LeAnn is our hostess in the Color Challenge this week, and she has asked us to make a masculine card (dessert option) using Bumblebee, Mossy Meadow and Merry Merlot. This card is also for the current challenge over at The Paper Players, which is to make a masculine birthday card. The timing is perfect; I need a birthday card for my nephew.
I am extremely excited about this card, but I'll try to control myself. Once again, a video from the amazing Jennifer McGuire has opened new vistas to me. This video shows how to use a gel press, something I'd heard about a few times, but hadn't looked into. I don't have a gel press (yet!), but I pulled out an old mirror stamp that I've had in my stash and never used. It's just a smooth rectangular photopolymer stamp. It worked pretty well, all things considered.
Following Jennifer's examples, I picked three Distress Oxide colors that were close to this week's challenge colors, and I applied the ink from the pads to the mirror stamp. Then I went over them with a brayer, and then pressed a piece of white cardstock onto the stamp. The result was OK, but just OK. I actually made two of these panels, which was a very good thing, as you'll see.
Then I cleaned off the stamp, inked it again, brayered it again, and put the mosaic stencil on top. I placed one of the panels, face down, onto the stencil and rubbed. I was extremely disappointed at the result--almost no mosaic design at all. But when I removed the stencil, I could see a distinct mosaic design in the ink that was left on the stamp. So I grabbed the second panel and placed it down on the remaining ink. Wow! I was totally thrilled when I removed it.
The rest of the card was easy and was built around this panel. Card base in Mossy Meadow, edges sponged with same color ink, frame cut from Merry Merlot, two cuts from the leaf die, glued together and slightly offset. Greeting on another strip from the gel press adventure, stamped and heat embossed.
Thanks for hanging in and reading this! If you haven't used a gel press, give it a try! It's fun and so rewarding!
Registered: June 14, 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 4948
Tue, Sep 08, 2020 @ 2:47 PM
Love the background you made. I watched that video. I have the gel plates and haven't tried oxides yet. But will definitely give them a try soon. Your results look awesome.
Registered: April 16, 2008 Location: Meridian, Idaho Posts: 8507
Tue, Sep 08, 2020 @ 7:53 PM
Fantastic masculine card Barbara! And that technique worked beautifully for the background, good for you for persevering and ending up with a great design highlighting the lovely leaf image. It was so wonderful to see you in the gallery at The Paper Players, thanks for playing along with this challenge!
Stef xx
------------------------------ Stef
Splitcoast Color Challenge Design Team Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni
Registered: December 30, 2012 Location: Southern California Posts: 1269
Sat, Sep 12, 2020 @ 8:48 AM
Barbara, I'm excited about your card too! It's BEAUTIFUL. I'm glad you gave that technique a try because now we get to enjoy seeing the lovely results.