Be different – Make amazing PAPER NAPKIN CARDS with a Gelli Plate

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Paper Napkin Cards aren’t what they used to be. Have you ever used napkins or other frail papers in your art? Ever had the thinnest of papers fall apart on you? Tear as you separate them?

I’m just a girl (got gwen stefani stuck in your head now?) who LOVES that look you can get from a Gelli Arts® Gel Plate – (affectionately called Gelli Plate), a brayer, acrylic paints and a few stencils. Seriously – if you’ve never tried printing with a Gelli Plate, or used paper napkins on cards, keep reading…

I’m not talking about your everyday prints. I’m talking about those layered prints, that have the positive, negative and a whole lotta grungy colored goodness going on. So what in the world does that have to do with Paper Napkins you might ask? Well, let me start at the beginning…

Paper Napkin Cards

A few weeks ago I showed in this video exactly how I make cards quickly using the top layer of paper napkins. I always find paper napkin patterns that I LOVE. It’s become a little bit of an addiction. And forget about it around the holidays….that’s a great idea by the way…a stack of Christmas Cards made from an inexpensive pack ($3 for 80 focal images!) of Paper Napkins! It’s a no-brainer…

That video shows just how easy it is to make cards from a pack of paper napkins. Spoiler alert – they don’t even use adhesive to make the panels! Now you REALLY want to see how to make cards from paper napkins, huh?

Almost always, you’re only going to use the top layer for cards. That means that you are usually left with 2 blank layers unused. I told my youtube subscribers that I’d have some fun ideas for what to do with those left over layers, and that’s where we’re at today!

So, since today we’re making happy cards, I thought why not make THREE for you! The first two use layer 2 & 3 from the napkin – you know, the left over pieces.

I have a video coming on my youtube channel in the next few weeks, and you’re getting a sneak peek at the final projects. Are you a subscriber? If so, definitely tell me in the comments!

Here’s a little something to help you GET inspired and GET creating today with your gel plate.

If you want to know how to use one…I’ve got a great how to use a gelli plate video here and this one shows a fun multi layered print that showcases 11 ways to improve your card design.

The Prints

Now you’re going to need the unprinted layers from when you separated your napkin – it’s okay if they have some ghost imaging on them. I’m going to show you two ways of getting some COOL pieces for your cards and mixed media projects.

If when making your cards, you run up against needing an easy way to separate the layers, I have a way to do that. It’s quick, easy and works every time. And the video is only 2 minutes…even better:

CLICK HERE to watch in HD on YouTube

Now that you have your layers separated, our first two projects use white, plain, layers. This is perfect for those prints that still have a ghost image on them too.

Did you subscribe to my youtube channel? I post weekly videos on a variety of card making and mixed media projects. Hope you pop by!

For these two Paper Napkin Layers, you’ll need to create a fun pattern on your gel plate with whatever medium you want. I used a Gelli Arts® Gel Plate, a Brayer, Acrylics, stencils and items that create texture – like the above one – large bubble wrap.

Don’t leave your napkin down too long, pull your print right away. Be careful, as it’ll be wet and napkins can tear easily. This one below tore. To fix it, I adhered it next to each other. It ended up creating this cool torn look.

Notice the cool texture from the napkins? The pattern from the embossed edge? I’m telling you – it’s the COOLEST textured look.

And you don’t need anything complex for a sentiment. I used some go to sentiments like the ones from the stamp set Fluttering Friends.

Custom Gloss Spray Prints

For the third project, get a little creative and create your own papers – who needs to buy those?!! USE WHAT YOU HAVE. First up, try stamping with your favorite background image in archival ink on the napkin layers or tissue paper.

I had the need to be a little creative for about 20 minutes one day. Look at all these you can create! I used LOTS of backgrounds by Catherine Pooler, some Unity stamps (see those flying keys…love a good nod to Harry Potter) and a few other favorite stamps.

This way, when you need something interesting for a project, you have a cool stash. Best part, you’re using what you already have – doesn’t get better than that! Isn’t that cottage garden background by Catherine amazing!

For this project, I thought it would be fun to use one of my favorites (not pictured above) – Rondi’s Window Background Stamp. I love this background stamp. You can create some of the most gorgeous cards with this stamp. Now, I got a little creative here, and didn’t use a gelli plate! GASP!

Instead, I thought it would be fun to break out some of my new Dina Wakely Gloss Sprays and see how well they color fragile papers. Isn’t that tie dye effect just gorgeous?!! I love that hello die by Catherine Pooler, it’s the perfect compliment to backgrounds!

And speaking of the PERFECT compliment. Like those super THIN stripes? That’s the single best background stamp you could EVER own! It’s by The Ton and Effie outdid herself on that one. They are thin, perfectly thin and the best compliment to any background. Enough to hold interest, yet not steal the show.

Hope you enjoyed those!!

The Happy Hop

It’s been quite an interesting few months, and we all have been cooped up in our homes! A few companies decided that we all need a little joy and happiness.

Can you believe there are 146 stops on the hop – seriously…can you believe THAT?!! Crazy, right?

Be sure to hop on next to the incredibly talented Kevin Bray Here!

Happy hopping, be sure to subscribe to my youtube channel for weekly inspiration, and stay safe!

Filed Under: Blog Hop, Brayer, Mixed Media, Techniques, Uncategorized, Videos Tagged: , , ,

7 Ways to Use Gelatos

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7 ways to use gelatos

Gelatos by Faber-Castell, are powerfully pigmented creamy sticks that pack a punch. Do you have some sitting in a drawer or in a bin somewhere? My hope is that you will be inspired to break out those awesome pigmented creamy sticks and get creating. Here are 7 Ways you can use Gelatos on your projects!

