Thursday, March 26, 2015

Mixed Media Cards with a Gelatos Collage Tutorial



I have a new favorite love and her name is Gelatos. Today, I'm going to show you a collage technique tutorial using Faber Castell's Gelatos. I will say up front that my card is heavily inspired by a video I watched from Nadia Cannizzo




I've seen amazing cards done with Gelatos but I have never used them before. A couple of weeks ago, I picked up four sticks to try them out and the verdict is: 

I am going to go broke. Sigh*

I made this card for the crafty Christi Conley because she was my
March Card Chain Challenge recipient. If you want to sign up to receive a card from another crafter in the blogosphere, check out the Society of Stampaholic's Card Chain Challenge!

Step One:

Prep you paper by applying a thin layer of Gesso


Why? Because if you don't, it will make it harder to blend. You technically don't have to use the gesso, but if you don't, you'll have to apply a lot more of the Gelatos.

Step Two: 

Scribble on a small amount of the Gelatos. 
I am using pink and purple shades.


Blend with your fingertips. Dip them in a little bit of water as you go along to make blending easier. 
Just so you all can see the difference, the sheet on the left was when I tried to blend an un-gessoed piece of paper. The right is with the gesso. 

After I had a good blend, I used a baby wipe to remove some of the Gelatos in areas for more visual interest. 

Step Three:

Stamp some images on the piece of the paper and
 then cut into small pieces. 



Step Four: 

Create a base for your card. I gessoed a piece of card stock and then scraped a Distress Ink Pad (Scattered Straw) directly over the top. 


I like the look of this vs. sponging because it creates a distressed, shabby look. 

Step Five:

Use glue to adhere your collage pieces to the base, 
alternating directions and stacking.
Then outline the squares with Gelato and blend with your finger. 

I used a combination of pink and purple and blended some color into the base, too. 
Right is during the process and left is the finished product. 

Step Six: 

Add your other pieces



As you can see - I made two cards! I loved the look of this so much, I had to keep playing. The gorgeous sentiments are both from STAMPlorations Blossom Overture set.

I am going to send my cards over to the following challenges: 
Mixed Media World - Anything Goes
Simon Says Wednesday - Anything Goes
Hiding in my Craft Room - Anything Goes

Thank you for stopping by! Leave me a comment or follow my blog and I will try to return the favor!



67 comments:

  1. I love Gelatos & need to use mine--thanks for the inspiration, Becca!

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  2. LOL! Speaking to a convert here! Love that u got inspired by Nadia- she's pretty amazing.... Those squares behind look fab. Very 3 D.... Yup! You're gonna go broke but it's worth it!!!

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  3. Love! Before you buy more, look on Amazon for Faber and Castell 12 Count Gel Sticks with Free Brush

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  4. Beautiful card, Becca. I've never used gelatos, so thank you for the great tutorial and the enabling :-) Love the embellishments you used to finish off your card. Like I said ~ BEAUTIFUL!!!
    Thanks for joining in the fun at Hiding in My Craft Room.
    ♥ Lena – DT
    Lena’s Creations

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  5. Amazing! I bought some gelatos but can't get them to work like this! Great step by step guide it has inspired me to have another go!
    Elaine

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  6. Hey I too got same pack of gelatos n still figuring out techniques to use them ! I loved what you have done with them ,specially the effect after adhering all the pieces and outlines Wow !

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  7. Stunning Becca. I have a few colours of Gelatos so must try this out. Thanks for the tip about using Gesso

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  8. Beautiful cards Becca, great step by step tutorial. I use Portfolio Pastels and love them, Gelatos are on my wish list to try.

    Thank you for joining in with our challenge again.

    Mo:-)
    DT MMW

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  9. Oh that is such a pretty card. I have just got gelatos and don't use them so much because they don't blend so nicely... must try putting down gesso first and see. :D Love the colours and I am loving the gold that is around at the moment. Very elegant.

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  10. Not used Gelattos before but was tempted when they were offered free with a mag recently but kept my hands in my pocket. After this fab demo perhaps I should have splurged! :)

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  11. I don't use my gelatos enough, but I agree, they are fabulous to use! Lovely background and card, great colours, hugs Carole Z X

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  12. Oh wow thanks for the step by steps.. love the end result, and yes I have gelatoes and should be using them more.. and I too love Nadia's creating, she is amazing..

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  13. I have some gelatos. They seem a bit grainy to me, but maybe using the gesso is the trick. Will have to find time to play with them again. Thanks, Becca, for sharing your technique! I love the beautiful cards you created!

