Holiday Card Workshop 2022 – Day 3 Fast Backgrounds!!!
Gel Press Printing — Lydia Fiedler was the instructor in today’s class and it was all about gel press printing. I did create a lot of prints and didn’t throw any of them away so on top of my very inky fingers and messy workspace I did accomplish the task. We were intructed how to use alcohol inks, die cuts and actual metal dies for impressions and to lift an image to add white acrylic paint to achieve a lift. Some attempts were successful and some were not as successful. It was a busy day. For this card I used Birch Press Nativity Star String Art die.
The following cards used a SSS Detail Pincushion Plate, a snowflake die from my stash and extra dies and sentiments. My good old Big Shot is on it’s last legs so I was digging through my stash for a lot of items. Will is take it apart tomorrow to see what the issue may be. I just hope it holds out until I can find a deal on a new die cutting machine.
The last purple card with Santa’s sleigh is the actual die cut over a lift image of the same die that was my practice try and the Happy Holidays purple is the lift that worked much better. I completed 5 cards and have 8 extra pieces of backgrounds that I will save for future cards.
And for extra credit, Nathifa Sligh created backgrounds using Tim Holtz tapes and Distress Crayons. I don’t have Distress Crayons and have been using my washi tape to for other purposes but did have collage paper that I added to cardstock. A little glue, a little clear gesso, a little splatter but the collage paper says it all.
Thanks for stopping in for a peek. I appreciate you and your time. Take care, be safe. Go Phillies!!
Stamp Buddies 
All of these are beautiful! Great job!
All beautiful! Lydia loves to lift ink. You did a great job!!
Thanks, Lisa, it was an interesting class and out of my confort zone.
Never easy to try something out of our wheel house, but now you have experience and talent. Love that you piggy backed on the washi tape concept with your collage paper. Great technique.
I was channeling you Bonnie and wondering “what would Bonnie do” in this technique. Not close to your backgrounds but was determined to put something on the card.
Gayle, you went all out on this one! Those are gorgeous. I tried using just the die on the gel plate and got a tiny bit showing in one spot after 2 tries. Didn’t have time to try with the die cuts, though from looking at yours, I’m going to have to give it a try. You inspire me!
Thanks, Golda, I got an early start but also spent a lot of time in my “elf room” on this homework. It was hit or miss at times trying to get the lift. Fun but messy for me today.
Sorry I’m so behind in commenting Gayle. All your cards for this class are absolutely beautiful. I think you deserve straight A’s.
LOL…thanks Gerry.
These are wonderful cards Gayle. All of them have something a bit different and they all work beautifully. I’ve never had much success with the lift technique but have used a small gel plate successfully in the past. Not my go to technique but fun to play around with.
Thanks, Johanna, I rarely use the gel plate either. It’s not really my comfort zone but I did make a few extra inked panels that I can save for backgrounds.
You were busy today!! Your gel press backgrounds all came out great, and I love how you finished off all the cards. Love your bonus card as well.
Thanks, I definitely have not mastered the gel press but I will keep on trying. LOL.