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: , , ,

Art Happens – New Craft Stash Blog Hop: Day Three + Giveaways

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Art Happens

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.

Art Happens by Stamplorations

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.

Art Happens Monoprint

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:

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

  1. Ingrid Blackburn <— You are here!
  2. Ardyth Percy-Robb <— Hop here next!!
  3. Josefine Fouarge 
  4. Tracie Pond 
  5. Nanette Tracy 
  6. Lisa Harrolle  
  7. Justine Hovey 
  8. Susan Powell
  9. Jennifer Cerizo

Did you miss Day one or Two? Get caught up here:

Day One Blog Hop List:

  1. Ingrid Blackburn  – Yup that’s me with a different post & project!
  2. Jenny Colacicco
  3. Ashlea Cornell
  4. Karen Baker
  5. Ali Farmer
  6. Catherine Pooler
  7. Allison Cope
  8. Veronica Zalis

Day Two Blog Hop List:

  1. Melissa Miller
  2. Tracey McNeely
  3. Kelly Martin
  4. Amy Seigler
  5. Michelle Wallace
  6. Ilina Crouse
  7. Maureen Merritt
  8. Nance Salkeld
  9. 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!


Filed Under: Art, Blog Hop, Mixed Media, One Layer Card, Techniques, Uncategorized, Videos Tagged: , , ,

Three videos – Why Use Gesso, How to Seal Paper Stencils & 3 Ways to Use Gelatos

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Today I have three videos for you – 3 Gelato techniques, How to Seal Paper Stencils, & a How To & Why use Gesso. It’s a mediums kind of a day today. YAY!

Over at StampNation, we’re right in the middle of a live Masterclass with Faber-Castell. Last week the coverage was all about Gelato techniques – those super richly pigments little sticks of colorful joy. I’ll be honest – I have had Gelatos on my wishlist for three years (a girl can’t buy it all…and Santa kept skipping over them…guess I wasn’t nice enough…lol).

Faber-Castell Gelato Techniques

I finally got my hands on two of the 15 piece sets – Iridescents and Pastels. Plus last week I was showcasing at a Trunk Show over at Betty’s Creative Studio in Greensboro, NC with Catherine Pooler…and Betty had this WHOLE WALL of Faber-Castell goodness. (Insert Heavenly music and cherubs here…okay – no cherubs).

Seriously – all the colors individually, in sets, stencils, mediums, tools – you name it! Well, I had to quickly snap up 8 more colors. There are 68 gorgeous colors available, and I want them all after this last week. I seriously can’t put them down – I have gelato techniques on the brain. I’m surprised I haven’t put them on my lips yet…lol. OKAY – be honest – who has? Tell me in the comments!

Here’s the skinny…Gelato’s are a little chapstick like tube that is super richly pigmented and creamy. They literally (no joke) go on like butter – and yes, I’m saying that in a thick Long Island, NY voice. There are so many quick, simple techniques you can do with these little sticks from heaven. Today I’m teaching you three simple ones.

Faber-Castell Gelato Techniques

But first…a little prep is required for our project and tools. I thought I’d film two 1 minute tool tip videos for you – whoohoo!

How and Why to Use Gesso

Before we can even talk about Gelato techniques, we have to talk about Gesso. To spread like butter – you need to prep your work surface a bit with Gesso. This video talks about how to do this, and WHY:

Click Here to watch in HD on YouTube

Now that your paper is prepped – you can always use watercolor paper too, but regular cardstock works just fine with gesso. I do several full sheets at once and set them aside to dry – it’s great having those cut down and ready to use when I need to!

Gesso also comes in clear and black. I’ve been using Gesso for a while now in Mixed Media projects. Another great use for it is to go right over a mistake – it’s a blank slate…love that! (And I’ll admit…I’ve had to use that before)

How to Seal Paper Stencils

Faber-Castell makes these awesome paper stencil packs. For about $7 you can get TEN 6×6 stencils – seriously!!! When a regular stencil costs $5-$8, I’ll take $.70 any day! Plus the packs are themed – there are some Mixed Media ones, patterns – you have five packets to choose from.

