Stamp Carving Transfer by Ursula Smith

In case you don't know me very well, I am a stamp-a-holic. As such I have carved my share of stamps. Recently on my own personal Blog- Ursula-Smith.com/Blog, I started a series of posts on stamp carving. The first one is my two cents on how to transfer designs to the carving material, and the material I like best (Spoiler alert: SpeedyCarve by Speedball- the pink stuff). If you'd like to check out that post, it is located here. There is another post that shows me actually carving a stamp, which is located here.

For those of you who love to carve like I do, I decided to do another post here on the Cre8ive Klatch and show you a fun way to use your carving material if you have an extra sheet of it laying around. I am going to be using this with a Gelli Arts Printing plate (another of my favs!!! You can read more about it here) and a plastic stencil. You could maybe get away with just rolling paint directly on the stencil (or even using sprays) if you don't have a GelliArt plate. In my world, I have limited time to craft and so I am always looking for ways of getting 2 or more things out of one project. I call them 2-fers or 3-fers etc. This idea gives you multiple prints.

You can follow along with me on my YouTube channel, however I was trying to do this one handed, and my paint was pretty dry so the end result in the video was not the greatest. I am also including instructions here, with pictures, so that you get see a better end result, and  I also pass along a few extra tidbits.

Enjoy!!

The first thing I did was add some paint to the Gelli Arts Printing plate. My plate already had a little bit of paint on it when I started. I placed the stencil down and then rolled paint on top of the entire thing- over the stencil also.

 You could also roll some paint on the plate first, then place the stencil on the plate, then roll more paint over the top of the stencil.

Once the Gelli Arts plate and the stencil are fully "inked" I placed a large sheet of Speedball's SpeedyCarve carving material next to the plate. Then I took the stencil off the Gelli Art plate and flipped it over onto the carving material. So the top of the stencil that was painted is against the material.

 Place paper over the top of the stencil on the carving material and VERY CAREFULLY press the stencil all over to transfer the ink to the carving material. If you put paint on your Gelli Art plate before you put the stencil down, you will get another print on the paper placed over the stencil.

Here is a transfer onto the paper that covered the stencil on the carving material...

Now remove the stencil from the carving material and you should have the reverse print on the material.

Place another piece of paper of the material and again, VERY CAREFULLY, press the paper onto the inked image to pull the image onto the paper from the carving material. If you are careful and go very slowly, you can try to use a brayer to get more contact.

Now carefully pull the paper off the carving material and see your reverse print.

But wait- there's more! You still have the Gelli Art plate with paint and the impression of the stencil. Go ahead and pull that print now.

If you are lucky, and your paint is slow drying, you might even get a second print from the Gelli Art plate directly- a ghost print! That is (let's count them)

1. One print while you rubbed the piece of paper over the stencil trying to transfer the paint to the carving material. This is only if you put paint onto the Gelli Art plate before you placed the stencil onto it.
2. One print from the Carving material transfer.
3. One print from the Gelli Art Plate directly
4. Possibly another print (ghost print) from the Gelli Art Plate directly

Now all these prints take time, so you want to use a paint that dries very slowly. I used Golden's Open Acrylic, but that can be expensive. The other thing I have tried is using other paint mixed with Glazing medium, to slow the drying process.

So now you are left with Carving Material that has paint on it. You can always flip it over and carve the other side if you wish. Or keep using it as a transfer plate. Or you could use paint remover wipes like Soho and try to get the paint off. You can read more about them on the Creative Clearinghouse site under Favorite Supplies.

Thanks for visiting the Cre8ive Klatch. If you wish to see more of my ideas, tips, techniques and experiments, you can find me here:

Ursula-Smith.com/Blog

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Creative Clearinghouse

Disposable Cupcake Holder by Shells In The Bush

We know that everyone must be headed out to parties and family get togethers for the holidays. Here is your tutorial for the best cupcake carrier for your event!! 

You all need to make one and post your picture of your creation to our Facebook page!! We will be looking for them!

Hi everyone!!

I'm Michelle Reynolds from www.shellsinthebush.com/ and the Cre8ive Klatch Team.

I'm here today to show you how I made this pretty disposable cupcake holder and to inspire you to create your own.

I've just baked two dozen cupcakes to take to my high school reunion and needed a way to transport them safely so I decorated an old cereal box.  This is a great idea if you have to take a cake or cupcakes to an event such as school party or a fair donation and you don't want to be worried about getting your plate back or the plastic wrap touching the icing - a couple of toothpicks will help with that if your cake is bigger than the sides of the box.

