More Gelli Plate Fun

Hey, Froggers! I've had a little bit of time to play lately, and I mean a little. My back problems keep me from sitting for an extended period of time, so I'm eeking in what I can. I've had loads of fun designing more stencils, and hopefully in the near future, I'll be selling them on Etsy.

This is my key stencil that I just cut out on a manila folder. I love the way it turned out. These keys are my original designs, and when I created them, it was the first time I felt like an "artist". 

Here's the first print. Again, I used a manila folder from a stack that I was going to throw out, until I realized that that would be a big mistake!

When I used the stencil on the Gelli Plate for the first time, it stuck a little too much to the plate, so after I took it off, I covered it with clear gesso. I haven't used it since, so I'll let you know how the next printing fares.

Here's the second print. I had covered the original black on the plate with white paint, and this is what I got. I think I put on a little too much white paint, but that's the fun of Gelli printing. You just don't really know what you're going to get.

And here's the last print, or "ghost print". As usual, this is my favorite print.

And, here are some stencils I plan on playing with in the future.

Stay tuned! Fondly, Tami

Playing With the Gelli Plate

So, I've been playing with the Gelli Plate. If you haven't heard about it, then you may have had your head in the sand. Just kidding! It's really a hot ticket item in our ever growing mixed media world.
I initially made my own, because I just didn't want to invest the money in something that was going to be a passing fancy (remembering all of the silk thread embroidery, polymer clay, sewing projects, and pillows-waiting-to-be-covered in my basement), but I soon realized that I needed something a little more stable and predictable.
So, I invested in the 8 by 10 Gelli Plate. And boy, is it ever fun.

Here is my French manicure before playing. And before you judge me, I have NEVER had a professional manicure before. I have always done my own. I sure hope HubbyDoc knows how much money I've saved, doing my own manicures.

Here's one using bubble wrap, my own custom dot stencil, blank circles as a mask, and a rosette stamp after it was all dry.

Here's a ghost print that turned out very soft and subtle, which I really like.

I stamped my medallion stamp on the paint before I printed it on scrap paper.

This one was made with my custom circle and number stencils. I'm addicted to designing stencils and masks for my mixed media. 

This one was just made from cleaning off my brayer, and using circles as a mask.

Another "clean the brayer" colorblock.

Cleaning the brayer again, with a stamp after it was dry. I love using my stack of old papers to add visual texture. This was a science project my homeschooled daughter did. 

Circles and hearts as masks.

And you know all of those border punches that you keep forgetting to use...?

Here's a print with hearts as masks.

Using border punches print over a color block print.

Ghost print with border punch papers and heart masks over colorblock. 

Using bird cage die cuts as masks.

Ghost print using border punch strips. This is going to be the base for something else, but I like it so much, I might just stamp it, or use one of my custom stencils on it.

This is one of my faves. I used a dabber first, a foam heart stamp, and a heart stamp that I cut out from a flip-flop. 

All of these paints are from samples of Pratt and Lambert paint, which my local hardware store was phasing out. I've had these paints for two years, and I've not opened most of them. They were great to work with, but some of them, even unopened, were drying up to a modeling paste consistency. However, I was excited, because now I had instant modeling paste! Here's and example of how I used it.

And here's a better view of the dimension. I love it.

And, here's a look at the French manicure after all was said and done. Guess it's time to get the nail polish remover out. ;)

I hope you enjoyed this little tour of my Gelli Plate printing.

Fondly, Tami

Another mixed media project

Here's another little mixed media project I finished the other day. I'm sorry I don't have more/better pics. I quickly took this when I set it up for sale at my Howsewears shop at Building Character. It was taken with my cell phone, but I hope to use my "real camera" and post some more so you can see the cool features like the texture and color.

The very cool thing about this project is that I discovered a new use for thickened Ranger crackle paint. It was too thick to use on cards, but it was great to use as a makeshift molding paste. I just used a heart stencil that was actually cut out of cereal box material with my Black Cat Cougar, so it was thicker than the normal plastic stencil. Therefore, the "paste" was good and thick. It dried nice and "crackly. I then spread Stickles dry glitter on top while it was wet. More pics to come when I get down to my shop (unless it sells). ;)
Thanks for looking!
Fondly, Tami

The Princess Dresser

A few weeks ago, I talked to a gal at one of my vendor shows who said she had a toy chest that she wanted to paint, but she was afraid. I do remember that feeling with my first piece. Taking that first plunge with the brush was a little scary, but once I did, I was absolutely hooked. I have so many pieces of furniture in my basement awaiting their transformation. I've had pieces for a year or more before I could decide which makeover would suit them best, but I have to say that I've always been pleased with the final outcome. 

