Hunkydory Steampunk Seahorse.

You just wouldn't believe how Marc and I went backwards and forwards and upside down on this project ..........

It was part of a review I was asked to do for Hunkydory, and in an effort to step outside my comfort zone I asked if I could "have a play" with their MDF Steampunk grab bag (which I don't think is available on their site at the moment). 

 ........ which I thought would also work with their  cogs and wheels embossing folder  https://www.hunkydorycrafts.co.uk/embossing-folder-cogs-gears.html

Marc and I started with the background, embossing metal sheet (Paperchase £2.50) which really worked well.

Spookily Marc had bought a couple of packs of  LaBlanche industrial puffy stickers with him .......

......... the drainpipes, joints and screw heads worked perfectly to frame the embossed metal which we had glued onto a shaped wooden plaque (The Works) .........

....... which we covered with black paper and simply aged for a leathery effect using DecoArt One Step Crackle with again very pleasing results. 

However it was with the seahorse when things didn't gel so well ....... 

We tried so many things to make it work. In the end I coloured the body and details with gold and blue nail art pens and then tried adding some rub on foil to the head and tail, but it just jarred with the both of us and looked pants. 

In the end, frustrated I just left it all in the drawer for a couple of months waiting for inspiration, then Marc remarked that I hadn't posted anything about it.  We both agreed that the problem had been that the tail had been left plain with no design etched into it and as a result it has been hard to find anything that seemed fit there.

However, with Marc's words ringing in my ears I returned home and decided to tackle the seahorse again ....... this time limiting myself to using the contents of two wheels of metal nail embellishments from Poundland.

I am afraid in doing so I have all but lost the steampunk theme with each tiny embellishment I added.

........ but, I think it works and it is finally finished. I think perhaps Marc will now be presented with it as a lasting momento of a very frustrating afternoon and following evening we spent together trying to get it right!