Let’s dive right in!!

I have three amazing projects to share with you today. To get started, you’ll want to spread some gesso onto an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of white cardstock. For gelatos to spread properly, they need a base to spread easily. Without that, it can be a challenge!

If you haven’t already – please subscribe to my newsletter (you’ll get an exclusive video series), instagram, youtube channel, and blog (subscribe in the sidebar on the right)!!

I filmed a video for you, but have each one detailed below as well in photos and instructions. Be sure to leave me a comment on the youtube channel too with which one you loved the most!

Click here to watch over on YT.

#1 – Gelato Blending Technique

Our first Gelatos technique is the most basic of them all – blending. You will want to choose colors that go well together and scribble them all over your paper – no need to worry about being neat – the water and that ever so special tool (your fingers) will do all the heavy lifting!

A tool that helps with blending Gelatos is the Ranger spritzer. You will first want to mist your surface lightly by squeezing quickly on your Ranger Spritzer. To blend those amazing colored pigments together, use your fingers or a damp towel, to get the coverage you love. Dry with a heat tool, or set aside and cut up into a few card fronts. I split mine in 1/2 – 5.5 x 8.5. For the card fronts, I cut one into two, and one I cut into a 5″ square and 3.5 x 5.5 with a 1/2″ strip left over. That will give you 4 backgrounds to create with – not bad!

gelato blended backgrounds

#2 – Disappearing Gelato Technique

Next, line up your favorite stencil over one of your panels. I’m using the Quadrilaterals Stencil by AALL & Create which has some great space to work with. Grab a Baby Wipe or wet paper towel and twist your wipe through the stencil to wipe away the color – what?!!

Yes, you’re going to remove the gelatos color easily through your stencil. The key – keep alternating to a clean spot on your wipe/towel. I intentionally only removed the color in spots, to give an organic look to my project. The end result gives you an artsy stenciled look!

baby wipe gelatos technique

Add some splatters and edge your piece and all that’s left is to mat it onto a base and use a simple word die. Don’t take away from the background – the disappearing gelatos piece is the star!

#3 – Gelato Colored Paste Technique

Did you know that you can shave off some pigments and do loads of techniques with them?!! Here’s just one of many – Coloring Paste. Now keep in mind – you can do this with just about any medium too!

Use a palette knife to scrape off some pigment (a little goes a long way) and mix with some white embossing paste and a palette knife. Mix your gelatos and paste thoroughly. I mixed four gelato colors, each with a tiny amount of paste. Add each color, a small amount at a time, directly through the stencil with a palette knife.

tinting mediums with gelatos

In this project, you’ll notice that I intentionally left some spots without paste. That was so that the rockin’ background can shine through. It makes for some interesting breaks in your project.

Try overlapping your colors a bit too – that creates new ones! Just keep the color wheel in mind – leave complimentary colors apart – blue/orange, red/green, etc… Doesn’t that look stunning through the Quadrilaterals Stencil?!!

stenciling mediums with gelatos

Again, a simple word die and some fun matting and you’re all set. Now I did stamp the Eclectica Tracy Scott 25 stamp set onto the card base in embossing ink and embossed it in Wanderlust Embossing Glitter for a little interest. To keep adding a little sparkle, highlight the awesome word die with a sparkle pen.

#4 Gelato Dripping Technique

This technique is probably a fan favorite of many! You can try this on plain or colored backgrounds. I decided to add more of the same to one of the existing panels. Keep color theory in mind, when using this technique. Gelatos have fugitive properties, so try and stay away from complimentary colors in order to avoid making mud.

Here’s the skinny – rub some gelatos at the top of your panel – nice and concentrated. Spritz or add water with a paint brush and watch the drips!! It’s a very cool look.

The dripping technique gave an awesome depth to the background of our third project – a real mixed media card. This is just he beginning!!

gelatos dripping backgrounds

#5 Gelato Layering Technique

One of the properties of Gelatos is that it is always live and reactive. To set them, you’ll need to seal it. You can use a spray, or if you’d like to flex your mixed media muscles a bit – try matte medium! Pour a little over your background to set those colors.

This helps in two ways – one locks that colored goodness in place, and two – you can layer ANY colors on top of each other!! To use Matte Medium – drip a little onto your project and carefully spread with a palette knife or silicone spatula. Be careful not wipe all that colored goodness away – you are adding a liquid to it! You will find that it is better to start with a little of the matte medium in one place, just until you get the hang of using it. You want only a thin layer. Dry naturally, or with a heat tool.

how to seal gelatos

Gelatos are vibrant in color. To allow the second layer of color to pop, you will need to first lay down a layer of white gelato to give your second layer a neutral base. I used Coconut as a white base underneath a few pops of color in my second layer. I added purple right onto yellow and blue right over orange – normally that would be a muddy mess. Not with Gelato layering!!

That brings us to #6…

#6 Gelato Stenciling Technique

Since Gelatos are SO super creamy and pigmented, I like to avoid rubbing them directly onto my stencil. That way too much pigment doesn’t get stuck in the nooks and crannies of my stencil. Instead, use a makeup sponge!

Scribble some gelato pigment onto your craft mat or a palette and sponge through your stencil onto your project. This way you have a smooth application and can be quite deliberate in where you want to add color. On your Mixed Media card – add a little Stardust, Galaxy and Blue Moon for a nice little accent in both corners. The Quadrilaterals Stencil adds a little lattice look to the corners, don’t you think?

stenciling with gelatos

I love the dark popping off the bright base. None of which would show up without locking the layers and adding the white underneath.

