One thing I’ve learned over the past few years is that Art Happens. It truly does. Today I’m kicking off Day Three of the New Craft Stash Blog Hop with some of my crafty friends. We’ve all collected & hoarded craft supplies…come on – I know you’re one of us! Several of us were chatting a few weeks ago and decided – let’s just hop for fun and made the rule that we had to use something new. Now that means – literally new or just new as in it’s been in the drawer for a bit and it’s finally time to break it out! Today I’m using several products just like that…and I can’t wait to show you what I’ve done.
Be sure to hop on to all three days worth of hops. Get inspired to use your “new” stash, leave a comment and be entered for prizes! You’ll have until the 23rd to leave a comment. I’d love to know what new item you’re going to play with next!
Gorgeous Art Happens Tutorial
It’s no secret that I’m in love with mixed media supplies. I love to create simple mixed media projects, AND real mixed media. Well I have a treat for you today. Today’s projects are the result of a fun little gel printing session I had the other day. I wanted to use some of my newer acrylics and some new Stamplorations masks (Art Happens) and word dies. I’ll post a time lapse video later with my entire printing session, so today’s video just showcases the print I made for these two beauties…enjoy!
Click Here to view video in HD on YouTube
What do you think? It’s actually quite fun. When I first started, I’ll admit…I was quite intimidated. But the more I got into that session, and the more art that just literally poured off the plate…I kept saying things like WOW, I can’t believe I just made that and Ooh that’s gorgeous. Seriously…I was quite impressed with myself! And I think I’ll always keep that first fabulous card – cause it literally is one of those where I still say – I can’t believe I made that! You know that feeling, right?
Well, this gel printing session didn’t disappoint. I ended up with 8 art journal pages and 34 prints. Yup! Gel Printing goes so fast, and more you get into the session – little bits are left behind on the plate – Tip: do not clean your gel plate in-between. The work you create will do that for you. Today’s print that I used came about 4/5 prints into the session. Some of the beauty on the print is from prior prints. I love the patina kind of feel. That weathered look that you usually only get with time and exposure to the elements.
Here are the two cards – one is a traditional A2 sized card – and it needs so little to complete it. Just the Gorgeous die, cause…well hello, it’s gorgeous! And a simple little You to complete the sentiment. The die is one of the MANY fabulous word dies from Stamplorations – I am such an addict of Shery Russ dies and stencils – stamps too! She’s got some ah-mazing stuff. She’s a one woman operation, has phenomenal customer service and I swear the woman doesn’t sleep. Want to see her stuff? Click Here and use the code STAMPINGRID for 20% off orders of $15+. Hey, every little bit helps, right?!
The second project uses the mask Art Happens. I have this same sentiment from Stamplorations in a smaller sized die. WAIT till you see the mixed media project coming up using that – it’s a beauty! Using masks in gel printing is a great way to preserve colors in layers and really allow them to pop as in this project. I wanted to emphasize it a bit more, so I outlined it using a Pitt pen and Posca paint pen. I was going for a sloppy look, cause let’s be honest – there’s nothing perfect about monoprinting.
Here’s a funny fact – ask any of my crafty friends who really know me – in card making, perfection is kind of one of my OCD things. Everything has to be lined up right, matted properly, etc…so mixed media nearly gave me convulsions at first. I tried to control everything – until I realized that the magic happens when you let go and just let the art actually happen.
So I hope you’re encouraged to give monoprinting a go. It’s SO relaxing, you’ll have a crazy amount of prints to create cards with, and I know you’ll just fall in love with it like I did. Hey, if this OCD papercrafter can become a mixed media artist – there’s hope for all of us, right?
Thanks for stopping by, be sure to visit all my friends’ blogs on today’s hop, and if you missed the first two days – hop on over to those too. I have the full list below. We have incredible prizes and I’m giving away a prize pack myself! Thanks for joining us on this fun little Summer journey. I hope you’re inspired now that you know Art Happens!
Comment to Win Prizes
We have some amazing sponsors & Prizes:
- Stampscapes – 2 prizes – choice of Nature Sheet Stamp Set ($26.50 value)
- CAS-ual Fridays Stamps – $25 gift certificate
- Catherine Pooler Designs – $25 gift certificate
- Right at Home – $20 gift certificate
- Stamplorations – $20 gift certificate
PLUS….