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  14. Awesome Becca....a super result! I love the little steps that you showed us! I have some Gelato's and really must use them more! Thanks for the inspiration! ;-)

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  15. Absolutely gorgeous!! I love the beautiful colors and the fabulous design!! This is spectacular!! You've made me want to pull out my gelatos and play :) I picked mine up last year at joann online when they had them at 50% off and a coupon for free shipping with a $50 order...a great deal!! They have sales pretty regularly, too. Have a great day :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  16. Love your card, the gelatos look so fun! Adore the Spring fun colors. Thanks so much for sharing!~kim

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  17. Dang girl! It's like kindergarten finger painting, but waaay more fun! Thanks for the tutorial too. And your cards are stunning. Those colors together are amazing. The embellies are perfect for these cards too. Wow. Have a great weekend. Bev

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  18. Hi Becca- thanks for your sweet and inspiring comments on my blog...I am now following your blog and excited to see your fab techniques and beautiful cards!!!

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  19. Becca, those Gelatos look fun and they add such a vivid color to your card. Love the layering and finished card!!

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  20. Becca, this is gorgeous! Thank you for your step by step! Here I sit with a bag full of never been used Gelatos, you have inspired me to uncap them and use!

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  21. Hi Becca, you may want to cover your ears as I shout out a huge THANK YOU! I've been playing with my Gelatos this past week and I was wondering if I was imagining that they were easier to use on some surfaces that others. I love your cards, they are stunning and so very vibrant, just what I love. I never knew about the Gesso tip - so thank you so much for sharing Karen xx

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  22. ooooh. sooooo beautiful!! i have gelatos and yet to create anything i really like with them. i need your talent! awesome job! :)

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  23. Pure loveliness!! I adore Gelatos too, I tend to only use them to accent once finished but you have certainly fed my inspiration to try something different. Hugs, Georgie xx

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  24. Of course my mind went straight to ice cream:) I have to check out these gelatos. These 2 cards are so inventive and different-I love the layers and the structure. They are beautiful

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  25. This is gorgeous! Love these colours! I don't have Gelatos - have seen people use them but I really don't know what they are! Just as well, no money! But they look fabulous and I like how you cut out the panels and layered them. Thank you for the tutorial - I really look forward to seeing your tutorials - I always learn a lot over here! Enjoy your weekend!

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  26. Oooh. Oooh. Oooh. Have lots of Gelatos...have to crack them out now. The Gesso is the key, I see. (And that's the only poetry you'll get from me.) The cards turned out hecka good. Amazing color and design. Just yummy! Thanks for the tutorial...now I just have to do it.

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  27. Hi Becca, thanks for a visit and a beautiful comment!;) Beautiful cards. I love Gelatos too!! :)

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  28. Beautiful, I think I "need" gelatos!!!
    Thanks for joining the TTCRD challenges.
    Sandra

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  29. What a PRETTY PRETTY background Becca, this rocks!

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  30. Cool collage effect, Becca! Perhaps I should give my gelatos another try...

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  31. I own ONE single gelato!! I really haven't done much with them at all!! I'm inspired by your technique here and love what you've done! You really rock the techniques this week girl!! Enjoy your weekend! ;)

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  32. So amazing! I love the colors you chose and soon they will have lots of buddies! Not sure what stores you have around you, but Michaels and JoAnns both supply them and, of course they have COUPONS! Now that I think of it, if you have these stores, than you pretty much know their inventory like most crafters. Thanks for all the info in your tutorial. Shamefully, I have some and have not yet used them!

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  33. I've got a set of these virtually unused! Love what you've done Becca, the colours are really pretty. Thanks for sharing with us at CFAS too. Carol x

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  34. ...and you always manage to make card that so uber cool! Love this Becca!

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  35. Great project. Love the fun colors. Thanks for sharing.

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  36. Note to self...."USE THOSE GELATOS IN YOUR DRAWER". Thank you for the inspiration...your card is gorgeous.

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  37. Don't often say this - but SUPER COOL cards and a SUPER COOL tutorial! What agreat look, and I love how you went sort-of neutral for the toppers etc. :)

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  38. Not just a card (thought handmade cards are absolutely fab) but this is ART.

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  39. NIce card Becca, I've just acquired some Gelatos..so thanks for the tut, very effective

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  40. Lovely card and yes Gelato's are the bomb!

