Turning Leftovers Into Layers: A Gel Press Mixed Media Card

Hello crafty friends!

Ericka from Strangely Creative here, and today I’m sharing a card that started as a forgotten gel press print and turned into something I truly love.

You know those prints you pull, set aside, and think, meh… maybe later? That was this one.

 

I originally pulled this green gel print and honestly wasn’t impressed. It sat in my pile until I decided to experiment with it again. This time, I added brayer marks using leftover paint from a recent gel printing session, and that’s when things started to click. The extra texture completely changed the feel of the background and gave it new life.

From there, I grabbed my PaperArtsy Seth Apter ESA33 stamp set along with some favorite WOW! Embossing Powder colors: Dirti Verdi, Midori Spice, and Cerulean. Embossing over a layered gel print adds instant depth, and these colors played beautifully with the green base.

Next came stenciling. I used the PaperArtsy Tracy Scott 418 stencil and applied the images with white acrylic ink. This step is key. The white layer acts as a visual pause and sets the stage for what comes next. Once that layer was fully dry, I went back in with pink and blue acrylic paints right over the white areas to help those shapes really pop off the background.

 

When I was happy with the layers and textures, I trimmed the piece down to fit an A4 card base and shifted my focus to turning it into an inspirational card. I added a simple hand-drawn frame to ground the design and finished it off with words from the **AALL & Create Motivation Station ephemera. Sometimes the right words are all a busy background needs.

 

This project is a great reminder not to give up on those “almost” prints. A few extra layers, some contrast, and a fresh perspective can make all the difference.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope this inspires you to dig back into your gel print stash and see what’s waiting to be transformed. Have a wonderful, creative week!

 

 Topflight Stamp Supplies

PaperArtsy - Seth Apter 33 Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Tracy Scott PS418 Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Clear Embossing Pad Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Seth Apter Dirti Verdi Shop at: TP	AALL & Create - Motivation Station Shop at: TP
Lavinia - Elements Dye Ink - Pixie Green Shop at: TP	Gel Press - Reusable Gel Printing Plate Shop at: TP	Hero Arts - Wagner - HT400 Precision Heat Tool Shop at: AZ	Lavinia 5/8 Stencil Brush Shop at: TP
Speedball - 2" Brayer Shop at: TP