Vellum & Alcohol - a good mix

                     

I've seen so many beautiful backgrounds made with alcohol inks and 91% alcohol, that I knew I had to learn this technique.  So I set off to watch what other crafters have done with this interesting combination.

MAKE sure you use 91% alcohol (not rubbing) but isopropyl.

USE CAUTION: Is isopropyl same as rubbing alcohol?

No – isopropyl alcohol and rubbing alcohol are not the same thing. Isopropyl alcohol is pure alcohol and is a colorless liquid with a musty, sharp odor. There are no other ingredients in a bottle of isopropyl alcohol. By contrast, rubbing alcohol contains isopropyl alcohol among other ingredients, such as water.

I decided to try a variety of papers and inks first, knowing that some may not work, because I wanted to debunk the "what if " scenarios before I started any projects.

1.  Water color paper - Why? you might ask would you use a porous paper?   Because I wanted to see how a saturated paper would respond. Even if it is wet it still does absorb any liquid that is on it.  So although you're not going to get the look of alcohol inks on vellum, you still get a unique design.

2.  Water based markers and water on vellum - Curls the paper too much, and it doesn't really blend. But based on what I learned about the difference between Rubbing Alcohol (71%) and Isopropyl (91%) Alcohol, perhaps the rubbing alcohol would work to create a more blended look with the water based markers. (You can see a hint of clear embossed text)

                                                        

3.  Craft Ink with alcohol markers and 91% alcohol.  For this example, I used metallic gold craft ink thinking it would create a marble look. While the craft ink rose to the top and looked really neat,  it never dried, even with the use of the heat tool.  And because it never dried, it eventually curled into a roll.  I was disappointed - I really love the way these colors blended with the gold.

                                             

After trying these papers and ink combinations, I was able to get to the conclusion that you need the following supplies to make a background similar to the card at the beginning of this post:

*Vellum

*Alcohol markers - 2 or 3 for a color scheme (not a Sharpie marker)

*91% isopropyl alcohol NOT rubbing alcohol

*Straw or eye dropper - to move the alcohol around the vellum so it doesn't puddle in one space.

*Towels or paper towels

*Protection for your work surface

*Heat gun - CAUTION: when working with vellum and a heat gun, be aware that the vellum could melt or distort with the heat.

A shelf or counter to lay your vellum out to dry

Patience

I have to tell you right now, that if you like designs to be symmetrical or perfect in nature, then this is probably not for you.  But I hope you will try it - I couldn't stop once I got started.

                                                    

                       

BEGIN:

I've used Alcohol Blends Markers for this project. Choose two or three colors that coordinate OR choose two that coordinate, and one that is a sharp contrast. 

                                                          

                                                                               

                                                                    

You may want to decide in advance what theme you will use for your back ground, such as: sky, water, night sky, sunrise or sunset, Christmas or fall harvest.  

Use either one, full size piece of vellum OR cut it into 4, 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inch pieces. 

Step 1: With one color, scribble a spot of ink, randomly or in four corners, keeping in mind that the alcohol inks dry quickly.  With color two, scribble ink alongside of the first scribbles.  If using a third or accent color, add scribbles in the empty spaces, but less than the amount of the first two colors.

Step 2:  Lightly drop alcohol, by one or two drops on a few of the scribble spots of ink. (I used an eye dropper)  This can also be accomplished by spraying the alcohol with the Spritzer.  MAKE sure to protect your surface and surrounding areas. Once you put alcohol in the Spritzer, keep it only for alcohol.

Step 3: Move the alcohol so it blends and creates new spots.   I picked up the vellum and tipped it each way I wanted the alcohol to blend.  I have seen this process done either with a straw, eye dropper or the Spritzer. If there's too much alcohol, it washes away the alcohol ink, and can drip right off the edges of the paper.   

If you get too much liquid on top of the marker spots, lightly dab it off with a paper towel, OR try to heat set it from the underside of the vellum, making sure not to drip it on your work surface or floor.

The vellum prints may curl slightly until completely dry. You may wish to set a book or weighty object on top of it to keep it flat.

Trim your print when dry to fit your card base.  Layer as shown on the completed card or use as a back ground with a die cut.  OR use this background to die cut images for further use.

When attaching the vellum background to the card base, keep in mind that the glue or adhesive will show through.  Apply glue or adhesive to an area that may be covered like the print shown above, or that a die cut will fit over and hide the spot. If you do not have a spot to glue the vellum such as is listed above, use a sponge on a dab of glue, then lightly dab glue all over the back of your vellum piece.

The color of the cardstock layer beneath the vellum will definitely change how the finished print looks. I've posted the original colors again for a comparison.

Here are a variety of layer colors for you to compare:

The colors on each print is the background behind the vellum. Each die cut is Basic White, though it looks like pink in these photos.  The die set for this project is "Perched in a Tree" available July 1, 2022 from the NEW Mini Catalog.  

I liked Tahitian Tide for this print the best.   Tahitian Tide cardstock is used as the card base for both card designs.

                                                    

Once I got some prints made and dried, I decided to try some heat embossing with clear embossing powder and then a light color of ink.  (Search this blog for the technique on how to emboss in any color) I would recommend using a darker color when embossing to show up more with the bright colors.

                                                        

Here is one print that I embossed the butterflies in clear embossing powder and grey. Then I added die cut butterflies in Daffodil Yellow as an accent.   

The Sunflowers, shown above, were also colored in with the Blends (alcohol markers) on the reverse side.

Here is a cone flower I've die cut out of a background of vellum like I've demonstrated today.

Try making some backgrounds or due cuts with the vellum and 91% alcohol.  I'd love to see your creations.  

If you're new to paper crafting - card making, I'd love to show you more ideas.  And share with you the beautifully coordinated products of Stampin' Up!  To see the products from the latest catalogs, view my projects and learn of how you can save 20% on each order, go over to www.susanboback.stampinup.net.

Thanks for stopping by - be blessed! sb