Hi there

Thanks for popping in. How’s the New Year shaping up in your neck of the woods? It’s been raining and blowing a hoolie here for days. Wain, wain, wain. I’ve been in my artroom, (or should I say artwomb?) prepping for Sunday’s TV show, and quite enjoying my own company. I got caught up in a Gelpress session, which was thoroughly enjoyable. You know how it goes. You’re supposed to be making the bed, you go to hang something up in the wardrobe, then before you know it, you’re sorting out your clothes, having a massive sort out. The bed is piled high with clobber – and never does get made.

Not sure I will have time to demonstrate acrylic paint on a Gelpress on TV, but I’ll try my best. It’s just about setting aside a couple of hours – and playing. Much like I did today. Monoprinting is so unpredictable; you really cannot go into it thinking you will be able to replicate something. You have to take each print as it comes, then roll the dice again, and experiment, using stencils and mark makers, layer up colours. I’ve done loads of extensive Youtubes on it. And blogs too. They’re listed below. Check out our Claritystamp Youtube channel, and look for Gelli Plate or Gel Press.

I had a long chat to Sam Crowe yesterday evening. Just checking in on her; she’s doing well. Artwise, I LOVE what she does with a Gelpress. Anyway, she’s coming down to demo at the Open Days in June (tickets available online from yesterday), which is great news. She’s one to watch carefully. Very, very clever. We’re also getting together for a week before that, to make a load of arty videos together. That’ll be fun.

I rarely waste a print. And I also love the mop ups off the craft mat too. Here you can clearly see a straight up stencil print – perfect for chopping up! And the mop ups? Well, if you squint, you’ll see all sorts of fabulous landscapes!

I use these stencils a lot for gel press backgrounds.

Decorative Panels Stencil Set

Available HERE

Even what you would consider to be a bit messy, will make a superb background. Call it Scrapart if you like, but it looks pretty good when it’s finished. Let’s track a print…

Here’s where I chopped up a large print into smaller pieces.

They don’t have to be the same size either, unless you’re making a set. These are all about 2 x 3 inches. Perfect little art toppers. Don’t overthink it when you are chopping it up either. Just trust the process.

Edge with a black Sharpie pen…

Stamp a silhouette stamp using black archival ink on acrylic paint.

I love this little fella! And how perfect right now. So many people are struggling at the moment. So much heartache and crisis wherever you look. The little man with the brolly speaks volumes.

Bijou A6 Stamp Set

Available HERE

A5sq Stamp Set

Available HERE

Add a Clarity sticker for good measure. These ones come from the original booklet of stickers. Barb’s Stickers.

Attach to a little ATC card. Yep. That’s how small this card is. Still packs a punch though. I know at least a dozen people personally, who I could send this to. It must be our age…

And the background is very cool, don’t you agree?

It’s such a simple technique really. But when you actually touch the little card, it has that superb acrylic texture too.

Bijou Card Blanks, Envelopes & Embedders

Available HERE

If you fancy a meander back through some blogs, here are a few showcasing that stamp set:

October 2014
August 2015
November 2015
December 2015
May 2016
February 2017
February 2019
May 2019
November 2019
November 2022

Yes. It’s been a long day, but a productive day. And the Gelpress session was the highlight. Just letting go, and enjoying the process, with no real concern for the outcome. Now THAT’s liberating.

Love always

Barb x x x

PS Don’t forget – tomorrow evening at 7pm we’re starting a new project in the SHAC. I have got all day tomorrow to plan it. What a treat! See you there. Facebook LIVE or ClaritystampYoutube