I created this card using alcohol inks, distress oxides, and Lavinia Stamps.
I tried a new method when using alcohol inks-the smooshing technique. I was familiar with this technique when using distress inks but didn’t connect it to alcohol inks until I saw a video. I began by putting a piece of aluminum foil on my work area. I chose four colors of alcohol ink, plus the Pearl Mixative. I generously applied the ink in squiggly lines onto the foil in different areas and added four drops from the Pearl Mixative bottle. I laid a piece of Yupo paper on top of the inks; gave a twist; and patted it down to spread the inks across the paper.
Alcohol inks dry so quickly. To get a second generation copy, I sprayed some Blending Solution onto the inks that had dried on the foil-and repeated the smooshing technique. I liked the result, but this copy wasn’t as dramatic as the first.
(I liked the smooth, even surface that was achieved by the smooshing technique. When I put drops of alcohol ink, and blow them around with my Giottos Air Blaster, there are both shinny and dull areas-so I end up spraying Krylon Matte to preserve it and to even out the look of the dull areas. I didn’t need to do that when I used the smooshing technique, and the ink isn’t going to come off.)
Next, I used an ocean MFT die to cut the top area of the Yupo Paper to simulate a wave.
I applied the two different distress oxides with a mini blending tool (using no water); made a mask of the fairy’s body and inked the flourish stamp around it; then followed with the fairy and the sentiment stamps. When I was using the magnets on the stamp platform, I put a tiny slip of paper under each magnet. That way, the distress oxides didn’t come off when stamping. I was happy that I ran across that tip while surfing Pinterest. There were some areas on the fairy that didn’t ink completely, so I dipped a small paintbrush onto the Memento ink pad and applied it directly to those areas.
I anchored the Yupo paper with Scor-Tape, just around the edges. I’m not sure, but I think it would show through if it was anywhere else. To make the white areas of the sea stand out (which the Pearl Mixative had created), I highlighted them with Wink of Stella.
Materials Used:
- Strathmore Watercolor Paper, Cold Press, 90 lb.
- Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Yupo Paper, Transluscent
- Ranger Alcohol Inks: Mermaid, Aquamarine, Turquoise, Pool, and Pearl Mixative
- Ranger TH Distress Oxides: Picked Raspberry and Mustard Seed
- Lavinia Stamps: Jaylar, Flower Flourish, Secrets Are Hidden (Tracey Lavinia Dutton is the artist of the Lavinia stamps.)
- My Favorite Things Die-Namics, Ocean Waves, MFT-1111
- Ranger TH Mini Blending Tool/Foam
- Ranger non-stick Craft Sheet
- Tim Holtz Tonic Stamp Platform
- Memento Ink, Tuxedo Black
- Wink of Stella
- Fiskars Procision Rotary Bypass Trimmer (12”)
- Martha Stewart Scoring Pad; Fiskars Dual-Tip Embossing Stylus
- Copic Multiliner, Black, 0.03 (for touchup)
- Piece of aluminum foil
- Ranger Mister (for the blending solution)
- Small Paintbrush
- Rubber Gloves/Baby Wipes/Paper Towels
- Scor-Tape: 1/4″
Machines: Sizzix Big Shot, with two cutting pads, and the magnetic platform.
(Please use adequate ventilation when using alcohol inks. I opened a window and had my air purifier going. I especially notice the fumes when I use the Blending Solution. I didn’t realize how strong they were until I stepped outside for a bit, walked back in, and went WO!)
Have a fairy wonderful day!!!
Diane
