"Rockin" Oopsie Daisy Art

I am always on the look out for artwork inspired by the ocean. These stamped stones found on Pinterest really piqued my interest. I sat down with my acrylic paints and Oopsie Daisy Borders and Backgrounds stamp set and began creating.

Rocks from Cape Cod Bay

Stamp on rock using Archival ink (or other permanent ink). Tip: Do not use an acrylic block with the stamps. I use my fingers to ensure full contact with the rock. 

Add color to the image using a fine detail paint brush and acrylic paints. Do you like my acrylic block palette? 

Smooth Rock = clear stamped image

Textured rock = distressed stamped image

I couldn't resist using the cute Flip Flops from the Cape Cod stamp set.

What awesome stamp art will you create on rocks found on your next trip to the shore?

Julie

Torn Gelli Plate Technique

The look of torn paper and a Gelli Arts Printing Plate creation all in one . . . I think I am in heaven.

Gelli prints stamped with Picnic Greetings UM sentiments. Picnic card bases and panels.

The funny and talented Barbara Gray created this technique video, and I couldn't wait to try it and share the results.



Are you ready to get creative? Grab a Gelli Arts Printing Plate, and let's go!

Allow the first layer of blue acrylic paint to dry. Brayer a thin layer of fuchsia paint and immediately apply Geometrics stencil. Use copy paper and bubble wrap to remove layers of fuschia paint while wet. Allow to dry completely.

 Brayer on thin layer of green acrylic.

Use torn copy paper to mask area of paint removal.

Lay white paper over the torn paper and gel plate. Rub firmly to ensure a successful print. 

Carefully peel off the print, making sure all layers of paint adhere to the white paper.

Peel the torn paper off the gel plate.

Save torn paper mask for use on ATCs. 

Achieve several unique looks by using various stencils and paint colors.

ATCs inspired by Karen's post!

Adhere scraps from gel prints onto 2.5x3.5" Dungarees Light Blue and Picnic Dark Blue ATC bases. Embellish with Picnic Borders & Backgrounds and Greetings UM watermelon slices. Stamp with Black India ink and paint with matching green and fuchsia acrylic paints.

What are your favorite Gelli Arts printing techniques?

I hope you have a terrifically crafty week.

Julie

Branching Out with Trees

I thought I'd experiment with some techniques to create backgrounds for the beautiful stamp images this month. It's my way of "branching out" and trying something different! So I gathered a few supplies and got started.

Gelatos create a great watercolor effect. Choose three coordinating colors and blend with a waterbrush.

I learned this next technique a number of years ago: Use an ink applicator tool to apply three shades of Distress Ink to a plain white panel. Sprinkle droplets of water onto the ink. It will act as a resist and leave a cool pattern behind.

Next, grab a spare panel of smooth-finish white paper and apply four colors of CS Hybrid Inks direct-to-paper. Blend with a paper towel.

I finally booked some play time with my new Gelli Arts Printing Plate! To mimic my examples, apply three Adirondack Metallic Acrylic paints, blend onto the gel plate with a brayer. Press plain white panels onto the plate to get several "generations" of imprints. I also tried stamping the dotty texture stamp into the paint, and stamped off the excess onto yet another panel. I have a lot to learn, but I was pretty happy with my first try!

After play time is done, select some favorites to turn into completed cards. 

Collection UM stamp on Hybrid ink panel.

Left card is Gelli Plate with B&B stamps. Right card is Gelatos with Art Nouveau UM.

Two different "generations" from the Gelli Plate with Greeting UM sentiment.

The Distress ink "droplet" panel made a cute gift tag!

I hope you'll branch out and try a few different techniques with this versatile collection!

Creatively yours,

Karen

Neon Marvels Ghosting Technique

First things first, I am happy to announce the random winner of our Random Act of Kindness Day giveaway on Monday: Comment #6, Toni Burks.