I’m giving away a prize pack to one lucky commenter from one of my blog posts! So be sure to leave comments on all the blogs – all three days for your chance to win!! Just comment on all the blog hop stops by 7/23/18.
So now it’s YOUR turn to hop along and be inspired by some of my crafty friends. Thanks for taking the time to hang a bit with me today. I’ll be back in a few days with a mixed media project for you. And stop by tomorrow as well – I’ll post that hop list too!
Today’s Hop List – Day Three
- Ingrid Blackburn <— You are here!
- Ardyth Percy-Robb <— Hop here next!!
- Josefine Fouarge
- Tracie Pond
- Nanette Tracy
- Lisa Harrolle
- Justine Hovey
- Susan Powell
- Jennifer Cerizo
Did you miss Day one or Two? Get caught up here:
Day One Blog Hop List:
- Ingrid Blackburn – Yup that’s me with a different post & project!
- Jenny Colacicco
- Ashlea Cornell
- Karen Baker
- Ali Farmer
- Catherine Pooler
- Allison Cope
- Veronica Zalis
Day Two Blog Hop List:
- Melissa Miller
- Tracey McNeely
- Kelly Martin
- Amy Seigler
- Michelle Wallace
- Ilina Crouse
- Maureen Merritt
- Nance Salkeld
- Deepti Stephens
To make finding the supplies I used in these projects a bit easier for you, here are a few clickable links. Compensated Affiliate Links are used when possible. Click here for disclosure. Happy Shopping!
About Ingrid Blackburn
Thank you Ingrid for these 3 days hop, for sharing these two great creations and to give us some hope about our OCD disorders !! 😂 Love from France, Marjorie
[margessw(at)icloud(dot)com]
Gel printing….have never attempted this………………………yet! Thanks for sharing this technique providing inspiration to get stuff out of the craft stash and play!
Very cool. I have been wanting to try this.
Great card! Thanks for sharing with us.
Absolutely beautiful! Thanks!
Love your cards! I know how addicting a gel plate is. I have not used mine in a while but still have so many pages of prints I pulled from the last time (which was about 2 years ago)!!! Thanks for the inspiration. On to the next stop of the hop.
Love your cards! I know how addicting a gel plate is. I have not used mine in a while but still have so many pages of prints I pulled from the last time (which was about 2 years ago)!!! Thanks for the inspiration.
hmm. . . not something i’ve ever been drawn to, and i like your results. 🙂 i have friends who do a lot of this. Art sure does happen, doesn’t it?
Beautiful card! I haven’t played with my gelli plate in a while but there are so many things you can create with them.
Love your cards and the colors! I may have to add a gel plate to my craft supplies! You make it look so easy and fun to create with that technique!
Fantastic cards! Such gorgeous gel prints and you pulled them into cards so expertly. I love the look of gel prints and have purchased a gel plate but haven’t yet played with it. I need to get cracking!
Such amazing cards, love them!
love your background and colors!!!
Wow, amazing work! I love it!!
Beautiful card. Love how you made it.
Wow! another great card, Ingrid. thank you for sharing and being apart of this great Blog Hop. Always a pleasure seeing how talented you are. Have a wonderful day.
Love the mixed media cards. I have gel plates, need to get them out and use them this weekend.
FABTASTIC mixed media cards! I especially love your sentiment on the first card art happens! I also really like that you post videos on creating your cards too!!
Such cool cards.
Beautiful cards! Been wanting to try using a gel plate for awhile now. Watching how you made it all came together looks like so much fun.
Wow, more amazing projects, Ingrid! These are so fantastic! I have never done gel painting. Don’t tempt me at something else I’ll have to buy supplies for! LOL 😀 I love Stamplorations too and have a ton of Sherry’s products. So glad to have been a part of this hop and to see so many amazing things!
It was fun doing it!! I’m glad you played along too Nance! We’ll have to get together and do a little mixed media one day. 🙂
Such great cards!
I’ve seen some videos of monoprinting with a gel plate and this looks like something I’ll want to try. Love the background!
Fabulous card – you have inspired me to get my gel press out again.
