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.