Supplies 

~ an old cereal box
~ craft knife or scissors
~ tape, sticky tape and double sided tape
~ paper to decorate - I used gelli prints but you could recycle wrapping paper or scrapbooking paper.
~ washi tape

 1. Tape up the opening of the cereal box.

 2. Use the craft knife to cut away one large side - I put this back into the bottom of the box to strengthen it.

 3. Measure and cut the side and bottom panels and place in box.

4. Use the double sided tape to stick the paper to the inside of the box - just one small piece in the middle of the side is all I used. I used sticky tape at the bottom of each outside corner to keep the paper in place.

 6. Measure and stick washi tape to each corner edge - this helps keep the paper in place and makes the box look prettier.

There you go - one pretty cupcake holder...hmmm...maybe too good for cupcakes...will try to take it home and re-use it for something else if there isn't too much icing on the paper...

I hope you have fun creating your Diposable Cupcake Holder.  Please join our Cre8ive Klatch FaceBook Group and share your creations - I would be thrilled to see them and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you.

Michelle.

PS If you would like to buy some gelli prints to use to create this cupcake holder or in your art journal, for collage and mixed media art then check out my Etsy store for some great Gelli Print Packages.

Little Books Part 3 - Binding by Shells in the Bush

Have you gotten your papers and tape finished?

Here you go for binding all your pages!Imagine how cute these would be for gifts!

Hi everyone!!
I'm Michelle Reynolds from www.shellsinthebush.com/ and the Cre8ive Klatch Team.
I'm here today to show you how to bind the pages you've created with the washi tape you've made into Little Books.

Part 1 showed you how to make different backgrounds and pages for your book.

Part 2 gave you some tips to make your own washi tape.

Part 3 binding the book together - no needles required!!!

Supplies:
Pages
Washi tape
Scissors
Paper


1. Use a ruler to keep the pages lined, allow a small gap in between the pages to allow for bending.

2. Stick your washi tape down the spine.

3. Trim excess tape. Fold page over, add another page and stick more tape down the spine.

4. When the book gets too thick then tape one side at a time, flip the book over and place the page on the tape leaving a small gap. Continue on until you have finished all your pages.

5. The spine of the book will be all stick and will need covering. Measure the width of the spine.

6. Cut a piece of paper, not cardstock as it will be too thick and inflexible, the width and the length (add a little extra length, similiar to when the edges of the pages were taped) of the spine. Stick a strip of washi tape to each side of the paper.

7. Lay the spine on the table and place the book on the spine, leave a small gap between the book and the paper. Then fold over the spine towards the cover of the book.

8. Trim excess tape from your spine and your book is ready to write in, for doodling in, drawing in and decorating.

I hope you have fun creating your book.  Please join our Cre8ive Klatch FaceBook Group and share your creations - I would be thrilled to see them and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you.

Michelle.

PS If you would like to buy some gelli prints to decorate your pages or in your art journal, for collage and mixed media art then check out my Etsy store for some great Gelli Print Packages.

Little Books Part 2 - DIY Washi Tape by Shells in the Bush

Part 2 of Michelle's book series...

Enjoy!!

Hi everyone!!
 
I'm Michelle Reynolds from www.shellsinthebush.com/ and the Cre8ive Klatch Team.
I'm here today to show you how to make washi tape for your Little Books and to inspire you to create your own.

Part 1 will show you how to make different backgrounds and pages for your book.

Part 2 will give you some tips to make your own washi tape.

Part 3 we will be binding the book together - no needles required!!!

Supplies 

~ Double sided tape - 18mm/0.7 inches wide
~ Paper - use very thin paper as the tape will be folded over and this is much easier to do with thin paper.  (I once tried to use vellum but it was too thick and did not fold over.)

I'm in Australia and I love to use greaseproof paper - it is $2/roll, thin and soaks up the paint on the gelli plate. If you are in USA or elsewhere then I suggest tissue paper or deli paper or if you have another suggestion then leave a comment below.  Thanks.

~ Ink Sprays
~ Gelli plate and acrylic paint, brayer
~ Stamps and ink pad

1. Decorate your paper.

I only have 3 inks and spray them onto the paper inside a cardboard box so I don't get ink everywhere. I need to be careful not to mix the inks altogether to get brown.

 I always have greaseproof paper around when I'm using the gelli plate as it's great to make texture, it sucks up paint and therefore cleans the plate up nicely and I put it next to the plate to roll off any excess paint from the brayer.

2. Stamps add a bit more interest to your paper:

3. Before adding the double sided tape cut the paper to desired lengths adding a little bit extra - 10cm/4" and 20cm/8" are required for the book. Stick the tape to the back of the paper.

4. Then cut the tape into strips. See first photo.

5. Optional - I like to do this as it adds colour and interest to the pages - add washi tape to the 3 out of the 4 sides of your page - stick half a strip on one side edge and the other half to other side, the back side.

My next tutorial will show you how to bind your book pages together with washi tape - you will need more washi tape.... :D


I hope you have fun creating your washi tape for the pages of your book.  Please join our Cre8ive Klatch FaceBook Group and share your creations - I would be thrilled to see them and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you.