Do it – can’t wait to see what you create! 🙂
Great card and love learning what a gel press is.
Love the textures and colors! Enjoying seeing the products people are using along the hop!
Ingrid,
Beautiful cards. Thank you for sharing and using the gel press. I forgot that I even have a gel press. That just makes me wonder what else I am forgetting in my craft space. I guess that is what happens when you are a “collector.”
Amy
I know, right?!!! I’m just as guilty…lol
Absolutely stunning, Ingrid!! Every time I see you use the gel press, I think to myself I need to pull mine out and use them. I’ll definitely put that on my list of things to do once I get moved into my new place in a few weeks and will have an actual craft room finally! Woo Hoo!!!
An actual room – WHOA! Yes you do, I remember your last prints – they were stunning!! 🙂
Yep! No more crafting in the corner of my living room. Can you believe it?! LOL
Mixed media always intimidates me but maybe I’ll give it a go now after watching your video. Thanks for the inspiration Ingrid 🙂
I used to feel the same way till a friend asked me to be on a mixed media challenge team. I was terrified, but once I got going – I have become such an addict. It’s SO theraputic, trust me, you’ll LOVE the process. Trust in it, let go and just let the art happen. You’ll be so happy that you did. 🙂
awesome cards and techniques:)
Loving the gel press prints! I was afraid to have a go…. until I took it in for my class at school. 32 fab gel prints in a little over two hours. It was quite a production line- but to hear 7 year olds saying that’s so cool was a joy to hear.
On another note I tried to comment on Amy’s blog yesterday but couldn’t. Has anyone else had a problem?
How cool is that! I bet that was a FUN class. 🙂 I always recommend clearing your cache, trying a different web browser or rebooting. Or maybe your system needs an update. That’s usually the culprit. Hope that helps! 🙂
It’s been ages since I played with m gel plate … perhaps that should be the next thing I use! But I do have quite a number of new stamps too. So many stamps … so little time!
Really neat cards. Love the colors.
Such a great card. I love using my Gelli plate..
Thanks so much for sharing…
YOU MADE GEL PRINTING LOOK FUN AND FAIRLY EASY! THANK YOU!
Oh that makes me SO happy!!! It really is, just let yourself go, use some paint, layer and before you know it…and hour later you’ve got 40 prints to use in projects – it’s so MUCH fun!! 🙂
That’s really cool! I’ve seen this before but haven’t tried my hand at it yet. Now I think I might have to!
Wow! Wonderful pieces of art!!! Great colouring!!!
These are great! I’ve never tried this gel printing…looks interesting and different every time!
Karen, it’s really a ton of fun – get outside your comfort zone and just try. SO worth the experience. 🙂
Oh those cards are so pretty. That is so interesting how that turned out
you really make me want to pull out my gel plate, gorgeous card.
Definitely share what you create – I’m going to post the video of the other upteen million more prints I made tomorrow (hopefully)…
Love your cards! And that reminds me… I have a Gelly Press pad that I bought some time ago and HAVE NOT OPENED! lol….
What are you waiting for Debbie…RUN – that’s the whole point of this hop – getting out the things we forgot or actually just playing with the new! 🙂
Absolutely fascinating video. These cards turned out beautiful Ingrid!
It’s so much fun – you’d love doing it Lisa. It’s unreal the amount of stuff you create so quickly! 🙂
A gel press has been on my wish list for a long time and this just makes me want one even more. When you pulled the large piece off the gel press I thought you should frame it and hang it on your wall as is and then you made cards that are so cool! LOVE this Ingrid!!!
Too funny Susan, I came CLOSE to putting it in a frame with other stuff on it…lol! You have got to get one – you’ll LOVE it. 🙂
Love this! I need to work on creating layers with my plate!!
I’m always trying to explore how to create more and more. Just do! 🙂
This is such a fun hop! Thank you for stepping outside your box and for sharing monoprinting.
I love your pretty cards! The colors and texture look so unique and fresh!
Love how your prints came out. Inspiring me to get out the gel plate and try this process again.
Oh definitely do Elyse – it’s theraputic! 🙂
Love this process, your cards & results! Thank you for sharing!
My what a card and the steps involved. Great job. Lovely display.