The Funkie Junkie - "It's a Blustery Day" Challenge

Hello there – we have a new challenge beginning today. Our hostess is Suzanne Czosek this time around and this is what she has to say about it:

"I am inspired by Pooh Bear's quote from A. A. Milne of "It's a rather blustery day." Pooh Bear struggled against the windy day and you can share something you struggle with in your art! It can be a technique, color palette, tools, or supplies that you find difficult to use. Share them with us along with your story on what you struggle with! I can't wait to see your blustery day!"

For my project, I chose to go down an alcohol ink rabbit hole. I've always had trouble getting into using the medium and found it a bit intimidating. So this was a great challenge to just read up on it, jump in and play! I started off by watching again some of Tim Holtz's educational videos (soooo informative!). You can find two here and here. Then I got out all my supplies and played around. I used Yupo cardstock for my substrate. Yupo is a non-porous synthetic paper that is perfect for alcohol ink. I have a list of other supplies used at the bottom of this post but you can browse products here in the Funkie Junkie store.

Here are some photos of the results of my experiments:

LOVING the Alloys

For these backgrounds I used Metallic Kraft Stock for the substrate. I like how they turned out, especially when I used a bit of Snow Cap Mixative with the ink (red ones on lower left and upper right corners). I'm going to try embossing some of these backgrounds - I think they'd look cool!

Here's one technique that Tim shared that I really liked. He showed us how to make prints with stencils.

stencil prints, yeah!

Mist a stencil with isopropyl alcohol and "stick" it down onto the Yupo. Drip various colors of ink onto the stencil/paper. It will wick under the stencil but that is what you want it to do. Let it sit there until all the ink dries underneath the stencil.

Peel off the stencil and you get your first generation print!

You can create several successive prints with the ink left on the front of the stencil. Mist it with more isopropyl alcohol and lay it on a new sheet of Yupo. Let it dry and peel it off. Repeat!

cool backgrounds!!

So there is a little look at my alcohol ink fun. I will have to play around some more. ;-) I'll be on the Funkie Junkie blog this Saturday with more alcohol ink projects! Stay tuned…

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you check out the fun challenges we have on the Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog. They are always good for sparking your creativity! You have two weeks to join the current challenge so I hope you give it a go.

Supplies used:

Tim Holtz die set - Bold Text #1

Tim Holtz die set - Crochet

Tim Holtz Multi Level Embossing Folder - Swirls
Tim Holtz Stamp Set - Ornate Trims

Tim Holtz layering stencils - Bouquet, Doodle Art 2

Alcohol Ink Products

Ranger Alcohol Ink

Ranger Alcohol Ink Pearls

Ranger Alcohol Ink Alloy

Ranger Alcohol Ink Mixatives

Ranger Lift-Ink

Ranger Alcohol Ink Blending Solution

Ranger Archival Ink -  Black Soot

Splatter Brush

Stamp Cleaner

Alcohol Ink Blower tool

stamping platform

91% Isopropyl rubbing alcohol (from drug store/grocery store)

Yupo cardstock

Tim Holtz metallic kraft stock

Some links in this post are affiliate links which do not affect the price you pay but allow me to earn a small percentage of a sale. Thanks! (My husband also thanks you!)