Layered & Luminous: Gel Press + PaperArtsy Mixed Media Magic

 

Hello friends! Ericka from Strangely Creative here and today’s project is all about bold layers, rich texture, and that perfectly imperfect vintage vibe. If you love building depth one layer at a time, this one’s for you.

---

Step One: Gel Press Play

Everything started with my gel plate and a little creative curiosity.

I pulled out my collection of PaperArtsy Fresco Finish paints and Mattints and started experimenting. I layered both mediums directly onto the gel plate to see how they would interact in a single pull.

The standout combo -

• Weathered Copper
• Nutty Mattint
• Coastal

The Mattints gave that soft, aged translucency while the Frescos added body and texture. The result felt weathered, layered, and full of depth right from the first print.

 

---

Step Two: Building the Layers

Once my background was dry, I reached for the Seth Apter 49 and Mini 70 stamp set.

Using Pea Coat Fresco paint, I stamped the first layer of imagery directly onto the print. That bold navy tone grounded everything beautifully.

Then came the shimmer.

 

I added another layer using WOW! Embossing Powder in Tarnished Teal and Dirty Verdi. Those oxidized tones enhanced the aged metal feel already happening in the background.

For even more depth, I stamped a third layer using Versafine Clair Twilight. That darker ink pulled the eye inward and added contrast without overpowering the page.

Layer by layer, the texture just kept building.

---

Turning a Page into Panels

When I stepped back, I loved the finished page so much I didn’t want to hide it in a journal. So I cut it down into panels to create card fronts.

 

Once I selected a favorite panel, I added:

• Extra stamping for dimension

• More subtle texture

• A hand-drawn frame for that artsy finish

• A sentiment from the Lavinia Uplifting Collection

  
   

The Mattints give such a soft, vintage patina effect. It feels layered but cohesive. Moody but warm.

And the best part? I still have extra panels ready for future cards.

---

 

Layered backgrounds like this are one of my favorite ways to stretch supplies and create multiple projects in one sitting.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope this inspires you to pull out your gel plate and just play. Have a wonderful week creating. 

 

Topflight Stamp Supplies 

 

PaperArtsy - Seth Apter 49 Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Seth Apter Mini 70 Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Clear Embossing Pad Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Seth Apter Dirti Verdi Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Seth Apter Tarnished Teal Shop at: TP
Lavinia - Sentiment Stickers - Uplifting Collection Shop at: TP	Tsukineko - Versafine Clair - Twilight Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Fresco Chalk Paint - Tracy Scott Coastal Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Fresco Chalk Paint - Weathered Copper Shop at: TP
PaperArtsy - Mattint Nutty Shop at: TP	Gel Press - Reusable Gel Printing Plate Shop at: TP

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

Mixed Media Magic with Gel Prints and PaperArtsy Stamps

 

Hello creative friends! 🎨 Ericka from Strangely Creative here and this week we’re diving into one of my absolute favorite art styles Mixed Media! Mixed media art combines multiple mediums to create rich textures, layers, and dimension… and for today’s project, I couldn’t resist pulling out one of my gel press backgrounds from my stash.

 

I thought this would be the perfect base for my card! To start, I reached for my PaperArtsy Seth Apter mini stamps and used white pigment ink with clear embossing powder. The combination added such beautiful texture and subtle shine, a perfect foundation for what came next.

 

Next, I stamped the PaperArtsy Tracy Scott 39 stamp on another gel press print and clear embossed it for even more dimension. I fussy-cut the image and attached it to my background using foam tape to create some lift and shadow.

 

To finish things off, I added a hand-drawn border and a fun sentiment from AALL & Create Ephemera Die Cuts – Funny Bone Funnies. I love how this brought the entire design together with a playful twist!

 

Thank you so much for stopping by today and I hope this inspires you to dig into your stash and make some mixed media magic of your own this weekend!

 

Topflight Stamp Supplies

PaperArtsy - Ink and the Dog Mini 124 Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Seth Apter Mini 108 Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Seth Apter Mini 70 Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Seth Apter Mini 71 Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Seth Apter Mini 97 Shop at: TP
PaperArtsy - Tracy Scott 39 Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Clear Shop at:  TP	AALL & Create - Ephemera Die-cuts - 49 - Funny Bone Funnies Shop at: TP	Tsukineko - VersaFine Clair - Nocturn Shop at:  TP
Gel Press 6x6 Plate Shop at: TP	Speedball - 2" Brayer Shop at: TP

Textured Elegance: A Muted Mixed Media Card

 

Hello friends! Ericka from Strangely Creative here, and today I’m sharing a mixed media card that’s all about texture, muted tones, and just the right amount of shimmer. ✨

This project started with some serious playtime on my gel plate using the gorgeous new PaperArtsy Fresco Paints in Admiral, Zinc, and Pumice. I wanted something soft but still full of depth, so I added just a hint of brown paint into the mix—and wow, the results had that perfectly aged, vintage vibe I was after. 

 

Building the Background Magic

Once my gel press prints were dry, I reached for some of my favorite PaperArtsy Seth Apter Mini Stamps (49, 71, and 108). To give them extra punch, I heat embossed the designs using WOW! Embossing Powders in Dirti Verdi, Weathered Gold, and Crusty Copper. These powders not only add sparkle but also create incredible texture you can see and feel.

For even more interest, I stamped the PaperArtsy Ink & Dog Mini 124 with Lavinia Elements Ink in Truffle. It’s a subtle detail, but it brings warmth and cohesion to the whole design.

The Leaf Focal Point

Every card needs a star, and for this one I chose the bold leaf from PaperArtsy Kate Crane 013. I stamped it onto another gel press print using the same Fresco colors and then heat embossed it with WOW! Black Glint embossing powder. The shimmer and drama it adds—perfection.

 

Layers & Finishing Touches

To create dimension and texture, I tucked some thread and twine from my stash behind the leaf before adhering it to the card front. For the sentiment, I used one of the Lavinia Sentiment Stickers, which was just the right fit without stealing the spotlight.

 

I finished everything off with a hand-drawn frame, because sometimes the simplest detail is the one that pulls the whole design together.

 

---

If you love working with muted tones but still crave sparkle and dimension, this technique is one to try. The combination of gel press layers, embossing powder texture, and natural fibers gives your card so much personality—without overwhelming the eye.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderfully creative weekend! 💛

 

Topflight Stamp Supplies

 

PaperArtsy - Ink and the Dog Mini 124 Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Kate Crane Mini 013 Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Seth Apter Mini 108 Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Seth Apter Mini 49 Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Seth Apter Mini 71 Shop at: TP
WOW! Embossing - Clear Embossing Pad Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Seth Apter Dirti Verdi Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Seth Apter Weathered Gold Shop at: TP	Lavinia - Sentiment Stickers - Uplifting Collection Shop at: TP
Lavinia - Elements Dye Ink - Truffle Shop at: TP	Tsukineko - VersaFine Clair - Morning Mist Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Fresco Paint Admiral Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Fresco Paint Pumice Shop at: TP
PaperArtsy - Fresco Paint Zinc Shop at: TP	Gel Press - Reusable Gel Printing Plate Shop at:  TP	Speedball - 2" Brayer Shop at: TP