This is what Toni had to say, "I would RAK my friend Ellie Fannin who is struggling with terminal brain stem cancer. I've been papercrafting with her to lift her spirits, but she is very lonely and bored because she can't do much."  

Congratulations to both of you!

Remember last week I posted a fun tutorial called the Metallic Marvels Ghosting Technique? After trying it with the metallic inks, I wanted to try the same technique with Club Scrap's Neon Dabbers. Here are the BOLD results.

Neon Pink Metallics Combo

Step 1. Make puddles of Neon Pink dabber ink and gold and copper metallic re-inkers on glossy cardstock. Roll with rubber brayer.

Step 2. Stamp Tribal medallion image onto wet inks and slide to create ghosting effect.

Step 3. Stamp inked medallion onto plain white cardstock.

Step 4. Allow panels to air-dry completely, or use a heat tool. Finish cards using the panels you created.

Neon Green & Blue 
Step 1. Make puddles of Neon Blue and Green dabber inks on glossy cardstock. Roll with rubber brayer.

Step 2. Stamp various images from Time of Your Life  onto wet inks and slide to create ghosting effect.

Step 3. Stamp inked images onto plain white cardstock.

Step 4. Allow panels to air-dry completely, or use a heat tool. Finish cards using the panels you created.

Neon Dabber Metal Medallions

Step 1. Use white acrylic paint to cover metal medallions. Allow to dry.

Step 2. Apply Neon Pink ink dabber and Gold Metallic Re-inker to medallion. Use your fingertip to blend.

Step 3. Allow to dry. Use Emery board or sand paper to remove ink from the raised areas.

Step 4. Repeat steps using Neon Green.

Thanks for stopping by and hope you enjoyed the tutorials.

Julie


Club Scrap® Products used:
Painted Desert Dk. Pink Cardstock
Cruisin' Black Cardstock
Study in Red Black Cardstock
Take Wing Lime Green Cardstock
Spring Chorus Rhinestone sticker embellishments
Hopes Gold Fiber
Tribal Collection UM Stamp Sheet
Gift from Retreat 2013 (Darius Embossing Folder: Clocks) 

8" Round = Happiness

The brand new 8" Round Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plate finally arrived! I dropped everything and got out my paints and brayer the minute it entered the door. (Caution: This might happen to you.) Fortunately, I wasn't in the middle of a meeting, or there may have been a few awkward moments.

I was far too engrossed in my playtime to take photos during the printing process, but Kay was kind enough to help me showcase the final results.

My first attempt included experimenting with the Fire & Ice Stencil and copper/ivory acrylic paints. Initially, I thought this sheet was destined for the, uh, "circular file," but I stuck with it and am quite happy with the final outcome.

The Fire & Ice quote from the FontArt UM was the perfect finishing touch. I trimmed the final piece to 11-1/2" square and matted it onto Black and Fire & Ice Orange. It will fit right into a 12x12" frame.

Paint was removed by stamping on the paint on the Gelli plate with the scroll image from the Big Deal Greeting UM. I stamped additional scrolls with Mahogany ink after imprinting.

Remember the bright neon acrylic paints I stealthily took from my daughter's stash? I used them to create a bright, lively art piece that I can't wait to frame. The rounded edges of the imprints add such a neat look.

I used an assortment of stamps and masking stencils. Oh, my . . . this was fun.

The Reel Masking Stencil from the Get the Picture collection was used during the gel printing process and also as a mask after the piece was dry. Here, I masked the area and applied our Neon Pink ink with a foam applicator.

I am always amazed at the detail that can be achieved with this awesome Dragonfly Masking stencil from the Bugs collection.

When working with a circular Gelli plate shape and square piece of paper, it's good to keep in mind that you can still get several impressions with one painting of the plate. Divide the circle into two or three sections, allowing the edge of the paper to land on the middle of the plate.

Here's an illustration of two different ways I divided the round area to distribute the paint to the 12x12 sheet.

I hope you have a ball playing with your new round plate. Be sure to post your results!

Now, what was I doing again?
Tricia