Tag : Gel Press

6 posts

Holly Bells Christmas Card – Celebrating a New Partnership

The FSJ + Spellbinders partnership launch is today! To celebrate this day, I created a Christmas card using the Zenspired Holidays, Holly Bells stamp and die set by Joanne Fink.

I began with a FSJ Butter Cream base and added a 5 1/4″ x 4″ FSJ Kiwi Slice mat to the base.

The gold embossed holly leaves mat took several steps. First, I cut a 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ watercolor paper mat and set it aside. Next, I placed my Gel Press onto my desk and applied FSJ Fresh Forest and Limeade Splash Liquid Colors to it. Tip: Apply more Limeade Splash for a more Christmas green color. Note: The pictured Gel Press with liquid color was created by cutting a full 8 1/2″ x 11″ Gel Press into fourths.

After spritzing the Gel Press and the watercolor mat generously with water from my media mister, I pressed the watercolor paper mat onto the Gel Press, lifting and reapplying until the entire mat was covered with color.

Before embossing with gold embossing powder, I made sure the colored mat was completely dry. To make sure the powder only stayed on the inked image, I applied anti-static powder over the entire mat and then stamped the holly leaves using FSJ Clear Pigment ink. Once I finished stamping, I applied the gold embossing powder and using my heat tool melted the powder creating shiny, gold holly leaves. The last step for this portion of the project was to cut the mat down to 5″ x 3 3/4″ using FSJ Trimmer.

For the sentiment, I gold embossed “Peace on Earth” stamped image from the Holiday Joy stamp set and die cut it with the coordinating Special Day Tags Die Set.

Tip: I used my MISTI to stamp the image four or five times to get a good inked impression.

This card definitely needed some ribbon. A 5 1/2″ length of Special Day White Organza Ribbon was placed across the mat and adhered to the back. The die cut sentiment was centered and adhered on top of the ribbon with medium foam squares. A double bow created from the ribbon is attached with a piece of gold thread and the finishing touch are the Sea Stones embellishments. And, of course, they sparkle just a little bit.

Here is the finished project. I hope this inspires you to create your own holly themed Christmas card.

Supplies Used For This Project (click on the banner above to order):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Gel Press Throwdown Round Two – Music is Life Card

Here is Round Two of the Gel Press Throwdown between Carrie Rhoades and myself. Just a brief review, we sent each other what we considered “ugly” Gel Press pulls and our challenge was to make something beautiful out of the “ugly ducklings”. So, make sure to check out her blog carriestamps.com to see the creations she has made from my “ugly” Gel Press pulls. Here is the link for Round one on my blog http://martyzstamps.com/2018/08/27/gel-press-challenge-round-one-fms351-sketch-challenge/.

I forgot to take a picture of the pull before I started adding to it. Carrie was gracious enough to send me a photo of a piece of the original pull. It is not the actual piece but it will give you and idea of what I started with. Here it is.

I took the original pull and placed it in my spraying box (a box to use silks, splashes and splattering to contain any over mist). I placed our Vintage Screen on top of the pull. I then spritz it with our Shimmer Silver Splash. You can see the design on the bottom photo.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I stamped the guitar/tree with River Stone at the top and Rock Candy at the bottom using my Misti to get the right amount of ink onto the paper. I used Journey Glaze to create a sheen on the guitar and once the glaze was dry, I painted some Sparkle Silk onto the guitar and tree branches for a hint of glitz. I placed the guitar on the Gel Press background to decide what I wanted to do next. Since there was already a hint of Cool Pool acrylic paint on the pull, I decided to spritz the card with the Cool Pool Splash. At first I wanted to keep a circular space in the middle free of Cool Pool color; so I placed a piece of scrap paper on the background and spritzed the paper. Once this was dry, I happened to spy some Cool Pool cardstock and thought that would make an awesome mat. I grabbed it and put some Blue Lagoon ink on the Flannel Life background stamp and stamped the image on the circle which I ran through the die machine with the piercing die to give it some interest. I took the circle and spritzed it with the Shimmer Silver Splash. While all of this was drying, I stamped the sentiment in Whip Cream onto Black Licorice cardstock and embossed with White Embossing Powder. Then, a little splatter of Silver Silk.

After everything was dry, I began assembling the card. I chose River Stone as the base with a Rock Candy mat. I cut down the Gel Press background, added the circle and sentiment with the guitar popped up using foam squares. This was adhered to the base with foam squares. I think this turned into an amazing card. Remember, there are no “ugly” pulls!!!!

