Friday, May 28, 2021

Background Technique: Stampin' Blends and Alcohol

Ready to take a look at the latest craze - using Stampin' Blends (alcohol markers) with isopropyl alcohol to make some really cool backgrounds!  There are MANY ways to implement this technique.  I am using an eye dropper, and an air blowing tool (the blowie thing!).  The results are dynamic, and different every time.


Just a reminder that I go Live on my Facebook Page every Thursday at 11:00am ET.


If you are not able to catch me live, you can now watch it on YouTube.  If the picture does not appear below, you can click HERE to get to it on YouTube.


For this technique, I've used Vellum cardstock, Stampin' Blends, 91% Isopropyl alcohol, and Adhesive sheets.

For this first card, I started off by sticking an adhesive sheet to what would be the BACK side of my vellum.  Then I color all over the top of the vellum with Stampin' Blends.  These are alcohol markers, so I would expect other alcohol markers to behave similarly with this technique.  

Stampin' Blends:  I do suggest DARKER colors of markers, because the alcohol dilutes the color a LOT.  I've used Dark Mossy Meadow, Medium Old Olive and Medium Daffodil Delight (the Medium shades are very old, no longer available.  I would use DARK if you have the newer markers.)

See how I've colored all over, sort of random but also trying to balance the different colors.


Then you'll drop color on to the colors, and use the blowie tool to blow the alcohol around.


Let that dry, and then trim the whole piece down.  I mounted that on a piece of White - that really makes it show up nicely.  See the variations you get - very cool!  The only thing that I really want to point out is to use the alcohol sparingly until you get the hang of it.



To finish this card, I added some gold-embossed, punched out dragonflies that I had from another project.  Then I stamped and punched out the greeting and added the ribbon and Ladybugs.

Paper measurements:
  • Daffodil Delight: 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", folded in half at 4 1/4"
  • White: 4" x 5 1/4" (2 pcs - one for inside of card)
  • Vellum:  3 7/8" x 5 1/8"  - note that I started out with this cut to 4" x 5 1/4, and then I trimmed it down after the inks dried.
  • Adhesive Sheet:  as close to 4" x 5 1/4" as you can get. 
  • White: scrap to stamp and punch greeting

While I was making the first card, I had a question from a viewer about using Reinkers and alcohol.  SO - I tried it!  I did  not get pictures, but I took two colors of Classic ink refills (Garden Green, and Bermuda Bay, I think).  Drop the reinkers directly on to vellum, then added the alcohol and blew things around like I did with the first card.

The reinker was really concentrated, and dark.  I had to add a LOT of alcohol to get the ink to move around.  I had so much alcohol on the vellum that I had to set it off to the side to dry overnight.

This was the end result.  Very concentrated colors, and not nearly the same movement as the Stampin' Blends...BUT I like it!  I might try to add some gold to it later somehow.  It's very interesting.

Also note that the vellum gets very warped with these techniques.  That's why I attached the Adhesive Sheet to the first one before I did any markering.  I can still add the adhesive sheet after the fact, but doing it first keeps the warping down.

Just for giggles, I added some more alcohol after this was completely dry (from sitting overnight).  The added alcohol did NOT give the ink any movement at all.

For the second card, I did NOT apply the adhesive sheet first. This is because I used the Stained Glass technique.  Stamp seashell images on the FRONT of the vellum first, let it dry, then flip it over and add color.

Add the Stampin' Blends markers - color in over the seashells, and then use the alcohol and blowie thing like we did with the first card.  This time, I wanted the colors to stay as close to the seashells as possible.  I did  not want an overall background.


Close up to show what it looks like peeking out from behind.  I ended up stamping over my seashell images again with Basic Gray...and I didn't get everything lined up perfectly.  Oops!


To finish this card, I added some Opal Rounds and a rhinestone.  I stamped the greeting, and then cut out only the words that I wanted to use.  I may re-do those words in Magenta Madness ink - it may pop more.  The black is kind of blah...

Paper measurements:
  • Magenta Madness: 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", folded in half at 4 1/4"
  • White: 4" x 5 1/4" (for inside of card)
  • Vellum:  3 3/4" x 5"  - note that I started out with this cut to 4" x 5 1/4, and then I trimmed it down after the inks dried.
  • Adhesive Sheet:  as close to 4" x 5 1/4" as you can get. 
  • White: scrap to stamp and cut greeting

I hope that I've given you some ideas of something new to try with your stash!  This alcohol background is really cool.  I like that no two will look the same!

Supplies you'll need to create these (Stampin' Up, unless otherwise noted.  Items may be retired.):

Stamps:  Dragonfly Garden, Friends are Like Seashells
Ink: Mossy Meadow, Basic Gray
Paper: Vellum cardstock, White, Daffodil Delight, Magenta Madness
Other:  Adhesive sheets, Dragonfly punch, Ladybug Trinkets, Mossy Meadow 3/8" Braided Linen Trim, Opal Rounds, Basic Rhinestones


Thanks for visiting, and Happy stamping!

Toni

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