Gel Press

I have been having a lot of fun with my Gel Press.  Not that I don't have TONS of my own DSP Stampin' Up! Paper. It's just I enjoy combining the colors and creating some beautiful backgrounds.  I'll link a few videos from people who know more than I do about Gel press.  

I did find that I have more success with Acrylic Paint rather than ink or ink pads.  Acrylic paint is a lot cheaper and I didn't feel guilty when I continued to add it to the mix.

I hope you enjoy the samples below and find inspiration to make your own. I even did up the envelopes.  I'll tell you about a little trick at the end of the post.

For envelopes: Use a sticky note cut into a rectangle to cover up the area for the address

I still have tons more prints left.  I cut a few down, but left others on their full paper until I know what i want to use them for.

Some videos that I learned this process from:

Jennifer McGuire Gel Press + Many Cards

Carolyn Dube- Dos and Don'ts of Gel Press

Laurel Beard-How to Use the Gel Press in Card Making

Carrie Rhoades- Easy Gel Press Prints for card making

Let me know if there are videos that have given you some great Gel Press inspiration or tips.

Biggest tip= HAVE FUN!!! 

A Touch of Ink

This is such a fun card design I made for a friend of mine.  I used the free Sale-A-Bration stamp(2021), A TOUCH OF INK to make an interlocking gatefold card.  This is a beautiful 2-step stamp set that has the feel of water colors. This idea was inspired by Jennifer McGuire and you can watch her entire tutorial with a variety of different sizes here.

For my card, I started with 4 1/4 x 11 inch piece of Purple Posy cardstock. I scored 2 3/4 from each end.  I used Stampin' Up! Rectangle Stitched Dies.  I did cut out 3 stitched rectangle for the piece on the left side to give it stability.

For the inside I just stamped a simple sentiment- any stamp will do.

I finished off by finding a matching envelope and stamping it. 

This set is just stunning.  I didn't fall in love with it util I actually began using it and seeing it fro myself.

If ordering from Stampin' Up! and you do not have a demonstrator, please add my name as your demonstrator before ordering.  I would love to help support you in your paper crafting adventures.

Pro. Tip:

Stamp your envelopes. If you are going to the trouble of mailing a card to someone, let the excitement and enjoyment begin before they even open the card. I used the Touch of Ink stamp set for the hummingbird, but I also used the sponged dots in this same set for the border of the card.

Products:

WOW! Been Awhile

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I know I have been absent from my Blog for many months. I have continued stamping and crafting, however I also started another Master's Degree.  After teaching for 25 years I am working towards my Principal Master's Degree.  This has really taken a lot of me.  I am thankful for stamping and crafting as it is my therapy and this year we all need to find something we can do to bring us peace. 

 I will try to be a little more active in 2021.  Not only for those who visit, but for myself.  I really enjoy looking back at my designs and projects.  

Pro. Tip:

Do you ever get stuck?  You just got a new stamp set, or paper, or tool and you want to make a card.  Sometimes you just can't get started.  It's like writing a paper.  All you need is that first sentence and you are off and running. When I get stuck I will sometimes go back to a 'tried & true' design to get me started. One of my Go-to designs from Connie Stewart . Thanks Connie for always giving me a jumping off point. Here it is using any DSP paper, any cardstock color that matches, and any sentiment.

 

This is your basic 5.5 x 4.25 card with 1/2 inch trimmed off the front right and a strip of DSP placed down.

 Then, on the inside flap the rest of the DSP paper is added and some white cardstock with the sentiment added to the inside.

Some other projects I've finished, lately:

This next one, I used the Quite Curvey Dies and Stamp set and sent my Customers a HTnak you card with their new catalogs.  If you are interested in ordering products from Stampin' Up, please reach out and I will get you a catalog.  You can also go directly online to the Stampin' Up! website to see it all there, and order.  Please use me- Suzanne Dekorsi as your demonstrator and you will receive updates from me throughout the year.

I will post more about this project, later this week.  I have a great tip to make sure you are not dealing with all those little pieces when you use your die cutting machine.