Michelle.

PS If you would like to buy some gelli prints to decorate your pages or in your art journal, for collage and mixed media art then check out my Etsy store for some great Gelli Print Packages.

Little Books Part 1 By Shells in the Bush

Now you're in for a real treat! 

This project will make you want to get started right now!!

Hi everyone!!
I'm Michelle Reynolds from www.shellsinthebush.com/ and the Cre8ive Klatch Team.
I'm here today to show you how to make Little Books and to inspire you to create your own.

Part 1 will show you how to make different backgrounds and pages for your book.

Part 2 will give you some tips to make your own washi tape.

Part 3 we will be binding the book together - no needles required!!!

Supplies - will vary depending what you use to create your pages.

~ Index Cards or cardstock cut into 8" x 4" = 20cm x 10cm rectangles

1. Index cards which have been gelli printed and brayered - using the left over paint not needed on the gelli plate.

2. Index cards which have been sprayed with ink spray, you could place a stencil or mask on top first. From here you could stamp them, collage on them, leave them as is for journaling on or writing poetry or quotes.

3.  If you have any punches then create some cut outs and glue them to the index cards. I decorated the hexagonals with a bee which is a free printable I found on Pinterest.

4. Glue paper napkins to index cards then add ephemera to make a picture. The ladies are free printables I found on Pinterest. Download them and put them onto a Word Document or Pages in Mac, you can them determine their size - I made mine 5-6 inches which leaves an inch above and below. I also added some lace and small doilies.

5. Glue book pages to index cards then decorate.  Use vintage books or old dictionary pages. Decorate with paint, gesso, stamps, gel pens or washi tape.

Check out second hand book stores, garage sales, op shops or fairs for vintage books.

Three of the above pages were given to me in happy mail - where you swap ephemera and bits and pieces with others - postage stamps, punch cut outs, lace, washi tape etc.  I joined a group earlier this year and have participated in many swaps and have three baskets of goodies - these are great to go through when looking for pieces to collage to your cards.

So there are some ideas of what you can do to decorate your pages for your little book. You could also choose a theme or just one way of doing your background too. You may wish to include some blank pages for writing on too if you have decorated both sides of the card.

How many pages? 10 - 15 is good

My next tutorial will show you how to make your own washi tape.


I hope you have fun creating your pages for your book.  Please join our Cre8ive Klatch FaceBook Group and share your creations - I would be thrilled to see them and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you.

Michelle.

PS If you would like to buy some gelli prints to decorate your pages or in your art journal, for collage and mixed media art then check out my Etsy store for some great Gelli Print Packages.

Mantra Mobile by Michelle Reynolds

What a wonderful project this one is! 

This project could also be a tree ornament, an affirmation for yourself or a friend, or just a beautiful mobile piece to hang anywhere! 

You’ll want to make lots of these!

Hi everyone!!

I'm Michelle Reynolds from www.shellsinthebush.com/ and the Cre8ive Klatch Team.

I'm here today to show you how I made my Mantra Mobile and to inspire you to create your own.

Here are the supplies I used but I encourage you to use what you have already or to check out your $2 shop for some special items.

Paper - gelli prints and scrapbooking paper, pencil, scissors, glue stick, alphabet stamp set and ink, hole punch, ribbon.

1. First of all you'll need a mantra - two to five words that resonate with you.  I've created a Pinterest board if you need some inspiration.

2. Decide which shape you would like your mobile to be - for example if your mantra is Live Laugh Love you might decide on a heart shape.

3. Choose some papers - I love gelli printing so I have a lot of gelli prints and I also have a stash of scrapbooking papers which are plain and patterned.

Choose a colour scheme - think of contrasting your papers - warm colours and cool colours, plain and patterened, or red/white/blue etc.

Your top layer with words on it should be plain enough so the words stand out and don't get lost in the pattern.

4. Cut out your papers - I have cut out three circles - using a round gelli print made the bottom layer easy to cut and I have already made up circle templates to use but look around your home - in the past I have used small plates and bowls and glasses to create a circle shape.

5. Use a glue stick to glue your layers together.

6. Put your words onto your top layer - I have used stamps, paint pens and gel pens. Another idea is to use words or letters from a magazine.

7. Then continue to decorate your mobile to your heart's content. You could use a paper doilly as one of the layers - see image below.

8. I punched a hole in the top and threaded some ribbon through.  If you feel your paper is too thin and not strong enough then you may have to glue some cardstock to the back of your mobile.

I hope you have fun creating your Mantra Mobile.  Please join our Cre8ive Klatch FaceBook Group and share your creations - I would be thrilled to see them and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you.

Michelle.

PS If you would like to buy some gelli prints to use to create this mobile or in your art journal, for collage and mixed media art then check out my Etsy store for some great Gelli Print Packages.