What do you think of this card?

Product List

River Stone 8.5x11 Cardstock

$6.95

Rock Candy 8.5 x 11 Cardstock

$6.95

Cool Pool 8.5x11 Cardstock

$6.95

Black Licorice Paper 8.5 x 11 Cardstock

$6.95

Whip Cream 8.5 x 11 Cardstock

$6.95

Whip Cream True Color Fusion Ink Pad

$7.95

River Stone True Color Fusion Ink Pad

$7.95

Rock Candy True Color Fusion Ink Pad

$7.95

Blue Lagoon True Color Fusion Ink Pad

$7.95

Flannel Life Stamp

$14.95

Life Music ATS

$8.95

Journey Gel Press

$27.96

Vintage Screen- Stencil

$6.36

Linked Lines- Stencil

$6.36

Shimmer Silver Color Splash

$7.95

Cool Pool Color Splash

$7.95

River Stone Acrylic Paint

$4.76

Black Licorice Acrylic Paint

$4.76

Spatula

$3.95

Journey Circles Die Set

$24.95

Journey Foam Squares - medium

$2.95

Sparkle Silk

$5.95

Silver Silk

$5.95

Journey Glaze 4 oz.

$9.95

Journey Blooms Paper Trimmer

$34.95

White Liner

$6.95

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Gel Press Throwdown Round One – FMS351 Sketch Challenge

I know all my followers are aware of how much I love my Gel Press. That being said another member of the FSJ Creative Team, Carrie Rhoades, loves the Gel Press as well. We decided to have a challenge throwdown to create cards from each other’s pulls and one of the throwdown stipulations was to include some not so pretty pulls; because, as I tell my crafters, “There are no ugly pulls!”

I received Carrie’s package of pulls this past Thursday; and, quite frankly, I didn’t see any ugly pulls but maybe I have conditioned my mind to see past the obvious and to envision the beautiful. Here is the one I chose to use for the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge 351. I think it is a gorgeous Gel Press pull. *** Carrie used yarn wrapped around her brayer and acrylic pain to create this Gel Press pull (see below). Here is Carrie’s link to the “ugly” pull I sent her and she used for Round 1’s throwdown Carrie Stamps, No Such Thing as a Bad Print blog post (click here).

This set the stage for the FMS 351 sketch.

The minute I began working on putting a card together for this sketch, I knew this pull was a winner! I began with the Thankful Friends stamp set and incorporated some fall colors (Pumpkin Bread, Tangerine Fusion, Rich Coral, Hazelnut Blend and Turbo Teal):

The corrugated paper adds texture and dimension to the circle mats. To create a little depth to the circle mats, Pumpkin Bread ink was applied directly from the pad to the edges of the circles. A hint of twine peeking out from behind the mats adds a little fun to the card. I think the squirrel is just too adorable and makes a great focal point for this card. The sentiment says it all, “Choose to be Grateful.” Do you choose to be grateful? I do.

Product List

Butter Cream 8.5 x 11 Cardstock

$6.95

Pumpkin Bread 8.5x11 Cardstock

$6.95

Hazelnut Blend 8.5 x 11 Cardstock

$6.95

Corrugated Stock Sheets

$5.95

Journey Gel Press

$27.96

Thankful Friends Bundle

$34.10

Journey Circles Die Set

$24.95

Journey Rectangles Die Set

$24.95

Pumpkin Bread True Color Fusion Ink Pad

$7.95

Tangerine Fusion True Color Fusion Ink Pad

$7.95

Rich Coral True Color Fusion Ink Pad

$7.95

Hazelnut Blend True Color Fusion Ink Pad

$7.95

Turbo Teal Ink Pad

$7.95

Journey Foam Squares - small

$2.95

Journey Foam Squares - medium

$2.95

Journey Twine Natural

$5.95

Journey Glaze 4 oz.

$9.95

Details Pro Shears (4.5")

$13.95

Journey Blooms Paper Trimmer

$34.95

Journey Platinum Machine w/Plates

$249.95

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Gel Press Mixed Media Flamingo Original & Remix Card’s Tutorial

I love incorporating FSJ mixed media products to create one-of-a-kind designs. The flamingo cards are a submission requirement to becoming part of the FSJ Creative Team. I hope you are inspired to create and bring paper to life!

