Where to go from here......

to start a "Collaborative Blog."

It seems just to "start" somewhere.....anywhere.....is the way to go.

So.............think of this as a place to ask questions....and answer them.  A place to post things of interest to you. (If they are of interest to you, they will also be to someone else.)
gg designs is going to start with TWO ideas.....
Love "success" stories. Not the labored ones so much, but the serendipitous ones that are sparked while doing something else. Here are two "home made" items now produced commercially, that "grew" out of a specific experience.

First..... This Tyvek Billfold:

Remember Duck Tape Billfolds....popular not too long ago?

Somebody took the idea and translated it into a Tyvek Billfold. (Tyvek is very strong and waterproof and extremely useful)

ggd was so intrigued we tried it. Easy enough, with a little patience. Actually, easier than the duck tape version but, if you don't want to tackle creating the billfold from scratch and would prefer just creating the design, here's a short cut:

http://tinyurl.com/3mh66vm

Or just click on the blank billfold above

While you're there, check out the huge (and fun) variety of already completed designs at

http://tinyurl.com/3atz4jo
or click on any of the colored versions.

We think these would be great full size or in a"mini" version to hold gift certificates (one of the most popular gifts these days).

* * * * * *

Second on the list of "wish I'd thought of that" (or, I thought of that, wish I had acted on it) items.........

While we've never been very good at it (seem to need more structure, predictability and control than they offer) monotypes have always held a fascination. Once, while checking out the procedure one more time, we found a book"Making Monotypes Using a Gelatin Plate."

Not sure what the allure was here, except that it was a bit reminiscent of the Hectograph or "ditto machine" procedures which produced purple, smelly, barely readable hand outs. (Talk about dating yourself!)

Anyhow, after mixing up a number of batches of gelatin, with inconsistent results, that craft got abandoned and stuck away somewhere.

Recently however, at a sale at Cloth, Paper, Scissors (more about this addictive site later) ggd found premade and reusable gelatin plates called "Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plates."

Commercially Made Gelatin Printing Plate

The video below shows the whole process. Looks so simple we're tempted to try it again!

Gelli Arts Gelatin Printing Plate Demonstration

After watching this demo, browse other YouTube gelatin print, monotype and collograph printing demos to find limitless ideas for background papers and exciting print images for your cards and other projects.

We didn't initially like the "looseness" of monotype but it is perfect for backgrounds. (Some of the You Tube samples and examples will have you running for the gelatin!) So....to the adventurous among you who want to give it a try, we'd love to hear about your experiences with it and see some of your results.

-------------

No, ggd doesn't get any compensation for steering you toward these items. Just really excited to be exploring what's "out there."

While our personal interest is still stamp carving, and it would seem a departure to be exploring Cloth, Paper, Scissors, it is surprising how much information and many products are adaptable and useful to stampers and carvers and paper and collage artists.

Will be talking about and exploring CPS because ggd now gets almost daily emails with inviting new books/mags/products etc.

This is where we are starting. Where we go will be up to you. Tell us what you want to know or what you've discovered that you just have to share!

Let's have fun!