Tag: Gel Press Printing

Green die cut and watercolor line of being mixed media card 3 Easy Mixed Media Cards for Beginners | Line of Being Die
Die cutting · Mixed Media

3 Easy Mixed Media Cards for Beginners | Line of Being Die

Karen BrownLeave a comment

Part of My Continuing Series: My 3-Step Mixed Media Recipe

3 modern abstract faces on a handmade card with a watercolor background.

Sometimes a die set arrives and your brain immediately starts firing off ideas.

That was me with Spellbinders Line of Being die set from Jaycee’s All My Senses Collection.

It’s minimalist. Abstract. Unexpected. Just a few delicate lines forming eyes, a nose, lips… and that tiny heart on the cheek.

It felt modern and artistic — and I knew it deserved something special.

So instead of making one card, I made three.

Three different artistic mixed media takes on the same striking focal point.

And interestingly? Each one feels completely different.

✂️ In This Post, You’ll Learn:

• How to add a simple but dramatic focal point
• Learn to create easy custom watercolor backgrounds
• How to add a few light layers that add interest
• Using gel press prints for your background

3 Mixed Media cards created with die cut "Line of Being" die cut from Spellbinders.

This Line of Being Die Set from Spellbinders creates the most eye-catching cards that are both unique and artistic.

I love that this set creates simple but bold focal points that work well in beginner level cards and mixed media creations.

A Little Mixed Media Context

If you’ve been following along in my new series:

Today’s cards are a little different.

They’re what I’d call Mixed Media Lite.

Understated.
Modern.
Intentional.
Artsy without being busy.

Use #karensmixedmediarecipe so we can follow along with each other’s projects.

Card One: The “Green Picasso” Card

Green Picasso handmade mixed media "Line of Being" card with watercolor background and 5 additional layers.

This card started with a hand-painted watercolor background.

I taped my watercolor paper to a hardboard using painter’s tape and lightly dampened the area where I wanted color.

Using various shades of green, I let the paint move organically — blobs, peninsulas, soft edges. No strict shape.

I used the die plate as a guide to estimate the size of my watercolor “face” (approximately 3 ¼” x 4 ½”).

Once dry, it felt very Picasso-meets-Buddha to me.

There’s quite a bit of white space around the painted area, which keeps the composition modern and breathable.

While brainstorming, I created 3 watercolor backgrounds. I went with the right two and filed the left panel in my premade backgrounds bin.

3 watercolor backgrounds + a bold black die cut creates 3 artsy modern handmade cards
Watercolor backgrounds work so well with mixed media cardmaking.

Subtle Layers (5 Total)

Even though this card feels simple, I added five quiet layers — because as you know, my recipe suggests 4+ layers.

  1. Light Script Stenciling
    Using Fog Reactive Ink, I stenciled two small areas of script. The pattern flows from watercolor into white space, about 1” sections.
  2. Tiny Rub-On Transfers
    Small Asian characters placed strategically. Just enough to intrigue.
  3. Second Generation Stamping
    Miss Detective small eyes, lips, fingerprints, and a heart stamped lightly in black reactive ink. Soft texture — not bold imagery.
  4. Partial Background Stamping
    I inked only portions of a bubble background stamp with Fog ink, bending the stamp to touch the paper selectively. Some impressions land on watercolor, some on white space.
  5. Splatters
    Blue-green and gold splatters to finish.

The Line of Being focal point — die cut from black cardstock — creates dramatic contrast against the organic green.

The sentiment? A small artistic rub-on that says “smile.”

Mounted onto a black A2 base using rounded rectangle infinity dies.

Bold. Modern. Graphic.

Mixed media card with green watercolor face background and black abstract face die cut with a second version in the background with my watercolor paint palette.
Bold but simple black die cuts make such interesting focal points for your mixed media cards.

Card Two: Pink & Green Modern Minimal

This card takes a lighter approach.

I painted:

  • A kidney-shaped pink wash on the right
  • A smaller irregular green circle blending slightly into the pink on the left

Lots of white space.
Lots of breathing room.

Watercolor backgrounds + splatters + black die cuts creates a bold modern mixed media look that works so well for cardmaking projects.
Colorful splatters elevate almost every mixed media project.

Then I added:

No heavy layering.
No traditional mixed media build-up.

Just artistic restraint.

And I love how eye-catching it feels despite its simplicity.

This card is proof that there’s no strict rule for how many layers a mixed media project must have.

Sometimes less truly is more.

Pink and green modern watercolor card with minimalist black face die cut

Card Three: Gel Press Version

I thought I was finished at two cards.

