Ways with Vellum – Tech 4 Stampers Blog Hop theme for February 2024. For this month’s Tech 4 Stampers Blog Hop, I’m going to create paint effects with Stampin’ Up! re-inkers and isopropyl alcohol on vellum card stock.
Do you remember the gorgeous papers called Expressions in Ink 12″x 12″ (30.5 x 30.5 cm) DSP . In fact the papers and its coordinating Stamps and dies featured on the front cover of the May 2021 – April 2022 Annual Catalogue. The concept artists at Stampin’ Up! had used alcohol paint effects to create the designs on the papers.
I was intrigued – I’ve never worked with this medium before so I was eager to have a go. It was such fun! The technique works better on Vellum than it does on Basic white card stock. On the front of the card I used vellum, but for the inside of the card I used Basic white card stock so you can see the difference and make a comparison.
The Tech 4 Stampers is a monthly subscription group run by Louise Sims. She mentors and enables members to understand IT jargon and equips them with a fountain of Technical knowledge to build or manage their own websites. It takes the mystery out of “tech” and I’ve certainly grown in confidence thanks to her expertise, patience and guidance. Not only that, I’ve met and made new friends with my fellow “Techs” and love the camaraderie within the group.
How to create the alcohol paint effect
When you’re working with 99.9% Isopropyl Alcohol, remember to work in a well ventilated room, wear gloves if you have sensitive skin, and keep away from a naked flame. The alcohol has to be pure to move the ink around.
I did the alcohol paint effect on vellum card stock for the front of the card. Vellum is tricky to adhere to card stock because the adhesive will be visible especially for a card front size. A tip is to cut Basic White card the same size as the Vellum. Adhere an adhesive sheet to the back of the Basic White piece then you can adhere the whole Vellum piece to the Basic White card stock without it being visible.
Two methods of applying alcohol ink
1 Using Stampin’ Blends or alcohol markers
- Choose 2 complimentary colours of Stampin’ Blend markers and use the darker ones to scribble randomly on vellum card stock. Work on small areas at a time.
- Use a pipette to extract a few drops of 90% or above Isopropyl Alcohol randomly on the vellum card stock. If you don’t have a pipette, a small bottle with a small nozzle tip filled with Isopropyl Alcohol instead. Ideally it should have a screw top lid to prevent the alcohol from evaporating. I cannot stress enough that your work area should be well ventilated and avoid any naked flames! This substance is highly flammable!
- Alternatively, you can dip an old paint brush directly into a little dish or shot glass of Isopropyl Alcohol and apply it that way.
- Use a straw to move the ink around but be careful not to inhale the fumes. If you have an air blower (used for cleaning camera lens), use that to move the ink around or Stampin’ Up!’s retired color spritzer tool if you have one.
2 Create your own Alcohol inks with re-inkers and isopropyl alcohol
- Pour approximately 30 ml of Ispopropyl Alcohol into a small squeezable bottle with a nozzle tip.
- Add approximately 15 drops of re-inker into bottle and shake well to infuse/blend.
- Drop the ink randomly on paper
- Use whatever device you’ve chosen i.e., straw, camera lens blower or Stampin’ Up!’s retired color spritzer tool to move ink around.
The alcohol paint effect looks different on Basic White card stock. I found that the alcohol Stampin’ Blends didn’t “move” as well on Basic White card stock so opted for creating my own alcohol ink. The photograph above doesn’t do it justice but it looks beautiful in real life.
Note : No two pieces will be the same. Each one will look different. The more Isopropyl Alcohol you apply, the larger the pool patterns. You want a variety of large and small.
Supply list
Listed below is the supply list. Just click on the picture to take you directly to the item in my online store.
Product List
Non Stampin’ Up! materials required
- Isopropyll Alcohol – 99% pure
- Gold alcohol ink
- Color spritzer tool (retired) or an air blower – the type you clean a camera lens with or a straw. If using a straw, be careful not to inhale the fumes. It can cause dizziness.
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Wow! What a gorgeous card. Love all the textures and colours
Thanks, Louise. Out of my comfort zone, but I loved trying this technique.
That’s gorgeous! Love the colours.
Thank you, Leighsa. It’s a lot of fun.
Fabulous card. I haven’t used that technique for ages, must look out that alcohol!
It was a first for me, and I loved it! Thank you.
I think the card looks absolutely gorgeous! I love the techniques used to create it.
Thank you – it’s a first for me and I was a bit scared at first, but I loved it!
Wow I love your card and have never tried this technique. Well done for stepping outside of your comfort zone.
Thank you, Cheryl – I hope it’s inspired to have a go yourself!