Gelli� Printed Planners & Travel Totes!

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More and more, we're seeing art journals and planners morphing into one creative entity�becoming a perfect place to consolidate your lists, goals, schedules and...art! Watch this video for ideas on monoprinting your own artful planner pages!

The key to keeping a planner/art journal is having it with you! That can mean keeping a special tote for your planner and supplies�and Gelli� plates fit right in. Whoever said "you can't take it with you" clearly didn't have Gelli� printing in mind! Gelli plates offer so many advantages as a printmaking tool�and among them is portability!

Gelli printing on-the-go is easier than ever! The convenience of stamping with Mini Printing Plates takes the fun to a new level. And you can create with them just about anywhere! They're great with paint and a brayer�or stamp pad inks. So be sure to include these essentials in your tote bag!

I had a ton of fun painting this canvas tote bag with DecoArtMulti-Surface Satin acrylic paint and decorating it with strips cut from Gelli prints! It's the sturdy Voyager 15" Riggers Bag from Harbor Freight�and it holds a LOT of supplies!

So the question becomes�what to pack! I'm partial to the StaplesArc Planner because the disc binding allows you to easily add and remove pages. The Arc Compact Punch turns any print into a page you can insert. It's slim profile and light weight make it a 'must-have' in my tote! But just so you know�punching through heavyweight paper with the Compact Punch takes some strength. Lightweight papers are a breeze to punch.

Working on single sheets gives you plenty of options for paper choices. Strathmore has a great selection of pre-cut papers and pads that are sized just right for packing in your tote. My favorites include their Mixed-Media paper, Printmaking paper, and Ready Cut Watercolor paper�hot press�for it's smooth surface.

A 5.5"x8" Strathmore Mixed Media Art Journal is another thing I keep in my bag. It stands up to wet media�and Gelli prints look so beautiful on the quality paper. And I especially love that it lays flat when open�it's such a pleasure to work in.

For paint, I'm always happy using DecoArt Fluid Media acrylics. The bottles are small and pack easily�and a few drops are enough paint on a small Gelli plate! Take your primary colors, white and black�and you can mix the rest. A color wheel is always good to have handy too.

Another wonderful source for color is Splash Ink by Yasutomo. It's a system of the three primaries (Yellow, Blue, Magenta) and black, designed for mixing any color. Inks are thin, so adding it to a medium or white heavy body paint can make it even easier to Gelli print with. Plus, you can alter any acrylic paint color by adding just drops of Splash Ink! Use a Niji Waterbrush with Splash inks to embellish any print. And add a special sparkle of color to your pages with Niji Pearlescent Watercolors. The Niji Water Brush is a 'must' in any tote!

Stencils and masks are so easy to pack�so I keep a bunch of them in my bag. There's always room for my favorite 'Bits', 'Fragments' and 'Remnants' by The Crafter's Workshop�along with some of their fabulous 6x6 stencils. I'm loving these stencils, designed by Rebekah Meier�so many images to use�especially with the Mini plates!

A selection of wonderful Andy Skinner stencil designs by DecoArt�as well as some fun 6"x8" Americana stencils�are in my tote too! Love them all!

I'm crazy for the Gelli Printing Tools�and regardless of the plate size I'm working with�I love combing patterns through the painted surface. So both sets of combs�Squared Edge and Rounded Edge�are in my bag! Aside from creating all sorts of swirly, wavy designs�they're great for adding lines to my planner pages! Perfect for creating original, artful 'List' pages.

Packing an art tote for Gelli printing is pretty straightforward. All you need are Gelli plates, paint, a brayer and some texture tools�plus whatever planner or art journal you work in. But that's just the beginning!

Then, there are supplies needed for journaling on prints and creating planner pages�and collage. This is where everyone's list starts to vary. We all have our favorite art materials to work with.

If you've discovered the total relaxation people are finding in adult coloring books�stick one in your bag for those moments when you're looking for a calm, happy escape. There's a reason these are bestsellers everywhere! I like to cut up colored-in sections and collage onto a Gelli print for that extra element of design and color. They're also a great source for design ideas!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!!!