Here's the Princess Dresser, aptly named because she required a lot of pampering.

She was really quite ugly, but as my mom always suggestion, I looked for the potential. I loved her hardware, turned feet, and cute little wheels.

And her mirror had a curvy shape and lovely details. So I bought her. I probably spent a little too much money for her, but it was one of those things where, if I walked away, I would have regretted it. Like the box of very cool sewing machine cabinet drawers that I passed up for $5. DRAT!

Her top had certainly seen better days.

And here she is. I painted her with Old White and Paris Grey chalk paint. I think she's just charming.

I really like the detail on her drawers...

...and her top.

She's my new favorite piece.

So, all this to say, don't be afraid to take the plunge and paint something today. 

And, to keep you accountable and honest, let me know what you're going to try.

Fondly, Tami

I haven't linked much lately, so I'm linking to the following:

Saavy Southern Style

Someday Crafts

Primp Junktion

Handy Man Crafty Woman

Coastal Charm

Miss Mustard Seed

My Repurposed Life

Mixed Media

Hey, Froggers! Well, it's been way too long. I've been dealing with a few physical issues, so life has been put on hold for a while. Here's what I've been up to lately.

Yup. I've been playing around with mixed media, and I have to say that I absolutely love it! It is so much fun, but what I like about it the most is that:
1. There are no mistakes.
2. I get to use all of the crap that I've been hoarding collecting for a very long time.

I can't tell you how long I've had a collection of keys.

I used Pan Pastels for the hearts, and they are quickly becoming one of my new fave types of media.

Here are my shabby chic flowers. I just punched out paper with a scallop punch, spritzed them with water, rolled them up in my hands (like you used to do with Silly Putty), opened them up again, and dried them with a heat drying tool. Then I edged them with distress ink, layered them, glued them together, and added cute buttons (two of which I stamped with Versamark black).

Here's a close-up. I think I may have stamped some of the paper as well.

Then there's my little LOVE board. This was done on a sample board from a cabinet shop. It's about 5x7 or 6x8.

Here's a red heart, glittered with red German glass glitter from Meyer Imports. Gotta love the German glass glitter.

The button in the upper right is a vintage button that's translucent, so it's pretty in and of itself, but I had to stamp some French writing on it. I included a little key and some Washi tape.

And...if you're thinking about taking on this mixed media craze, just know that Christy Tomlinson is the BEST. I'm currently taking an on-line course called "She Had Three Hearts" and it is chocked full of useful information, techniques, ideas, etc. She also has lots of tutorials on YouTube, so check her out.

So, that's it for today. As usual, leave a comment if you so desire.
Fondly, Tami

Christmas decorations

Hi, Froggers!
Hey, I KNOW you're all out there because my stats tell me someone's lookin', but I don't have any comments, so if you like something you see, I'd love to hear what you have to say. I've had a few spammers lately, so I changed my settings to moderate comments. I hate when that happens. :(

Here's a sign that I did for a customer. 

Actually, there are two.

He had me make one for his kids and one for his mother, because they have a contest. How cute is that! I love making custom pieces like this. It warms the cockles of my heart, whatever that means.

And now, on to Christmas decorations.

I adore decorating my bannister. When we looked at this house, right away, I noticed the lovely long, tall bannister. It's perfect for decorating.
HubbyDoc loves to garden, so I take the fruits of his efforts and use them in the house. These are giant alliums, sprayed silver. The key to a great garland in my house is lots of texture.

I had lots of fun making glittered ornaments. I can never have enough of them.

I love my glittered hearts. And don't forget- that jewelry that you wanted to throw out? Break it up and hang it up (the small medallion with the bauble below the heart)!

The garland is mostly silver, white, and glass, but I like to add a little color in the form of dried flowers.

Dried peonies add a lavish look.

Here's the upper part. I took aluminum flashing, cut stars with tin snips, and ran them through my embosser.

That's it for now. I'll post pics of my tree(s) the next time.And as always, let me know if you're inspired by anything.
Fondly, Tami