Mixed Media Tag

Hey Friends! It’s EK, and I have been playing around with my gel press a lot lately seeing what new tricks and tips I can come up with using it.

It is fascinating all the different looks and styles you can create using the little slab of gel. Today I am using my press to create a grunge tag using several of Ilse and Charlene’s stamps and stencils.

Step One: Using one of the floral stamps from the First Sights of Spring stamp set, ink it up with a waterproof ink, and stamp it onto the gel press.

Step Two: Stamp a few more floral images from the First Sights of Spring around the focal image.

Step Three: Using alcohol markers, color in the images on the gel press, but be careful not to touch the stamped lines.

Step Four: Add a thin layer of white paint over the stamped and colored images.

Step Five: Press a manila tag into the wet paint, and pull the image up. Let dry.

Step Six: In the negative space on the tag, blend Salvaged patina Distress Oxide through the Spring Flower Mandala stencil.

Step Seven: Blend Wild Honey Distress Ink through the Story Telling stencil. Blend a little Frayed Burlap Distress Ink around the edge of the whole tag.

Step Eight: Hand stamp some extra texture onto the edges of the tag using the Words and Layers stamp set.

Step Nine: Splatter the tag with Salvaged Patina Distress Oxide Spray.

Step Ten: Using a stamping platform, add a sentiment from the Words & Layers stamp set.

Step Eleven: Add an assortment of textures and layered ribbons to the tag.

I just love how raw Ilse and Charlene’s stamp looks pulled from the gel press. The technique is so fun and organic looking.

Let us know in the comments below if you ever play around with your stamps on a gel press, or if you are interested in try out this technique. Until then, happy crafting!