Posted by Mindy Eggen
on March 17, 2021
Welcome everyone! It's Mindy here with you today to share something a little different. The moment I saw the Novel Prose Bold Prints background stamp, I knew I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and try my hand at a little mixed media. It's new (to me!), unpredictable and a ton of fun!
The latest release featuring books, ties well with some previously released images for this project as well.
I started both cards by creating a background using Soft Brown and Caramel ink on a gel press. I blended the colors with a brayer and stamped the Novel Prose background into the ink on the gel press. I placed Dove White cardstock down on the gel press and once I removed the cardstock or created a "pull", I am left with this amazing background.
I took a stroll back to my old cardmaking days and tore the edges off both sides of my paper to give a more vintage feel.
To add more character to the background, I stamped the Bookshelf onto the background using Cup O' Joe ink and then ink blended the edges with that same color of ink.
I created splatters on the background by flicking white paint from a paintbrush and the metallic you may see is Distress mica spray in Tarnished Brass. You could use any type of spray you have in your collection. I used the Tarnished Brass because it went with the vintage look I was going for.
I finished off this card by adding to a card base created from Antique Ivory cardstock and a sentiment from the Literary Quotes set that I heat embossed in gold onto Pitch Black cardstock.
When I was playing with the gel press, I created multiple backgrounds that I experimented on. One experiment was adding the Flame Dragon with Vintage Photo Distress glaze onto the background.
I added a few coffee cup stains by smooshing Cup O' Joe ink onto my craft mat and spritzing with water. Then taking a coffee cup, I stamped the rim in the ink and applied to the background. That's one thing I'm learning with mixed media is anything can be used in your backgrounds.
I needed drastic contrast so I heat embossed the Bookshelf onto Pitch Black cardstock with sand embossing powder and fussy cut out to add to my card. Not wanting to take away from all the work I put into the background, I added just a small sentiment from the Sending Love Mail stamp set stamped in Intensified Black ink on Antique Ivory cardstock.
I'm no expert in mixed media but it sure is fun to play! I am finding texture and contrast play a huge part in this type of art. So get inky and have fun!
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4 comments
Awesome Mindy, I love both of you great background.
I just started also with mixed media and it’s so much fun to play with all kind of things.
Thank you so much for your inspirations, stay safe and have a wonderful weekend.
As a retired librarian I’m in love with this book themed release. Your take on mixed media using these stamps reminds me of visiting second hand bookstores and finding hidden treasure among the bookshelves. Thanks for the inspiration!
Wonderful mixed media. Mindy, ck out my blog for a Bee creation that was inspired by you.
http:/www.CreatedbySunshineHoneyBee.blogspot.com
Melissa
“Sunshine HoneyBee”
I loved this background. It looked old and weathered and spoke to me. My kind of stuff!!!! I just got my gel press and plan on doing some things from your example. Love it and thanks for sharing this very interesting technique with us.