Technique Tuesday - Polished Stone with Alcohol Inks

I haven't forgotten about the techniques many of you listed in a past blog candy post. I finally got around to using Tim Holtz alcohol inks. Both Pink Heather and Katelyn mentioned them as a technique they either like or would like to see.

At Archivers last Friday that just happened to be the product they were showing, so I got to see a demonstration before playing with them myself. I am so glad I did, because I didn't know I needed an applicator or blending solution. I got to play around with their alcohol inks after the demonstration. The first time I used three inks and blended them. I didn't like that effect as much as when I used just two of them. Here are the directions and my card with the background made with this fun technique:

Supplies needed:

• Alcohol Ink Applicator Tool
• Alcohol Ink Applicator Pads
• Alcohol Inks
• Blending Solution
• Glossy Cardstock or Acetate (I used glossy cardstock.)

Directions:

1. Cut a piece of glossy cardstock to the desired size
2. Attach an applicator pad to the applicator tool. This is easy, because the tool has velcro on it. The pads fit right against the applicator.
3. Squeeze a little of the different color of inks on the pad. This does on have to be in any particular pattern.
4. Daub the applicator on the glossy cardstock in various places. You can leave as much white showing as you want. On this one, I didn't leave a lot of white space.
   
5. Put blending solution on the applicator and daub this on the cardstock. You will see the colors starting to blend. You can use a new pad or the same one with ink on it.
6. Repeat step 5 until you get the desired result.
   

Again, I only used two colors on this card. I have heard you can use two colors and then add a third if you want to. I am going to use my 50% off coupons this week at Michaels to get the blending solution and tool. I didn't have these in order to play more at home. Once I get them, I will play with my inks and let you see what I come up with. I like how this one turned out. Click on the card to see the background for a better look at this technique.

Products used:

Paper - glossy, bubblegum, baby pink, goldrush, honey and white daisy cardstock.

Stamp sets - Sweet Flowers and Happy Day

Ink - bubblegum, baby pink, goldrush and honey

Embellishments - baby pink grosgrain ribbon, baby pink large spiral, white daisy beads, Dress It Up flowers

Now, it's your turn!

Waterfall

No, not an actual one. A waterfall card! This is a Mother's Day card I made for my mom last year. I had another busy day, and didn't have time to finish the project I was working on before we had to go to an anniversary party. I had such an itch to stamp today and just didn't get to play much. I hate when that happens! LOL!

I made this card using the tutorial from Splitcoaststampers. What an awesome resource! I am a little directions challenged, but once I figured it out it was so cool. I am a hands on learner. I would rather have someone show me how to do something than read directions. I started with a Black cardstock and used Flutter and Sweet Flowers stamp sets. In addition, I used Blush pattern paper (retired), Blush cardstock and White Daisy cardstock. To finish the card, I used Blush and Garden Green ink, black brads and pink gingham ribbon. Below are pictures of the card in opened positions after I pulled the ribbon.

These pictures are littler, because I scanned this card. You can click to enlarge the images.

After seeing this card again, I think I need to try one of these again.

Another question:

Anouk asked, "If you could only take three crafty items to a deserted island, what would they be?" Wow! I had to to think about this for awhile. Right away I thought of my crop-a-dile, because it is so heavy duty, and I think I could use it many ways (not just for scrapping on the island...LOL!). This is really a great tool, when you need it. It cuts through chipboard like butter.

The second thing I would hope to have with me would be my sizzix machine. I don't use it now, because I bought a cuttlebug, which cuts and embosses. I think I could smash things with it. I don't know what needs smashed, but it could do the job. This is definitely my silly answer.

My third and final thing I would want on the deserted island would be one of my scrapbooks, so I could see pictures of my family. On one hand it would make me sad, because I would miss them. But on the other hand, at least I could see pictures of them. I need to scrap more than I do, so you might be seeing some scrapbooks pages over the next few weeks. I get caught up making cards, because it is so much fun and I get my creative fix quicker. I need to get back to why I started creating in the first place.

Have a great weekend!

Happy Monday!

Another Monday is here! I can't believe how fast this month is flying. I didn't do any stamping over the weekend. I know, I can't believe it either. You think I would have used Mother's Day as an excuse to stamp and create something. There just wasn't time.

I did take the time to address all the cards I need to send out this week. Here is a sympathy card I made a while ago with Sweet Flowers (click picture to enlarge). I am sending this to Seth's aunt. Her dad passed away last week and we could not make it to the funeral, which was out of town. Sympathy cards is something I never get around to making and I am sure they are appreciated, so I better start creating more this month. This was my last one. I have so many flower stamp sets that I should be able to come up with one or two designs. It just doesn't seem like I can pass up the new flower stamp sets that come out in each idea book. I already purchased Beloved Blossoms on page 38 of the 2007 summer idea book. I love what they did with the stamp set on page 39 and it is a flower. I had to have it! LOL!

Yesterday, I did take the time to clean my scrapbook room and rearrange (again) all my stuff. I had to find a place for my Cuttlebug. I don't know what it is, but I like cleaning my scrapbook room and the rest of the house can be cluttered. I think it must be looking at all the neat gadgets and products I have. By cleaning "MY" room, I got a little scrapbook fix. That held me over to my next stamping time. I am going to try to find time to stamp today and tomorrow, because I need to make a baby boy picture frame for my hair stylist. I see her tomorrow and that is what I am going to give her for a baby gift. I will post pics once I finish it.

Have a great day and take time to stamp!