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Let’s Play with a Paper Bag and Gelli Plates®!

Video showing how the layers built up with gelli printing® and mask on a paper bag for the Let's Play link party
Video showing how the layers built up with gelli printing® and mask on a paper bag for the Let's Play link partyWhat’s the play for this Tuesday? It’s a grocery bag!  I’m using something I would have thrown away as my canvas for a little Gelli Plate® and stencil mask play.

Technically this wouldn’t have been thrown away…it would have been recycled the traditional way. The “rules” for the Let’s Play link parties are open to interpretation…

Those “rules” are more like guidelines. Can you tell I like Pirates of the Caribbean?  For the link party, you’re free to link up any play.  Why? Because Let’s Play is about play first and foremost. Plus there’s a $50 DickBlick gift certificate being given away this month!  Details at the end of the post.

Let's Play, a link party where you can be inspired and be inspiring!So how does using a paper bag help me play?  It takes the pressure off because there is no fear of ruining some expensive canvas.  This was a paper bag.

No pressure = more play

 

Video showing how the layers built up with gelli printing® and mask on a paper bag for the Let's Play link partyThe ugly part  Recently in the Facebook group (you can join here),  there was talk about what to do when you don’t like what you’ve made.

I almost never love the look of something from the first moment to the last.  But I love playing.  I love the process.

In the awkward middle, as you’ll see in the video, this paper was very ho hum.  But I just kept adding layers as I played.  In the end, it became something that I loved- both making it and what it turned out to be!

You’ll also see how I use masks with both the round and square Gelli Plates®.
Video showing how the layers built up with gelli printing® and mask on a paper bag for the Let's Play link party

Supplies Used: 6″ round, 6″ square, and 3×5  Gelli Plates®, stencils: Gears, Finding Your Tribe, Butterfly Journeys, and Bold Flowers.

Watch Making art on a paper bag with a Gelli Plate® for Let’s Play! on YouTube.

How do you play creatively? There is no "exactly" how to do it but there are guidelines to lead you- that is the focus of this year's Let's Play link party and giveaways!

This month’s giveaway is a $50 gift certificate to Dick Blick!  Link up what you’re creating (and you get a bonus entry into the giveaway for sharing your play) or leave a comment telling something that you liked about one of the photos shared. One comment per person.  Giveaway closes Sunday, Jan 31st at Midnight PST and will be announced the following Tuesday.

New to Let’s Play?  You can find out all about it, what you can share (and it is almost anything), why your play (yes YOURs!) helps others to play, plus other info here.

This post is just one of many Let’s Play link parties and each one has a video all about creative art play!  Click here for a list of them all and the most recent one will be at the top of the list so you can jump right in and share what you’ve been creating!

[inlinkz_linkup id=600062 mode=1]

This post is just one of many Let’s Play link parties and each one has a video all about creative art play!  Click here for a list of them all and the most recent one will be at the top of the list so you can jump right in and share what you’ve been creating!

Link up etiquette  

  • If you see something you like, leave a comment on their photo or blog post and show some love – let them know they inspired you! 
  • Share your recent play (any form of creativity is welcome) that hasn’t been linked up to a Let’s Play before ( limit 3 per week please)
  • Add a link back to to this post so that others can find it, be sparked, and join the fun!
  • New link party begins each Tuesday..sometimes even late Monday night… 
  • Enter the giveaway for the $50 gift certificate by linking up (and you get a bonus chance for sharing your fun) or by leaving a comment telling something you liked about one of the photos shared in the link party. One comment per person on this week’s blog post.  The winner will be announced on the first Tuesday of the following month. You can find all the details about Let’s Play here.

You can upload a photo or use a URL or Instagram.  Not sure how to find a URL or link up? Check out this page of Let’s Play FAQs.

Want to put the button your blog? Just copy all of the the code from under the button.

Let's Play!
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Leave a Comment

  • Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith January 19, 2016, 8:19 am

    Awesome video, Carolyn! I’ve got a set of mini plates (circle, square, triangle) and I wasn’t sure how to use them, but your video has given me lots of ideas! Of course, it will be on a slightly smaller scale 🙂 Your videos always make me want to play!

