This month was our first Stampin’ Specialty class and I was so excited to be showing the Alcohol Blends technique! The first time I saw this technique being done I knew that I would be hooked. It is so fun to create art with supplies you probably already have in your crafting stash – or those that are easily accessible 😉
There are a few key elements you need to be successful with the technique – Vellum cardstock, Stampin’ Blend markers (alcohol based markers), and 99% Isopropyl Alcohol – the concentration of the alcohol is KEY, 70% does not work – believe me I tried! In addition to these key elements you will also need a Water Painter or paint brush, scrap paper and paper towel.
Once you have the key elements there is no right or wrong way to create your art pieces! To get started you scribble with your Stampin’ Blends (that’s right I said scribble!) in any pattern you like. I like to use at least two colours of Blends on my Vellum but you could start with one colour or do as many as you want. I tend to like my results better when I use the dark shade of the Blends instead of the lighter shade.
After the Vellum is covered in ink you simply dip your paintbrush in the Isopropyl Alcohol and add in small or large splotches to your Vellum. It’s fun to see the colours swirl and mix and create beautiful patterns.
This first card we used just two colours of Stampin’ Blends – Polished Pink and Highland Heather. The colouring is only focused on the area near the top of the Vellum. The card features the Dragonfly stamp set and Dragonflies punch.
We then added some Gold heat embossing powder to create marble-like edges – I love the elegance of this card. This card was inspired by Australian demonstrator Alisa Tilsner. The Blends colours in this card and Bermuda Bay and Shaded Spruce. The Biggest Wish stamp set was perfect for this card and we even did some heat embossing for the birthday greeting.
The last card was a CASE from The Serene Stamper, Tina Zinck where we used four Stampin’ Blend colours – Granny Apple Green, Bermuda Bay, Polished Pink, and Highland Heather. I love how these four colours POP! The card also features the Inspired Thoughts stamp set and the Inspiring Canopy dies.
This is such a FUN technique so I hope you will give it a try!