It was EPIC! 2014 Steampunk Soiree

I was fortunate enough to be able to attend Epic Paper Arts 2014 event, the Steampunk Soiree.  This 3+ day event was held at the end of July-beginning of August in the Washington DC area.  It was an event put on by Kathryn Krieger (Kathryn Scraps), Jim Hankins (The Gentleman Crafter) and Kathy Orta (Paper Phenomenon), who each designed a project especially for the Soiree and then taught us how to make them.

There was so much more than the projects - the Steampunk theme carried through the event with themed hats one night, "fascinators"  and a gala costume event where the creativity of the costumes was unbelievable.  There was face painting, a themed photo booth and a cake by Charm City Cakes.
There were many terrific sponsors who provided goodies for the event.  The support staff was awesome and made this a really great time for all!

Of course one of the best things about an event like this is getting to meet so many people who share a common interest.  The Soiree was just the right size so that friendships could be made and conversations held with the Kathy, Kathryn and Jim both individually and in small groups.

Now on to the projects...
Several months before the Soiree a hint about the projects was posted - it was a Faberge egg.  I didn't know quite what to make of it but once I saw the projects I got it - they all had intricate designs on the outside and opened to even more awesomeness inside.

All of the projects featured Graphic 45's Steampunk Debutante paper, incredible chipboard designs by Blue Fern Studios enhanced with gold Mega Flakes by Indigo Blu, Prima embellishments and Tim Holtz hardware.  They each were based on a different size cylindrical papier mache box.

So here they are in their closed states - from left to right...

• Kathryn's "Radical Revolution"

• Jim's "All Geared Up" 

• Kathy's project