#7 Gelato Coloring Technique

And last, but certainly not least, add color to all your embellishments with Gelatos! A unique way to add color to an embellishment, is to stamp your piece in Archival ink onto Tissue Paper and use the gelatos to color from behind!

On tissue paper, the gelatos blended super easily. No need for Gesso. Add as much pigment as you’d like – you want it to pop from the other side. I added Aqua Dolce, Nebula and Blue Moon for a fun blue flower. The background has some good orange tones from blending the Blood Orange Gelato over Guava. Can you see the Blood Orange drips on the left side? The blue would be the perfect pop to the project in a complimentary color…

coloring tissue paper with gelatos

To help the blue flower pop even more, hold your fussy cut flower onto your project, lift the edges, and add a little white gelato underneath. Seal the stenciled corners and white flower with some matte medium, giving your flower a base to grab onto. Add matte medium over the top too and dry your entire piece.

Pulling it All Together

To complete your flower, add a little Pistachio green for some leaves and rub it into shape with your fingers. Next add some black charcoal pencil for shading, rub in with your finger, and add some Black Big Brush Pen accents too. Rub and add white where needed. Add a little matte medium over your green leaves and add some finishing touches.

For a sentiment, I used a sticker from Small Talk collection by Tim Holtz Ideology. To help it to stand out, edge your sticker with a Pitt Pen. I love the end result, and now I want to create a two page spread like this in my art journal – it’s TOO pretty!!

Mixed Media Cards using Gelatos

Whoever receives this card in the mail, is certain to cherish it.

Which of the 7 Ways to Use Gelatos is your favorite? Have you tried any? Tell me in the comments!! I’d love to know which projects you liked too! Want to see more with Gelatos?

Did You Know?

I popped all the supplies I used in the list below. This post was written for a fun hop celebrating Top Flight Stamps and their 2nd anniersary. Have you had a chance to check out Topflight Stamps yet? If you have not checked it out yet, then you MUST pop over. It’s one of the best collections of artsy stamps and stencils I’ve seen.

Topflight Stamps differs from most online retailers. You will find an incredibly diverse collection of artistic stamp products from around the world – all under one roof. Don’t you just love the two products I used today, and hope you enjoyed seeing a few ways you too could use them!

7 ways to use Gelatos - easy techniques

But first, keep hopping along. Be sure to leave comments all along the way. There are some INCREDIBLE crafters in this hop – seriously – I’m so honored to have been asked to be a small part of it. So thanks for hanging with my novel of a post. If you haven’t already – please subscribe to my newsletter, blog (subscribe in the sidebar on the right), instagram and youtube channels!!

Till next time, keep those fingers inky…

Blog Hop List

Supplies

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!

Filed Under: Flowers, Mixed Media, One Layer Card, Stencils, Techniques, Uncategorized Tagged: , , , ,

Butterflies and Remembering a Good Friend

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Our crafty world is such an amazing, inspiring and wonderful community. I’m blessed to have been a part of this community since 1994, and online since 1998. Over the years, I have gotten to know thousands of you, made more friendships than I can count and every now and then actually get to meet and know people in person. So many of us participate as watchers, teachers, and friends. Earlier this month, we suddenly lost one of those crafty spirits, Melissa Lane. Melissa inspired us, motivated and taught us how to pull the best out in what we do – usually in an unexpected and colorful way.

I had the first got to know Melissa as a team mate on the Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge Team and then really well on the Mixed Media Team. I was living in the Black Forest in Germany at the time, and was shocked that on a world wide team put together by Kylie Purtell, a few of my team mates lived just 45 minutes from me. Isn’t it funny, that in this big huge world – three of us were so close in geographically? Especially put together by a leader who lived in Australia, and two of us being American and living in a foreign country!

Melissa, Tanya Kabel & myself vowed one day to get together to flex our crafty muscles to just stamp with a friend. In this day and age, we all get to know about each other from blogs, instagram, facebook and youtube accounts – but when do you actually get to stamp LIVE and in person? I was no longer alone!! Sadly, Tanya ended up not being to make it that day, but Melissa and I had the rare opportunity to spend the entire day crafting, chatting and we even had dinner together with the family. It truly was a perfect day.

You can’t go empty handed, right? I brought my famous apple/raspberry German crumb cake for the family, since I towed all my craft supplies along with me like a little kid just excited to play with a good friend…lol. I think I had all my stencils (I had quickly been accumulating several Artplorations stencils), a gel plate, acrylic paints, nearly all my stamps, inks and anything else I could think of with me.

Melissa quickly grabbed my gel plate, and made several backgrounds with this very mask I used today. I remember borrowing it and she borrowed several of my stencils that she didn’t have as she was new on the Stamplorations Design Team – and I seemed to have almost all of them…lol. We ink blended, watercolored, got out the pastes and were just two kids in a candy store showing each other our favorite techniques and playing with mediums. We very quickly made a mess in her cute little crafting corner of the house – and the kids kept peeking in on us to see what we were creating. It was SO much fun.

I had also brought several cards with me, and we flipped though each others little works of art, don’t you just love doing that? Cards after all look SO much better in real life than in a photo. We took a break, walked through the garden, talked about art, and I became mesmerized with her father’s gorgeous watercolor artwork. Later we enjoyed a fabulous dinner, made by her beautiful family. Shortly thereafter, I moved back to the states, so we didn’t get a chance to stamp together again, but we remained good friends for years.

Melissa was not just an incredible artist, but she was a Christian, a military wife to her high school sweetheart Chris, loved homes educating her four children, avid gardener, cook and photographer. She had a zest for life and lived every day to the fullest. I loved chatting with her, Melissa knew who she was and loved her family fiercely. We will all miss her.

