Monday, June 25, 2018

Gel Plate Technique Fun and More



 Hello! Summer is here with the heat and humidity so I thought you might like a glass of something refreshing to start before diving into this photo heavy post:) The image is from one of last year's calendars. I only added the decorative paper and magazine clipping at the top and washi tape along the bottom of my journal page. Cheers to the T Stands For Tuesday gang! Also linking to Art Journal Journey for the theme of "Inspired By".

 Finch nest update:


 here they are from a pic I got last Friday, and as of this posting today:


 The feathers are coming in fast so it won't be much longer til they are gone. I've had such fun watching them:) However, this next sighting right OUTSIDE MY BACKYARD had me a bit shaken:


 Do you see that bear thru the fence????That blue edge and taillight are my hubby's car! My neighbor texted me and said she heard there was a bear sighting at Moravian College. I thought it was a joke cuz I had just 10 min. earlier been out back and saw the deer again. Never in the 35 years we've lived here has there ever been a deer, let alone a bear in our area!! He was much closer than he looks so as soon as I got the pic (while shaking) I ran inside. Within an hour he was tranquilized. They were moving him from the ground when I went to see what all the flashing sirens and cars were about just a few houses up from me. I almost started to cry but the warden assured me he would get a health check, get tagged and then be taken to a forested area. This bear was a baby at only 88 lbs. Oh my gosh, my adrenaline is going just thinking about it! Makes me wonder what I'll see next...

 This card is meant for the Simon Wednesday Challenge "Bright and Cheerful":


 Products: Neena Classic coat 110# Solar White cardstock; pink patterned paper; Altenew Build a Flower Camelia stamp and die set, Painted Greetings stamp set; Versafine Onyx Black ink; Archival leaf green ink; Staz On Forest green ink; Distress Inks- Mowed Lawn, Fired Brick, Festive Berries, Worn Lipstick; Moonshine Sequins (Simon Says Stamp).

 And last but not least- I finally pulled out my smaller (5 x 7") Gelli Arts Gel Plate to play! Here is my tutorial on what I am calling the "foil technique". As far as I know it hasn't been done by anyone -at least not that I know of. First here's a look at some of the finished background prints:


 And if you have a plate give it a go- it really is a no fail and easy peasy! Ready?

Step 1 . Grab a sheet of foil wrap and scrunch it into a ball- not too tightly. Choose several paint colors , dab some dots around the plate (go lightly) and brayer over it to meld the colors together.


Step2:  Use your ball of foil to gently pick up ink off the plate here and there. Move or replace the ball of foil as needed. I think you can see on the plate where the paint has been lifted.



Step 3: Place your desired paper (I also used envelopes-not shown) on the plate; place a scrap paper over top of that and press the papers to transfer the paint.


Step 4: Peel off your scrap paper (save for another use), then your print- et voila! This red was the first one I tried and then I went all out mixing colors and printing without cleaning the plate. Here are my favorites up close:




 So what do you think?  Please let me know if you give it a try and share your prints won't you?Edited In: I had some ? about the foil damaging the plate-no, I've had no problems at all but to reiterate- use a gentle hand when pressing the foil around the painted plate. HTH.

 In my next post I will share more Gel Plate inspiration!  Linking to Paint Party Friday.
Thanks for staying with me, and I'll see you soon!

" I define creativity as the person-centered process of imagining possibilities and taking expressive action to bring ideas to life."     Marta Davidovich Ockuly

45 comments:

  1. Very refreshing page, Linda. It's hot here today too, so those cool drinks look mighty good.

    We used to have bears wander into town from the surrounding hills when I taught in Pequannock, NJ. They'd just come out of hibernation and were foraging for food ... so yes, pretty scary. The authorities would alert the schools to keep all the kids inside for however long it took to tranquilize the bear and haul it back to its natural habitat. I'm glad to hear the authorities in your area are adept at handling the situation even though it's a new experience for you.