AND OUR WINNER IS.... Lisa McGushion!!

And now...it's for time our GINORMOUS HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY

In this season of giving, all of us at Gelli Arts are brimming with excitement about our giveaway this month�with tremendous gratitude to our entire Gelli community.

I'm not a magician�but I'm pretty good at cramming things into a small space. HA! Even I can't fit ALL of the cool stuff in this giveaway into the tote bag.

Our lucky winner gets it all�and can decide what goes in the tote :) 

And yes, the tote I decorated is part of this prize!

Our HUGE prize includes the following:

• 1 - 8"x10" Gell Arts� Gel Printing Plate
• 1 - 5"x5" Gelli Arts� Student Gel Printing Plate
• 1 - Gelli Arts� Mini Printing Plates (Square, Triangle, Round set)
• 1 - Gelli Arts� Mini Printing Plates (Rectangle, Hexagon, Oval set)
• 1 - Gelli Arts� Printing Tools (Squared Edge 3 pack set)
• 1 - Gelli Arts� Printing Tools (Rounded Edge 3 pack set)
• 1 - Voyager 15" Riggers Bag - canvas tote decorated by Joan Bess
• 1 - M by Staples ARC Customizable Notebook - 8.5"x5.5" - black leather cover
• 1 - M by Staples ARC Expandable Discs - set of 12
• 1 - Staples ARC Compact Punch
• 1 - Strathmore Mixed Media Art Journal - 5.5"x8" - 64 pages
• 1 - Strathmore Printmaking Paper - Lightweight - 5"x7" - 40 sheet pad
• 1 - Strathmore Ready Cut Watercolor paper - 140b. hot press - 5"x7" - 25 sheets
• 1 - Strathmore Mixed Media - 140lb. vellum surface - 6"x8" -15 sheet pad
• 1 - DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics - 10 color Assortment - 1 fl. oz. bottles
• 2 - DecoArt Americana Stencils - 6"x8"
• 3 - DecoArt Andy Skinner Mixed Media Stencils - 8"x8"
• 3 - The Crafters Workshop 6"x6" Stencils - Rebekah Meier Designs
• 2 - The Crafters Workshop 4"x4" Balzer Bits Mini Masks
• 2 - The Crafters Workshop 4"x4" Ronda's Fragments
• 1 - The Crafters Workshop 4"x4" Rebekah's Remnants
• 1 - Yasutomo Splash Ink - 4 color set - 1 fl. oz. bottles
• 1 - Yasutomo Niji Waterbrush - 12mm - Medium
• 1 - Yasutomo Pearlescent Watercolors - 21 color set
• 1 - Caran D'Ache Neocolor II - Water-Soluble Wax Pastels - 10 color set
• 1 - Derwent Inktense - 12 Ink Pencil Set
• 1 - Speedball 4" Soft Rubber Pop-in Brayer
• 1 - Inkadinkadoo Clear Block - Large
• 1 - Lesley Riley's Reverse Alphabet Stamps
• 1 - Recollections Alphabet Rubber Stamp set
• 1 - Ranger Archival Ink - Jet Black ink pad
• 1 - Tsukineko Memento Dew Drop Inkpads - 4 color set
• 1 - Faber-Castell - 4 PITT Artist Pens - black
• 1 - Faber-Castell - 6 PITT Artist Pens - Brush - Basic Color Set
• 1 - Tombow Dual Brush Pens - 6 pen set - Secondary Palette
• 1 - Sharpie Metallics - 4 pen set
• 1 - Elmer's Painters - Opaque Paint Markers - 5 pen set - Sherbet Swirl
• 1 - Uni-ball Signo - 3 pen set
• 1 - Sakura Pigma - Professional Brush - 3 pen set
• 1 - Sakura Glaze - 2 pen pack - White Opaque
• 1 - Sakura Quickie Glue - Pinpoint Roller Glue
• 1 - UHU Glue Stic - 40g
• 1 - EK Tools Cutter Bee Scissors with Security Cover
• 1 - Cedar Canyon - 6 Rubbing Plates - Curves set
• 1 - The Color Wheel Company - Color Wheel
• 3 - Tape Works - washi tape
• 1 - Avery Specialty Labels - 8 sheet assortment
• 1 - Tags Pack - 40 assorted tags
• 1 - Just Add Color - Botanicals by Lisa Congdon - 30 illustrations to color
• 1 - North Light Books - Gelli Plate Printing by Joan Bess - autographed by author