My life is richer for knowing you Melissa, first and foremost as a person, but also as an artist. I loved visiting your blog and seeing your creations on social media always put a smile on my face – especially when you used butterflies – your love for butterflies made such an impression on me that day. You loved color and butterflies.

It’s only fitting that I create today in your honor, what else – a rainbow of butterflies. I always thought of you when I saw this stencil, and every butterfly I saw. I don’t think that will ever change.

If you’re interested in knowing how I created this piece in Melissa’s honor, brayer a rainbow of acrylic color onto a gel plate, add your Shower of Flutters mask, sponge or brayer over with black paint, take a pull, and trim down. Emboss your greeting in gold, add hearts using the Row of Hearts stencil, embossed in clear embossing powder over your entire card.

Stamp the butterflies from the set Blossom like a Butterfly in Catherine Pooler Midnight Archival ink onto colorful monoprinted backgrounds (Melissa loved red), fussy cut and add some gold embossing powder details. Pop up the wings, and emboss the edges of your card base. This card is sized 5 x 7″. That’s it!

I know you’re watching over us Melissa, but I miss you all the same. You were an inspiration to so many of us, and we’re better crafters for having known you.

To read more about Melissa, see her artwork and the outpouring of love from our community, visit the Stamplorations blog post here.

Much love my friend,

Ingrid Blackburn - The Creative Grove

 

Filed Under: Brayer, Cards, Mixed Media, Personal, Stencils

Easy DIY Mixed Media Christmas Cards + Video

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Save the Crafty YouTuber Video Hop

Have you ever wanted to quickly produce some fun and artistic Mixed Media Christmas Cards? Are you tired of sending bulky cards that require extra postage? What if I gave you the formula for how to create a whole stack of cards that have layered texture and character to them, but are pretty much flat, easy to put together and will have all your friends and family thinking you are quite the artist?!! Interested?

Now what if on top of that I told you that you could have a chance to win over 100 prizes – bet THAT sold ya!

Mixed Media Christmas Cards Video Tutorial

It’s that time of year again – my good friend Justine Hovey has organized the second Save the Crafty YouTuber Video Hop, and I decided to play along with 90 of my crafty friends – mixed media style! And I even have my OWN giveaway that I’m doing….so be sure to actually WATCH the video. I give the details along the way…

Click HERE to watch in HD on my YouTube Channel

Aren’t they FUN and super simple cards to make?!! Seriously – I’m going to be teaching this exact project (and so much more) in person in a few weeks in the Orlando, Florida area. If you’d like to come learn from me in person – be sure to email me at ingrid (at) thecreativegrove.com and I’ll send you all the details!!

For the specifics and Details to be entered for over 100 prizes – seriously…it’s more like 125+ prizes….GOOD ones too – read about those on my YouTube Channel in the section below the video!

The Save the Crafty YouTuber Video hop is a celebration of cardmaking video tutorials created by a group of talented crafters of all different styles and levels. We are coming together over 5 days to give our viewers a chance to discover other amazing cardmakers and help reach monetization goals!

Mixed Media Christmas Cards

All you have to do is watch, like the video, consider subscribing, and click the link in the video description below to hop to the next video. Let yourself be inspired! Don’t forget to comment (on the video hop over at YouTube) because we have tons of prizes to give away. Please indicate if you are located in the USA or International so that prizes can be awarded appropriately as some prizes (not all!) have restrictions on them.

To be entered in for MY giveaway (closed) – watch the video – I give details on what you need to put in the comment section (USA only for that one).

Monoprinting Christmas Cards

Don’t forget to check back every day this week since there are 5 themed days of video hops! You never know when you’ll discover your next favourite YouTuber! Hop Links are below.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Here are a few close up photos for you and the supply list. Be sure to come back to this post on November 10th to see who won the prize pack – I’m giving away Dies, Stencils and ink pads – it’s worth over $40!!! That Merry Christmas Die is one of them!!! 🙂 Happy Hopping!!!

Mixed Media Monoprint Christmas

Aren’t those the prettiest cards?!! These photos do not do them justice!! Interested in seeing more Mixed Media Christmas Card possibilities? Check out this tutorial – just adjust for the Christmas Season

Sponsors & Hop Links (Giveaways closed)

Here are all those sponsors….and SO many channels in each of the five hops are giving away additional prizes – this is an AWESOME hop!

Here are links to all five hop days:

  1. Day One Hop Beginning
  2. Day Two Hop Beginning
  3. Day Three – Start on MY YouTube Channel
  4. Day Four Hop Beginning
  5. Day Five Hop Beginning

Good luck on winning all those great prizes – over 100!!! Leave me a comment below if you liked these cards – I’d LOVE to know.

Thanks for watching – till next time…

Supply List

Affiliate Links used if available

Mixed Media Christmas Cards

Hailey’s Shower Photo Supply List – https://ldli.co/e/jpxx6p

Filed Under: Art, Blog Hop, Brayer, Christmas, Clean and Simple, Masculine, Mixed Media, Stencils, Techniques, Uncategorized, Videos Tagged: , , ,

How to Mass Produce Clean & Simple Quick Cards

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How to make 20 diy quick cards

Have you ever created an awesome background that you could quickly turn into several quick cards? Did you know that the Clean & Simple (CAS) style can have some mixed media elements in it? This tutorial will show you just how simple and easy it is to create two backgrounds that you can literally turn into 20, yes – you read that correctly…twenty cards!! Let me show you exactly how…

Watch on YouTube in HD & Subscribe for more Tutorials

Quick Cards Tutorial & Tips

When I’m trying to come up with quick cards, I usually start with a larger background piece. That’s the key for me! Well, that and some great word dies (or large stamp sentiments) and a classic clean and simple design. Cards don’t always have to be complicated. SCREEETCH!!!! Did you just hear that in your head – from little ‘ol me?!! You are on my blog and YouTube channel after all, right? Yes, I love artsy complicated cards and mixed media projects just like the next person – even complex watercolor projects. But not every one has to be uber-complicated. Sometimes simple is better!

