Tuesday, April 2, 2013

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



10 comments:

  1. Look at all those prints- all the variations- the layers- the printed homework (one of my favorite uses for homework!). So glad you shared this with the party!

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  2. Very pretty prints! Isn't it fun playing and experimenting with a Gelli plate? I can't recycle a piece of paper now without seriously considering every single piece as a potential work of art. I'm getting just as bad with considering things for texture and mark making. :)

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  3. Beautiful prints, such a great variety you created here! I only just bought mine, and it's quite addictive, isn't it!

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  4. Love those prints. The colours and combinations you chose are absolutey gorgeous. And pssssssssst ... my fingers look much worse after pulling my prints LOL Suzanne

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  5. Tami, I especially love your custom stencils! I have a similar addiction with stamps :) And your colors...gorgeous! Thanks for sharing your art.

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  6. I suppose I should look before I ask, but I'm feeling lazy, so I'm gonna ask, lol ! How do you make your custom stencils?

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    1. Susi, I design and cut them with my Black Cat Cougar. I will be starting to sell them on Etsy pretty soon. Stay tuned! Fondly, Tami

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  7. What a time you had! Isn't the Gelli Plate fun! I love playing with it and find myself sneaking little bits of time here and there whenever I can!

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  8. The border punches are so effective as stencils, Gelli plate printing is such fun!! Thanks for sharing your fabulous ideas

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  9. Hi. First time here. Been nosy to see what everyone's making with Gelli before I buy mine. Your prints are fabulous!! Very clever using an old flip-flop. Beautiful.

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