Important read all instructions. Gather supplies (products at end of blog).

TIP: Clean Gel Press with damp towel before changing to new color/color combo.

Pull – each time cardstock is applied to Gel Press, smoothed out and pulled up.

TIP: All pulls are made on two pieces of Whip Cream 8 ½ x 11 cardstock. The first pull is the initial application of paint; second pull is created from leftover paint from first pull (may need to lightly mist Gel Press with water).

Place Gel Press on table.
Apply Sweet Berry and Whip Cream paint, mist with water (picture 1).
Mix with fingers as shown (picture 2).
Initial pull with first sheet and another pull with second sheet.

Repeat with Cool Pool, Pineapple Smoothie and Lemon Drop paints. Don’t incorporate Cool Pool with the yellow paints (picture 3).
Repeat pull instructions.

Place Vintage Screen stencil on Gel Press, add Whip Cream paint onto top of stencil. Brayer paint over entire stencil. Repeat covering Gel Press (picture 4).
Repeat pull.

Dilute Black Licorice paint with water. Take a small bottle, press into paint and transfer image onto the Gel Press (picture 5).
Repeat pull.

 

Apply Limeade Splash and Whip Cream. Brayer covering press. Apply Wallpaper stencil (leaves portion) to press – VERY IMPORTANT TO READ – Use SECOND pull cardstock on top of the stencil, rub transferring image onto cardstock. Repeat over entire Gel Press.

Mist the press with water. Use FIRST pull cardstock, make a pull of the entire press. *Aim for hints of green on cardstock.

Bend Deco Dots ATS slightly dip Black Licorice paint.
Stamp randomly onto both cardstocks.

Cut dry cardstock into fourths (4 – 5 ½ x 4 ¼ pieces).

Sponge Limeade Splash and Kiwi Slice using Wallpaper Stencil adding hints of green leaves around edge of mat.

Stamp flamingo image; color with Color Burst Pencils. Die cut.

Card base – Sweet Berry cardstock.
Black mat – 5 ¼  x 4.
Mixed media mat – 5 1/8 x 3 7/8.
Circle dies – Pierce vellum and cut circle.

Position flamingo on vellum circle (do not adhere).
Turn circle over, place adhesive where it won’t show once card is finished. Place foam squares onto flamingo, set aside.

Adhere mats and vellum circle to card base.

REMIX CARD, wrap white thread onto mixed media base before adhering to Black Licorice mat.

Stamp sentiment onto Bubble Gum cardstock with Black Licorice ink.
Mat onto Black Licorice cardstock.
Add Lemon Sparkle tape and adhere sentiment.

Sprinkle with Bubble Gum and Sparkle Silk.
Adhere flamingo.
Add sequins and Journey Glaze to sentiment and flamingo (dust flamingo with Sparkle Dust).  Allow to dry.

 

Original:

 

The REMIX CARD uses Color Splash Pencils.

REMIX CARD – make a double bow from White Thread and adhere using glue dot.

Remix:

Product List

Tickled Pink Bundle

$35.00

Deco Dots ATS

$8.95

Vintage Screen- Stencil

$6.36

Wallpaper stencil

$12.95

Whip Cream 8.5 x 11 Cardstock

$6.95

Sweet Berry 8.5 x 11 Cardstock

$6.95

Black Licorice Paper 8.5 x 11 Cardstock

$6.95

Bubble Gum 8.5x11 Cardstock

$6.95

Journey Vellum

$9.95

Journey Circles Die Set

$24.95

Journey Rectangles Die Set

$24.95

Journey Gel Press

$27.96

Cool Pool Acrylic Paint

$4.76

Sweet Berry Acrylic Paint

$4.76

Pineapple Smoothie Acrylic Paint

$4.76

Lemon Drop Acrylic Paint

$4.76

Whip Cream Acrylic Paint

$4.76

Limeade Splash Acrylic Paint

$4.76

Black Licorice Acrylic Paint

$4.76

Media Mister

$5.95

Spatula

$3.95

Brayer

$7.96

Dauber Dowel Large (3CM)

$7.95

Kiwi Slice True Color Fusion Ink Pad

$7.95

Limeade Splash True Color Fusion Ink Pad

$7.95

Journey Color Burst

$79.95

Journey Color Splash Watercolor Pencils

$59.95

Lemon Sparkle Tape

$4.95

Sparkle Silk

$5.95

Bubble Gum Silk

$5.95

Journey Sequins Pink World

$5.95

Journey Sparkle Dust

$5.95

Journey Thread Whip Cream

$5.95

Details Pro Shears (4.5")

$13.95

White Liner

$6.95

Journey Foam Squares - small

$2.95

Journey Foam Squares - medium

$2.95

Journey Glaze 4 oz.