How to make 20 quick cards with monoprints

20 quick cards tutorial and tips

What do you love – CAS or Complex designs? Seriously, there’s no right or wrong, but I’m curious – tell me in the comments below & over on my YouTube channel here!

Giveaway alert – I’ll choose one person to send one of these beauties to if you comment on my YouTube channel in the first 72 hours!!

Now that you’ve seen just how easy it is to create those backgrounds – colorful ones too….Here are a few tips you’ll want to keep in mind:

  • Create backgrounds that can be split up – you want the design to be everywhere – not just in one little corner. Yes, in my video, you only see the flowers on one side – but I can quickly stencil something over the clean side too – it’s all in how you look at it, no?
  • Don’t have the Flower Frenzy stencil by The Crafters Workshop (I LOVE their stencils) or any 12 x 12 stencils? No problem – just use your 6×6 ones a few times! But seriously – check out their flower stencils – they have SO many gorgeous ones…
  • To fill up your space if your background piece is small – use a large stamp or die cut like I did. You can always build a sentiment like you see here too
  • Keep the rule of thirds in mind
  • Use powerful colors that make an impact – it helps to have all that white space around as well. The contrast is amazing.

quick cards with monoprints and word dies

What did you think? That’s one rockin’ die, right? Designed by Nanette Tracy for Catherine Pooler Designs – and newly released last week – don’t miss out on it. Get your hands on the Three Kind Dies and Kind of Wonderful Stamp Set right here! And Catherine Pooler inks are SO super vibrant and saturated, they are the perfect choice when matching to your acrylic paints.

I’ll be back soon with some more Clean and Simple AND Mixed Media designs. And don’t forget to comment on my YouTube Channel!! I’d LOVE to send you one of these cards – I may just include something else that’s fun too!

Till then – keep those fingers inky!

Supplies

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!


 

Filed Under: Brayer, Catherine Pooler Designs, Clean and Simple, Flowers, Mixed Media, Stencils, Techniques, Videos Tagged: , ,

Creating Bright & Colorful Monoprint Backgrounds with a Gel Plate

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Colorful Bright Monoprint Backgrounds

Have you ever used a gel plate to create bright colorful monoprint backgrounds? It’s so super easy, I think you’ll be shocked at how you quickly you can create a ton of vibrant colorful pieces to use on your cards, in your art journal or just create a fun piece of artwork!

To make this even easier for you – I filmed a little video for you. And there’s SO much more you can do with a gel plate, you’ll definitely want to add one (preferably two) to your tool arsenal.

Monoprint Backgrounds Tutorial

Click this link to see video on YouTube

If you aren’t subscribed to my YouTube channel, definitely consider it. I have many more videos headed your way – you won’t want to miss them. You can even hit the little bell to be notified!

Abstract looking monoprint backgrounds

Here are a few tips you’ll want to keep in mind when playing around with this fun technique:

  • Avoid muddy colors – Use colors that work well together. Remember that you’re going to be overlapping several, so you don’t want to use complimentary colors (opposite sides of the color wheel) when wet. You can layer those once one layer is dry – but not while wet.

bright and colorful monoprint backgrounds made with a gel plate bright and colorful monoprint backgrounds made with a gel plate

  • Use a second gel plate to help clean off your brayer – you’d be surprised how fast you can create multiple prints with just one application of paint!
  • Use good paper for your scrap clean up piece. (9/10 times, I turn that piece into a print.) The colors work amazing together, and it usually becomes a great base for a layered print

scrap piece from a monoprint gel plate session

  • Try to be patient when pulling your prints. Allow the paint to dry a bit so that you are able to lift those left behind layers underneath your newest paint application
  • Remember to lift your brayer when applying your paint. If you just keep it on the surface of your gel plate, you are only really staying in that one section. Lifting it allows for better rotation and coverage.

  • Don’t stress if just a little pulls off the plate. You can always add more – or use it as that little something in the background of a card!

bright and colorful monoprint backgrounds made with a gel plate

I use a 4″ and 2″ brayer when creating monoprint backgrounds. Sometimes that small brayer is quite helpful to get into those little spaces. And sometimes having a larger brayer is just oh so much easier!

Don’t you just LOVE these? Next up I’m going to show you what to do with some of these fun backgrounds, and just how easy it is to create a whole set of cards.

Till next time –

Supplies

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!


Filed Under: Art, Brayer, Mixed Media, Techniques, Videos Tagged: , , , ,

Mixed Media Tropical Cards

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I love the look of Mixed Media Tropical Cards. Today I’m getting a little inky with my Gel Press and have created some  incredible textured Tropical inspired masterpieces!

Tutorial: Mixed Media Tropical Cards

To get that fun island weathered feel, I thought a tropical looking monoprint would be a great base to these projects. What exactly is a monoprint? A monoprint is a form of printmaking where the lines and images of the print can only be made once. This makes it a bit unique and special. You can always create multiple prints, but no two will be exactly alike.

When I saw the Leave Me in Paradise and Fearless Pursuit stamp sets in the Tropically Yours SOA, I knew I wanted to create some Mixed Media Tropical cards.

First, you’ll need a base print for these projects. I chose to use an 8×10 Gel Press plate. This gave me a larger print that I could then cut down into 4 card fronts – hey I’m all about getting the most bang for my buck, you know?!!