But the dilemma for me was…I like to use wet mediums with my stencils – so why have to replace something? Regular stencils are made out of a plastic material, thus can take wet mediums and abuse. Paper, not so much. SO…seal them! This is where Glaze medium comes in handy. Plus you can use it for other things too (semi gloss look, collages, etc).

Here’s a quick little 1 minute video to show you just how to seal your stencils:

http://https://youtu.be/fDjPgBrBeC4

Click Here to watch on YouTube in HD

Okay – so we’ve got our stencils sealed, and our paper is prepped. Here’s the big tutorial you’ve been waiting for.

Three Gelato Techniques

At its core – a Gelato is a colored medium. Just like an ink pad – it’s a medium you can manipulate in several ways to add vibrant color to your projects. If you think of it like that, it’s not so scary – you use ink pads every day?!!

You’re going to learn how to use gelatos to do three techniques today: Seamless Wet Blending, the Vanishing Stencil Technique, and how to stamp with Gelatos.

Here’s a video to show you exactly how:

Click Here to watch on YouTube in HD

Blending is the most basic Gelato techniques. If you’ve rubbed your gelatos over cardstock that hasn’t be gesso’d, it’s not going to blend well. And forget about using water. To use water – you need watercolor paper or gesso’d cardstock. It’s just frustrating without the proper set up – set yourself up for success!

Regular blending and water blending is a very different look. Try them both and see which one you like more!

Tips for Seamless Wet Blending

  • To get that seamless look, use your finger or a paint brush. I like to use my fingers, as I can really control what and where the medium flows.
  • Control your water – don’t add too much at the start – go gradual, better to need to add, than have to take away
  • Spray a little water onto your craft mat or acrylic block for a quick place to draw just a little H2O
  • Choose colors that blend well – stay away from complimentary colors that will create mud
  • Keep going – if you feel it needs a pop of color – directly add your gelato for a little pop

I’m a stencil addict – and the vanishing stencil is a huge wow for me. Usually I’m always adding color through a stencil – so to remove it is fun.

Tips for the Vanishing Stencil Technique

  • Pull away with a clean part of your baby wipe, twist and rotate it to get a clean piece. You don’t want to transfer right back down
  • Keep your stencil steady – if you aren’t confident you can hold it in place, secure it with tape
  • Your gelato base can’t be set. The best result is to create your background color then remove while still slightly wet even.

Once you’ve removed the color – try adding a new one in the newly blank space! Tip for adding color through a stencil – add it to your stencil and wick it to your project with a tool or fingers. It’s much easier than jamming that creamy stick through the stencil!

Gelato Techniques

Tips for Stamping with Gelatos

While I didn’t end up using that piece in the project – it did turn out super cool. Be sure to properly remove your gelato from your stamp when done. A baby wipe or water should do the trick.

  • Add an even layer of color to your stamp
  • Lightly spritz with a fine mist spritzer. Try not to over water your stamp – you will lose a lot of the crispness in your image the more you add

So how was that? Now it’s YOUR turn! Seriously, don’t be afraid of this medium. It’s super easy to get crafty with.

Do you have Gelatos? Do you have favorite Gelato techniques? If so – tell me what you think in the comments below. If they are in a drawer – get them out and have some colorful fun.

Faber-Castell Masterclass

I’m looking forward to experimenting with more Gelato techniques and if you’re not a StampNation member – be sure to check it out. We had a Gelatos challenge this week (with a prize – still time to enter) Here is a little of the inspiration from the Dream Team:

There are over 700 videos, and several classes. There’s a live chat with Faber-Castell directly answering your questions this Thursday – hope you stop by there!

