ALCOHOL INKED VELLUM

 Blogger has changed and I am no longer able to update my ATC Techniques List so I have created a separate page for it.  You will now find it at the top of my page directly under my banner,  "ATC Technique List - Current & Previous". 

I have used alcohol ink markers on Vellum (though you can use tracing paper) with isopropyl alcohol to create these soft backgrounds. You can use alcohol inks as well but I found the markers better as they don't put as much liquid down, therefore keeping the vellum from warping. I have used Black Soot Distress Archival ink pad for all of my stamping, but then immediately clear embossed with super fine clear embossing powder. Just take care and use the heat gun in very short bursts so you don't warp the vellum. I like that you can use either side of the alcohol inked vellum, so you can choose to have it even more muted if you use the reverse side. Attach the vellum to white card to really make your stamped design and alcohol ink colours pop.

"Choose to shine"

"Brave wings"

"Sea water"

"Unfortunate ending"
(It wasn't until I finished this card that I realised
that it could be part 2 of the "Sea water" atc
above as the skeleton is a mermaid skeleton. 😏)

"Life is short"

"Life"
(The vellum section is only the centre part of this
atc. It was a scrap that wasn't quite wide enough
to cover the white backing card but I liked the
colours so decided to just go with it and stencil
the exposed edges of the white card.)

FAUX WATERCOLOURING

Watercolouring with stamps can be done in several different ways and this is just another variation that you won't need a stamping platform for as perfect placement isn't necessary.  Previously, I have coloured directly onto stamps with watercolour crayons, spritzed the stamp with water, then stamped.  This technique has a few more layers than that and I love how you can get a washed out looking background with the combination of the inks and water spray.  I have used both Ranger Distress Ink Pads and also the Distress Oxide Ink Pads to create these samples as well as some other smaller areas of stamping, embossing and a few different embellishments.  The trick with this technique is to embrace the white space for adding your other elements and allow the stamped focal image to take centre stage by making it the first thing your eye sees when looking at the atc.  I also used stencils to add a little more interest on Sleeping and I Don't Care.

"Sleeping" 

"Imperfections"

"Shine your light"

"Take the leap"

"I don't care"

"Easily distracted"