    Beautiful birthday card. I love moiré but hadn't seen any in a while.

    I want to do more gel plate printing. Maybe I'll give your new technique a try; though my gut tells me to start with the basics ;-) I usually don't listen and just dive into the deep end.

    Happy T-day! Hugs, Eileen

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  2. its a very cool effect with the gelli plate :) I might be worried the tinfoil might puncture the plate if you pressed to hard, but lightly dabbing shouldn't be a problem

    brown bear??

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  3. Goodness, those baby birds are sure getting bigger and bigger overnight. By next week, I suspect they will be gone. And that baby bear. I wonder where it wandered in from. At least now they will be able to follow its movements.

    That's a fabulous card AND a remarkable gelli plate tutorial. I may have to try that, but I only have one gelli and it is the bigger one. Thanks for the tutorial. Food for thought!

    Speaking of food, I love, love, love your journal page today. It fits both T Stands For Tuesday and Art Journal Journey perfectly. Thanks so much for sharing this at both venues today.

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  4. Wow a bear. I think getting the game warden in was smart because I bet Mom bear wasn't too far off. We've had bears here (big ones-like 350 pounds), but I live rural and it isn't good for a bear to be in civilization. And those bird babies sure do grow fast, don't they? As usual you always show us some inspiring art. Stay cool my friend and happy T day. hugs-Erika

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  5. Those birds are certainly growing quickly. I can't believe they have all those feathers. Beautiful!
    I have never used a gelli plate but I certainly want to try it sometime. I am loving the prints that you got using the foil technique. Thanks for sharing.
    Happy Tea Day,
    Kate

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  6. Oh my, I would have been scared to see a bear, too. Glad it has been moved to somewhere safer. Those baby birds are fabulous. Love the gelli prints, you have been having fun! Happy T Day, Hugs, Valerie

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  7. That drink sure does look refreshing Linda and definitely needed here in the UK right now too. Beautiful sunny page :)
    Glad to see the good progress of your little birds.
    The bear was a big surprise - wow - hope it is ok and somewhere safe now.
    Your gelli prints are fabulous and that looks a cool technique - thanks for sharing that.
    Thanks also for sharing what inspired you and joining in at AJJ.
    Happy Tuesday...Gill x

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  8. How lovely to see those baby birds. I must scroll down and see your previous posts.
    And then all that excitement with the bear. I'm glad he was sensitively treated. Would it need its mother? the mother might be around looking for him (Now I'm scaring you!) Never a dull moment!
    Your drink looks very inviting. I think I shall have one myself.
    Have a good week,
    Lisca

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  9. Oh my, seeing a bear in your backyard must have been such a shock! Glad he now has a better home to wander around 😁. I think I'm going to be singing "Here come the sun (doo,doo,doo,doo)" for the rest of the day now ...lol 😉. I can't believe how much the finches have grown in a week either and you have created such beautiful art again. I enjoyed the Gelli plate tutorial too! Wishing you a Happy T Day! J 😊 x

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  10. Good morning, thank you for cool drink as we are back to hot and humid again-although we had rain last night.
    enjoyed seeing the baby birds-they are growing fast-and you know last year May when I went to Yellowstone I wanted to see a bear and didn't-and here you have one in your backyard lol so glad he was taken back to the woods, this must be his first year on his own without his Mom
    I enjoyed your tutorial and your results thanks for all the photos.
    Have a good week ahead and Happy T Day Hugs Kathy

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  11. Your summer inspired page is so fresh and a great way of using a image that speaks to one. With a bit of washi and someadditional papers... one must have a hand for such things! You are a such a talented artist! Thank you my dear Linda for joining Gill's topic at AJJ again! Much appreciated ♥♥♥!Your art is always a pleasure for me!
    Fantastic idea with the foil technique on the gelli plate! You were very inventive - how easy and effective?! And the backgrounds look fantastic! I will keep that in mínd when I start a gelli print session next time. I am not very keen on making gelli prints. It always makes me a bit nervous with all the papers then laying around to dry ... Maybe I will do it in the basement next time... since it doesn't matter if there is a bit of a mess...lol.I will let you know how your foil technique works for me. Since I will try it for sure!

    And I love the lovely nest photos! Amazing! Oh my goodness - what an adventure with the young bear. I can understand the excitement - hopefully he can enjoy his life very long now after they get him in the right wooddland area and don't miss his mother too much!Reminds me in some way of Jean-Jacques Annaud's "The Bear" film ...thank you for sharing this photos and the adventurous experience. Your birthday card is just so beautiful - I love the fresh water drops! Looks so lovely and fresh! And just so feminine!

    And last but not least I must tell you a lovely story about my brother. I got a little wooden bird house hanger from you several years ago in a candy - it hangs here in my living room studio on the door handle. He was faszinated and played with it evry day during his vist here. I wanted to give it with him but he put it at the door handle again----so lovely!

    I am lookinf forward to reading about your further gelli printing adventures and hope your mother feels well in France!
    Happy T-DAY, AJJ and PPF for you dear Linda!
    Have a great week!

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  12. How wonderful for you to see a bear that close but still be in the relative safety of your home.. We keep encroaching on them where are they gonna go?

    I haven't played with my Gelli plate yet so i will file your tutorial away and have a play another day!! Love your results Linda! Hugs! deb

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  13. wow, a bear?! we have had sightings near here, but we are in rural Ohio! hope the baby bear will survive/find it's mother! I think they stay with their mother for a couple of years...? quite a surprise in any case. love your geli prints!! the foil technique is easy and fun, I've tried it with plastic wrap too...makes nice texture. your pages turned out fabulous!

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  14. Creative and lovely color combinations in your gelli plates creation! And look at those lovely baby finches! Sweet! xxx

    Happy Day to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  15. Great photos!!! That bear that close would be scary! They've been seeing bears around here this year too...makes you wonder what's going on.
    Your post reminds me that I have had my Gelli Plates out for a very long time.

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  16. What a fright for you. Glad the bear is well and no one was injured. Love your gelli plate play. Makes me want to get mine out!

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  17. Iced tea is perfect for today, any day really. the little birds are so fluffy. We have had bear warnings in my town, but I've never seen one. I love black bears. Poor little guy, first year on his own. His mama must have had a cub this Winter. Glad they took him where a bear can be happy. Your Gelli plate prints are fabulous. Guess I'll have to go drag my Gelli plate out and give it a go. Happy T Day

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  18. That bear! I've never seen one in the wild, and it sounds exciting... And Scary! Your finch babies are much more my speed ;)

    Your prints are gorgeous!

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  19. Super gelli print pages, you will enjoy using them for your art. I loved your journal page and that drink looked so inviting.
    Gosh I thought the deer last week looked awesome, but that black bear was something I wouldn't want to see that close up.
    Happy T day wishes Linda.
    Yvonne

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  20. How amazing to see that bear so close!
    Really lovely seeing the finch babies. It's beaut how they nest in your hanging basket.
    Good for your Mum going on her long journey, a month is a nice time to spend there.
    Your gel plate papers are so very beautiful.

    Sorry I'm not more regular in visiting. I've enjoyed catching up on your doings.
    Hugs xx

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  21. I love your gelli plate pages - what a great idea! Those birds have changed! It amazed me that the ones we had in the box at the caravan had very wide gaping mouths when we arrived but 4 days later they were definitely beaks! Wow! Beware the bear - that is close! Happy T day Chrisx

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  22. Beautiful birds and I LOVE your foil technique! Thank you so much for sharing, my friend. Kisses!

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  23. Oh, wow, a bear! Last Fall when we went to Estes Park, Colorado almost in Rocky Mountain National Park, we saw a bear right outside our cabin. I will have to post those photos on my blog. Like you, we have been going to theses same cabins for 50 years and never saw a bear! Re your Geli Plate technique, I love Geli plate prints and might try this. Does the foil hurt the gel? Happy TDay!

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  24. Hi! The card is so bright and pretty. I love how you kept it against a muted woodgrain printed panel. Really brings out the flower. Thank you so much for joining us on Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge. xx Ankita

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  25. my visitor has left and i can make my belated t-day blog tour.
    wow, that bear experience really is something i do not Need... i can understand you were nervous! ... to see your birdies is fun, they grow so fast! soon they will be fledglings... and i have to Bookmark your experiments with the gelli plate - great results!
    have a great week, linda!

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  26. Oh my goodness ~ A Bear! in your back yard ~ wow! Be safe ~ xxx
    Beautiful art works ~ will be back again to comment ~ (not feeling well today)

    Happy Day to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  27. I'm still trembling when I think of that bear! A boar is the worst we've seen here. Happy PPF and have a great weekend, hugs, Valerie

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  28. I love my Gelli plate and can't wait to try your technique. Thanks for sharing. I can't imagine having a bear in my backyard. Something must be changing for them as we hear more and more about bear sightings in established residential areas. Whatever, great post today! Happy PPF

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  29. I love bears, but I'm not sure I'd like having one hang out in my neighborhood either. Your gelli art prints are marvelous, and can't wait to see what you do with them. Happy PPF and Blessings!

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  30. Wow,what adventure you've had!
    Love your hello papers with beautiful colours.
    Thanks for tutorial!
    Happy PPF and wonderful weekend 🌼

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  31. I really love your card, it's so beautiful in pretty colors! Your art work results are great. Mel

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  32. Wow, sounds like you had a bit of excitement going on there!! I hope the baby bear is able to survive on its own.

    I've never tried a gel plate before, even though I keep saying I'm going to buy one..I like your prints.

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  33. Lovely birthday card creation and so glad our feathered babies are thriving!

    Happy Day to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  34. Those gelli-prints are gorgeous Linda, thanks for sharing your process. I must say my first thought was also that the foil might damage the gelliplate. It all depends on how gentle you are I guess. I'll have to try it. It's such a long time ago since I used my gelliplate ... Love seeing how the birds grow, and omg that bear! I wonder where his mother is. I'm so glad they didn't kill him ... Happy PPF, enjoy the summer!

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  35. Hi Linda. Those little birds are growing nicely. Love your card and thank you for the tutorial. I've never tried gelliplate but I'll keep it in mind.

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  36. Such beautiful art, loving all those magical prints, very colorful and visually intriguing, wonderful and inspiring! AW, sweet little bear, hope he is home and happy now! Great pic by the way! Your birds are so beautiful, thanks for the updates!
    Happy Creating and Happy Summer!
    Victoria

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  37. Great post. The birds are growing fast. The bear is awesome and the art fantastic. Have a nice weekend.

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  38. Adorable little birds! Ans your art is so beautiful

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  39. Enjoying the cool drink with you!

    Happy Day to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  40. Your spirit is standing in the water with the seagull! Thanks for all your visiting and comments!

    Happy Day to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  41. thr fact that wildlife moves into cities is probably because we destroy their normal habitat :( Where I live they cut down one forest after another :( Love your art today. I´ll make a note and will try it when I get some paint. :)

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  42. I've missed your packed posts and am enjoying catching up :)

    A bear? Really? That's crazy. Glad he got back to where its best for him and you and your neighbours :)

    Thanks for sharing your geli print method. I do love playing with my geli plate

    Karen

    Karen x

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  43. Oh wow, a bear! That must have been scary! But also exciting. I'm glad they're giving him a check and taking him somewhere safe. And those little birds are just too sweet! Beautiful artwork too, and what a great tutorial! I've had my gelli plate for ages but I don't take it out enough.

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Thank you so much for your comments; it's a pleasure to connect with you!