But overnight I had that creative whisper:

“What about a gel press background?”

So I shopped my stash of gel press prints (this is why I keep them!) and chose one with beautiful movement and color variation.

I:

The premade sentiment sticker finished it effortlessly.

Same focal point.
Completely different mood.

Gel press background card with metallic splatters and abstract line face

Why I Love Making Variations

Creating the same card multiple ways is incredibly instructive.

You learn:

  • How background weight changes a design
  • How much layering is “enough”
  • How focal points behave against organic vs graphic surfaces
  • What feels like you

It’s creative experimentation without pressure.

If you’re new to mixed media, I highly recommend starting with something approachable like my Easy & Addictive | Beginner Mixed Media Tag Tutorial and VIDEO.

For those building their stash, I also shared my 14 Best Cardmaking Products and Supplies for 2026, which might be helpful.

Build Your Cardmaking Toolkit:

If you are looking to equip your crafting space for new projects, these are the products I used today:

Diecutting:

Stamps:

Inks:

Which One Is Your Favorite?

The layered Green Picasso?
The modern Pink & Green?
Or the bold Gel Press version?

I’d truly love to know.

Darling owl theme valentine. Spellbinders December 2025 Die of the Month | Gel Press Print Card Ideas
Cardmaking Kit · Die cutting · Mixed Media

Spellbinders December 2025 Die of the Month | Gel Press Print Card Ideas

Karen Brown2 Comments
Die cut owl with a flower crown sitting on a branch, framed inside a white Polaroid-style border with a rub-on ‘love’ sentiment. Background and card base are made from textured green, red, tan, and white Gel Press prints

If you love mixed media, adorable woodland critters, and any excuse to use your Gel Press prints, the December 2025 Spellbinders Small Die of the Month – Better Together is going to make your crafty heart flutter. This month’s kit includes two owls and two otters, but for today’s project, I kept things simple with a single sweet owl—perfect for a Valentine’s Day card for my daughter.

How to Use Gel Press Prints in Cardmaking

I reached into my stash of Gel Press prints (one of my favorite studio habits!) and created a simple but visually rich design. The card base is a greenish-yellow pulled print, while the Polaroid-style frame background uses a print with layers of tan, brick red, green, and white. The organic textures and imperfect blends from the prints give this card a soft art journal meets Valentine vibe.

For the focal point, I die cut the owl and assembled her with a tiny flower crown, then perched her on the included die cut branch. She’s framed inside a Polaroid-style photo using the Hero Arts Nesting Journaling Photo Frames, which provide the perfect amount of white space.

A single rub-on sentiment—“love” from the Hero Arts Ornate Frames Transfer Sheet (RT127)—sits on the bottom right of the Polaroid border for an easy, minimal look. Because the background is so full of visual interest thanks to the Gel Press print, the clean sentiment balances everything beautifully.

Handmade Owl Valentine Card using Spellbinders December 2025 Die of the Month Kit + Gel Press Prints.

Key Products Used


✨ Spellbinder Small Die of the Month
✨ Hero Arts Nesting Journaling Photo Frames
✨ Hero Arts RT127 Ornate Frames Rub-On Transfers
✨ Gel Press Prints (my favorite kind of stash!)

Why I Love This Project

This card is:

  • beginner-friendly
  • fabulous for using your stash of Gel Press backgrounds
  • perfect for mixed media fans and Valentine’s Day
  • totally customizable (the kit includes two owls and two otters!)

I also included a process photo showing stacks of my finished Gel Press prints. The print used for the Polaroid background is the top middle print in that photo. I love Gel Press play days, and it feels great putting those prints to use in my cardmaking.

Stacks of completed Gel Press prints in various colors. The top middle print is tan, brick red, green, and white—the print used for the card’s Polaroid background

This simple mixed media Valentine is going to my daughter—and I think she’ll love the sweet little owl with the tiny flower crown.

cardmaking · Mixed Media · papercrafting

Masculine Mixed Media Card

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Masculine Mixed Media Card.

Masculine cards can be tricky, but I think using bold gel press prints with a mega sentiment works well for the men in our lives.

Mixed Media Collage Card with Gel Press prints.

I sorted through my gel press prints looking for colorful pages that would work well together. I then tore them into strips and pieces and added some doodling with gel pens and Posca pens.

Products Used:

Gel Press

Acrylic Paints

Mixed Media Pad

Mega Hello Die

Leaves and Berries Stencil

Narrow Brick Stencil

Gel Pens

Posca Pens

UHU Glu Stick

Craft Foam

Using Gel Press Prints in Cardmaking,

I am so glad you popped by!