  • Kathryn January 19, 2016, 10:29 am

    Wonderful video Carolyn. I don’t have many brown bags, but I do tear apart Amazon boxes to play on. Thanks for the reminder about the gelli plates. I have many of the smaller ones, but often forget to use them in a bigger piece. You are always so inspiring. 🙂

  • Suzie January 19, 2016, 11:08 am

    so much fun!

  • Sharon Field January 19, 2016, 12:22 pm

    I really like how this turned out………..now to see what you will use it for!

  • Gloria J Zucaro January 19, 2016, 12:26 pm

    Hi Carolyn, what fun! I like the idea of having all that space. And the mention of not liking something you are doing. Well, I finished one of my recent projects after about three layers of trying different things and still don’t like it! But now I think I got the idea just to continue with different colors or values and see if I can get what I like!

  • Rose McGuinn January 19, 2016, 12:47 pm

    Hi, Carolyn!
    That old inner critic tried to rain on my parade, so I put on a colorful raincoat and played anyway. Thanks for making this easier.
    🙂

  • Jean Marmo January 19, 2016, 2:57 pm

    Such fun! I am sure I have something I can use!!

  • Kathy Gledsdale January 19, 2016, 3:45 pm

    So fabulous, it just kept evolving!

  • kate jo January 19, 2016, 7:53 pm

    I started printing on recycled sandwich bags this past weekend…loved how it turned out and I can’t wait to make more!

  • Karen Veni January 20, 2016, 2:39 pm

    Thank you for a fun expose on gelli capabilities! I enjoyed the free organic nature of your play.

  • Martha Kisling January 20, 2016, 5:41 pm

    Love the idea of painting and printing on brown paper bags- inspired!

  • Virginia Melton January 21, 2016, 9:31 am

    Like the lets play, learning about the stencils and masks and how to use them with the geli plates. It is great!!

  • ionabunny January 21, 2016, 10:12 am

    OOh, atticartists birds are cool. Me and the sewing machine don’t really get along. Or the iron. Or the duster. I can cook. Life’s too short. Hugz

  • Arianna Barbara January 21, 2016, 1:53 pm

    Oh wow!!! Great project!!! I love the idea of painting brown paper bags! I’ll try!!!!.

  • Regina January 21, 2016, 10:00 pm

    My mind just reels after i watch one of your videos – great stuff!!!

  • Pye January 21, 2016, 11:35 pm

    I really enjoyed your “let’s play ” on the paper bag
    Thank you

  • Chandra January 22, 2016, 3:27 pm

    I love everyones links! The tea bag one is fun and the cloth birds! I am always saving things to use in an art piece so I am going to link up as soon as I get it on my blog! My latest fun thing is leftover sticker paper, it has some nice frames!

  • Nini~ January 24, 2016, 3:01 pm

    Thank you for the inspiration, I am soaking it up. I am tuned in and finally getting some paint on paper. I am grateful you started this group!

  • heidi January 25, 2016, 11:41 am

    I just did my very first ever art journal entry this very week. I have been watching every video i can find on youtube and found you and I can not wait now to get a gelli plate…… looks like so much fun.
    I’d love to sit and chat with you but my journal is calling me to come splash some paint !!!
    I’ll be back to watch more videos. Your so much fun to watch 🙂

  • Becky January 25, 2016, 12:09 pm

    I just love the mission style door! The detail is wonderful

  • Louise January 31, 2016, 8:49 pm

    You just gave me a great idea to use with my students! Paper that can take heavy paint is at a premium at our school. I can use paper bags!! We can use tempura paint and lots of glue and pictures and stamps on them. I can’t wait to play with them again.

  • Maureen Bartling February 1, 2016, 7:36 am

    I am new to the gelli plate; I purchased one and I cannot wait to go to the class Sunday to explore the techniques in this video. I love, love ,love the mask idea and the final “reveal”

  • GwenS January 5, 2022, 2:48 pm

    Oh Carolyn, loved your paper bag gel print vid! I was having my usual bout of insomnia, so I got out of bed and did some gel printing on a very, very long sheet of brown wrapping paper, used by a merchant to wrap my purchase. I left it brown and in the end it looked like silk. My only wish is that I saw your vid before my 2am play session today. Thank you for the inspiration. Stay safe and Happy New Year’22!