Imagination Steampunk Card with Handmade Flowers: New Collection!

Hello, G45’ers!  It may be the last day of April on the calendar, but it’s the first day of Sneak Peek Week on the Graphic 45 Blog!  Today through May 2nd, G45 will be revealing the Spring Release Collections.  I’ve had a sneaky peek and I know you are going to be super excited, too.  Lucky me!  I received a few pages of the new Imagine collection last week, and went to work making samples for the reveal party.  This Imagination Steampunk Card uses gorgeous papers and Ephemera Cards along with two of the new G45 Dies.  Let’s take a peek, shall we?

The color palette and images in this collection are inspiring!  It’s as though A Ladies’ Diary bumped into Steampunk Debutante, and Imagine was the result.  This is a softer, more feminine version of steampunk and I found it super fun to work with.

Imagination Steampunk Card: The Clock Focal

I am loving the vintage clock face paired up with this collection. The Square Tag and Clock Dies are fast becoming a “go to” item in my workbasket.  This time, I cut the doily frame from a pearlized bronze cardstock.  Then I cut the clock face from a soft floral pattern from the collection.

Each layer is raised up with dimensionals to give the clock a strong presence in the design.  The center dial is cut from one of the gear corners on the signature page.

And if you love butterflies, you are going to swoon over the gorgeous ones found in this collection.  I fussy cut quite a few, layered them up and added them all the way around the perimeter of the clock.

I’m finding lots of good ways to use the lovely little flourish from the Square Tag and Clock Dies, too.  These corner accents really help tie everything together as well as anchor the design.

The sentiment panel is made from one of the cut apart panels on the border strip page.  I matted this on kraft cardstock.  Then I backed it with waste chipboard to add height.  Finally, I fussy cut the “Imagination” plaque from a second panel, matted it on dimensionals and matched it up carefully.  I love the dimension and simplicity this adds.

Imagination Steampunk Card: The Handmade Flowers

I finally had a chance to play with the G45 Large Tag, ATC Tag and Flowers Metal Dies.  Oooh la la!  Look at these fun steampunk posies!  I cannot get over how beautifully these dies cut through G45’s heavy papers!  One pass through and you’re done!  I added button centers, some Prills and custom dyed seam binding ribbon.

By the way…did you know you can use G45 Decades Dye Ink Pads to custom color ribbon?  Here’s how I did it:

• First, smoosh the ink pad on your non stick kraft sheet, glass mat or other non-porous surface.
• Next, mist the ink with water until droplets begin to form.
• Now, dip and scrunch white seam binding ribbon into this inky pool until it is all soaked up and well distributed.
• Set aside to dry naturally, or if you are impatient (like me) gently heat dry.

I used Decades Precious Pink to color this ribbon, and it’s a perfect match for the papers.  You’ve gotta love that!

Imagination Steampunk Card: A Peek Inside

The ephemera cards from this collection are soooooo gorgeous!  These are the back sides, if you can believe it!  I’m in love!

Imagination Steampunk Card Supply List

Graphic 45 Supplies

• Imagine 12×12 Collection
  • Imagine
  • Spread Your Wings
  • Castles in the Air
  • Adventure Beckons
  • Create Yourself
  • Beautiful Dreamer
  • Futuristic Fantasy
• Imagine Ephemera Cards
• Square Tag and Clock Metal Dies
• Large Tag, ATC Tag and Flower Dies
• Decades Precious Pink Dye Ink

Other Products: A Penny Saved Prills, Seam Binding Ribbon, Kraft Cardstock, 1.5″ circle punch, Bronze Metallic Cardstock, Copper Brad

I hope I’ve shared some tips, trick and ideas that you can use in your own paper crafting adventures.  I’d love to hear your thoughts and reactions to this gorgeous new G45 collection.  Please share with me in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy