Sunset Collage

Where are you missing being able to go? I’ve been missing being able to go to the ocean, so this blog is about how I took myself there creatively. So I pictured a sunset over the ocean and made with a collage of monoprinted strips.

Monoprinting

All you need is a smooth flat surface: glass, laminated sheet, polythene pocket. You can use your tabletop but it can get messy!

You can watch this process in a short 14 minute film:

https://youtu.be/pOVYCeme9q4

I used eco acrylic paint: yellow ochre, vermillion, and also metallic acrylic paint: orange, red, pink.

Spread some paint out on your surface. A brayer roller helps to spread the paint into a thin layer, but you can improvise with an old store card.

You can make marks in the paint, and can use the end of a paintbrush, or how about you look around at home to see what you have to produce a pattern. I tried a fork, a bottle top, and a whisk.

Lay a sheet of paper over the painted surface, press down, and then pull off. You can repeat without adding any more paint and get a “second generation” print off.

I love this organic printing process, as you can relax and enjoy seeing what you get! You can quickly get lots of pages to use in projects.

I already had some pages I had printed in sea colours (viridian, turquoise, metallic aquamarine …). I also had some painted newspaper and some glittery wallpaper sample. Torn tissue paper is also great for this too.

Repeat the printing process above to create pages for the ocean.

Collage

One the paint has dried, tear the printed pages into strips. Irregular works best.

I like to loosely audition the strips to get the arrangement I want.

Take a piece of cardboard and apply glue to the top half. A sponge brush is great for this. Then lay the torn, painted strips down on the glue, pressing and smoothing with the foam bush. So some glue will end up on the top surface, but it will dry clear and help to seal the collage. It is also nice to have some slightly curling edges, as this adds depth to the scene.

You can then fill in any gaps you don’t like with other small pieces of the printing or some tissue paper.

Apply glue as you work downwards, completing the ocean. Leave the collage flat to dry.

Gelli Print flowers with Love

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I have made this little card with some gel plate pages and die cuts.

Firstly, I  placed a few blobs of magenta eco-acrylic onto the gelli plate brayered it over the whole plate to ensure and even coverage.  I then laid a stencil over it.  I chose a stencil with an overall pattern with hearts and flowers on it.

I used a piece of copy paper to pull my print.  I used copy paper instead of my usual thicker card because I didn't want the final flowers to be delicate.

I repeated the process several times with varying shades of magenta and white (which I mixed together) until I had a selection of prints.  For some prints, I used the 'negative' and for others I used the 'positive' part of the print.

I then selected a fabulous flower die and die cut several 'layers' of petals from the different prints.

I layered them on top of each other and poked a hole through the middle and secured the flowers with a brad.  For one of the flowers, I used glue and sprinkled a number of beads in the centre.

I created a double frame for mounting using co-ordinating coloured card.

Finally, I added a Happy Birthday sentiment stamp onto one of the pieces of gelli printed paper.  Simple, feminine and an easy card.

Gel plate

Eco Acrylic Paint

A Love-ly Little Notebook

A 'love-'ly little notebook 

This is the perfect notebook for recording special memories, special times with a loved one or as a journal for precious photos. I created this using a gel plate and some paints and stencils. What a love! Hehe

Firstly, I put a few small blobs of pink and red paint onto the gel plate and spread it evenly over the plate with a brayer.

Then I place a stencil over the paint layer.  Over the top of that, I placed an A4 sheet of card and pulled a print. Because the stencil had large circles in it the paint was removed. You will see later what a lovely effect this created.

I then removed the stencil to leave a fabulous design on the gel plate.

I then stamped hearts over the top of the stencil print onto the gel plate. I used rubber stamps directly into paint and then onto the gel plate.  NB. Always remember to clean the stamps straight after stamping them into paint. I usually use water only and then wipe them clean with a light damp cloth.

I then brayered a layer of white paint over the whole design.  I then placed a sheet of A4 card over onto the gel plate and pressed it down well all over, and pulled the print to reveal this design. 

To clean the gel plate I use hand sanitizer and a piece of kitchen towel.

I wanted to create some extra depth on the design, so I applied gold and black paint through a stencil.  I used some foam pieces to apply the paint.  The trick to successfully applying paint through a stencil is to not use too much. If you do, it tends to seep through the stencil. So it is best to build up the colour by applying small amounts at a time.

These hearts would be on the front cover of the notebook. I use low tack stencil tape so that it does not affect the card surface and can easily be removed.

  

I cut the print down to size and glued it to the notebook. I then glued some lace to the front cover.

I know that Valentines Day is some weeks away but I felt that 'love is in the air'  and I am ready.

  I now have this to store some precious photos and stories in. I hope your Valentines shines as bright as this lovely Colourcraft metallic paint!

Happy memories! And sending all love and good wishes!

Gelli Plate

Metallic Paint

Acrylic Paint