Friday Focus - Stamping with Alcohol Blending Solution

For the past few months, I have been demonstrating alcohol inks at the shows.  Over time, questions were asked, experiments were tried and some of the results were fabulous.  Today I want to share with you stamping with the Alcohol Blending Solution on both glossy cardstock and a manila shipping tag.  I realize that we have always been told to use Alcohol Inks on nonporous services (i.e., glossy, tin, metal, glass, acrylic), but in playing around I found that I much prefer the look achieved on plain cardstock.  When I first tried the technique, I immediately ran over to Dave, Mr. Rubbernecker, to show him -- all I could see were the results and colors of impressionistic paintings.  Needless to say, we took it and ran!

Let's get started with the technique.  The supplies used are:  Ranger Currant, Denim and Butterscotch Alcohol Inks, Alcohol Blending Solution, and Ink Blending Tool with Felt; Ranger Non-Stick Craft Sheet; Glossy Cardstock and Manila Shipping Tag; and Stamp Oasis Baroque Background SKU:1230 SO

Working with the Glossy Cardstock first, complete your Polished Stone background.  Remember that it is important to fill the felt fibers with ink.  Place the bottle nib into the felt and give a 2 second squeeze, then pounce the applicator over the cardstock.  To blend the inks and add another layer of color, place a drop of the Alcohol Blending Solution in the center of the felt and again pounce over your cardstock.

Place a new piece of clean felt on the Ink Blending Applicator and soak the felt with Alcohol Blending Solution.  Now pounce the Alcohol Blending Solution on your stamp.

Stamp your image over the Polished Stone background that you created.  You will begin to see a faint detail of the stamped imaged.

To speed the drying process along, use your heat tool and watch the image take shape.  This is the completed background when dry.

Now lets try the tag.

Create you Polished Stone background just like before.  When working on regular paper, the inks are not easily manipulated and the fibers of the paper soak up the alcohol ink.  There is no need to go back and add any Alcohol Blending Solution.  It only muddies the colors and makes the background darker.

Using a new piece of felt on the Ink Blending Applicator, which has been filled with the Alcohol Blending Solution, pounce the Alcohol Blending Solution on your stamp.

Stamp your background.

Here is the result of the completed tag.  You'll notice that the details of the image are not as defined as on glossy cardstock.  However, if you are wanting a soft and muted background, this technique is for you.

I hope you enjoy experimenting with the Alcohol Inks as much as I have.  I would love to see what you create and encourage you to upload a link here at this post so we can all share!

Have a great day and go create art!

Comments

[Starla]

This is soooo COOL!! Hmmmm....don't think that I have any RN bg's (gasp)....might just have to play with what I've got....I think that the 5 inches of cleared desk space is enough for a tag!! BWHAHAA

[Sarah]

Okay, Sherry, you convinced me that I had to try this technique and I like it!!!

Here is my tag:
http://vintagefigments.blogspot.com/2008/11/stamping-with-alcohol-blending-solution.html