Carolyn Dube - I'm joining your Colorful Journey

I've recently discovered... Carolyn Dube!  She has great videos on gelli plate printing... very informative ... and she's inviting her readers to join her on a colorful journey with their gelli printing samples.

I'm in!

I've had my gelli plate 3 days and already have a TON of sample sheets - some turned out well, others are too ugly to show you but I'm having a  blast and have a lot of a thoughts about using and embellishing these and future sheets of paper!

Long time no art....

Ahhh... feels good to have paint on my hands again!

Dad was in the hospital off and on this winter for end-stage kidney failure.... went on hemodialysis.. then was too weak to return home so he spent three months in the nursing home in rehab.........  came home in May just as our school bond levy was kicking off... I was a co-chair for that.  Needless to say, no art happened this past winter, spring or most of the summer. Last week, we WON our school issue so it was worth giving up my summer.  Our kids get a new K-8 school and our high school gets updated so it's a district-wide fix!

I hated that old Junior High, I never wanted to go there...........didn't want my kids to go there... never considered that I would have to be the one to lead that effort to get rid of it.  None of us have children or grandchildren in the community - people asked why "three old ladies" were running the school campaign. Having survived it, it would be very difficult for anyone with children due to the time required - that is why we three "old ladies" bit the bullet... and we felt certain we could get the job done.

In my "dry spell" I discovered Pinterest so many of my favorite  links are now on ther

Now on to posting .... and I'm all about getting as much knowledge as I can about my new love... Gelli Printing!

Mixed Media Art Journaling with Samantha Kira Harding

Blended backgrounds for collage by Mary Green

http://gingersnapcreations.blogspot.com/2011/11/mary-greens-blended-backgrounds-with.html


Golden Soft Gel

Gesso

Distress Ink
Vintage Photos from Green Paper

http://greenpaper.typepad.com/photos/free_downloads/

Mixed media photo transfer using Mod Podge

What you need:
• Inkjet photo or laser photocopy
• Collage materials such as: newspaper clippings, designer or hand-made
papers, stamps, ticket stabs, brown paper bags, wrapping paper, etc.
• Acrylic or water paints
• Mod Podge
• Gesso
• Canvas or wood panel
• A water spray bottle
• UV-resistant clear finish

1) Gather your collage materials and lay them out in a design of your choice on any size canvas or wood panel. Adhere the collage pieces onto the surface using Mod Podge.
2) Make sure to cover the collage pieces with Mod Podge so it doesn’t only adhere the papers to the canvas but also protects it to all eternity (or at least a few years).
3) Next, cover the collage layer with watered-down gesso. It will mute the layer a bit and also will tie the pieces together.
4) Add a thin layer of acrylic or water paint of your choice. Don’t over do it so it doesn’t overwhelm the other layers.
5) Let the collage thoroughly dry.
6) Convert the photo of your choice to black and white (not grayscale) by adding brightness and 100% contrast. In some cases color photos will work as well but black and white often works better.
7) You can use either a xerox photocopy of your image or an image printed from your inkjet printer. If you are using an inkjet, print out a mirror version of your image into a standard printer paper.
8 ) Cover your image with Mod Podge and press it face down into the collage. Rub gently with your fingers to smooth out any air bubbles.
9) If you are using an inkjet photo you will have to wait only about 15-30 minutes for the Mod Podge to dry and for the transfer to complete. If you are using a photocopy let it set for a few hours, preferably over night.
10) Spray the back of your photo with water and gently remove and rub off the excess paper with your fingers in order to reveal the transfer. If you are using a photocopy you will have to repeat this step until the access paper is completely gone.
11) For the final touch you can add text, letters, gesso and paints.
12) Preserve your art work with a protective finish such as “preserve it!” by Krylon for inkjet or Krylon Crystal Clear if you used a toner based photocopy.
13) Clean up this mess !

Faux Bleach Technique

Craft Iron
Ranger Spray wash

Ranger UTEE embossing enamal

Ink Stamp with the embossing ink - stamp on tag
Sprinkle on UTEE and emboss it with the heat gun - make sure it's all melted

Paper towel ... folded, tag in middle

Butterscotch color wash
Red Pepper
Lettuce

Cover with a plain sheet of paper... iron to remove the UTEE


IF YOU DON"T HAVE THE RANGER COLOR WASH

Use - ranger distress reinker in a mini mister.. use a dropper of teh distress in mini mister... Spray tag randomly

Moss Trees and Wreath from Style Me Pretty

http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/12/19/christmas-diy-potluck-by-salt-harbor-designs-millie-holloman-photography/