This is for Robin's fun Free for All challenge and we are to be inspired by some unexpected things that make us smile.
A lovely neighbour recently gave me some succulent plants and she said it was impossible to kill them.
To cut a long story short, I killed those little suckers in 2 weeks. When I was chucking the plants out, I noticed that 3 or 4 leaves had a little bit of life left in them. That's when I had my light bulb moment and decided to create gelli plate backgrounds using the dead and dying leaves.
Gelli printing on copy paper is great fun, just be quick and not too robust. The paints dry super quick on copy paper and make a great medium for building up lots of colours and prints without having to wait too long for things to dry.
I cut a scrap of cardstock 6"x 4"and wrapped the gelli printed copy paper around the rectangle. I didn't want to apply any adhesive to the gelli print and flatten it out too much. By wrapping the paper around the cardstock it makes the whole thing look 3d and a bit puffy.
After I coloured the mermaid, she was fussy cut and adhered to the card. I was adding the last of the liquid pearls when the bottle decided to hemorrhage all over her tail.
As I was scrapping off the gooey mess I glimpsed a few sequins on my table (another happy light bulb moment)...and the rest is history.
Thanks so much for looking and I hope you get a chance to join in.
Date: Thursday, October 3, 2019 GMT Views: 1413
Favorited:10
Registered: May 23, 2009 Location: sunny california Posts: 9825
Thu, Oct 03, 2019 @ 9:34 PM
O oooh, I love that succulent geli print bg, Susie. My geli print thing is banished to the back of the coat closet in a box with other art supplies that don't like me. Cards as pretty as this tempt me to give it one more try. The sequin tail is stunning, and the coloring on her hair and eyes is so pretty.
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Registered: April 11, 2016 Location: Posts: 30033
Thu, Oct 03, 2019 @ 9:34 PM
Susie love your card and mermaid...her hair and tail look awesome and she pops. Love the BG.
I also kill plants....especially indoor ones. Great idea to use the leftover leaves. Hope your weather is better than ours..a storm is coming. Keep warm and dry my mate over East. TFS. Happy day
------------------------------ The Difference Between Try and Triumph Is Just A Little Ump Wednesday: Alpha Challenge
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Registered: October 26, 2009 Location: Oakhurst, near Yosemite Nat'l Park. Posts: 46765
Thu, Oct 03, 2019 @ 10:08 PM
OMGosh, your bejeweled mermaid is so beautiful!! Love her hair jewels and her tail is just over the moon fabulous!! Gosh why don't I have any of those lightbulbs you talk about, heehee! She is gorgeous mate! You are the master bg maker too! What a great lightbulb moment that was with the plant!
My only complaint is...mom gave you all the lightbulbs!!! LOL!
------------------------------ Blessings, Robin Encourage one anotherMy Blog-InkMagination , QFTD201,Dirty Dozen Alumni.Impression Obsession DT, DRS DT.Formerly HC DT, ODBD DT.
Registered: December 3, 2013 Location: Southern California Posts: 3531
Thu, Oct 03, 2019 @ 10:53 PM
Love your sweet little mermaid and her sequin tail! The background is wonderful as well. As one who propagates succulents though, those leaves that looked mostly dead - well they have a tendency to come back through benign neglect! Next time...LOL!
------------------------------ Jeanne My blog: spectrum-ink
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Registered: June 3, 2016 Location: France Posts: 59658
Fri, Oct 04, 2019 @ 1:10 AM
seeing your cards are also little things that make me smile!! one of the happy moments in life is to share with others!!
I love your pretty gelli print background and the cute shiny mermaid
Registered: June 4, 2009 Location: Deatsville, Alabama Posts: 82109
Fri, Oct 04, 2019 @ 3:07 AM
I laughed at your succulent story - I have killed about 100 of them. I am missing some trick or something you need to know. I love them so it makes me sad!
Back your wonderful card. I love your bg with the the succulent death masks and that tail on that mermaid is one of the coolest mermaid tails I have ever seen - brilliant moment indeed. Many hugz to you my super talented friend.
------------------------------ Nancy Williams - Hope your day is Spirit-filled and ink-filled (in that order)!DRS Designs-DT, Punchkateerforever, Dirty Dozen Alumni
Registered: August 15, 2007 Location: Twin Cities MN Posts: 50435
Fri, Oct 04, 2019 @ 5:01 AM
Great story...I can't believe you killed them in 3 weeks! They really are pretty indestructible.They do make an amazing gelli print bg though what luck that you had a few leaves left for that project. I was initially attracted to that sequined tail...what a bit of kismet! A FAB card my friend.
Registered: June 29, 2004 Location: Sugar Land. Texas Posts: 79458
Fri, Oct 04, 2019 @ 9:02 AM
What an awesome background for this beautiful mermaid! Beautiful work and all the details of how to do it.
------------------------------ LizThe joy of the LORD is my strength.Right Brain Madness --My blogProud member of the redDivasKSS certified multi-step stamperFan Club member since 2004
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