valentine's Day being just a little over two weeks away, I thought it would be fun to create a decoration with a more masculine feel.


I was so excited at CHA to see that the Steampunk movement is still going strong. I adore the mix of metal and gears and this piece has lots of that! I had received Tim Holtz' new Layered Angel Wings die at Christmas, but didn't have a chance to use it. I love the movement it gives this piece - and it's always great to remember that your dies can have more uses than the obvious ones!


Begin by cutting a heart shape from chipboard (I made a template from a sheet of paper and traced it onto the chipboard). Emboss the heart using the Steampunk Texture Fade.


Die cut an assortment of gears from chipboard using the Gadget Gears and Mini Gears dies. Cut wings from chipboard using the Layered Angel Wings die. After die cutting, paint all chipboard pieces with metallic paint as shown. Let dry.


Cover the embossed heart with Studio 490 black embossing paste. Immediately wipe off, leaving some of the paste in the crevices. Repeat with all of the chipboard pieces. Let dry completely.


Trace the heart shape onto a piece of foam core and cut out with a craft knife. Paint the edges with silver paint.


Paint and antique a wood base and dowel in the same way you did the chipboard pieces. Adhere the embossed heart to the foam core and cover edges with copper tape. You can antique it with black paint, if desired.


Now for the fun part! Begin laying your gears out, gluing them down with 3-in-1 glue. Continue to build the layers of gears, raising some with foam tape and adding additional gears.


Adhere the wings to the back side of the heart, using Beacon's 3-in-1 glue, or other strong adhesive. Add the Idea-ology Mini Numerals, Clock Key, and Philosophy Tag as shown.

Drill a hole in the painted base. Adhere die cut gears as shown. Thread a single gear through the dowel and insert into base, securing with glue. Finally, using hot glue, adhere the heart to the dowel.

Looking at this piece, it's hard to believe it's mostly just paper and paint! That's my favorite thing about Sizzix dies - if you can imagine it, there is a die out there that can bring your idea to life. I hope you've enjoyed this project and are inspired to create art for someone you love - or for yourself!
Until next month, 
Shelly

Tim Holtz Sizzix Bigz Die - Layered Angel Wings Tim Holtz Sizzix Bigz Die - Gadget Gears Tim Holtz Sizzix Movers & Shapers Magnetic Die Set 2PK - Mini Gears Set Tm Holtz Sizzix Texture Fades Embossing Folders 2PK - Pocket Watches & Steampunk Set Sizzix Movers & Shapers Accessory: Base Tray Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Machine

InLinkz.com

paint: Ranger Adirondack Dabbers - Silver, Copper, Gold, Pitch Black; Studio 490 Embossing Paste - Black

adhesives: Beacon 3-in-1; foam dots; Ranger Inkssentials Collage Glue Stick

embellishments: Tim Holtz Idea-ology Long Fasteners, Mini Fasteners, Sprocket Gears, Philosophy Tags, Mini Numerals, Clock Key, Mini Gears, Custom Fasteners

other: Copper foil tape, foam core, chipboard, wood dowel, round wood plaque, foam brush, hot glue gun, craft knife

Ready for more ideas on how you can incorporate die cutting projects into your home decor?  Sizzix.com has tons of ideas in our home decor project gallery!  You are sure to find something just right for your space!