here's how I got started...

here's how I got started...
a 20 minute podcast by Crazy BeYOUtiful

Monday, February 1, 2016

spray archival inks...

back in August I had an idea...

I wondered if I could use my archival reinkers, mixed with rubbing alcohol to make...
ARCHIVAL SPRAY INKS...

OH YES...
the experiment was successful & 
I've been using loving them since then...

I first test drove the idea with a mini mister, using rubbing alcohol & a few drops

I LOVED it...
but there wasn't enough volume, so I switched to the regular size misters & they are perfect!

I started with just one reinker color, 
because I wasn't sure if the colors would remain stable in the alcohol...
so far so good & these have been mixed for over 5 months...

I started with cornflower blue...
I really loved it...


then mixed up some orange blossom, tree branch & sky blue...
LOVED them too...

grab tree branch before it's gone...
this is a really good one to use with so many colors like...cornflower, sky blue, watering can, orange blossom, tea rose & more...


then I mixed up 
I just ordered a few more misters, 
so I can have more options soon...

so why archival sprays?
because they are permanent,
 allowing distress or archival to be used over them, without changing the basic spray pattern...

if you are heavy handed, 
the fluid doesn't warp the surface...
bonus!

you can vary the color to suit your needs, 
which is kind of cool...
I'm even thinking custom colors...

spraying the inks gives good control for color placement on the surface...

after filling the misters about 75% full of 91% alcohol, I started to add reinker drops until I liked the color...
add some drops...
mix it up...
add a few more...
perfect!

I'd say for most of them I used about 25 drops of the archival reinker...

I'm especially dying to get 
I know that's one I'll use often as a spray...
and tea rose...
and...

I labeled them & covered them with 
to keep the labels waterproof...


because I didn't plan a tutorial for this tag,
I don't have a photo of the plain archival ink sprayed tag...
but I'll explain the steps...


I have 2 of these at arms reach at all times...
one is filled with water & this one, marked with washi tape, contains rubbing alcohol...
this is super convenient...
if I've stenciled with distress, 
water will clean the stencil...
if I've stenciled with archival,
 the alcohol quickly removes the archival ink...

I'd say I decreased the use of  alcohol by about 50% when when I switched to
there's way less waste...
that surprised me & it's an added bonus...


there are 2 ways to start...

you can mist the tag with alcohol before spraying the archival inks...
this dilutes the inks for a softer more blended background...

or you can mist the archival inks directly on the tag for a more concentrated color...
I like & use both ways...

for today's tag
I misted with alcohol first, 
sprayed on the archival colors
 dried the tag...

the huge amount of fluid does not damage the tag at all...

now look closely at the subtle 
words in the background...


make sure to have a clean stamp...

I used the distress sprayer to add some rubbing alcohol to the craft sheet, pressed my stamp into the alcohol ONCE, then stamped over my tag...

the rubbing alcohol bleaches out the archival ink &
adds another layer to the background...

again...
make sure to have a clean stamp...
otherwise, the alcohol will reactivate the ink & you'll be adding color instead of removing it...

next, I stenciled the leaves from 
 leaf green on the top left leaves...

I used fern green to add a little stenciling border at the top & bottom of the tag...

then I stamped the 2 flourishes and the sentiment

I accented the lines with a gold metallic pencil & added some black glaze pen dots...



this next photo shows the red geranium polka dots from the new "lots of dots" stencil...

look closely at the bottom left corner...
see those bleached out dots?


I misted (distress sprayer) some rubbing alcohol onto the craft sheet, picked it up with the mini blending tool & rubbed over the "lots of dots" stencil...
this gives really good control to add the bleached dots wherever you want...

using the same stencil several times makes the project cohesive...

you want the blending tool to be moist...
NOT dripping wet...
if it's too wet, the fluid seeps under the stencil & you get larger dots...
which was what happened here...
but I can live with that...

on a side note...
as the foam on the blending tool picks up 
the ink color...
it tints the foam, but it doesn't transfer the ink later...
I've been using the same foam since August...


here's a better look at the bleached out
I love the effect...
if you're a cardmaker...
it's completely flat...


I had this flower left over...

NEW FLASH...
YES...glue n seal is discontinued...
check your local store...
or
I found it here...
we'll have it at conventions, until we run out...

I think I used sky blue & stamped the botanical register stamp with potting soil...

it's edged with the 


the flower needed a center, so I used 
the green is one of the buttons inked with fern green, then embossed with FROSTED fern green  embossing powder...

to make "FROSTED" embossing powder,
just mix equal parts of frosted crystal embossing powder with colored embossing powder to decrease the shine & give it more texture...

the new mat mini heart was inked with red geranium & embossed with the custom brick embossing powder...

the cool texture is from the frosted crystal...

since I was thinking of a LOVE theme...
I used red embroidery floss to sew the X (kiss)...
get it?


and here's the finished tag...
I added some remnant rubs to the mat mini heart & to the left side of the flower...

I also used the glaze pen to accent the flower center...


trust me...
archival inks as a spray are
SO FUN and 
another way to use something
 I bet you already have (reinkers)...

start with one archival color and see how it goes...

here are some pieces that have the archival sprayed to create the start of the background...

this started with these sprays...
with plenty of rubbing alcohol first...




this one is pink peony and cornflower blue...
I did go over it with brushed corduroy to shade it...
see those large dots?
that's what too much alcohol 
on the blending tool does...
it seeps under the stencil...
oops...

but since I continued, 
it looks OK...
almost like I intended it...
this was my test drive piece...


this one is tree branch with sky blue...
on a page from my new mat mini book...


sprayed on manila cardstock...