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  41. Gorgeous, Becca!! I completely love your use of the Gelatos! I've looked at getting a set and thought--how would I use them, would I use them. Well, now seeing how easy you've made using them look--I'll definitely reconsider the next time I see them :) Just Fab, Becca!! Keep experimenting!! XOXO-Shari

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  42. this turned out amazing!! LOVE your step by step and great colors you used!!! stunning work!!!!

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  43. Just fabulous Becca. I'm ashamed to say I got a set of Gelatos for Christmas and they're still in the box. This has inspired me to get them out and have a play x

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  44. Just fabulous Becca. I'm ashamed to say I got a set of Gelatos for Christmas and they're still in the box. This has inspired me to get them out and have a play x

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  45. WOW Becca, this is fabulous! Mix-media is a big challenge for me to learn. Love seeing your steps :D

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  46. You make me want to try Gelatos. Your card turned out amazing! What a neat way to get inky and messy! Awesome job! ~Niki

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  47. Hmm, we have the same four colours of gelatos... you are brilliant with them, me not so much. :D Beautiful card!

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  48. I have a set of four, woefully neglected, gelatos, because my attempts to use them have been pa-thet-ic! Your gesso technique, here, may be the remedy I need! Will definitely give this a whirl once I'm reunited with my crafting goodies. Your tutorial and card...simply splendid! Thank you and WOW!
    Hugs~c

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  49. Oh so gorgeous, Becca. Gesso and Gelatos go hand in hand! :)
    x Asha

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  50. Unbelievably COOL and well done!! Love that you are showcasing all kinds of different mediums and teaching me so much!! These cards are lovey and just so amazingly gorgeous!! So very impressed!!

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  51. Great work and awesome TUT' Becca!
    YOu should totally design for Faber Castell
    That's what I did 2 years ago and it was a great experience.

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    1. Wouldn't that be a dream! I am so in love with their products! I just started blogging about 6 months ago and have been having such an amazing time. This community is so uplifting and makes me grin on a daily basis. Thanks for the compliments. :)

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  52. Finally found the time to come over for a visit and got lost checking out your blog! So many interesting tutorials! So much to learn from you! I have Gelatos and also find that they blend much better on Gesso!
    Thanks so much for your kind comment and becoming a follower on my blog!

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  53. Finally found the time to come over for a visit and got lost checking out your blog! So many interesting tutorials! So much to learn from you! I have Gelatos and also find that they blend much better on Gesso!
    Thanks so much for your kind comment and becoming a follower on my blog!

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  54. Wow, this is fabulous and so inspiring Becca. What a great tutorial. I've had a few gelatos for some time now but was never successful in blending. Your colour choices are wonderful too. Pat K x

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  55. Thank you for the tutorial. I have had 4 gelato's for ages. I have used them, but wasn't loving them, but I think the problem was I wasn't using the gesso to prime first. Your card look fabulous and you have inspired me to keep experimenting. When I get back from my trip I may have to get some new colours :) Your layers really pop with the colours you have chosen
    Mary

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  56. A fabulous card, such a wonderful technique.
    Thank you for joining us at Crafting for all Seasons.
    Pauline
    x

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  57. Another fabulous card. You and your cool techniques. I also love your photos for the tutorial. Thank you for posting these.

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  58. This is so cool, Becca. Gelatos and I are by no means besties. May have to give the gesso a go. TFS.

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  59. omgosh! this is gorgeous!!! :) Thank you for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge this week.

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  60. I have no gelatos but you show it the result so amazing
    Adorable card Becca and I miss you on each post I have
    I think you must be so busy with all the assignment
    but I was Happy you see my card for Cardz 4 guys...it was my lovely Stencil card
    Hope you have 2-3 minutes to hop to my blog Becca
    miss you
    hugs, Monika

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  61. er.ma.gerd. Totally stunning! (Also, I hope by the BUY ALL THE COLOURS that you have read Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh, her blog is freaking hilarious!)

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  62. Popped over from the stanciul blog hop and love this use of gelatos. Thanks ofr the tutorial. I am going to start following you - does that mean I am a stalker??
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  63. Hi, thanks for this info on gelatos. Your cards turned out gorgeous! I havnt used my gelatos but for a few minutes because of one question.....Dont they keep smearing if you dont seal them in some way? Thanks for your answer if you are able to.

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    1. Hi Carolyn,
      They will smear a little bit if you keep touching them, but it would take a significant amount of smearing force once you've already done the initial smear. I don't really seal my gelato cards, but for canvases I use a clear spray by Krylon to seal my layers. You definitely don't want to try to seal with gel medium because the wet gel will push the gelato pigment around and could ruin the effect you were trying to achieve - hope that helps!

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