To enter the giveaway, click on the red "ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE" button below! (This will ensure that we can contact the winner and that entries are limited to one per person. One winner will be selected from all the entries via a random number generator to receive this very special giveaway!) Entries will be accepted until 12pm noon on 12/22/2015. Our lucky winner will be contacted by email and announced here on the blog and on our Facebook page no later than 12pm noon on 12/23/2015! 

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!!!

Please�share your prints with us on our Facebook page, or on Instagram using the hashtag #gelliprint, #gelliplate or #gelliarts . Tag us with @gelliarts on Instagram and Twitter too! We love to see what you're creating!!

Remember, we now have Gelli partners all over the world, so it's easier than ever to find a Gelli retailer near you!

A special thanks to our fabulous friends at DecoArt, Strathmore Paper, The Crafters Workshop, Yasutomo and Lesley Riley for their generous contributions to our special Ginormous Giveaway!

Good Luck and Happy Printing! 

Best Wishes for a Wonderful Holiday Season from all of us at Gelli Arts to all of you!

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Gelli� Plate Printing with DIY & Found Textures!

Have you been overlooking some readily available, fun textures for creating great images in your Gelli� prints? 

Watch this video and refresh your printing experience with textures from everyday items! What FUN!!!

With the dizzying array of stencil designs, stamps, embossing folders and other fun texture tools in the marketplace it's easy to lose sight of some of the most exciting ways to create wonderful texture in your prints � using common household items and found materials!

Here's a handy list of some great texture items you may already have on hand � have fun & experiment!

• String, Thread, and Yarn
• Rubber Bands
• Credit Cards, Hotel Key Cards, etc.
• Plastic Wrap
• Wax Paper
• Cotton Swabs
• Bottle Caps and Jar Lids
• Disposable Cups
• Straws
• Pencil Erasers
• Leaves and Botanicals
• Feathers
• Cheesecloth
• Burlap
• Sponges
• Textured Fabrics
• Textured Wallpaper (Anaglypta)
• Corrugated Cardboard
• Toilet Paper Cardboard Rolls
• Plastic Shelf Liner
• Bubble Wrap
• Doilies

Another useful supply you may already have on hand � 3x5 inch index cards! They're perfectly sized for masking the 3x5 inch Gelli� plate! Not only do they work great for this purpose � but you also get great printed cards from using them as masks!

The paint used in all of these prints is Golden� Open Slow-Dry Acrylics. A small amount of this paint goes a long way! And after you've pulled a print, the second (ghost) print can reveal the most amazing � almost photographic � details. Sometimes a pale third pull is possible � even when it looks like there's hardly any paint left on the plate! Create beautiful images � especially effective as ghost images from leaves and other highly detailed textures.      

                                                                                                                                        

Golden Artist Colors also makes Open Acrylic Medium � in gloss and matte. Add this to any acrylic paint to extend its working time. As we head into summer � and for those of you in hot, dry climates � this may be just what you need to keep your paints � any acrylic paints � from drying too fast. For Gelli� printing, that can be a huge benefit!

The paper used for the prints in the video is Yasutomo Kozo Rice Paper. I cut 8.5" pieces from an 11" x 60' roll. The cut pieces had some curl to them, so I took a few minutes to iron them flat � not really necessary, but to me it's worth the extra effort to work with nice flat sheets.

I also created prints on paper from a pad of Hosho rice paper by Aitoh.

Both of these rice papers have a smooth side and a rough side. Printing on the smooth side with Golden Open Slow-Drying Acrylics gives you a beautiful printed image.

TIP:  When the paint on the gel plate is too dry � rice paper can tend to stick to the plate and tear when you pull the print. If you find that happening, either use a little more paint or add Open Medium. Adding water can create a soggy mess with rice paper!