Creating a Monoprint can be as simple or complex as you want. The one thing to remember, when you start a Gel Printing session, the more you get into it – the more interesting character and texture you build up and leave behind for future prints.

Here is the concept broken down into it’s most simplest form:

  1. Spread Acrylic Paint onto your gel press with a brayer
  2. Add texture with stencils or other items, or leave as is
  3. Start to pull prints. You’ll get 2-3 prints with each pull – a first print, the ghost print, and the final remnants.

That’s pretty much it. What makes them so intriguing are the stories between the lines. Meaning the stuff that gets left behind, or built up. That’s what we have going on in today’s print.

I knew I wanted to use the Leave me in Paradise stamp set, so I wanted to work with Greens as a base. To get the layered weathered look, I created several prints first in various shade – Browns, Orange, Yellows and Greens. Once I had little bits of paint left behind, and the prints were starting to feel a bit more complex, I created an orange print. Have you ever seen tropical leaves? They are deep and vibrant greens, yellows, orange and red.

With some orange bits dried onto the gel press, and some interesting Brown in the corners, layer up some vibrant greens. I used Dirty Martini by Dylusions mixed with some lime by Dina Wakely. Both of these paints are fairly fluid. They helped to reactivate all that dried goodness underneath.

Lay a sheet of cardstock over, and run your hands firmly on the back. We’re trying to pull as much as we can off here. The print had gorgeous depth and interesting character from a piece of Dry Wall Mounting Tape in the corners.

Cut down that piece into four and next create your cards. To see the main card I was looking to create and read a bit more about it’s process, Click Here for my blog post yesterday.

The goal was always to create a batik look to my project. But what happened next, I wasn’t prepared for and nearly threw in the towel! I had stamped the gorgeous leaves from Leave me in Paradise in Versamark ink and heat embossed them in Clear. I wanted to create a Joseph’s Coat/Faux Watercolored look to my project, so rather than coat it in dark ink, I chose to paint over everything with White Gesso.

Next was the Faux Watercolor technique – Place your piece in a phone book (or other scrap paper), fold a few sheets over it and iron off your embossing. No problem, right? Boy was I wrong. That Gesso held tight and the clear embossed leaf images were trapped.

So how do you fix this? I thought it was something for the round file, but I talked myself into just putting it to the side and trying one more time. Next I did a true Joseph’s Coat technique and used Icing on the Cake Dye ink. Here’s what it should have looked like – monoprint base and ironed off/joseph’s coat technique:

And here’s the final piece – a success! That project turned out to be a stunner…Details are on yesterday’s blog post.

And with one the other two remaining monoprints, just pop the drop dead gorgeous Fearless sentiment onto it and emboss in WOW Bark embossing powder. Add some of the textures from Good Vibes Borders in the corners to accentuate the print in Icing on the Cake ink and Matte it onto a a strip of cardstock that’s been embossed in the textures and bark for added interest. Doesn’t it look like basketweave? This card is simple, fun and definitely easy to duplicate. But in the sense that the monoprints will be different – how cool, right?

Now back to the piece headed to the trash…wait….hold the phone! That’s when genius struck. Okay – I’m bound to have one good idea every now and again…What if we could bring the covered images back to life with colored pencils?!!

Here’s a look at it along the way….

Next up, just color the images with several shades of colored pencils. I used a 72 pencil set I have by Arteza, and about 6 shades of Green. Once the pencil colors were laid on top of the botched images, smooth them out using a blender pencil. I used one by Caran d’Ache to get a smoother look. The end result was a light watercolor almost look to the piece.

The Gesso in-between is cracked and weathered, which only adds to the project. It needed something, so once you’ve embossed that rockin’ sentiment from the Fearless Pursuit stamp set in Bark by WOW, splatter some Payne’s Grey acrylic paint watered down with a few drops of Icing on the Cake ink refill.

Matte onto an edged embossed piece in Bark – notice how different it looks on white cardstock than Chocolate?!! I LOVE this embossing powder. It’s new to Catherine’s shop too!

Create a little grunge on your card base with Over Coffee Ink on Sand Dunes cardstock and you’re all set.

Overall, the monoprints are super cool true Mixed Media pieces. But what’s really awesome about them, they are one layer. The person you give these cards to will never figure out how you did that?!!

And the moral of this long epic story #2…don’t throw anything in the round file.

I hope you’ve enjoyed these couple of cards. I love the texture and creative way I can use these stamps. There are some FUN products in the box. You’ll love it all. Best part – it truly works with each other.

Thanks for stopping by today! Keep those fingers inky –

Supplies

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!


Filed Under: Art, Catherine Pooler Designs, Mixed Media, Stamp of Approval, Techniques, Uncategorized Tagged: , , ,

Tropically Yours Stamp of Approval Blog Hop Day Three

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Tropically Yours Blog Hop

Welcome to the Tropically Yours Stamp of Approval Blog Hop – Day Three! You’re probably hopping on over from Laurel Beard’s blog. Laurel is ah-mazing, isn’t she?!!! I love the texture she creates in her projects – plus she enables my crafty habit all the time…lol!

We’ve been showcasing the fabulous products in the Tropically Yours SOA box since Sunday, and let me tell you, we’re gonna finish it off the Creative Team hops with a bang today.

The Tropically Yours Stamp of Approval box is by far my favorite. I’m a sucker for anything foliage, texture and pattern. Throw in some scenic elements, and um, hello…have you ever been to my blog before?!! But before we get into the creative…let’s talk about the when, where and why.

If you’re a StampNation member, then join us tonight live from the clubhouse PJ Release Party – yup – I’ll be there!! You’ll be the first to get access to this hot collection in the shop. The waitlist will get the secret link at 9 am Wednesday first. So don’t miss being on the waitlist – why not, right? It’s all about access! If any boxes are left over at 6 pm later on Wednesday (and I’ll be floored if there are any – the collection is that good), the box will release to the public.

