A.I. make a "gelli" print (learn how if you don't

"Gelli" printing is a lot of fun. It's easy and if you don't own a Gelli plate, you can easily make your own (and the ones you make last and are reusable!).

There are lots of Youtube videos about Gelli printing, to give you some ideas.

I belong to an art guild and we do a lot of projects where we learn new things. I took my 11 year old grandson to the Gelli plate workshop and he did some awesome prints! (see graphic!) So don't be afraid to try this!

Directions for making your own Gelli plate: To make an 8x8" plate that will be about 1/2 inch thick, this is what you need (feel free to make other sizes) - use a container that doesn't have any lettering on the bottom (I used a metal cake pan for mine). Two 6 ounce bottles of Glycerine (get at WalMart or a drug store) 7 packages of unflavored gelatin (Knox is one brand) 1 1/2 cups boiling water.

Mix the gelatin with the glycerine. Once the gelatin has melted into the glycerine, add the boiling water. Microwave for 45 seconds.

Pour into the container you have chosen. Use a paper towel the same width as your container to remove any bubbles; then use a spoon to remove the bubbles along the edge. Let the plate set up. (I put mine in the refrigerator overnight, but that wasn't in the directions - it did work, though).

Carefully remove from the pan and place on a sheet of acetate (not having any acetate, I took a page protector apart and put it underneath and on top of mine) - you store them covered like that so they don't get any dirt/dust on them!

Now! Do some prints. You can use any kind of art paint...block printing ink (I used water based for some of mine); acrylic; water color. The directions say you can even use oils to do this. The good thing is, you can wash the plate and although the paint may stain the gelatin, the plate will be clean!

Your mission is to create 3 ATC backgrounds for your partners. Standard ATC size (2 1/2 x 3 1/2) or larger. You will have 2 partners in this swap!! Feel free to start playing with this before partners are assigned as this is sender's choice!!