I am usually the crafter who can't wait to dive into the newest art mediums, but I was hesitant about alcohol ink for some reason. However, I’ve seen so much gorgeous art featuring alcohol inks lately that I was inspired to finally give this medium a try.
During the Creative Concoctions class at Club Scrap Retreat 2012, we learned how to make a variety of art mediums and cleaners from scratch. One of those mediums was homemade alcohol ink, so I dug out my Creative Concoctions recipe cards and got to work.
Homemade Alcohol Ink
To make custom alcohol ink, gather the following supplies: 91% Isopropyl Alcohol, Club Scrap® hybrid re-inkers, and a container to hold your inks - like these nifty glass eye dropper bottles. (I recently found the glass bottles shown above at the Dollar Tree, two for $1.25!)
Fill a bottle with alcohol and add roughly 30 drops of CS® re-inker in the color of your choice. Shake vigorously and tada! It really is that simple.
Alcohol Ink Backgrounds
To create the backgrounds above, add drops of the homemade alcohol ink to sheets of Yupo paper. To recreate the look on the left, use a straw to blow the ink around. For the background on the right, press bubble wrap into pools of ink as they dry. Allow backgrounds to dry completely before use.
Under the Sea Stamped Cards
I made the set of three cards below in order to participate in the Idea Deck Challenge on the Club Scrap Chat Facebook Group. To recreate my cards, select papers from your stash and follow the cutting instructions for the Jack of Spades card formula (from Assembly Line Card Making Idea Deck II).
Card 1
Emboss the background panel with an embossing folder. Use a rectangle die cut a panel from the alcohol ink background. Add Sea Breeze washi tape (07.18) and a narrow paper strip to larger border panel. Stamp the sentiment using India Ink. Apply clear acrylic drops to the background panel for added dimension.
To create a focal point for each card, heat emboss adorable wooden sea creatures (also found at Dollar Tree) with embossing powder and let cool. In this case, use aqua EP on the turtle and adhere to card front using CS® Bookbinding Glue.
Card 2
Emboss the background panel with an embossing folder. Use a rectangle die cut to create a panel from Alcohol ink background sheet. Add Sea Breeze washi tape and a narrow paper strip to larger border panel. Heat emboss the wooden seahorse with gold embossing powder. Add the stamped sentiment and jewels for a touch of sparkle.
Card 3
Emboss the large background panel with an embossing folder. Die cut a rectangle from the alcohol ink background sheet. Heat emboss the wooden whale using Denim embossing powder. Stamp the sentiment using India Ink. Attach white sequins (High Tide 08.19) using BB glue in a needle tipped applicator.
I hope you're inspired to create your own underwater backgrounds using homemade alcohol inks. Please join us over in the Club Scrap Chat Facebook Group for challenges, inspiration and more!
CS Hybrid Re-Inkers
$4.40
Rejuvenate your ink pads with our re-inkers! Exclusively Club Scrap®, this hybrid craft ink combines the most exceptional ingredients of both pigments and dyes for a fine, crisp, fast-drying images. .5 US fl. oz. Use alone or with our ink… Read More
India Ink Pad
$7.50
Club Scrap's India Ink is a deep black, super-quick drying dye ink formula for use with watercolors, markers, stamping, scrapbooking and much more. We love how fast it dries so that you can get to work without a smudge!… Read More
Yupo 12x12 Paper
$1.40
12x12 synthetic, pulp-free paper, sold individually, by the sheet. Alter with alcohol-based inks. Die cut and dry emboss with beautiful results. For tips and inspiration, view the video below. Super-smooth Durable Waterproof Tear-proof Bright White … Read More