Tropically Yours Stamp of Approval

The Tropically Yours SOA Collection works flawlessly together. Most of the sentiments are hand lettered, so they are unique. The images are bold, great for techniques, and have just the right amount of CPD spunk. The textures…can we talk about those a second?

First off, Canvas Grunge background stamp – when Shawna Clingerman designed this textured design, I nearly fell out of my chair! Now, I am a bit of a clutz, so that’s not that far of a stretch, but I think I did audibly gasp. This stamp is SO up my alley, and you’ll see why shortly…Good Vibes Borders – what can I say – there isn’t one stamp in that set that you will not use over, and over – and then over again. It’s just THAT good. It’s rare to find an entire set of texture stamps that can not only create incredible full backgrounds, but be just the right little something your project needs, you know? Plus have sentiments…

Leave me in Paradise, Stand Tall, Tropically Yours and Fearless Pursuit – all of which I’m using today…I’ve never seen four stamp sets that work SO well together. Each one is distinctly different and has it’s own flavor, but together they really bring out the best in each other.

Make sure you don’t miss the Add-Ons – all four cookie cutter dies are additional (perfect for those who have a scan and cut like me, right?!!). Um, and yes…there’s a new ink in town – Coral Cabana. It’s part of the Carnivale Collection of Inks in the Party Line, and it’s gorgeous.


I’m showcasing all six stamp sets for you today…but there’s more…the Cabana Tiles Dies – wow. I don’t have a project today with those, but did you see what some of my Creative Team teammates did with those – I mean WOW!

So, head on over to the shop – get all your extras already into your cart, so that when the time comes….you just have to add the SOA and Add-ons and checkout. After all, you don’t want to miss all those little things (adhesive, the new Zig Blender Pen, Embossing Powders & Glitters, Paper – you’ll want some Sand Dunes cardstock if you don’t already have it, and the INKS!

Tropically Yours Projects

No. 1 – You Had Me At Aloha

First up…a little playful fun. This card has a lot going on. First off – look past all the cuteness on it to the textures. That Canvas Grunge background stamp is so beautiful, especially in that Coral Cabana. The textures it has is incredible. And this is stamped off!

I rarely use it directly stamped – it’s a powerful image, and when using it in the background…place a piece of copy paper – or better yet – a different project on it, lightly tap with your fingers and then do the same with your piece. For added interest, use the Good Vibes Boirders stamps repetitively in a light manner in the corners. See how they fade into the card?

I also used the same stamp in Black Jack on the Smoke cardstock. That pattern is literally pure perfection for a background, and it’s super easy to line up too!

The Flamingos are just darling. Their legs are in Coral Cabana, bodies in Be Mine and to get a black beak, squeeze your Black Jack ink pad to collect some ink in the lid. Use a Zig Blender Pen to pull some ink and color like a marker. The Tropically Yours stamp set has some great tropical floral images to go with a few fun sentiments. I love how fun this card is – with a tropical nod to Jerry McGuire!

No. 2 – Sending You Good Vibes

This is one of my favorites. The colors and textures just have make me smile. Seriously – take a good look at the texture created on the stamped images – and that’s just with ink!

The background has a great weathered and distressed look. Use the Canvas Grunge and Good Vibes Borders stamps and do a little ink blending on the edges and corners to antique it a bit. To compliment that, Use a different border stamp on the tag and card base – embossed in my new favorite WOW embossing powder – Bark! I love that color – and wait till tomorrow when I showcase the look of it on dark vs. light cardstock. On Catherine Pooler Chocolate cardstock though, it takes on this deep brown color that with these incredible border stamps is texture galore.

Stamp the same image lightly in Over Coffee onto Sand Dunes, once you’ve embossed your sentiment. Those are a few of the options from the Good Vibes Borders stamps – have I mentioned that set rocks!!

Notice the corners. Again there’s some repetitive stamping going on with the borders stamps. The key to achieving that look is to start light – stamp off onto scrap paper once or twice and then stamp once or twice and repeat. Line your stamp up each time to extend your pattern, and to get that faded look, change up how far in you go with that stamp. I started not quite half way in and ended up less than half that distance. It’s a great look.

The gorgeous hues of the spa line of inks really look amazing on the Leave Me in Paradise images. I like to die cut my images first then stamp – I find it simpler. The green leaves are a mixture of Green Tea, Eucalyptus and on some Spruce. The Oranges are Sauna, Mandarin Spice and on one Rockin’ Red.

My favorite leaf though is the one above the word You. To get that look, you’ll want to ink up just the outsides in Sauna/Mandarin Spice. Fade out the edges towards the middle with a mini ink blending tool, stamp and then ink up the middle with a little Green Tea/Eucalyptus – fading out the edges. Stamp and there’s your blended look! Isn’t it gorgeous?

No. 3 – Here Comes the Sun

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun… And I say… it’s all right. Sorry – now that’ll be stuck in your head all day! This classic and super simple card is a fun one with endless possibilities. To get a super smooth ink blend, I use watercolor paper – Laurel Beard gave me that tip a few years ago, thanks chickie!!

You’ll want to mask off your horizon line and then sponge your sky. Here you see Coral Cabana up top and Limoncello at the horizon. That gorgeous tangerine color in the middle is those two colors blended. I love the shade it creates!

Once you are happy with your sky, reverse your horizon mask and sponge All That Jazz at the horizon and Fiesta Blue at the bottom. Create a mask by tearing a small space at the edge. Use that along with a straight edge mask for your island. Pounce in Icing on the Cake to create your island.