Instead of cutting rice paper � use a water tear to get beautiful feathery edges. To do a water tear � wet a clean pointed brush with water and 'draw' a line where you wish to tear the paper. Gently push the pieces apart along the water line. The paper tears easily and has a natural-looking edge. This is a great technique for using pieces of rice paper prints in collage, as you can tear it into any shape.

Here's a process for working with your found textures to make prints like those demonstrated in the video � using the 8x10 and 3x5 inch Gelli� plates together! So look around for textures and get ready to make some unique prints! For this process, the 3x5 inch Gelli� plate is mounted on an acrylic block and used as a stamp. 

(p.s. For more on using the 3x5 printing plate for stamping... watch this video.)

1. Apply two colors of acrylic paint to an 8x10 Gelli� plate and roll into a thin layer with a brayer. To create a gradient effect, apply each color to opposite sides of the plate. Roll out the lighter color on one half of the plate � then roll out the other color � meeting in the middle of the plate.
2. Apply a textured item into the paint. Some textures can be pressed into the paint and removed (i.e. bubble wrap, wadded waxed paper, jar lids). Some textures (i.e. cheesecloth, leaves, string) are placed on the painted surface. Cover those with a piece of thin paper, such as deli paper � and press into the paint, outlining the objects with your fingers. Remove the cover paper (which are often beautiful prints!) then remove the textured item from the plate.
3. Place several 3x5 inch index cards � as masks � on the painted gel plate.
4. Cover with the printing paper � rub with hands to transfer the paint � and pull your print.
5. Place the 3x5 Gelli� plate onto an acrylic stamping block or other clear mount.
6. Apply acrylic paint to the 3x5 Gelli� plate and roll into a thin layer with a brayer.
7. Follow the same process as Step 2.
8. Stamp the small plate directly onto a masked area of the printed paper.
9. Repeat steps 6-8 to fill each masked area to complete the print.

There are so many ways to approach this interesting printing process. Look around and you'll find all kinds of textures for printing! Use simple paper masks for building interesting layers! Imagine the possibilities!!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!!! 

Winner is Jane!

And we have a fabulous GIVEAWAY so you can make colorful, textured, multi-plate prints like those created in the video!

Our GIVEAWAY package includes:

• 1 - 8x10 inch Gelli Arts� Gel Printing Plate
• 1 - 3x5 inch Gelli Arts� Gel Printing Plate
• 4 - Golden Open Acrylic paints � 4 oz. jars
• 2 - Golden Open Acrylic mediums � (gloss and matte)
• 1 - Yasumoto Kozo rice paper � 10"x 60' roll
• 1 - Aitoh Hosho rice paper � 9x12 inch pad
• 1 - Speedball 4" Soft Rubber Pop-in Brayer
• 1 - Surprise Kit of Assorted Textures!

To enter the giveaway, click on the red "ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE" button below! (This will ensure that we can contact the winner and that entries are limited to one per person.) One winner will be selected from all the entries via a random number generator to receive this very special giveaway!

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE!

Terms & Condition for Giveaway 

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!!!

Entries will be accepted until Tuesday, May 26th at noon EST. Our lucky winner will be contacted by email and announced here on the blog and on our Facebook page no later than Tuesday May 26th at 5pm EST. 

Special thanks to Golden Artist Colors for their generous donation to our giveaway!

Remember, we now have Gelli� partners all over the world, so it's easier than ever to find a Gelli� retailer near you!

We all have our favorite textures, tools and methods for making our marks in monoprinting. Please leave a comment and share some of your favorites! Thanks!

Good Luck and Happy Printing!


Materials Used In Today's Blog:

3x5" Gelli Arts� Printing Plate 8x10" Gelli Arts�Printing Plate Golden Open Acrylics Golden Open Acrylic Medium - Gloss 3x5" Gelli Arts� Printing Plate 8x10" Gelli Arts�Printing Plate Golden Open Acrylics Golden Open Acrylic Medium - Gloss

Golden Open Acrylic Medium - Matte

Yasutomo Kozo Rice Paper

Hosho Rice Paper by Aitoh

Pointed Brush

Acrylic Block

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