Till next time –

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Filed Under: Mixed Media, Techniques, Tools, Uncategorized, Videos Tagged: , , , ,

Definitely up my Alley

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Hi everyone! I thought I’d pop in here and showcase some of my favorite projects that literally have piled it on. This week over at StampNation, I created a fun project that piled on the techniques. The challenge this week is to pile it on – can be layers, stamps, embellishments, techniques – whatever you desire. And let me tell you – it’s SO up my alley, you’d think Maureen Merritt created this challenge just for me!

You’ll have to head on over to StampNation to see my actual project, but here’s a little sneak peek:

Pile it on techniques - Ingrid Blackburn - StampNation

Mine’s the one on the right. It’s just about one of the prettiest cards I’ve made and would you believe has six – yes six techniques going on there!

Now for the fun – you may not have seen all these. I put the project title below each one so if you want to see the blog post – some have videos too – just click those names. Here are some of my favorite piled on projects that I’ve made:

 

Layered Christmas Tree               Blue & Lime Christmas        Watercolored Texture

  

Textured Holly Leaves                               Layered Watercolor Butterflies

                         One of my favorites – true Mixed Media – Beautiful World

 

                                             For Dad – Original Mixed Media

Beautiful Layers                        Piled on Fall                 Stencil & Background Combo

One of my all time favorites – Simply layered card stock!

So I hope that gave you enough Piled On inspiration! Click Here to find out more about StampNation & to check out my project for this fun challenge. Be sure to say hi! 🙂

Till next time.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: , ,

Simple Distress Background

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Today we’re going to focus on a simple Distress Background that really pack a punch. It’s all part of the Distress Mixed Media challenge going on over at Happy Little Stampers this month.

HLS Mixed Media challenge September 2016 - Distress

Be sure to stop by all the designer blogs for some cool looks with this challenge. And welcome Autumn from Sew Paper Paint for a very cool look. I love her blog – can seriously get lost in her work!

It’s no secret that I love anything distressed – from inks to paper to texture. This project really takes the word distress and not only uses the ink, but gives it a great Mixed Media look with the Winkle Free Distress Technique. The end result is a very cool distress background.

Distress-Mixed-Media---001

Distress Background Tutorial

To get a cool look, emboss a background stamp or series of images in clear on 140# Cold Pressed Watercolor Paper. Don’t worry if you don’t get the whole image – I missed a spot and rubbed off some powder in several spots to get a distressed/grunge look. This will resist the Distress watercolor we’re about to add next.

First lay down your lightest color onto your craft mat – Mustard Seed (Yellow) and spritz. You’ll keep it to the center and a little outward. Click here for a video on just how to do this technique. Be sure to mostly dry it inbetween layers to build up the texture and distress look. Then move onto the next color. You’ll do it in this sequence after each color. TIP – keep the color wheel in mind when overlapping colors. You don’t want to overlap complimentary colors – colors that are opposite on the color wheel such as Purple & Yellow. Complimentary colors look awesome together, but when blended turn to mud.

Distress Background

Next add the Carved Pumpkin – overlapping a little with the yellow. Next the Candied Apple overlapping with the Yellow a little and the Orange. The key is to overlap a little, but also preserve some of the original color and keep some pure too.

Going counter clockwise, add some Blueprint Sketch in the same manner, skip over the the right and add some Twisted Citron. Fill the remaining spot with Wilted Violet. Add a little Candied Apple to the Wilted Violet to create that cool Blackberry color…and add some spots here and there where you feel you need some texture or an added spot of color.

Distress Inks - Wrinkle Free Technique

Once completely dry, place your dried watercolor paper in-between some old pages of a phone book and iron it on the hottest setting. This will transfer the embossing powder to the phone book page and give you the added bonus of straightening out your watercolor piece! Iron just a few minutes (30 sec to 2 min). The key is that you don’t want to see any shiny – switch to a clean page in the phone book if needed. To see me do this, check out this HLS video (at 15:30). This technique is called Faux Bleaching.

Wrinkle free technique - Distress Background

Isn’t it a cool project!!! What’s so awesome about it is that the Mixture of medias used really blend together to create an amazing Distress look. I didn’t want to take away from the cool background, so I kept the greeting simple and didn’t add any sequins (though I was tempted). I embossed the Hello (new die from Stamplorations – isn’t it cute?!!) in clear embossing powder. The shine against the flat distressed background just rocks. I hope you think so too!

