Friday 23 August 2013

Playing with Inks

Hi everyone!

     The blog has slowed down a bit again - The kids are on their school holidays still and although I can get a little bit of crafts done here and there, I am struggling to do one of my usual creations....

     A parcel arrived yesterday...I decided that the time had come to learn about alcohol inks. I have never used them before but have been watching some demo videos online and thought that it looked a lot of fun! 

      So I spent an evening shopping online for alcohol inks, felt pads, mixatives and blending solution....and I must admit a few other things as well.

      When they arrived I HAD to play - Just for a little while! Kids went to bounce on the trampoline with Daddy and I got to learning about alcohol inks....has anyone else ever experienced the 'make it look easy' phenomenon? The demo videos make it look so easy that you feel like you could do it blindfolded and standing on your head, yet when the same items are in your own hands it suddenly becomes the trickiest thing ever?!

     I stupidly forgot to buy some glossy card. I know it can cover metal but I only really had tiny metal embellishments and I really wanted to see what the alcohol inks could do....a stack of white tiles that I use to make coasters with serviettes seemed ideal....so I used the whole pile of them! I won't bore you with the long explanations of how I did these creations and what went wrong and what went right and how many ended up in the bin and how many times I swore and threatened to chuck the whole lot in the bin....I will just say that after a while it suddenly became easier and actually I had a lot of fun....so much so that I couldn't stop!!!

     For all I know I was doing it all totally wrong, but I really like the effects I (eventually) got :o) None of these tiles started out with any kind of plan...I was just totally playing - trying different colour combinations, watching what happened and then finding some way to decorate them.....

      For those who want to know the inks I used -

               Pool, Stream, Denim, Lettuce, Cranberry, Red pepper, Espresso, Ginger and Meadow. I also used Silver, Gold and Pearl.

    










            

    Thank you for being here! I am so sorry I am not getting around to people's blogs as much as I should....I will try to do some visiting as soon as possible.....

         See you soon!

       



      

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20 comments:

  1. They are fab I especially love the last green one. I don't use mine that often until I see someone create something great this is one of those occasions pity I am at work
    Love
    Amanda x

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  2. Gorgeous! Love the faces. I keep meaning to get mine out again,

    Lucy x

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  3. These are great, Laura I know just what you mean about those demos that make everything look easy-peasy! Then there you are weeping, swearing and aiming at the bin!!! You wouldn't know any of that had gone on from these, though! I once accidentally got a terrific marbling effect with AI, a bit like your lovely green creation; but can I repeat it now - no way!!! Julie Ann xx

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    1. LOL...'Control' doesn't really come into play with Alcohol inks does it?...more like 'see what happens' ;o) xxx

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  4. These are beautiful! Love each and every one of them! :)
    Have a nice day, Laura!

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  5. What a great way to start with alcohol inks. These tiles have such striking colours and stamping on them. Glad you got a little time to play too. Hugs, Jenny x

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  6. Hi Laura, you have done an amazing job with the inks, your tiles are wonderful! You probably know this by now but the blending solution can generally remove the inks so that you can start again, if necessary - you won't need to do that with any of these though! I just love every one. Hugs, Anne x

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  7. PS. Meant to ask if you have tried it on acetate yet - love the effect it creates. A x

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    1. Oooh Acetate! I had forgotten about that! Thanks for reminding me, I have some and will have a go next time I get some 'play' time! xxxxx

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  8. Looks like you had a fab time Laura ! The effects you've achieved are great ! Tin foil also works with AI, if you're ever in need of a different material to make a background. Sue C x

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    1. Thanks for the tip Sue - I will try that! xxxxx

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  9. You've done a fab job of these Laura so it looks like you've got the hang of it although I know what you mean - I'm still struggling with my chalk paints (and not getting very far!) Some glossy card will be winging its way to you tomorrow. I happen to get a big wodge of it when I went to one of those fill-a-box places and I'll never use it all. Enjoy. Love, Margie xx

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    1. Awww Margie you are a star! Thank you so much! HUGE hugs xxxxxxxxxx

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  10. Great cards you made wtih the inks Laura.

    Greetings Janny

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  11. There is NEVER a wrong way! You could be discovering something the rest of us don't know and need to know! Alcohol Inks are the coolest...freeing and you just don't know how it will look...I love that! These are all GORGEOUS!!! I love the stamps you chose and the way you used the inks...wonderful!!!

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  12. These are just beautiful
    Rosie x

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  13. Wow Laura - I love your tiles -- the very first woman is haunting - like she is looking through a veil. They are all delightful -- you did good honey child!
    sandy

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  14. Oh Laura all the tiles are gorgeous . I love working with the AI and you're right you can never repeat the same thing twice. I have used it on plain domino's to make beautiful lapel pins.

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  15. Yum - the tiles look great... Happy to see people have already suggested acetate packaging and tin foil... also the insides of Diet Coke cans - but careful with the sharp edges!!
    Alison x

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