Gelli Arts March Printing Challenge - "The Beach"

 Gelli Arts are celebrating March with a printing challenge & each day in March has a new theme. You can see the previous days themes by the Gelli Arts DT/Artists over on the Gelli Arts Instagram page - @gelliarts.  Alternatively follow the hashtag - #MarchPrintingChallenge.

Today is my turn as a Gelli Arts Artist & I chose the theme of "Beach". Well you all know that I do rather love a sea theme of any kind, so when this came up in the schedule, I had to snaffle it. I was so inspired, I didn't stop at one project but made 3!

More details below including a link t my YouTube video showing step by step process.

CREATING ALL THE ELEMENTS

Rather than creating new prints, I decided to use prints I had already created so had a rummage through a huge pile that were sitting in a folder. 

After selection half a dozen, I began creating my collage backgrounds.

Next, using the same prints, I stamped a whole host of beach themed images & cut them out. I adore doing this as all my colouring has been done for me.

Now to have fun ... combining them to create mini beach themes.

Obviously me being me, the faff part of the crafting experience had to come in. I used old, old rub ons that no longer rub on, twine & a few dozen sequins. I mounted everything on to black card & create 3 different pieces. You can see how they turned out below ...

HOLD ON TIGHT TO YOUR DREAMS

This piece was originally A5 in size but I decided to trim it down to make a large tag. I added it to a black mount to make everything "pop".

I added a decorative element to the light house using an old, old rub on plus my sentiment. At the top of the tag, I've added twine, hessian & some mesh I found.

To tie the hessian part in, I added a wee bit to the bottom along with my fav embellishment - sequins. Loving all the texture I can see & feel on my tag.

COLLECT BEAUTIFUL MOMENTS

For the next background, I decided just to mount straight on to a black card background & have kept the original size of the finished piece.

Other than adding my old, old rub-ons, I have matched the embellishments from my tag to tie in all my projects: hessian & sequins. I thought the sentiment was perfect to sit beside the vintage camera image.

I also decided to use my pencils to colour in and enhance some of the stamp detail on the beach huts. I really didn't want to do much more as wanted the piece to still remain as a collaged piece.

ADVENTURE IS WORTHWHILE

For my final piece, I decided to trim the edges and double mount the piece on layers of white & black card. Once mounted, I tied all the layers together by adding more torn gel print pieces.

I have split the sentiment up because I thought it looked better that way. I wanted the adventure to begin with the boat image & then your eye is drawn down to the lower part of my collage.

Again I have finished this piece with hessian & sequins, again to link al three pieces. Adore the lady sitting on the shells and she could almost be a mermaid sunbathing on the beach.

Splitting the sentiment up, I think works perfectly as to me it splits up the story but also links the two different looks of this piece.

#MARCHPRINTINGCHALLENGE

The wonderful people at Gelli Arts thought it would be super cool to encourage us to get printing & creating by having the March challenge. Each day the theme changes and a new Gelli Arts Artist shares their ideas for that theme. Pop over to the Gelli Arts Instagram page - @gelliarts -  to see all the previous projects & also, join in with the printing fun.

I had a serious blast creating these pieces. One reason was because of the theme but the second reason & probably the one closest to my heart, is using up all our printed backgrounds. I adore creating the backgrounds but am guilty of then not using them and putting them to one side. I am making it my mission of 2021, to use more of my backgrounds in my crafting. 

YOUTUBE VIDEO

I filmed myself creating my three beach themed projects and you can see the step by step process by clicking on link below or popping over to my YouTube channel - Lou Sims Papercrafter

Okay gotta also say that if a background really sings to me, it probably won't get used but I do then either add it to a journal or mount it on to my inspiration wall. Now that is a NEW, NEW for me and it was seeing Seth Apter change his inspiration wall around & listening to him explain why he keeps one, that has spurred me to do the same.

Okay better go get this published & tidy up my craft space before I become swallowed up in paint & paper.

Take care everyone & stay safe,

Lou
xxx

SUPPLIES

If you want to find out about the products I have used, click on the shop link(s) below. Affiliate links are used at no cost to you. Affiliate disclosure can be found here.
 Thank you so much for your continued support.