Distress-Mixed-Media---005

SO I’m challenging YOU now. It’s my favorite technique/medium….Distress. Jump on into this challenge – leave me a comment that you did and I can’t WAIT to see what you create!

Until next time –

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Supplies

I get asked a lot where I get some of my supplies. To make it easier for you, I’ve listed all the supplies below. I myself shop at various places and know you probably have your favorite online stores too! So I included choices where I could or if there is just one – it’s the best price I’ve found. 🙂

The letters below each image are links to stores where you can buy each of the products listed. EH – Ellen Hutson, SSS = Simon Says Stamp, AZ = Amazon, etc. I buy almost all my own supplies. To help support my blog, videos & allow me to keep creating for you, I use compensated affiliate links when possible.


Filed Under: Challenges, Distress Ink, Mixed Media, Uncategorized Tagged: , ,

For Dad

Written by 6 Comments

I’m honored to be a guest designer for the Mixed Media Mojo Challenge today. This month, the girls are challenging you to create a mixed media piece (more than one medium) with a flower theme in mind – I chose to make a few abstract flowers. There’s even an optional twist – real or faux stitching – I’m sure you can guess which one I applied!

Mixed Media Mojo

I started out wanting to create a card for a friend. But something happened as I was working on my piece. My dad wandered into my crafting office, stopped an said Wow – that’s really nice! THUD….that was me picking myself up off the floor.

You see, my father has NEVER commented on anything I’ve made unless I gave it to him directly….lol! He lingered next to my crafting desk, and continued to tell me how much he liked this piece – it was about 80% done. Maybe it was the flowers? The colors? I was too dumbstruck to even ask why! Who cares why….He liked it, he liked it – he really, really liked it! (channeling my inner Sally Field)

My dad loves flowers – so in my mind – that’s it. Well, I decided right then and there that this would not be a card, but rather a frame-able piece that I’ll give him for Father’s day. He’s hard to shop for – at 83 he doesn’t need much – and did I mention that he liked it!

So here it is – my little masterpiece. This project was so much fun to make, here’s how I did it.

Mixed Media Mojo Flowers Challenge - Ingrid Blackburn

Abstract Flowers Project Instructions

First you’ll need to create a few Wrinkle Free Distress backgrounds – one in Mustard Seed/Spiced Marmalade and another in Tumbled Glass/Broken China/Mermaid Lagoon/Salty Ocean. The centers of the abstract flowers are with the same technique in Hickory Smoke/Soot Black. Once you have those done, free hand cut the flowers and centers. The background was edged in Hickory Smoke, Soot Black and some Paynes Grey Acrylic diluted with water. Brush some Paynes Grey and Silver acrylic paint onto the background with a fan brush. A little background detail was added using the Latticeworks stencil, a Starbucks cup holder and some bubble wrap. Next add a little faux stitching on the flowers and greeting (from the Noteworthy set by Stamplorations).

Add a little basic shadowing under the abstract flowers, paint some stems in Paynes Grey, and add some PG & White splatters, and a little edging in a black and white pigment pen – that’s it! I love the Mixed Media Mojo piece, I wanted to keep it cool – no browns which is very unlike me!

Since I had decided to frame it for my father, it needed a cool matte. Once I settled on the combination of 1/16 white, 3/4 black and 1/8 Brushed Silver…the black needed to stand apart, add to the design and not take away all at the same time – that’s asking a lot!

