'What you do speaks so loudly, I can't hear what you say.'
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tuesday 23 July 2019

Told you I'd be back sooner than you think...
The CAS Stencil and CAS Mixup Card challenges for July are both to use alcohol inks and/or alcohol lift techniques, so I took out my tin of inks that hasn't been used for years, my glossy card and some stencils, and played for an hour or two.

I ended up with so many 'bits' of card that I didn't do anything fancy with them when I put the cards together, but kept them very CAS. 

I don't have any Lift Off ink, so I used blender fluid to 'lift' the inks, with very mixed results.
This is the one that worked best, and although it's a little larger than intended for a CAS card, I'm going to risk linking it because I like it. I dry embossed the card front for a bit of interest, but it does seem a little superfuous. 
This is one of my favourite stencils and it worked quite well. The strong black of the die cuts just makes the background stand out even more...


The next two are just alcohol inks in various shades, with a little overstamping in Archival ink over the stamped flower. (Sorry about the 'bits' on my scanner bed - I removed them and rescanned some cards, but obviously missed the second one).



This one did work, though you may have to zoom in to see it...I used paler inks, so it doesn't show up quite as clearly as it is in real life. The stencil was a daisy type flower and just adds enough interest to this simple card design, using one of my favourite Darkroom Door stamps. It's a great stamp for a man, too.


This one was just an experiment... I love to lift off ink with a versamarked stamp, spritzed with water, so I thought I'd try it here - not expected it to have any effect at all. I was pleasantly surprised that the Versamark and water actually left a bit of an imprint, taking off a small amount of ink. My stecilling gone wrong blended the inks in the background a little, giving a nice effect. The stamp is from Artistic Outpost (I think...I've had it for so long I don't remember 😉).


I'm also playing with

I know they aren't conventional stripes, but they are stripes of colour 😊
CAS on Friday, Use a Stencil
Stinkin Inkers, Stars and/or Stripes
and


Thank you for popping in...

See you soon

Cath
xxx


17 very kind comments from lovely people:

My name is Erika. said...

I don't use alcohol ink very often but it sure creates a colorful background. And Cath, you choice of black and white images really makes for a dramatic piece! These are gorgeous. Hugs-Erika

hazel said...

Gorgeous cards Cath, you’ve made some lovely alcohol ink backgrounds and the black and white images look great,
xxx Haze..

Linda said...

Gorgeous cards. The black die cut daisies really stand out against the stencil lift background. Thanks for playing along with the CAS Stencil challenge xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

I love alcohol inks and loved seeing your lift techniques! I do have Alcohol Lift Ink but haven't used it recently, arm, that's not surprising really is it!!??? Love the colours on the last card especially! Hugs, Chrisx

Mac Mable said...

You sure looked like you had fun making these wonderful cards. The lift technique looks faublous, unique and so very pretty on your 4th card and thank you for joining in The CAS Mix Up Challenge x

Loll said...

You sure had fun playing and getting inky Cath! All your cards are really beautiful. For the AI lift, your soft pink with the lifted stencil design and silhouette flowers is so gorgeous. Lots of contrast and a beautiful design. Surprising the water made an impression. I'm going to give that a try and see what happens for me! :) Beautiful mixes of colours for your backgrounds. Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Mix Up and CAS Stencil!

Let's Art Journal said...

Such beautiful cards! I love the designs with the colourful backgrounds and silhouettes - stunning 😁. Happy and creative wishes! Hugs, Jo x

Neet said...

Yes, that first card - the black diecut looks stunning against that background. Love the colour of AI that you used and the stencil.
The striped card is very effective too with its black diecut and it makes for a very different background to the others. As you say the next one hardly shows the daisy but I think it is subtle enough to make the impact that it needed (if you follow my train of thoughts) and the words you use say it all. It didn't need anything any stronger with those words filling the card.
The last card is one that I would say is "so Cath" - the colours, the image just the whole card. Well, it is one I would pick out in a crowd as belonging to you.
Hugs and Thanks for such a lovely array of cards, Neet xx

nancy littrell said...

Wow Cath...5 beautiful alcohol ink, stenciling and alcohol lift card designs. So pleased you joined us at CAS Stencil with your 1st beautiful card. Sure looked like you were having inky fun:-) Hugs..Nancy

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Your use of alcohol inks turned out great. They are so expensive, I seldom use mine. You may have convinced me to use mine sparingly. These cards are absolutely STUNNING!!

Mrs.B said...

Great cards Cath, I do like the silhouette stamping against the backgrounds. I must admit I don't use my AI very often. I did get the Lift ink, again only used a couple of times, thanks for the inspiration to use them.
Avril xx

Chana Malkah said...

You did a fabulous job executing these techniques! I have yet to try working with the alcohol inks, although I own a few. After seeing your results, I may have to give it a try at some point in the future. Thanks for playing with us at A Place to Start and for the inspiration!
Hugz,
Chana, Owner/Designer

Bonnie said...

Wow, five awesome cards, Cath, and each quite different! Love the alcohol lifting. It's often very subtle and I think that's what I like best about it! Love all your flowers and the bold sentiments too! Thanks so much for sharing with us at CAS Mix Up!

Julia Aston said...

So happy to see you playing with your neglected AI's Cath! Your lift is so pretty on your first card with the punch of the black die cut stems laid over it! thanks for sharing with us at CAS Stencil! xx

Cathy said...

Wow! What a productive play session you had Cath! Fantastic makes, love the colours and the lifted pattern on your stencilled one, thankyou for playing along at CAS Stencil, Cathy x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

They are very versatile alcohol inks but I have to confess I tend to binge use them then leave them be for months. Great background effects and I love the dies you have used. The die on the Thinking of you card I find extremely useful for quick cards, it cuts fab. You've been so busy Cath, you've put my creative time to shame hee hee!! Thanks for sharing all these lovelies.
Hugs Tracey xx

Monika Reeck said...

The Happy Birthday with stripes color is so sweet
Love your BG and the sentiment is complete for a Birthday Boy or Birthday Girl
sweet card and Love the color combo
Many thanks for joining with us this time at Creative with Stamps
hugs
Monika