Monday 15 August 2011

Less is More 28 ....

... hello fellow LIMettes - Mandi and Chrissie have set us a super challenge this week.  LIM28 - a one layer card - and the ladies would like us to feature inks.  The idea is to get inky either in a new technique or a favourite one. 

I decided that this was the perfect time for me to try using my alcohol inks.  I've got five bottle in my stash that have never been opened - they have now :)  I got very inky - my hands were covered in shades of green, blue, red, brown - sort of merging into a muddy colour.  Alcohol inks work on non-absorbent surfaces - glossy card, glass, metal, acetate - things of this type.  What I have discovered is that alcohol inks dry really, really quickly and that if you overdo the blending you end up with mud!  This was the only success - the rest are in the bin.


I wanted to have a rectangle of colour made by mixing the alcohol inks - my first three attempts were disasters.  Finding something that successfully masked the rest of the card was difficult - my final attempt was to use a piece of clear plastic into which I cut the rectangle and attached to the card with temporary adhesive.  I'd hoped that this would stop the inks seeping under the edges - as you can see above it didn't.  However, I'm quite pleased with the slightly distressed edge to the rectangle.  I used some pearl mixative over the top of the colours - looks lovely in real life.  I stamped my favourite agapanthus stamp in the corner using black Stazon and added a clean and simple sentiment. 

Stamps:  Stampendous - Agapanthus Cluster; Waltzingmouse - Asian Gardens Additions
Inks:  Stazon - Black; Adirondacks Alcohol - Eggplant, Citrus, Cranberry
Accessories:  Adirondacks Blending Solution, Pearl Mixative and gloss card from stash

I had a really great time in my craft room yesterday playing with this technique.  I do think it would work better on a layered card - that way the panel can be cut to size and there would be no seepage like that above.  I have a feeling I'll be using this technique again - I want to see what sort of effect I can get on some acetate - but that won't work for this challenge. 

I've got a busy day planned starting with a couple of friends over this morning for a quick training session on Word 7 - should be fun.  I really do have to get the ironing done - no excuse now, my knee is feeling so much better.  Jonathan is back to work today but he's not away, he's working from home for a while - Kathryn is delighted.  I don't think she quite understands that Daddy will be busy and not able to play with her! 

Before I go, I'd like to say Hi and welcome to Cara, Jeanne, Tammy and Thelma some of my new friends. That's all for now, see you soon.  

33 comments:

Sarina said...

Hello Deb,
I love alcohol ink too.You have made a gorgeous card.
Love the colours,

grts,
Sarina

Jackie said...

What a beautiful card, I love the seepage, it looks great :o)
Jackie xx

My name is Wynneth said...

Your card is quite stunning Deb, I love the way the AI has seeped out of the edges, it looks so 'arty' !! I too have AI's in my stash that I haven't played with much - bit scared of them if I'm honest ! The agapanthus images are perfect for this design and I love how you clustered them. Thanks for your lovely comment on my LIM entry, you're very kind.
hugs
wynneth
x

Vicky Hayes said...

This is an amazing effect Deborah and you sound as if you've had great fun with the technique! My husband works from home all the time and is fine if he stays in his office. If the children see him, they consider him fair game!

Aileen said...

Hi Deborah, love the effect you've achieved and I also like the irregular edges. x

Karen said...

Oooo, Deborah, this is beautiful - I like others, LOVE the 'seepage' beyond the rectangle xxxx

Tara Cardwell said...

Great effect - I have 4 unopened bottles too, and I think they are staying that way - the spritz's got me in enough mess on Saturday!
Tara x

Beryl K said...

Beautiful card Deborah, must get my alocohol inks out of hiding and have another try
Beryl x

Suze Bain said...

Enjoyed reading your post. I recently purchased some alcohol inks but not quite sure what to do with them! The colours in your inky panel are lovely. A super card. xx

Lyn said...

Brilliant card, I love the effect of the alcohol inks, so tempted to try these, and love the stamps you have used

Sasha said...

Fabulous effect with your alcohol inks, Deborah. Super pastel effect, and your agapanthus cluster looks gorgeous!

Like you, I also found alcohol inks were a bit of a nightmare. The only way I got a decent result, (after hours of playing and lots of waste), was to cut a piece of glossy card and ink the whole piece, then matt it onto my card.

Sarn said...

Never tried to use alchohol inks . . . but I imagine they can be tricky! However, I LOVE what you've made.

Hugs, Sandra

Kathyk said...

Oh how I still love that Agapanthus image! FAB card and I love the "seepage" effect from your alcohol inks. Lovely card

KAthyk

GinaA said...

Stunning effect, reminds me of a modern stained glass window. Looks superb with the black stamping.

Wishcraft said...

Ooh it looks lovely - fab effect with the inks and love this image :o) Lisa x

Jenni's Jems said...

Really great card love the colours and the stamp just finishes it perfectly x

Jenny said...

I like the seepage lines around the panel of colour, the colours you've used are beautiful too.
It's certainly got us all trying new things this week!
Jenny :)

Chrissie said...

This is a really interesting effect Deborah, I'm really glad that you had fun doing this challenge!
Super job!
Thanks so much
Chrissie
Lady LIM
"Less is More"

Paula (PEP) said...

Definitely adventurous - I've a few metallics but not played about with them really. There will come a time.
Love the pebbled effect & yes I agree layering would be a less fiddly process. The agapanthus is lovely.
Paula (PEP)

Linby said...

what a fab effect you have achieved.
Linbyx

Stella said...

The background made with alcohol ink made me think of lights in a christmas tree. YoA sort offade/misted look and i love that.
Gorgeous with these flower stamps!
Hugs!
X

xxxtglxxx said...

This is a very elegant and stylish card Deborah. I love the stamp too.

hugs

xxalisonxx

~Tammy~ said...

This is a super fun effect! Your focal image is fantastic! What a super execution! :-)

Mandi said...

Lovely effect deborah
there are so many different techniques this week, all so different
Wonderful!

Thanks so much
Mandi
Diva LIM
"Less is More"

Buffy said...

Beautiful card, love how you created the panel.

Lynn said...

Wow, I love the panel, and the stamps are gorgeous too. Lynn x

Diane said...

Really pretty...love the mix of the colors!

Lynne said...

Gorgeous Deborah. Really pretty colours.
Lynne xxx

Carol said...

Fabulous effect Deborah, really pretty. Carol x

Sally H said...

Wow! That is stunning!

Yvette said...

what a beautiful card! and i love the seeped edges, it really adds to the effect

Luci said...

I love your arrangement of color, shapes and sentiment. The off-set flowers are perfectly placed. Beautiful.

Anonymous said...

It's a great card - well worth all your effort. Gill x

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