ThePowerOfACard: Blends + Vellum + Alcohol = Spectacular

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Blends + Vellum + Alcohol = Spectacular

I have a winning formula for you! Start with Stampin' Blends on Vellum, add some alcohol and you end up with spectacular!! I have long admired alcohol inked backgrounds, but I never tried making them. But then I saw a friend of mine (Kelly Acheson - thank for the inspiration!) make some cards with SU products I have in my stamp studio, I knew I had to give it a try. I LOVE this technique!! Watch my video on how to make gorgeous, one-of-a-kind cards with supplies you probably already own.

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Basic Black 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" plus a scrap; Basic White 3-3/8" x 4-5/8", 3-3/4" x 5", and a scrap; Vellum 3-1/4" x 4-1/2"
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, Magenta Madness, Granny Apple Green
Stamp Bundle: Nothing's Better Than
Stampin' Blends: Magenta Madness, Granny Apple Green, Mango Melody
Adhesive and Tools
91% Rubbing Alcohol
Paint Brush
Paper Towel

Start by coloring splotches of color on your vellum. You can go all over or mostly do a diagonal path like I showed in my video. Pour some of the alcohol into the cap and dip your paintbrush into the alcohol and dab it onto the vellum. The more you drop onto the vellum, the more bleeding and blending you will get. This is where you can experiment - my first one was more "watery" (shown on the left) and the one in the video was more contained. Never will you get the same look, which is part of the fun of this technique. One comment if you decide to do multiple colors - think of how they will look blended. Sometimes, they will look gray or brown when they mix. If you want to facilitate the color blending, use a straw to blow the alcohol around on the velum before it dries.

Once the vellum is dry, adhere it to the white panel that is just a little larger than the vellum. I used liquid glue (a tiny amount) that I smeared a bit to smooth it out and before adding it. You really want the edges to be stuck down and now bow. Alternatively, you could put glue onto the silicone craft mat and use a sponge to spread it on the vellum.

Stamp your cocktail on the scrap of white with Tuxedo Black ink and die cut. Color your image with the stamps or Blends or both and adhere to the vellum with mini and regular dimensionals. On the scrap of black, die cut the word Cocktails and adhere this to the front at an angle. Then add this panel to your card base of basic black with glue.

Stamp the words "Today is a" and "Kind of day" in black on your scrap of white and trim close to the words. I chose to add Foam Adhesive Strips to the back of these strips and then mounted them to the front of the card.

For the inside, I stamped another cocktail glass (and colored it with stamped off Magenta Madness ink, and Mango Melody/Granny Apple Green Blends) and added another sentiment.

My next sample used Mossy Meadow and Cinnamon Cider Blends - isn't this just wonderful? I made the vellum wider so that I could cut off 1/2" and use it on the inside. For this card, I colored all of the velum. I added a simple sentiment and tied a knot with Mossy Meadow Braided Trim. A die cut leaf sprig from the Forever Fern dies looks great for this masculine birthday card.

For the next card, I chose to make a strip instead of a center panel. Bermuda Bay was my choice and I finished the card with stamps and dies from the fabulous Pretty Perennials bundle. This card is actually for the designer of that set, Dena Rekow, who happens to be my wonderful upline!

Lastly, I colored a bunch of scraps of vellum in a variety of colors. When they were dry, I glued them to white cardstock, and then cut them with the Pierced Blooms dies. This one was so very fun to make as I had all these beautiful flowers and leaves that I could arrange any way I wanted. I made a panel for the card front by embossing it with the Subtle folder because I liked the added texture around my flowers.

What combination do you want to try? I'd love to see your cards so please post them in our facebook group. I know this formula is one I will keep using again and again.

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

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https://karensliwinski.stampinup.net

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