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Time Required :
About 30 minutes
Intermediate
Intermediate
You're somewhat experienced with the skills necessary to complete this project, but you haven't mastered all the elements, yet.

gelli arts® fern print card

Gelli Arts@ gel plate printing is fun and easy way to make monoprints. A gel plate, some paints and a brayer will get you started on the road to making creative and beautiful prints.

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Print Project

Step 1

First, find a fern leaf or other leaves from outdoors.
TIP: A fresh leaf will give you the best results.

Step 2

Squeeze out a dime size dot of aqua green paint in a couple of spots on your gel plate. Now add a couple of dots of burnt umber paint onto the plate. Roll the paint across the plate using a brayer until the plate is completely covered.
TIP: The aqua green and the burnt umber can blend together slightly, but not so much that it gets muddy. You do not want a thick layer of paint on the plate. It should be a nice thin covering.

Step 3

Lay your fern (or other leaf) onto the plate. Cover the plate with your paper and smooth your hand over the entire sheet with gentle pressure.

Step 4

Now pull up your print and set aside. Remove the fern.

Step 5

Let the paint on the gel plate set for a few minutes, then add a few dots of green paint to the plate. Roll your brayer over the entire gel plate so it covers the entire plate with a thin layer of paint.

Step 6

Now, lay the print you pulled back down over the plate and rub gently over the back of the paper.

Step 7

Pull the print and let it dry.
TIP: This is an experimental process as you will not get two alike. Play around with paints and add other marks or textures to the plate. Layer on top of the first print, or pull new prints on clean paper. Have fun with the process!

Step 8

Crop the portion of the print you'd like to use on the front of your card and cut out.
TIP: For example, for a 5" x 7" [12.7 cm x 17.8 cm] card, trim the print down to 4½" x 6½" [11.4 cm x 16.5 cm].

Step 9

Adhere the print to the front of your card base.

Step 10

Stamp a sentiment onto the print with embossing ink. Sprinkle with white embossing powder and tap off the excess. Heat the stamped image with your heat tool until the powder has melted and is shiny.

Share your project photos with #MakeItWithMichaels

Supplies
Materials
Materials
 
  • img
    You’ll Need: 1

    Recollections™ Embossing Ink Pad

    Item # 10214361 
    Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off - Add 2 items to qualify See Details See Details
    Buy one item at regular price & get the second of equal or lesser value 50% off Excludes Clearance
    $12.99
  • img
    You’ll Need: 1

    Recollections™ Adhesive Runner, Permanent

    Item # 10147423 
    Save 40% off One Regular Price Item with code 30230915 - Exclusions apply See Details See Details
    Limit one coupon per product. Limit one coupon of each type per day. Limited to stock on hand. Void where prohibited. Valid only in Canada. EXCLUSIONS: Everyday Value program; clearance; buy & get items; custom framing; beverages & candy; books & magazines; gift cards; craft technology machines; Cricut, Silhouette. Exclusions subject to change. See Team Member for details.
    $7.49
  • img
    You’ll Need: 1

    Cards & Envelopes by Recollections™, 5" x 7"

    Item # 10291250 
    Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off - Add 2 items to qualify See Details See Details
    Buy one item at regular price & get the second of equal or lesser value 50% off Excludes Clearance
    $9.99
  • img
    845161011
    You’ll Need: 1

    Acrylic Paint by Artist's Loft™, 4oz.

    Item # 10134992 
    Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off - Add 2 items to qualify See Details See Details
    Buy one item at regular price & get the second of equal or lesser value 50% off Excludes Clearance
    $6.49
    • Color: Burnt Umber
    • Size: 4 oz
    • Color: Burnt Umber
    • Size: 4 oz
    +More Colors
    • Color: Burnt Umber
    • Size: 4 oz
    +More Colors
    +More Options
  • img
    809188580
    You’ll Need: 1

    Detail Embossing Powder by Recollections™

    Item # 10263089 
    Pricing and Availability May Vary In Stores
    $3
    $8.49
    clearance
    • Color: Snow
    • Size: 0.9 oz
    clearance
    • Color: Snow
    • Size: 0.9 oz
    +More Colors,
    Sizes
    • Color: Snow
    • Size: 0.9 oz
    +More Colors,
    Sizes
    +More Options
    *No additional coupons or discounts may be applied. While supplies last. No rain checks.
  • img
    845161011
    You’ll Need: 1

    Acrylic Paint by Artist's Loft™, 4oz.

    Item # 10222349 
    Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off - Add 2 items to qualify See Details See Details
    Buy one item at regular price & get the second of equal or lesser value 50% off Excludes Clearance
    $6.49
    • Color: Aqua Green
    • Size: 4 oz
    • Color: Aqua Green
    • Size: 4 oz
    +More Colors
    • Color: Aqua Green
    • Size: 4 oz
    +More Colors
    +More Options
  • img
    845163354
    You’ll Need: 1

    Strathmore® 400 Series Mixed Media Pad

    Item # 10232769 
    Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off - Add 2 items to qualify See Details See Details
    Buy one item at regular price & get the second of equal or lesser value 50% off Excludes Clearance
    $16.99
    • Color: White
    • Size: 9" x 12"
    • Color: White
    • Size: 9" x 12"
    +More Sizes
    • Color: White
    • Size: 9" x 12"
    +More Sizes
    +More Options
  • img
    845161011
    You’ll Need: 1

    Artist Medium Viscosity Acrylic Paint by Artist's Loft™, 2.54oz.

