Monday, April 20, 2015

Monoprinting with gelatin plates

gelli printed postcard by ShereeSews
Postcard - metallic bird on branch by Sheree McKee
April 2015
Sheree McKee
sewfabsew.blogspot.com
















2015 by ShereeSews
stencil with holes practice
Gelatin plate monoprinting is growing in popularity.

The idea is to use a soft gelatin plate as a base, 
apply acrylic paints with a roller brayer, then 
take tools-masks-stencils to add texture or relief.  
Finally,  you will press fabric or paper onto the 
plate to pick up some unique mono prints!

Layering colors and texture results in surface art 
that is perfect for embellishing your fabric postcards.

I made quite a mess with my first attempts.  
I am not an artist, so I wasn't quite prepared 
2015 by ShereeSews
rubber comb drag
for all the space and supplies I would need.
  
I will provide you with a list of Things I Did Wrong
at the bottom so you can learn from my mistakes.



In my first batch of experiments, I used a 6"x6" 
Gelli Arts plate and colored scrap fabrics.   I wasn't
too impressed with any of the results.  


The 3 samples to the right are actually rejects 
that never got used in any of my postcards.
2015 by ShereeSews
overkill - just plain ugly!

If you are new to monoprinting, there are a ton of 
YouTube videos with spectacular ideas!  I spent two
evenings watching many, when I should have been
hands-on playing around!  Here's a few unique ones:





There are several brands of gelatin plates you can purchase, but they aren't cheap!  

There are also many shapes - square, rectangle, circular.  And how about 
the best idea yet...  you can actually make your very own gelatin plates!


Gelli Arts



Gelli Arts LLC - Gelli Plate









Stampendous


Stampendous - Creative Palette











CLOTH PAPER SCISSORS magazine
by Interweave Press
Offers a free downloadable e-book 
on MONOPRINTING 
when you register at their website.
tutorial by Leslie Tucker Jenison








TUTORIAL MAKE A GELATIN PLATE
The Sketchbook Challenge blog by
Leslie Tucker Jension








DVD by Kari McKnight Holbrook
DVD GELATIN PLATE PRINTED JOURNAL
73 minutes
Cloth Paper Scissors Workshop
Interweave Press
by Kari McKnight Holbrook








tutorial by Traci Bunkers
FUN TUTORIAL using donut shaped gelatin plate
Bonkers Handmade Originals blog by
Traci Bunkers







tutorial by Millande

VISIT THIS TUTORIAL using just plastic trays
Millande Art Studio blog by
Millande Demetriou






FREE PDF FILE ~ INTRO TO MONOPRINTING

by OpusArtSupplies.com in Canada



THINGS I DID WRONG

Failed to make a dedicated flat drying area.  
Don't hang wet prints over a chair back, because they just 
might fall paint-side down onto your carpet like several of mine did!

Forgot to have wet wipes or wet rags nearby - yikes!  
Therefore a lot of paint dried on my stencils, 
taking forever to clean off.

Used wrinkled fabric scraps.  Iron them flat ahead of time!

Took a phone call and coffee break. 
Oh no, I didn't know how fast acrylic paint dries on brushes etc.,  
I did some research to find that we can mist spray water, 
or use an additive such as Liquitex Slow-Dri Blending Medium and Gel Retarder!
There are even stay-wet palettes to prevent drawing moisture out of the paint.
http://www.liquitex.com/us/

Used Steam when pressing my finished prints.  
It sort of ruined my metallic and glitter paint finishes.  
Set your paints with dry heat and use a protective 
non-stick pressing sheet or baking parchment paper 
between the hot iron and print.

Failed to experiment with stamping inks, fabric paints, and more.  
I'll try those the next time!


  I really enjoyed the play process and can see myself continuing to explore 

monoprinting a lot more!  I've even purchased 4 boxes of gelatin to experiment 
with making my own gelatin plates.  I'm planning to make some cookie cutter 
shaped gelatin mini-plates.  I'll keep you updated with how it turns out!  
~~~~ Sheree

2015 fabric postcard by ShereeSews
Sheree McKee 2015 combing, bubble wrap, and stencil






Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Fabric Tags

Tags to Sew for Fun or Travel


April 2015
Sheree McKee
SewFabSew.blogspot.com

Fabric Tags are similar to fabric postcards.  
They have a firm interior to give them body and durability, and they are sewn and embellished with beautiful fabrics, fibers and trims.  Our 2015 swap group, PostCardMailArt on Yahoo
has recently began swapping tags each month.

back has clear pocket
subway theme travel tag


TAGS vs. POSTCARDS:


  1. They might be shaped more elaborate than a rectangle.
  2. Tags contain a tie-on-cord, often laced through a metal grommet, or buttonhole slit.
  3. They might contain a clear window or pocket to hold identification.
  4. Sizes can vary smaller, since they are not being directly mailed as a postcard.
  5. A tag can be foldable like a small booklet.
  6. Use them as a gift tag, or travel tag.
  7. They are still fun to sew and trade!
Personally, I like to sew my tags as close to 4"x6" as possible.  That way they don't get lost if used on luggage.  But smaller tags are so darn cute too!  And maybe less likely to be torn off.

Top Clockwise:  Sue Balchak in CA, Norma Soulet in FL,
Dottie Kirkwood in FL, Maureen Curlewis in AUS


State themed tag swap by Sheree McKee
Front and Back views

Lots of embellishment cords!

Clear pocket for business cards

Gift tag holds tea bags


I've found some unique internet sites related to sewing fabric tags.  There is a lot of helpful knowledge amongst these creative people.  Please check them out to get inspired for your adventure in tag making!

SID’S IN STITCHES
JACKIE’S ART QUILTS
HER PACKING LIST
MS.ELAINIOUS
THRIFTY STITCHER YOUTUBE
CRAFTSY by Christine Haynes
FREE PATTERN ON CRAFTSY BY SOUBELLES
DIY MOTHER NATURE NETWORK
SINGER
DESIGN SPONGE
SKIP TO MY LOU
SEWTORIAL
POSITIVELY SPLENDID
MORAH QUILTS
CRAFTSY BY STUDIO CHERIE
A FEW SCRAPS