Basic Backgrounds 07/09/13

This week I have a couple of ideas for you using Alcohol inks. This one is so easy that you can make a ton of backgrounds in a matter of minutes. Here is what you need: Alcohol inks, Blending Solution, Glossy card stock, an applicator tool and felt pads. Big hint here--I buy felt by the yard for like $3.99 and cut it into the little rectangle sections. Also the applicator as you can see the one is a wooden square I got at Micheals. Stuck a piece of sticky velcro to it. You need the piece with the little teeth. The other applicator was made with a small rectangular shape of wood and a wooden peg. My husband drilled a hole and glued the peg in for me. Stuck the velcro to it also. He made dozens of them. Saved me a lot of money.

For the first sample I've picked 3 inks, a Metallic Mixative and the Blending Solution. You can use alcohol but I prefer the Blending Solution when working with these inks. Add a few drops to a felt pad of each ink and the Blending Solution.

Pounce all over until the card stock is covered.

Add a little more Blending Solution and ink as you think is necessary. Continue to pounce and twist the applicator until you are happy with the results.

Here is a striping technique. Add your inks in stripes on the felt pad. Slide it across the card stock until you've colored the whole thing.

This is the results. The one on the left is the first one I did. No need to change your felt just keep going. You can see the second one turns a little darker because the inks are blending. You could continue until you have run out of ink.

Like a monochromatic look...try one color and a Metallic Mixative. The most important thing here is to remember to keep moving the applicator back and forth twisting in a circle motion while pouncing. This helps with blending.

This one I started out with the first 3 colors and wasn't happy so I added the forth color. The Blending Solution can be used alone to clean up some of the color so you can start over if it's not working for you.

Let me show you how you can change one you're not happy with. Not real thrilled with this one.

So I added a little Blending Solution and another color to a clean piece of felt.

Now I like it.

One last one for you this week. This is Green and Silver.

You need a work surface you can clean easily. I have one of those non stick craft mats. Well worth the price I promise. I fought buying one for a long time. Now I own 2 and love them. Clean up with Alcohol or use the Blending Solution when you are finished. I hope you play this week and make lots of backgrounds. It's so fast and easy. Until next week.....

Pat