Testing out my Gelli Plate

So I've been struggling with getting a print that I like with my Gelli plate.  I've watched a bunch of videos and (messed up) inked up a ton of copy paper and some cheapy cardstock.  Once in a while I get something I like. Yay!

Distress Oxides on a Gelli Plate

After watching this video from by Tracey from Lavinia Stamps, I accomplished the print above which I think is a start in the right direction. For my first attempt, I used Distress Inks, but it was lighter than I wanted so I tried again with Distress Oxides.  It didn't apply too evenly, but I got closer to something acceptable.  I used Catherine Pooler ink for the blue and purple stamping. (I really like her inkpads.) 

Distress Inkpads on a Gelli Plate

---

The card with the gold leaf is the first one I tried after watching the tutorial. The Distress Inks turned out kind of light so I switched to Distress Oxides for the rest.

Tracey has some darling fairy stamps, and I definitely "need" some right away!  Did you know nobody in the US makes fairy silhouette stamps?  I couldn't find any.

A bunch of test prints

I don't have a round gelli plate so after inking my rectangular plate, I added a circle mask before pulling the print.  It worked pretty well!.

I wanted the words to curve around the print, so I used the cutout from the mask and a background text stamp.

This is the 3rd card using Tracey's technique. I added some black and gold splashes, edged it with black and mounted it on grapsicle cardstock from My Favorite Things.

Below is a great beginner project using the Gelli Plate and envelopes.

crumpled paper technique

Using tissue paper to add texture

What a fun and easy way to jazz up your envelopes!.  This video by Queeny-E was my inspiration.  Brayer on some ink (I used Distress Oxides) and use crumpled paper to add texture. Tissue paper makes a really nice flowery-type of image.

Use a Gelli Plate to add texture to envelopes

The envelope on the top right was made by brayering Abandoned Coral Distress Oxide onto the plate and then pressing a background stamp onto the plate to remove some color. The bottom right was done by pressing rubber shelf paper onto the plate.

I hope you'll take the time to do something creative and that it brings you joy!