Make a Chemistry Valentine with the Gel Press

HELLLO Friends! Happy New Year! What the heck, and how is it already the middle of January?! Seriously, it's freaking me out the way the days are just flying by. Last week I spent an amazing few days at Fun Stampers Journey Leadership By Design convention. It was inspiring and refreshing, even though I was there to work and help make the convention happen! I came home ready to crafty rock and roll, and first up is this dandy little Valentine, perfect for a sweet geeky pal, or loved one!

So let's get rolling and I'll walk you through the steps. I started off with an FSJ Create-a-Palette ink pad. These ink pads are super fun because you can load them up with 5 different ink colors of your choice. Go for an ombre, or rainbow effect - whatever floats your boat! You can see the pad that I created in the photo below. I used 5 shades of reds and pinks together to create a Valentine-y look. 

Let's start with the beaker first. (it's a beaker, right? Don't ask me how I did in science classes.) 

• Ink up the Journey Gel Press using Create-a-Palette ink pad, and splatter with Sparkle Silk. 
• Pull print on Whip Cream cardstock. 
• Stamp beaker from Perfect Atoms stamp set, in black ink, and die cut or detail cut image. 

To create the background panel:

• Emboss a card-sized panel of cardstock with the I Heart Embossing Folder.
• Ink the Gel Press again, using the same Create-a-Palette pad. 
• Very gently press the embossed cardstock onto the Gel Press, and remove. (This picks up the ink from the raised hearts, but leaves behind most of the background. Cool huh? And the embossed piece will make a pretty cool piece for another project, or it can be used again and again for the same process.) 

Pull a print on another panel of Whip Cream cardstock. You'll be left with what you see below, a colorful background with mostly white hearts. 

The rest of the card is pretty self-explanatory. Layer up a bunch of goodness, tag, sentiments, twine, sequins...all the good stuff! 

Using the Gel Press is always such a PROCESS - you never exactly know what you'll turn out with, and sometimes it's hard to duplicate the steps, or HECK, even remember the steps! But I paid close attention to this one, just for you! I'd love to see what you create, if this process inspired you! Leave me a link in the comments, because I'd love to stop by and visit your blog or online gallery. And if you have a question, leave me that too!

Supplies used on this project:
Journey Gel Press
I Heart Embossing Folder
Perfect Atoms Stamp Set
Create-a-Palette Ink Pad
Silk (Bubble Gum, Whip Cream, Sparkle)
Re-Inkers (Raspberry Berry, Sweet Berry, Watermelon Fusion, Candy Apple, Cranberry Bliss)
Love Filled adhesive hearts
Tag Clips
Journey Thread Bubble Gum

Feel free to save any of these images on Pinterest. And while you're there, 

check out my Pinterest page for lots more crafty inspiration!