Enter clear embossing for a subtle tone on tone effect. To get this perfect result with the Tim Holtz stencil, you’ll want to find the center point in your project. Then line up your stencil over the center. That way you can go up and down in perfect unison to get as close to a perfect pattern as possible. Line up your patterns top and bottom and smoosh Versamark to your project. Add Brutus Monroe clear embossing powder – it’s hands down the best powder I’ve used in 18 years of embossing!  And I’ve used many different kinds. 🙂

Abstract Flowers - Mixed Media Project

I just love the end result – it turned out almost exactly as I envisioned…which is rare! I hope you enjoyed it too. It doesn’t matter if you go the more traditional or Abstract Flower route, you’ll have fun creating your own piece. And stop by the challenge blog for sure a few times this month – there’s a new Mixed Media tutorial every week – a true treasure of creative inspirational how to!

So here’s what I want you to do now….go to the Mixed Media Mojo Challenge and give the Flowers Challenge a try – Mixed Media doesn’t have to be crazy involved, you’d be surprised what you can come up with with just some simple things like watercolor, acrylics, stencils and some water. It’s relaxing and you’ll amaze yourself – I promise!

Now click here to visit the challenge and get inspired with all the great projects designed by the UBER talented Design Team!  I’m off to find the perfect frame for this beauty. Now it’s your turn to get your fingers inky –

Signature

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Filed Under: Art, Distress Ink, Flowers, Mixed Media, Uncategorized Tagged: , , ,

Mixing CAS & Monoprinting

Written by 11 Comments

Have you ever mixed a monoprint with clean and simple design? Monoprinting is not only super easy, it’s fun, quick and I’m always amazed at the results. I highly encourage you to give it a try. And most of us LOVE clean and simple, so why not mix them together?

It’s snowing here today in the Black Forest – hard to believe it’s almost May! Seems like a good day to work with my Gelli Plate.

Clean and Simple Mixed Media

In the spirit of creative card making, today we’re going to mix it up a little – for the CAS Mix it Up Challenge. I’m addicted to this challenge, and although it’s in it’s infancy – just two months old…it has a HUGE following already with some amazing card makers.

It’s the brain child of Bonnie Klass and Loll Thompson. You probably have crossed paths with one or both over the years, as they are avid card makers, have designed for numerous teams and both have distinct styles each their own.

april

This challenge is all about mixing clean and simple stamping/design with mixed media. Now the words mixed media get one of two reactions – interest and terror. But today’s project is hoping to not only peak your interest, but dispel the myth that all mixed media is intense, takes a long time and is only for artists who love to art journal.

Both projects today were from the creation of one monoprint. To make a monoprint you need three things – a printing plate (I use a gelli plate), some acrylic paint and a tool to spread the paint – I used a brayer.

Gelli Plates are inexpensive tools that give you the ability to make your work looks masterful, unique and will definitely leave the recipient of your card wondering…how in the world did you do that?!! Here are just a few prints I made quickly one day to give you an idea of how fun this artform is:

Gelli Arts - Gelli Plate Monoprints for Mixed Media

Today we’re going to use a 6×6 inch plate by Gelli Arts. And for this challenge, we’ll incorporated a few stencils as well – after all, that is the theme of this month’s challenge! I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see there’s not much else to it.

Why don’t we get started. I filmed the process for you, wrote a step by step tutorial below and added some detailed pictures. The video has three distinct parts – the monoprinting (first five minutes – yup…that’s it), card specifics and why, and lastly (final 2 1/2 minutes) – all about clean and simple design and the rules I live by – don’t miss that part!

Click Here to watch in HD on YouTube

What do you think? Of course you can always use stencils in the traditional way too – I just thought it would be fun to bring a little monoprinting into the mix.

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CAS Monoprint Tutorial

  • Start out by gathering up all your supplies. Monoprinting goes fast – and there’s nothing worse than not having your paper right there and your paint drying up on you!
  • Spread out your background color with a brayer and the rubber attachment.
  • Clean off your brayer on a piece of scrap paper and immediately roll over your gelli plate to “lift” some of the paint you just laid down. You want to get the look in the video – lots of color still, but a bit subdued. TIP – Don’t “lift” more than twice – you’ll remove too much paint.