$9.95

Journey Craft Glue

$4.95

Journey Blooms Paper Trimmer

$34.95

The RG Amaze (for FSJ)

$139.95

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Funtastic Gel Press Day

This past weekend I held a class to learn the basic “how-to’s” of creating simple backgrounds with the Fun Stamper’s Journey Gel Press. The class was full, and we had a funtastic time playing and creating some awesome backgrounds for cards.

Since this was a Keep It Sweet and Simple class, I did not feature any stencils or mixed media products. The main focus of our Gel Press fun was using Fun Stampers Journey’s fusion inks, acrylic paints, and liquid colors. In keeping with the simple theme, I chose to create interest in the backgrounds using common craft tools and items found in a papercrafter’s stash. This included paper cut with heart dies, a balloon die, a fern die, and a leaf die. We used the bottom of the Journey Glaze to create circles on the Gel Press (remember don’t use anything sharp, it will pierce the gel). Creativity is unlimited with this amazing product.

As you know Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and the FSJ Bloom This Way trend catalog has the most adorable Host Exclusive stamp set with coordinating die called Bug Love (SS-0535 and DI-0393); therefore, the featured background for this class was hearts.  I couldn’t help but make a card using this set with the third background pull I created from the Gel Press. I used the FSJ Sweet Berry Splash in a Media Mister along with a Media Mister filled with water, some die cut hearts, FSJ Gel Medium, FSJ sequins, and several pieces of white cardstock cut down to 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ (if you would like to purchase any of the supplies featured in this post, go to www.funstampersjourney.com/martymcgee).

Here is my “Cute As A Bug” card:

It’s so darn cute, I decided to enter it into the Paper Craft Crew Challenge #276. This week’s challenge is a color challenge:

Prior to the Gel Press class, I had created some background pulls to make samples for the class showing the versatility and uniqueness of backgrounds created using the Gel Press. Some of the pulls were just plain ugly; but, my number one rule of using the Gel Press is . . . . . Keep your mind open to making beautiful from the impossible.

Here are the cards I created with the various Gel Press backgrounds:

I hope this post inspires you to play, create and bring paper to life!

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Gel Press and Freshly Made Sketches #301

Last week I received my Fun Stampers Journey order and in that order was my new 8 1/2 x 11 FSJ Gel Press. Yes, Fun Stampers Journey has joined up with Gel Press to offer an exclusive to FSJ 8 1/2 x 11 Gel Press. It is so much fun! I love it!

This past Saturday I was demonstrating to a couple of my class attendees how you can create awesomely unique paper for card making. I played around with FSJ Limeade Splash and Pineapple Smoothie Acrylic paints along with the Starburst Lines stencil on the Gel Press. I made quite a few different designs with acrylic paint, splashes, and the Fusion ink pads. Once I had finished, I set them aside to use later.

That being said, I looked at the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge 301 and decided one of those designs would make a clean card. Here is the sketch:

For the designed piece on my card, I took the design I created with the FSJ Limeade Splash (JM-0101) and Pineapple Smoothie (JM-0023) acrylic paints. To create this design, I placed several small dots of each color onto the Gel Press (JM-0107) and using my brayer (TO-0087), I tapped across them lighting to create a solid layer, BUT not blended enough to loose each separate color. I placed my FSJ Starburst Stencil (JM-0007) onto the paint then placed a piece of 5 1/4″ x 4″ FSJ Whip Cream card stock (CS-0040) and rubbed my hand across the back making sure to press firmly down so the card stock would pick up the paint between the plastic of the stencil. I pulled it off and there you go. It was just that easy. You can then pull the stencil up and get another impression off of the Gel Press. I made some flowers from the FSJ Summer Pretties punch (TO-0007) using left over impressions of this design. To accent the flowers I placed FSJ Fashion Gold (AC-0292) embellishments in their centers. The sentiment is from FSJ Punny Punny stamp set (SS-0421). A thin strip of FSJ Whip Cream card stock is showing below the designed paper. All of this is adhered to FSJ Electric Lime card stock (CS-0123).

 

If you would like to purchase any of these supplies, please click here.

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