    Item # 10697056 
    Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off - Add 2 items to qualify See Details See Details
    Buy one item at regular price & get the second of equal or lesser value 50% off Excludes Clearance
    $6.99
    • Color: Green Gold
    • Size: 2.54 oz
    • Color: Green Gold
    • Size: 2.54 oz
    +More Colors
    • Color: Green Gold
    • Size: 2.54 oz
    +More Colors
    +More Options
 
Tools
Tools
 
  • img
    You’ll Need: 1

    Acrylic Block Set by Recollections™

    Item # 10380458 
    Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off - Add 2 items to qualify See Details See Details
    Buy one item at regular price & get the second of equal or lesser value 50% off Excludes Clearance
    $17.99
  • img
    845163474
    You’ll Need: 1

    Speedball® Deluxe Soft Rubber Brayer

    Item # 10188005 
    Save 40% off One Regular Price Item with code 30230915 - Exclusions apply See Details See Details
    Limit one coupon per product. Limit one coupon of each type per day. Limited to stock on hand. Void where prohibited. Valid only in Canada. EXCLUSIONS: Everyday Value program; clearance; buy & get items; custom framing; beverages & candy; books & magazines; gift cards; craft technology machines; Cricut, Silhouette. Exclusions subject to change. See Team Member for details.
    $32.99
    • Color: Assorted
    • Size: 4 in
    • Color: Assorted
    • Size: 4 in
    • Color: Assorted
    • Size: 4 in
  • img
    You’ll Need: 1

    Signature Paper Trimmer By Recollections™

    Item # 10202471 
    Save 40% off One Regular Price Item with code 30230915 - Exclusions apply See Details See Details
    Limit one coupon per product. Limit one coupon of each type per day. Limited to stock on hand. Void where prohibited. Valid only in Canada. EXCLUSIONS: Everyday Value program; clearance; buy & get items; custom framing; beverages & candy; books & magazines; gift cards; craft technology machines; Cricut, Silhouette. Exclusions subject to change. See Team Member for details.
    $34.99
  • img
    You’ll Need: 1

    Gelli Arts® Gel Printing Plate, 8" x 10"

    Item # 10622454 
    Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off - Add 2 items to qualify See Details See Details
    Buy one item at regular price & get the second of equal or lesser value 50% off Excludes Clearance
    $46.99
  • img
    You’ll Need: 1

    Teal Embossing Heat Tool by Recollections™

    Item # 10624018 
    Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off - Add 2 items to qualify See Details See Details
    Buy one item at regular price & get the second of equal or lesser value 50% off Excludes Clearance
    $42.99
  • img
    You’ll Need: 1

    Peony Sentiment Clear Stamp Set by Recollections™

    Item # 10624129 
    Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off - Add 2 items to qualify See Details See Details
    Buy one item at regular price & get the second of equal or lesser value 50% off Excludes Clearance
    $14.99
 
You’ll Also Need
  • Fresh Fern Frond (or Other Leaf)
Instructions
Step 1

First, find a fern leaf or other leaves from outdoors.
TIP: A fresh leaf will give you the best results.

Step 2

Squeeze out a dime size dot of aqua green paint in a couple of spots on your gel plate. Now add a couple of dots of burnt umber paint onto the plate. Roll the paint across the plate using a brayer until the plate is completely covered.
TIP: The aqua green and the burnt umber can blend together slightly, but not so much that it gets muddy. You do not want a thick layer of paint on the plate. It should be a nice thin covering.

Step 3

Lay your fern (or other leaf) onto the plate. Cover the plate with your paper and smooth your hand over the entire sheet with gentle pressure.

Step 4

Now pull up your print and set aside. Remove the fern.

Step 5

Let the paint on the gel plate set for a few minutes, then add a few dots of green paint to the plate. Roll your brayer over the entire gel plate so it covers the entire plate with a thin layer of paint.

Step 6

Now, lay the print you pulled back down over the plate and rub gently over the back of the paper.

Step 7

Pull the print and let it dry.
TIP: This is an experimental process as you will not get two alike. Play around with paints and add other marks or textures to the plate. Layer on top of the first print, or pull new prints on clean paper. Have fun with the process!

Step 8

Crop the portion of the print you'd like to use on the front of your card and cut out.
TIP: For example, for a 5" x 7" [12.7 cm x 17.8 cm] card, trim the print down to 4½" x 6½" [11.4 cm x 16.5 cm].

Step 9

Adhere the print to the front of your card base.

Step 10

Stamp a sentiment onto the print with embossing ink. Sprinkle with white embossing powder and tap off the excess. Heat the stamped image with your heat tool until the powder has melted and is shiny.

Share your project photos with #MakeItWithMichaels

Project Reviews