Every so often I love to have some slightly-messy fun on my card making. Even if messy isn't your jam, background stamps are a solid choice for quick card making, whether you want to add a lot of POP, or just a subtle pattern. Today's just slightly-messy cards are part of Simon Says Stamp's latest collection, called Beautiful Moments, and we're celebrating with a two-day blog hop! Today is day one . . .so let's get to it!
You can start simply by rolling out some paint onto the plate with a brayer, and then press your background stamp into it. (I used the adorable new Pinwheel Party stamp.) My biggest two-part tip for working with the gel press is: Don't panic and don't clean your plate too soon! The first impression may not look great but stick with it. As you build up layers on the gel plate and cardstock you'll get some interesting textures and colors blending.
For the second card (with pink sentiment) I used Distress Oxide inks, tapping them directly onto the plate, and then stamping into it. I pressed a piece of watercolor paper down to pick up all that color and texture. It created a more subtle pattern but I love it!
Another tip: After you've made that interesting background, stamp larger sentiments onto vellum so all that awesome color and pattern will still remain the focal point. 
Next, I set aside the gel press and pulled out my heat embossing supplies. I stamped and embossed the Pinwheel Party stamp onto watercolor paper, and then added puddles of watercolor paints on top. The white embossing resists the watercolor and really makes the pattern pop. Again - this is play. You never know exactly how it will come together until you mess around and try it. My biggest tip for this idea, is to use colors that will blend nicely into each other - otherwise you'll have a muddy mess.
Thanks so much for stopping by today for day one of Simon Says Stamp's two-day blog hop! One lucky commenter from each stop will win a $25 coupon to SSS, so be sure to leave comments along the way! (Winners will be announced on the Simon blog, on March 4.)
Don't miss out on all the fun:
- Stop by the Simon Says Stamp website to see the entire Beautiful Moments collection.
- Join the SSS YouTube Live Stream at noon EST on Friday, February 26! Click HERE to be notified when they’re live.
- Are you on the gram? Check out the Instagram hop on Monday March 2.
- If you create with the Beautiful Moments collection, be sure to add your projects to the gallery on the Simon Says Stamp Blog! We would love to see what you create!
Don't Miss a Stop on the Hop!
Shop the Supplies on Today's Cards
This is the gel plate I have, but there are many other shapes, sizes and brands to choose from!
Looking for more bright cheery card ideas using Simon Says Stamp?You might love this post too:
This is the gel plate I have,
but there are many other shapes, sizes and brands to choose from!
Looking for more bright cheery card ideas using Simon Says Stamp?
You might love this post too:
58 comments:
Oh wow! I have a gel plate but have not used it yet! So fun to see your backgrounds! :)!
Wonderful cards. Love your sentiments.
Absolutely love your cards!
Pretty wonderful artsy friend creation.
Lovely design.
Beautiful cards! I am definitely going to learn about using gel plates. Something I have never heard of. I try to learn something new everyday, so thank you for teaching me how.
Love your bright colors.
The bright colors really make these pop!
These backgrounds are amazing !I LOVE the designs and colors!
lovely backgrounds and love the sassy sentiments
Love the bright colors used on your cards.
I've never tried gel printing. Great job.
Fun to see a different technique with your gel plates. Great cards
I especially like the green/blue/yellow combo. So cool.
Your cards made me laugh! Delightful!
Wonderful cards.
The sentiments on two of these crack me up. Love the cards. Very cute. [Bunny]
I must have that sentiment, it's sure to make folks smile.
Love the fun way you showcased the pinwheel stamp.
Beautiful cards! So fun!
Reminds me of the 70's. Psychedelic man. Peace out..lol.
Awesome cards with this fun pinwheel design! Love the colors! I have a couple of gel plates and haven't used them yet! Thanks for the inspiration!
Great cards, I need to pull out my gel plate!
I just love the bright colors you used. Such lovely cards!
I like the bright fun colors!
Lovely colors and great idea with the vellum. Fun that you used staples. Rebecca stevenson momnchickies@gmail.com
Thanks so much for sharing your creativity. I'm taking your cards as a sign that I need to use my Gel plate, I was looking for something the other day in my craft room, I pulled out a drawer and there were a couple of Jelly Plates, it crossed my mind that I needed to put them to use soon and now I just saw your cards, I think it was a reminder to follow through. Your bright happy colors set the tone for wonderful cards.
These are beautiful. I always forget to use my gel plate!
Gorgeous cards! I love the backgrounds on your cards, especially the blue and green one!
Fun, beautiful cards!
So pretty! FAB Friend cards--the sentiments lol I could send them to all of mine too! :)
Ooo, I love this idea. I'm going to have to get out my gel plate and give it a try!
I love your cute and colorful cards. Thank you for the inspiration.
Your cards are beautiful. Really loving that pinwheel stamp. Thanks for sharing.
So pretty! The colour combinations are lovely!
Love your cards. I just purchased a gel plate so you've given me great inspiration and tips. Thanks for sharing!!
Sweet friend cards ! Great new products!
Such beautiful cards. Beautiful colors.
Fun cards and techniques!
I have yet to use my gel plate. Thank you for the examples of what it can do!
I have not used my gel plate in along time!!
It was interesting to see that you used a gel plate to create these bright, beautiful cards. Very creative.
I love using my Gel plates. I need to pull mine out and play again. Thanks for the inspiration !!!
Great card!!!
Fun cards! I really like the bright colors x you can tell you had fun making these!
Very clever background, techniques, and coloring!
Adorable! Thank you for sharing your creations.
Love your cards. The colors are amazing. I would love to receive one. Thank you
Really lovely cards!!!
I really love the 70's vibe these cards put out! GROOVY! (guess I need to invest in a gel plate and learn how to do this fun technique!! Thanks for sharing!!
Love your cards! I haven't played with my gel press in a while and need to get it out and make some backgrounds! I especially love your third card where you added puddles of water color...definitely need to try that myself!
Bright colors really make your cards stand out!
Love them!
Great cards. Those sentiments are priceless
Got to save these makes because they are absolutely awesome! Love the mixed media take on these and how you used the gel plate. The layouts are also nice. As soon as I looked at these I knew there was something special going on with them.
Lovely cards! I've not ever used a gel plate, I guess I have too many other crafty tools to use but I've considered getting one. Thanks for the inspiration!
Wonderful cards! You have inspired me to to take my gel plate out of the package for the first time!
Cool artwork!
What fun cards. Love that sentiment stamp set
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