This is for Jan aka Precious Kitty's fun Tickle a Teapotter challenge, where we are to use lace. I kept having one fail after another trying to make a card, so I took a break.
I started playing around with my gelli plate, stencils and copy paper. These two pieces of paper were laying side by side on my table after I finished, along with this Unity stamp....one look and I knew a mermaid, with a lace trim, was begging to be made.
The trick to gelli printing with copy paper is speed and very light pressure when rubbing the back of the paper on the plate. When I say light pressure, it is light as in rubbing an old persons hand for a couple of seconds, not hard rubbing like trying to dislodge a chicken bone from someone chocking.
The paper for the mermaid was made with a couple of shades of pink chalk paints and white acrylic paint applied to the plate, then I sat 2 stencils side by side, placed copy paper on top, gave it a gentle rub, then quickly removed the paper and sat it aside (pretty boring, just pink spots). Note: I used 2 stencils as my gelli plate is the large size.
Next step is to carefully remove the stencils and now lay a fresh piece of paper on the gelli plate and rub gently for two or three seconds, then carefully remove the paper from the plate..... dadaaaaa this is what you end up with. I did one more impression and it is very similar to this second print, just a little bit lighter and slightly more random bits of paint.
The ocean was made with several blue chalk paints and a white acrylic paint. Make the first gelli impression, working very quickly and gently, keep putting fresh sheets on the gelli plate until all the paint is gone.
This background is the third impression. Prior to making the ocean background, I had been using a brickwall stencil. I didn't clean all the old paint off (on purpose) and you can see where it transferred onto the bottom of this card.
I rarely clean off the plate until it's time to put it away. Random bits of colour or stencil marks add to the interest of a background.
Tip: If you put too much paint on your gelli plate, lay a piece of copy paper on it, gently rub it, then quickly remove. Lay a piece of paper on top of the first bit of paper - rub, then peel apart. You should end up with 2 great backgrounds and your plate is ready for printing. This method also works well with cardstock.
The shape of the mermaid tail was determined by the card size and the size of the head/torso stamp. I went with a suitable plus size mermaid tail. Stamp the girl on a long piece of paper, then draw an appropriate tail. Cut this out and use as a template.
Thank you for looking and thank you Jan for a lovely challenge.
Date: Wednesday, October 31, 2018 GMT Views: 1091
Favorited:15
Registered: August 10, 2006 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 25290
Wed, Oct 31, 2018 @ 9:04 PM
Oh, Susie, I'll lend you my "old person's hand" to gently rub, but I won't get chocked on a chicken bone for you!! LOL, you make me laugh, my dear friend! As for the card, it is an awesome creation! The mermaid is so beautiful and I love the lace across her back. The "plus-size" hand-drawn tail is gorgeous and the background you created with the Gelli plate is awesome. Wow, I wish I were the lucky teapotter to receive this jewel! As usual, your artwork is awesome, Susie!
Registered: February 28, 2010 Location: Eastern Ohio Posts: 6279
Wed, Oct 31, 2018 @ 9:23 PM
Your mermaid is gorgeous and she can swim my way if she wants---LOL----Wow, all the steps it took to make her and your card---you had to be tired for sure, all the layers and coloring sure made a sweet card---never worked with gelli plate for card making--you did a good job
Registered: June 10, 2011 Location: Canberra, Australia Posts: 7372
Wed, Oct 31, 2018 @ 10:46 PM
Oh Susie - you know how much I love mermaids and this one is no exception. Love the way you gave her a "plus sized tail" and that you actually drew the tail to attach. You are so creative that way. Great inky, watery gelli plate print with so much texture.
Registered: March 29, 2011 Location: Covington, WA Posts: 32470
Wed, Oct 31, 2018 @ 11:04 PM
Susie, your card is amazing and gorgeous! Your gel prints worked beautifully for your pretty mermaid and ocean. Marvelous coloring on her beautiful braid and her bodice of pink and lace is lovely.
------------------------------ Carla ~ Proud Fan Club Member and Dirty Dozen Alumni.
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni SCS Gallery Moderator Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: July 27, 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 132000
Wed, Oct 31, 2018 @ 11:51 PM
I spotted this in the thumbs when I was moving my WT card into the gel print gallery, and I said to myself, self, that looks like a Susie card you didn't get any notification for. We have an unexpected house guest so I haven't caught up on the TPT comments since yesterday morning. Fabulous work, and what an on-style off-the-shoulder top with lace trim. Thanks for the super description of your print process.
Registered: August 15, 2007 Location: Twin Cities MN Posts: 50658
Thu, Nov 01, 2018 @ 5:19 AM
Next time I do gelli prints I will remember the more subtle hand rubbing approach...I must be of the chicken bone dislodging camp. HA.so fun to read your process. Your bg is AMAZING and I am in love with the plus size mermaid's tail...wow that is awesome. The hint of lace is perfect and the highlights in the hair are stunning..I want those highlights. LOVE this!!
Registered: April 1, 2012 Location: Rogers, AR Posts: 28926
Thu, Nov 01, 2018 @ 8:56 AM
Susie your cards never cease to amaze me!!! They are always so beautiful, and this one is no different, I love it! Thank you for playing in the Teapotter's Challenge today!
------------------------------ Jan 'Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ'. Philippians 1:6
Registered: June 4, 2009 Location: Deatsville, Alabama Posts: 83608
Thu, Nov 01, 2018 @ 11:59 AM
She looks so real. Wow, Susie. You do amazing things with copy paper and ink and paint and glue. Lovely creation. Hugz
------------------------------ Nancy Williams - Hope your day is Spirit-filled and ink-filled (in that order)!DRS Designs-DT, Punchkateerforever, Dirty Dozen Alumni
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: June 3, 2016 Location: France Posts: 60300
Thu, Nov 01, 2018 @ 3:25 PM
Wowwwwwwww I could keep my finger even longer but I wanted to shout out loudly wow!! This is so pretty and so YOU!! I love the magnifique background and the lovely mermaid with all the texture and of course the pretty lace!! I love to read your explanations!!
------------------------------ Anita
We do what we can with what we've got !!
Come to the TEA-party every Tuesday
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