Gelli Plate Mixed Media

  • Place your Latticeworks stencil by Tim Holtz over your paint and pull the positive print. TIP – if you want it to be a bit random, only pat the back of your paper in random spots. Try to leave a little paint behind, I chose to pull most of it.
  • Lift your stencil, and place your white card stock on the pattern left behind. Burnish the back of your paper with your hand (I like to add a piece of copy paper if my paper is shorter than my plate as in the video) to transfer as much of your print as possible.
  • Lift your print and try and pull a ghost print with copy paper if you can – I was unable to.

Monoprints and monoprinting

  • Clean your gelli plate in-between if you desire, for me that always depends on how much is left behind and what my goal with the project is.
  • Add the Bloom Silhouette stencil by Artplorations to your plate and add a dark color with a brayer to the desired flowers. I chose to add Paynes Grey. You want a contrasting color to your first color. Brown or Dark Purple with Yellow, Black with Blue or Red, etc…
  • Lift your stencil and pull the print onto your second print (the negative), if you have a ghost print – pull that as well onto another piece.

Mixed Media and CAS Monoprints - Ingrid Blackburn

  • Add some marks to your Gelli Plate with more Paynes Grey and the inside of a Starbucks Cup Wrapper. The corrugated inside is great for texture.
  • Add the lines in three spots – if I could do mine again, I’d add the last one a bit higher. I remember thinking not too high, but my original spot in my mind would have been better. TIP – Lesson learned – go with instinct in art, not the mind.
  • Trim your positive and negative prints down. Measurements are below.

Clean and Simple Mixed Media CAS

CAS Monoprint Card #1 – Black

  • Stamp Thanks from Mini Thanks (Create a Smile) in bold with Versafine Black ink (Tsukeniko) and emboss in clear.
  • Add the negative print to black card stock leaving more space on the bottom than the top (Rule of thirds). Add five sparkling clear sequins.
  • Add a little paper piercing to the top and bottom around your print and you’re set with Card #1

Dimensions:

  • Black card base – 5 1/2 s 4 1/4″ Folded
  • Monoprint –  5 1/4 x 2 7/8″ (trimmed down)

Gelli Plate Prints - Ingrid Blackburn

CAS Monoprint Card #2 – White

  • Stamp Thanks from Mini Thanks (Create a Smile) onto a scrap piece of black card stock with Versamark (Tsukeniko) and emboss in White. Trim it down as in the photo leaving more space to the right and left and just a hair top and bottom.
  • Adhere print to black card stock, making sure it’s centered and the black comes out left/right.
  • Adhere to white card base.
  • Add greeting, popping it up with fun foam.
  • Add five sparkling clear sequins.
  • Paper Pierce three holes top and bottom as in the photo.

Dimensions:

  • White card base – 4 1/4 x 5 1/2″ Folded
  • Monoprint – 3 1/2 x 4 1/2″
  • Black Matte – 3 5/8 x 4″

In the video at the end, I go over my rules for design and clean and simple cards. It’s the last 2 1/2 minutes.

Creative Cards - The Creative Grove

That’s it! What do you think? Don’t let mixed media scare you. It’s just combining different mediums on a project. This project used Acrylic Paint, Stencils, textured surfaces, stamping and heat embossing. We added a little sequins for bling and you’re all set – easy peasy!

Now it’s your turn to get those fingers a little inky. The challenge is coming to an end today, but there will be a new one on the 1st. There’s still time to get one last project in though!I’m also going to play along in some never ending challenges as well…I love all the companies products I used today, and can’t say enough about them. I purchased them all on my own….they are products that I use over and over again.

Playing along with – Stamplorations Anything Goes Challenge for my Bloom Silhouette Stencil, April’s Project Share over at Create a Smile , and Happy Little Stampers Stencil Monoprint challenge – how perfect is that!

Stamplorations and Artplorations Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think! Have you tried a little Mixed Media before? I’d love to know!

Till next time –

Signature

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Filed Under: Art, Brayer, Cards, Clean and Simple, Flowers, Mixed Media, Techniques, Uncategorized, Videos Tagged: , , , , ,
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