CC 102 Alcohol Inks Challenge

Front

The CC 102 Week 3 Challenge was to create a tag using any alcohol ink technique.

I applied my color dots of alcohol ink to my cotton pad on my blending tool.  I then pounced it all over a coated tag to make a background and then stamped over the dried tag with Ranger Archival Ink. Next I applied some rubbings onto the tag.

Next I dipped a paint brush in blending solution and brushed over the butterflies and dragonfly to lighten their color a little so they would stand out more.

Next I dipped a stamp in blending solution and stamped it on the tag.  You can see the vague outline of a butterfly to the right of the top butterfly and above the dragonfly.  It actually doesn't show up as well in person as it did on the camera.  I'm not sure I would do it again.  Even though I washed my stamp off thoroughly afterwards I am still a little worried about the effect on my stamp long term.

Back

After I created the background for the front of the tag I flipped it over, added some blending solution to my pad and drug it down and then across the tag to make a plaid pattern.  I pounced over it in a random motion to soften it a little bit.

Hope you like it!

-R

CC 102 Week 3 Alcohol Inks

Tag 1 Altered Metal Butterfly and Tag 2 Graduated hues

This week we covered more advanced techniques with alcohol inks.  For these techniques you should work with a glossy or coated paper for the best results.

Tag 1 was really all about altering the metal element using alcohol ink.  Our example was a highly distressed piece but to get that finish you have to coat the metal object with white alcohol mixative and then add your colored alcohol inks.  Of course, I don't have white!  I tried using a base of silver mixative and adding colors and while it changed the piece to a different finish it isn't the weathered metal look.  The background of the tag is also created by dabbing alcohol inks over a coated tag and then stamping over it.

Tag 2 is a graduated hue background.  It's very subtle but I used three different blue alcohol inks moving from light to bright to an earth tone.  It really makes the stamping pop.

Tag 3 Puddles of Ink and Tag 4 Many layers

On Tag 3 I dripped puddles of different color inks and 1 metallic mixative onto my craft sheet and then swiped the tag through it.  I love the way the silver makes it seem iridescent in places.  

Tag 3 has a lot going on.  First I applied alcohol ink and blending solution to the felt pad on my blending tool.  Then stamped all over the tag to create a background.  This technique needs a darker background.  I changed the felt pad on my tool and applied blending solution to it. The I put an alphabet stencil over the top of the tag and used my blending tool to apply the blending solution and removed the color from the open area of the stencil.  You can see the 'W' and 'V' under the airplane.  Next I did the same thing with the burlap stencil on the top left and bottom right hand corners.  Then I stamped all of my images in archival ink.  Finally I applied some Distress Ink through the stencil to apply random bits of text.  You can see the '365' in the top left corner and the 'wan' in the bottom left corner.

-R

Paint Resist and Backgrounds

A while back I bought this box at a local store because I loved the pattern and the colors.  I decided to try to recreate it.  

First I tried creating a background using Pumice Stone and Weathered Wood Distress Inks.  Then I stamped the images onto it using White Picket Fence Distress Ink.  It's a very subtle look.  A little too subtle for what I wanted.

Second I stamped the image onto my tag using Antique Linen Distress Paint.  When it was dry I applied Pumice Stone and Weathered Wood Distress Inks to create a background.  Totally cool but still not quite what I was trying to achieve.

By this time I was having fun with the Distress paint and wanted to try out the technique on the  Tim Holtz set I just bought.  It's a small set with a couple of dies, an embossing folder, and a stamp set.  This time I applied the Antique Lines Distress Paint onto the raised side of the embossing folder and closed it over my tag.  I let it dry. Then I stamped on the Fleur Di Lis.  At this point I used the same two grays and Dusty Concord to create a background.  Notice how the paint resist showed up with the darker colors.  Finally I stamped the tower and the saying.

So back to trying to recreate the box look.  I used some newly purchased Picket Fence Distress Paint on my stamp and got much closer to the contrast on the box.

I'm not sure which one I like better. Go figure...

-R

CC 102 Week 1 & 2 Creative Challenges

For week 1 of Creative Chemistry 102

 our challenge was to create a project using 3 or more colors of Distress Paint.

I applied Spun Sugar Distress Paint onto my tag through a stencil and then dotted other colors around my tag randomly.  I also stamped my truck in Chipped Sapphire Distress Paint.  I stamped the 'Howdy!' in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink.  As I wiped on the Distress Inks the image from the stencil really popped out.  I really like how it goes through the truck.

For Week 2 of Creative Chemistry 102 

the challenge was to create a tag using two or more stencil techniques.

On this tag I used the new Tim Holtz set I found at Michael's.  It contains a stencil and stamps.  First I applied distress paint through various arrows on the stencil.  After that dried I reapplied the stencil and stamped on the text.  Next I ground in ink through the words using a blending tool.  Next I stamped the images onto the tag.  Then I applied various colors of green and brown inks to the tag to  create a background and tone down the other elements a bit. 

CC 102 Week 2 Layering Stencils

I have really enjoyed learning about layering stencils this week.  I will even use these techniques with the outlines left behind of die cuts I have made.