Karen

cardmaking · Mixed Media · papercrafting

Easy Gel Press Print Cards

Karen Brown2 Comments
Mixed Media card made with Gel Press Prints and floral die cuts: WPlus9 Doodle Buds.

Hello! I recently spent a most enjoyable afternoon making acrylic gel press prints and then I turned four panels into cards. For my first card, I used Altenew’s Bubble Wrap Stencil to add varation to my background. I die cut my background using The Greetery’s Crimped Frame die, and then die cut blooms using WPlus9 Doodle Buds stamp and die bundle. I drew in stems with paint pens and assembled my card with foam squares.

Mixed Media Acrylic Rainbow print turned into a card.

For my second card, I put 7 dots of acrylic paint on my gel press and brayered one direction horizontally so the ink would gently blend but would also maintain the bands of color. I brayered the excess ink onto a second page. I added a die cut bloom, stem and Hello sentiment.

Gel Press Printing using Altenew's Leaves and Berries Stencil.

The background on Card #3 used Altenew’s Leaves and Berries stencil. My bottom layer was orange, yellow and green. Next, I placed the stencil on the wet paint and blotted most of the orange that showed through onto a piece of copy paper. I let the paint dry a minute and then gently brayered on light blue acrylic paint, removed the stencil and pulled the print. I think the background is so beautiful for a floral card. The sentiment is from Altenew’s Birthday Greetings.

Mixed Media Card featuring Hero Arts I Am Puffer For You stamped fish.

The background on card #4 started with yellow and green paint on layer 1. I placed Simons Says Stamp’s Ring Cluster Stencil on the wet paint and then blotted most of the paint that showed through the stencil with a sheet of copy paper. I then brayered on light blue paint, removed the stencil and pulled the print. It was bright and fun and reminded me of the ocean so I went with an aquatic theme. The cute little puffer fish (Hero Arts I am Puffer For You) were stamped and fussy cut and a Hello sentiment was stamped on the background.,

Supplies:

Acrylic Paint Kit

Brayer Set

Gel Press Printing Plate

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

cardmaking · papercrafting

Easy Mixed Media Cards

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Easy Mixed Media Cards

Last week, I taught a workshop on creating Easy Mixed Media cards. The participants had never done Gel Press printing before so I guided them through the printing process.

Gel Press Printing

And then we turned the prints into cards.

Some of the participant cards
Lots of decisions to make in cardmaking
Brainstorming
Working on the layout
Easy Mixed Media Cards featuring Altenew Doodle Blooms, Enamel Dots, Painted Grid Washi Tape and Gel Press Prints.

Supplies used:

Altenew Doodle Blooms Bundle

Altenew Enamel Dots

Altenew Bird of the Woods Stamp Set, Die Set and Bundle

Altenew Rounded Rectangles Die Set

Altenew Painted Grid Washi Tape

Ranger Paint Pens

Misti Stamp Positioner

Gel Press

cardmaking · papercrafting

Spellbinders Die Cut Dogwood Blossom Card

Karen Brown2 Comments
Spellbinders Susan's Garden Favorites Dogwood Card.

I just love bright happy colors and I think they pair so well with Spring cards. Today I am sharing two Dogwood themed cards from Spellbinders new collection called Susan’s Garden Favorites.

DIY Glitter Paper Background

My Process:

  • I started by making pale pink and green Gel Press prints for my flowers and leaves. The branch is cut from a copper gel print because I thought brown was too plain.
  • I also wanted a bright fun background so I made my own glitter paper. First, I taped some watercolor paper to a hard board and brushed water over the surface. Then I mixed Salty Ocean and Mermaid Lagoon Distress Inks with Shimmer Spray (no water was added) and I painted it on the watercolor paper. I wanted an intense color so I applied three layers but I didn’t bother to let it dry in between. The background is so pretty in person but its hard to see the sparkle in the photos so I added a quick video below.
  • I die cut the blooms/leaves and then, using a bone folder, I molded and shaped them.
  • The flower center is an enamel dot.
  • I wanted to anchor the background so I die cut a frame using Spellbinders Essential Rectangles from 80 lb. cardstock.
  • I assembled the card with liquid glue (frame) and foam tape for the leaves, blooms and sentiment.
Quick Video to Show the DIY Glitter Paper
Die Cut Dogwood Blossom Card with DIY handmade glitter paper background.

I changed the position of the branch on the second card and also let the background peek around the edges of the frame.

Die Cut Floral Card + Gel Press Prints

The shimmer is so much prettier in person. I think when I post to Instagram I will do a little reel so you can see the sparkle better.

Using Gel Press Prints in die cutting + How to Make DIY Glitter Cardstock

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

cardmaking · papercrafting

Spellbinders Die Cut Sunflower Card

Karen Brown6 Comments
A die cut card using Spellbinders Sunflower from Susan's Garden Favorites Collection.

Who is ready for spring? I’ve been working on some bright sunny birthday cards featuring Spellbinders Susan’s Garden Favorites Collection. Today I chose the beautiful Sunflower and Ladybug die set for my two cards.

My Process:

  • I started by making a bunch of yellow and green Gel Press prints for my flower and leaves. I’ve inlcuded a photo of some of my prints below.
  • I also wanted a bright fun background so I taped some watercolor paper to a hard board and brushed water over the surface. Then I mixed Salty Ocean and Mermaid Lagoon Distress Inks with Shimmer Spray (no water was added) and I painted it on the watercolor paper. I wanted an intense color so I applied three layers but I didn’t bother to let it dry in between. The background is so pretty in person but its hard to see the sparkle in the photos.
  • I die cut the bloom three times for each sunflower. Using a bone folder I shaped the blooms and leaves.
  • The flower center is die cut from and a brown gel press print and a specialty “football” paper that has the texture of a football
  • I wanted to anchor the background so I die cut a frame using Spellbinders Essential Rectangles from 80 lb. cardstock.
  • I assembled the card with liquid glue (frame) and foam tape for the leaves, blooms and sentiment.
Spellbinders die cut Sunflower + Essential Rectangles frame

I think the result is a bright happy card!

Spellbinders Susan's Garden Favorites Sunflower + Gel Press Prints.

I love these sunflowers so I made a second card with a few modifications:

  • I made an A2 card from yellow green cardstock.
  • The frame was die cut from brown cardstock.
Die Cut Sunflower Card

I am so pleased you stopped by! I always love to read your comments, so if you have a moment, let me know what you think.

Karen

cardmaking · papercrafting

Spellbinders Adoring Fleurette Card Builder Dies

Karen Brown2 Comments
Mixed media card using Spellbinders Adoring Fleurette Card Builder dies from the Classically Becca Collection.

Hello! I have a mixed media card I created using Spellbinders Adoring Fleurette Card Builder dies from the Classically Becca Collection.

I started by sorting through my gel press prints. I really liked the blue print for my background and thought pink and green would look great as accent colors. The lattice die is so beautiful and I wanted to show it off so I went for a high contrast look. I like that the lattice die is the focal point of the card.

My Process:

  • The lattice die is both intricate and delicate, so I ran it through my die-cutting machine three times to ensure a crisp clean cut.
  • I die cut flowers and leaves. The tulips are from the this kit and I added flowers and greenery from Spellbinders Petite Floral Potpourri, which is a favorite of mine.
  • I also die cut (2X) the Adoring You sentiment included in this kit.
  • I wanted an A2 card so I cut my background down to 4 x 5 1/4″. I added a layer of craft foam to my card base and then attached my background.
  • Next I layered the elements of my card using the fine tip of Bearly Glue.
  • To finish the card I added enamel dots to the flower centers. I used the lightest color from Shades of Purple. I think enamel dots really help finish a project and they are probably my most used embellishment.
Spellbinders Adoring Fleurette Card Builder kit.

Thanks so much for visiting!

Karen

cardmaking · papercrafting

Mixed Media Collage Style Valentine Cards Made With Gel Press Prints

Karen Brown4 Comments
Mixed Media Gel Press Collage Valentine with die cut hearts

Valentine’s Day is coming up so I thought it was time to get busy and start creating. I love making gel press prints and thought this year it would be fun to make a batch of collage style valentines. Each one is embellished with die cut hearts.

Valentine made with Gel Press Prints + Die Cut Hearts

My process was the same for each card:

  • I flipped through my gel press prints and pulled out some fun, busy, messy designs.
  • I added paint splatters and stamping to some of the gel prints.
  • I also used some book pages and added stamping and ink blending with stencils.
  • I tore pieces off the prints and played around with layouts. For each, I left the top left corner for my sentiment.
  • I used UHU glue stics to adhere the torn pieces to cardstock. This glue works great! It dries quickly and fully adheres so there was no need for liquid glue.
  • Using my silicone shaper brush, I applied a thin layer of gesso to the top left corner of the card and along the seams of the torn prints. I also added a watercolor wash to these areas.
  • I die cut hearts in a variety of sizes from brightly colored gel prints and then distressed the edges with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink and a finger dauber. I glued these down to my panel.
  • I added +s, dashes and doodles with Inktense pencils, Gel Pens, Posca Acrylic Pens and distressed the edge of the card panel with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink and a finger dauber.
  • I added a quick stamped sentiment, framed with black cardstock and added to an A2 card base.