I've had excellent results on manila tags, 

I tried it on watercolor cardstock, 
with only fair results...
but it makes sense...
it absorbed the fluid, 
just as watercolor cardstock should...

but creates a different look...
use less alcohol, 
does not absorb the fluid...

tim's new YUPO alcohol ink paper works too!
that is one very cool surface!
more on that another day...
but you can check my Instagram page 
to see 2 examples...

so that's what I've been playing with...

I invite you to return tomorrow...
I did a telephone interview last week...

YIKES...

I talk about how I got started...
funny stories about Mr. Stampers Anonymous...
he might kill me!
and I forgot what else...

I'll have the links for you tomorrow...

I hope you can
grab your reinkers and...

make art!
wendy

ps...be watching Instagram later today...
I'll show another example of the archival spray background...

pss...I've not heard from the winner of my last giveaway...
if you know jezebel...send her here...
if I don't hear from her by tomorrow's post...
I'll have Rick choose another winner...

and...
the winner of this prize is...



congrats to...


Blogger Stephanie Rodgers said...

I love these little bird houses! They're just too stinkin' cute!
January 25, 2016 at 9:03 PM
 Delete


please email me with your address...

shhh...

I think I'll have a giveaway tomorrow too!
see you then...








27 comments:

Wilma said...

Have to try to make the sprays, looks so much fun. Beautiful pieces of art again Wendy!

Dorothy said...

Wendy!!! This is awesome! And congrats to the winner!!!

Scrapthat said...

one of my favorite things in Crafting is whenever something can be made even more versatile by finding a new use for it. Add that to the arsenal of Wending reinker uses! FUN TFS Wendy!! :D

Tona said...

Oooh, I love it when you do the experimenting for me, you mad scientist you, ;) I can't wait to give this a try.

Jane said...

I love all your experiments Wendy. How cool are these sprays! Your projects are all so awesome. I only have one archival reinker...black...LOL...not sure that's the best one to start with! Thanks for all your lovely giveaways xx

lorhen82 said...

This is great, but please take caution when spraying rubbing alcohol. It can have some adverse effects when inhaled - headaches, nausea, vomiting, and irritation of mucous membranes. I would suggest spraying outdoors if possible.

Debby said...

Cool effects! Love how you come up with new uses for your products. Need time to play!

Dria said...

Love the colors of your inks and embossing powder. I need the drinkers..I need mist of pink peony and cornflower and......

Dria said...

Love the colors of your inks and embossing powder. I need the drinkers..I need mist of pink peony and cornflower and......

Linda T said...

Thank you for sharing your ideas about making the sprays. I have it saved and will have to try this. I SO LOVE your colors and your work is always so beautiful.

Lisa said...

Ohh, the sprays look amazing!! I just absolutely love all of the samples you've shown!! I study each one to glean as many details as I can!! Always so inspirational!! Have a great evening!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Rea' said...

Wow ... you did have fun these are great samples! I rather like the BIG bubbles great affect ( I do see your point too ) ! Play is good :)

Craftychris said...

The sprays are an awesome idea and your artwork is gorgeous! xxx

Linda said...

Wendy, I love your new products !! The projects you have done with them are all amazing. Thanks so much for sharing your projects and giving away some of the amazing new products !!! I must say I love the birds and bird houses!!

James Gray said...

I love your blog posts. They are always jam packed with information but fun also! It shows that you love what you do!

Jean said...

Congrats Stephanie!
I love this idea, I can't wait til tomorrow to try it out. I remember Tim saying NOT to spray the alcohol inks, but I am guessing this is different.

Jean Bullock said...

This was an extremely interesting and informative post. Would you be able to add some sharing buttons on the posts so we can more easily share with others.

nanastricter said...

Love the ideas for using the alcohol with stencils and stamps for a different look. You are SO creative! Thanks for the hints!

Sue said...

Wow! Lots of pretty arty things to look at with this post!

jan metcalf said...

Love the sentiments with your lovely projects! I put washi tape on my misters after seeing you in Madison!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

I'll say it again...YOU ARE THE QUEEN OF TECHNIQUE!!! LOVE that you made your own sprayer with the Archival Inks! Genius, and with Color Wash discontinued WE NEED PERMANENT SPRAYS!!!! Love the idea of putting alcohol in the Distress Sprayer too! I'm doing it today!!! I just love you Wendy!!!~

Suzan VonEssen said...

Very cool! Another use for an already awesome line of products!!

Sheree said...

I'm in love with these too!! My head is swirling with ideas that must be put onto paper soon!!
Cheers!
Sheree

Redanne said...

Play is definitely good and you have played so beautifully with these gorgeous makes Wendy, I love the softness that is achieved with the sprays! Anne xx

MaRyKaY said...

Narly. There's more birds. I'm loving all your birds. So precious.

Your so generous.

Deb said...

Fabulous Wendy, love the bleached effect with the alcohol on the stamp, so many wonderful ideas, thank you! Deb xo

Art By Wanda said...

WAY....WWWAAAYYY.... COOL!!!!!!!!!!!! I have bottles, I have reinkers, just maybe I fit in the time. Thanks, Wendy!!!!!!!!!!!!