Mixed Media Layering

I thought this was going to be really ugly because I only had a couple of colors to work with but it's one of my favorites.  I applied Spun Sugar Distress Paint over my stencil and allowed it to dry. I used a couple of different stencils on the tag.  After is was dry I swiped Mowed Lawn Distress Stain over everything.  I wiped it off on the left side of the tag but let it dry on the right side.  Then I put some distress ink through the stencil on the upper right.  Then I did a little spritz and flick to distress it a little further.  I think it's a cool looking background.

Embossing with stencils

Place your stencil over the tag.  Add Distress Ink with a blending tool.  Quickly remove the stencil and apply clear embossing powder and heat as usual.  

I would never have guessed that you could use your plastic stencils to dry emboss.  I did know that you could use your metal ones so I had purchased a rubber mat to try it a while back but hadn't had time yet.  I dug it out and used it in my sandwich on my Sizzix machine and it worked great!  Apply a little distress ink to highlight the embossing and voila!

Ink Monoprint

Apply various colors of Distress Ink to your stencil.  Spritz the stencil with water and press stencil on tag.  Dry and add some distress inks with a blending tool.

Stencil Sketching Technique

I know it looks like a train wreck!  However, it does highlight some do's and don'ts. Create a background on a tag.  Place stencil on tag and pounce some ink through the stencil with a blending tool.  Then outline some of the stencil using the fine point on a Distress marker.  Color in some parts of the stencil with the brush end of the Distress marker.  I liked the basic pouncing on both the honeycomb stencil and the 'discover stencil'.  However on my outlines you can see than I can't seem to be consistent and it's too prominent for my tastes.  I also didn't care for the colored in dots.  It could just be because I picked a color that was too dark.  I like the 'adventure' that I outlined with the fine tip of the Distress marker.  I will definitely play with colors before committing to a project.

Stamping through a stencil 

Choose a stencil with a large design and apply distress ink or stain through the stencil.  Dry.  Then place the stencil back over the image.  Using a stamp with small text or a small design stamp over the open areas of the stencil again with archival ink. Just think!  No more stamps with the text on them.  Now you can buy a much more economical stencil and create your own.  Of course I need to buy a good small text stamp!

Paint Monoprint

Apply various colors of Distress paint to a stencil.  Mist the stencil and apply to tag pressing down to make sure the paint transfers.  Finish with Distress ink.

I like some of these techniques more than others but am sure I will use them all at some point.

-R

CC 102 Week 1 More Distress Paint Techniques

I haven't had time to post lately due to an illness in the family but am going to get caught up over the next couple of days.  I've really enjoyed this class each time I have had to work on it.  I am starting to warm up to the distress paint.

Marbling Technique

To create this type of look apply various Distress Paints to a craft sheet and spritz with water.  Swipe your tag through the paint until covered.  Spritz tag with water to blend and marble. Dry with a heat tool.  I probably would try to break up the Frayed Burlap area a bit more if I did this again but it displays the technique.

Colored Crackle Technique

To create this look paint Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint onto image die cut from grunge paper.  After it is dry apply Distress Paint to the surface.  The paint provides a matte crackle finish as opposed to a shiny crackle created with distress ink.  I'm not a huge fan of this technique because it always seems to make the die cut curl.  They never lay flat.

Altered Surface Technique

Several things happening on this tag but the focus of this technique is to alter a surface using the paint.  The "Adventure" is a plastic word that has had Distress Paint applied to it.  If you want your distressing to be more prominent then you should paint the entire surface with a light color and then add the other colors.  I didn't.  The scribbles in the background are also done with distress paint.  The image is stamped with ink.  And naturally, the colored background is Distress Ink swiped on with a blending tool.

Eroded Metal Technique

This one is a bit tricky but looks pretty cool.  Apply various colors of Distress Paint to a tag.  Blend it with a blending tool.  I spritzed my tag with water a bit too so that the paints would move better.  Dry the tag.  Apply a layer of Metallic Distress Paint over the entire tag and spritz with water.  Start drying until some but not all areas are set.  Place a paper towel over the top of the tag, press down and quickly lift up.  This should remove the metallic paint in several areas allowing the color to show through.  Make sure you have all of your stuff ready to go because the paint dries quickly and you could wind up with a paper towel coated tag.

Stamping Resist Technique

You won't really understand why by looking at this picture but I have fallen in love with this technique. It's going to be a future blog post of it's own.  To create this look you apply paint directly to a stamp.  It works really well with detailed stamps.  My first stamping is in white at the top of the tag.  I had too much paint on the stamp so it's blurry.  The second stamping is in white at the bottom of the tag and worked better. I then applied red, blue, and light brown inks to the tag with a blending tool.  The image is stamped in black Archival ink and is the same stamp that I used for the background.  This one looks a little wonky but trust me this is a great technique.

Industrial Technique

Apply foil tape to a tag and run through an embossing machine.  Swipe Black Soot Distress Ink over the surface and then wipe off/polish the surface.  The paint will remain in the crevices to highlight them.

That's it for Creative Chemistry 102 Week 1 techniques.

Enjoy playtime!

-R