Masculine Valentine made with gel press prints and die cut hearts.

The card above has more neutrals which I thought would be perfect for my husband.

Mixed Media Valentine with die cut hearts

I like the two stencils I used on the gel press prints for the card above.

DIY Mixed Media Valentine card ideas
My Valentine Quartet

These collage style valentines were SO fun to make! And, since they have a messy casual look, mistakes actually add to the appeal.

I’ve linked to some of the products I used below:

Uni Posca PC-5M Black Colour Paint Marker Pens 2.5mm Medium Bullet Tip Nib Writes On Any Surface Metal Glass Wood Fabric Plastic Stone (Pack of 1)

Uni Posca PC-5M White Colour Paint Marker Pens 2.5mm Medium Bullet Tip Nib Writes On Any Surface Metal Wood Plastic Fabric Glass Stone (Pack of 1)

Gel Press Gel Printing Plate 5″x7″ 10810

UHU Stic – 0.29 oz / 8.2g Clear Glue Stick – Pack of 3

Derwent Inktense Pencils 24/Pkg, Colors may vary

Liquitex 104004 BASICS Gesso Surface Prep Medium Tube, 8.45-oz

Sakura 38369 10-Piece Blister Card Glaze 3-Dimensional Glossy Ink Pen Set, Assorted Color

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad, Frayed Burlap

Barvotti Silicone Color Shaper Brush (Mottler) – a Flat Sharp-Edged Flexible Tool to Apply, Move and Remove Acrylic Paints and Water Based Medium with Precision – A Studio Essential 1 Inch Wide

Bachmore Drawing Pad 9X12”(98lb/160g) 100 Sheets Mixed Media, Watercolor, Acrylic Art Pad for Sketching, Ink Sketchbook, Coloring in Multi-Media Top Spiral Notebook, Micro-Perforated, Heavy Weighted

Acrylic Paint Set, Caliart 52 Vivid Colors (22 ml/0.74 oz) Craft Paints Supplies for Artists Kids Students Beginners, Canvas Ceramic Wood Fabric Rock Painting Supplies, Rich Pigments Non Toxic Paints

Tombow 62191 MONO Multi Liquid Glue, 0.88 Ounce, 1-Pack. Multi-Purpose Glue with Dual Tip Dispenser for Precise to Full Coverage Application

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Karen

cardmaking · papercrafting

Paper Artsy Mixed Media Cards

Karen Brown4 Comments
Paper Artsy Whimsical Tree Mixed Media cards.

Happy New Year! I recently received a lovely package from Paper Artsy and had a fun day in my studio. I created two cards with slightly different takes. Both cards have gel press print backgrounds made with Paper Artsy’s Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic paint. This was my first time using Chalk Acrylics and I think the end result is beautiful. I used Hey Pesto green, Butternut orange and white for both backgrounds.

For the cards, I stamped and heat embossed the Paper Artsy tree on watercolor paper and colored them with watercolor markers. I then fussy cut the images. The sentiment is Ranger Letter It: Greetings.

Paper Artsy Whimsical Tree with Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Background

For this first card, I also stamped the tree with a script background stamp to enhance the whimsical feel. The card background was stamped with the tree and then my fussy cut panel was added with foam squares for a nice dimensional feel.

Paper Artsy Fresco Finish Gel Print background in Hey Pesto green and Butternut Orange.

For this second card I went for layers. I stamped the tree directly onto the gel print, then added the fussy cut tree on top using foam squares. I also stamped and watercolored a third panel and then fussy cut four aqua segments. These four pieces were adhered on top, so that in some places, the tree has three layers of dimension. I hope you can see that from the photo above.

Paper Artsy Whimsical Tree with Gel Press Print background

Multi-Media Collage Companion Card

Multimedia Gel Press Collage Card with Paper Artsy Chalk Acrylic and stamps.

I had some gel press prints leftover and decided to make a quick collage card. I tore off three pieces of paper (you can see the same green top right and orange bottom edge) and glued it to my panel (3.5″ x 4.75″) with UHU Gel glue stick. This glue stick works amazingly well, I didn’t need to use any liquid medium. I added some gesso, lots of stamping, paint splatters, dots-dashes-coloring (with Inktense pencils). On the top left corner I applied gesso, then did a bit of loose messy watercoloring plus the sentiment.

Paper Artsy Chalk Acrylic Paint and stamps on a multi-media gel press collage card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen