Monday, October 10, 2016

Success with Alcohol Inks


Hi everyone.  I have a love / hate relationship with alcohol inks. :)  I have had success with using them on pieces of copper and acetate, and with the floating alcohol inks technique.  But when it comes to playing with them on yupo paper that is all the rage now, I have had little success.  I made one a few months back and it turned out well ... turns out it was beginner's luck. :)

But, I'm stubborn! :)  And it has paid off for me.  I was determined to make things work and I found out that I had the best luck by smooshing alcohol inks.  I placed some drops of colour on a piece of foil (red and magenta) and added a few drops of gold metallic fixative.  Then I smooshed. :)

I ended up with several pieces that actually look pretty good.  I'm happy!  LOVE the vibrant colours from these inks and kept the cards super CAS by having just a single layer of my die-cuts along with splattering diluted gold acrylic paint in the background and stamping a sentiment.

I do struggle with a few products and techniques.  I'm just happy that I have overcome my problems with alcohol inks ... for now. :)

Here's a close-up of the poinsettia ... LOVE these bold colours.



And I made another using an ornament die ...


Updated:  Since I used snippets of my alcohol ink smooshed paper for the poinsettia and ornament, I'm heading over to the Snippets Playground to join the fun. :)  Di and Parsnip are celebrating their 250th week --- congrats!!






Stamps:  Peace - Merriest sentiments (Avery Elle); Be Joyful - Big Scripty Greetings Holiday (Simon Says)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Yupo white
Ink:  Alcohol inks:  Poppyfield (Ranger); Senorita Magenta, Gold (Pinata); Gold Delicata (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  Blooming Poinsettia die (Poppy Stamps); Ornament Set 2 die (Elizabeth Craft Designs), gold beads, gold cording, gold acrylic paint (Lumiere) for splattering, paint brush

Challenges:
Snippets Playground - Week 250

35 comments:

Marianne said...

Gorgeous! Love the vibrant colours. I haven't played with my alcohol inks since I took the OCC class by Tim Holz. Now I think I should, but I will probably first need to buy these colours you've used...
Have a wonderful week! Kali evdomada!
Marianne x

Julie B said...

So pretty Loll. Must say that I haven't had a play with AI, only a brief foray into Copic refils and nail varnish remover. Not recommended!:)

Bonnie said...

Yay! Two beauties, Loll! Practice does make perfect!

BożenA said...

And I think this is not a beginner's fortune, but your vast experience. Both cards are beautiful! I love mixing colors, so much more with alcohol inks are pretty difficult to work. Thank you very much for a wonderful inspiration.
hugs,
BozenA

Bobby said...

You're the queen of techniques, Loll, and this one, though troublesome, has produced a beautiful flower and ornament. CAS is the perfect way to show off these lovelies.

Bev J. said...

Both cards are beautiful. Interesting techniques. I just joined your blog list and look forward to all your "knowledge" being shared..

Nstiz said...

Another "Loll" technique to file in my brain! What fabulous results and love the colors you chose to mix together! Your CAS style is so perfect to showcase that beautiful poinsettia!

MaryH said...

A gorgeous deep richness to this beautiful poinsettia. It's hard to believe, once I see the finished project, that you've struggled just like so many of the rest of us! (encouraging to hear!!!) This one looks so dimensional and your mixture of colors - yum! TFS

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Gorgeous Loll agree with love hate relationship with some media, but vibrant and beautiful CAS, success! Shaz in Oz.x

Betty said...

both are so lovely and classy in their simplicity and the fantastic colors!!

Stacy Sheldon said...

Ooh how gorgeous :)

TK said...

These are so pretty! Love the bright colors like you mentioned, but that gold metallic just finishes everything off perfectly!

Aquarius said...

Gorgeous colours with the alcohol inks and I love the CAS approach to using the results.

kiwimeskreations said...

Oh Loll these are amazing - thanks for sharing your technique!
Blessings
Maxine

Aileen said...

Ahh Loll beautiful just beautiful. Fantastic colour combo and use of the pieces.

Viv said...

Gorgeous Loll. Have a whole host of alco inks that I used to use a lot - they've gathered dust in their holder - might just have to have a go and try smooshing! x

Susanne Vargas said...

Your stubbornness has paid off and you created a beautiful panel for die cutting! Love the simple splattered background to make the pieces really shine!

Margaret S said...

Another beautiful card Loll. I am for sure going to purchase Alcohols now.
Thank you for sharing.

Stamps and Paper said...

Two beautiful CAS cards Loll...I haven't had my alchol inks out for a long time perhaps I ought to blow the dust off and have a play

Anne

Sarn said...

Super CAS and vibrant. Well done for persevering!

Hugs, Sarn xxx

Susan said...

So glad you persisted with the alcohol inks as this is beautiful - wonderful vibrant colours! The colours looks great with the splattering of gold.

Linda said...

Gorgeous Loll.

Barb Ghig said...

It's crystal clear that you've overcome your issues with alcohol inks, Loll! I LOVE the vibrant colors, and that you kept your cards CAS! Using gold for your sentiment and splatters was brilliant, too...Gorgeous Christmas cards!

Di said...

Wow Loll - these are utterly fabulous! All your work certainly paid off in the end - great to see you in the Playground!

Hugs

Di xx

Anita in France said...

Stunning, Loll ... such gorgeous vibrant colours and beautiful shimmer ... I especially love the first! Been catching up and enjoying all your recent cards ... all fabulous, as ever! Hugs, Anita :)

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Beautiful cards, I must admit to the first being my favourite.

Sue xx

Canonbury creations said...

Beautiful cards Loll, stunning colours and the gold splats are lovely. I haven't used alcohol inks for ages but added a few drops to texture paste the other day to achieve a lovely colour! i'm obviously out of the loop as i've never heard of Yupo!!
Val x

Marcia said...

Very pretty!! Especially like the ornament card!!

Marcia Hill said...

Beautiful cards Loll and I love the intense color! I am actually taking a class next week using these inks and the yupo paper...all new to me and after seeing your cards, I'm even more excited to take this class! :0)

Mrs A. said...

Your die cuts from the foiled distress inks are stunning. Keep seeing references to Yupo paper but yet to see any around to buy. Hugs Mrs A.

Marcia said...

Very pretty!! Especially like the ornament card!!

Lisa Lara said...

WOW. I love the color and splatters of gold Loll.

Linda said...

Looks like you're doing just fine with the alcohol inks to me .... these are gorgeous. Love the colours on the poinsettia. Must give the smooshing with alcohol inks a try xx

maria f. said...

Love that rich color. Have you tried Dylusions spray inks? Easier to play with than alcohol inks and very, very vibrant.

Donna said...

Lol... Never think of you struggling to get anything to look good!
Love the vibrant colours and that gorgeous background, Loll. So pretty. X