Because this is on watercolor paper, I used my MISTI to stamp my images. The rough texture is tough to get a perfect image the first time. I repeatedly stamped my two palm trees. Isn’t it cool how they almost form a heart! To make sure I had enough space – I laid out my sentiment, then the trees.

The five sentiments in the Fearless Pursuit stamp set are all hand lettered by Shawna. I just LOVE them all. They are unique in appearance and different from what you see everyday. They are uplifting and perfect for so many of the people in your lives. I see myself using them ALL the time. PLUS she added a crazy amount of image stamps – There are 28 stamps in this set!!

Don’t you just love that little frayed grid on the sides – yup, you guessed it – Good Vibes Borders again. That pattern reminds me of Easy Joint Dry Wall Tape. I use that in mixed media projects as a texture all the time. So I was so excited to see a stamped version of it!

No. 4 – Mixed Media Good Vibes

You didn’t think I wasn’t going to throw something unexpected your way did you? This project has a story – a good one. I almost skipped this one for today, but in the end…I just had to share it with you. And it went all sorts of wrong – I almost threw the messed up version away – GASP! So I laid it to the side, and set out to re-do it. That’s this project. The almost trash (which is now my favorite, by the way) project I’ll have up tomorrow.

So back to today’s Mixed Media project. I had Batik fabrics in my head when I thought of this. So I figured i’d get out my Gel Plate and create a fun little background for a starting point – 9 2 page art journal spreads, and about 16 more monoprints later I had an arsenal of things to choose from. I picked my favorite green textured print and set out to create some cards.

To play off the Canvas Grunge stamp, my goal was to create a textured look. I incorporated using some Easy Joint Dry Wall Tape as a stencil – I figured it looked just like the stamp in Good Vibes, this way I could get that look, but use acrylic paint. So I ended up with a gorgeous piece of Greens, Burnt Umber and some Orange.

I cut my monoprint down into four card front sized pieces and set out to make some cards. This is one, tomorrow Click Here to see the others….. Can’t have everything in one day…lol! Next up was to work on a few techniques to give me the look I was shooting for – Joseph’s Coat and Faux Bleaching.

To get this look, you’ll want to emboss your images in Versamark and emboss in Clear. This allows you to “trap” the gorgeous monoprint from underneath, in stamp form. Here’s where I went wrong – I covered my entire project with white gesso next. Normally, that would be fine – only when I went to create the Faux Bleached look – I couldn’t lift it! I just sat there stunned. Click Here to see how I “fixed it”.

So in the second pass, I skipped that part and went straight into the Joseph’s Coat technique. I took my Icing on the Cake ink pad and smooshed it all over my project. The embossed areas resisted the ink and I dried the rest with a heat tool. Now my base is covered in paint, so it’s not like regular paper – it doesn’t absorb dye ink like normal, and the effect is a great one. It’s a grungy, weathered brown, not the deep look you would think you’d get.  You can see some of the orange and green fighting it’s way to get out from under the brown cover.

Next up – Faux Bleaching. I turned on my iron, and got out the yellow pages. Place your project inbetween two pages and iron over it! The heat from the iron re-melts the clear embossing powder which gets absorbed by the pages in the book. You’ll need to move it around and switch up your pages a bit, and because there’s paint in there – it took a bit longer. The result was pretty awesome!

Next up, ink up your background stamp in Midnight ink…what?!! Yes…it’s an archival ink and perfect for stamping on painted surfaces. Lightly stamp off onto scrap paper first, then lay your project over your background stamp. With a light touch, tap a few areas from the back to transfer the ink. Your project with resist in some areas, so if you have a particular look in mind – you’ll need to work at it a bit.

The texture the Canvas Grunge Background Stamp added, made the card! Use the basket weave stamp to lightly add those corners in stamped off midnight like the other projects. Next, lightly sponge the edges in Midnight – ever so lightly. Midnight is the perfect super deep black archival ink to add to Mixed Media. It’s my go to actually over all others on the market.

Create a little grunge canvas look to your card base and super lightly frame with an ink blending tool Icing on the Cake ink. Pop up your Mixed Media piece for a little drama to your card and add your sentiments (from Good Vibes Borders) like a little sign you’d find on an island road.

What do you think? I think the coolest part of it is that the background is one layer – meaning, no raised areas and super smooth. It is a true work of art. Mixed Media isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay – I was super intimidated by it just a few years ago. But once you jump into the deep end, you’ll wish you had earlier. The projects are THAT incredible.

So, to wrap up an epic blog hop post – if you’ve hung in with me till the end – tell me in the comments! Which product are you the most excited by? I’d love to know… The Tropically Yours Collection is for stampers of all kinds. Those who love Clean and Simple, Scrapbookers, Art Journalers, and Mixed Media artists.

Tropically Yours Blog Hop

Tropically Yours Blog Hop List & Prizes

Did you know…we’re giving away a Tropically Yours SOA box to three lucky winners! And if you already bought one – no worries – you’ll get a $100 gift certificate instead, cool, right?!!! All you have to do, is comment on each stop along the hop – all three days. That’s it!

  1. Catherine<– Hop Here NEXT!!
  2. Tracie 
  3. Kristie  
  4. Jen Carter  
  5. Ilina Crouse  
  6. Laurel  
  7. Ingrid <– You’re HERE!!! 

Thanks for stopping by and hopping with us for the past three days!

Till next time –

 

 

 

Supplies

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!


Filed Under: Blog Hop, Brayer, Cards, Catherine Pooler Designs, Clean and Simple, Mixed Media, Scenic, Techniques, Uncategorized Tagged: , ,
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