august technique challenge...

"august technique challenge" - tim holtz(c) 2008

supplies: craft sheet, adirondack alcohol inks, blending solution, ink applicator tool, jet black archival ink pad, glossy accents, glossy paper (ranger); fragments (tim holtz idea-ology); ghost (heidi swapp); non-stick scissors (tonic); stamps (stampers anonymous); soft cloth

step 1: apply a piece of felt to the ink applicator tool.

step 2: ink up the tool by placing the nib of the alcohol ink bottle into the felt and squeeze for about 2 seconds.

step 3: repeat with any additional colors you want (*tip: be sure not to overlap colors to avoid making mud).

step 4: ink up one side of the fragment by tapping the inked tool on the fragment completely covering it with ink (*tip:be sure to just ink ONE LAYER AND STOP!)

step 5: wait about 5 seconds and then you can apply additional layers of color (*tip: you can add as many layers of ink as you wish just wait 5 second between layers).

step 6: allow inked surface to dry completely.

step 7: ink up a stamp with jet black archival (*tip: stamp selection is key here - you want an image with a definite shape, not words, and not faces - you'll see why...).

step 8: place stamp inked rubber side up and press fragment inked side down over image.

step 9: immediately lift off of stamp and LIGHTLY blot wet ink off of fragment with a soft cloth (*tip: you need to work quickly as archival ink is a permanent ink and will dry black on the fragment if you wait too long).

step 10: working from a clean area of the towel, wipe off remaining archival ink to reveal image. wait a minute! what just happened?  did my image disappear?  it sure did...

step 11: place the fragment over a piece of white glossy cardstock INKED side down - WOW!  the jet black archival ink actually removes the alcohol ink underneath when you remove it while it's still wet - a weird chemical reaction, it works every time.  (*tip: now do you see why we don't want to use words?  they would appear backwards at this point {well there is a way to stamp in reverse, but that's a whole other technique} i have to say i don't mind backwards numbers for some reason though?..).

step 12: apply a small amount of glossy accents around the inked side edge of the fragment and place down on to glossy cardstock.

step 13: trim excess cardstock to size of fragment with non-stick scissors (*tip: glossy accents bonds to paper in about 7-10 seconds!).

step 14: repeat above steps to create enough mosaics for tag of project (*tip: be sure to change felt between colors).

step 15: (variation) - you can also do this technique on anything smooth - heidi swapp ghosts, memory glass, dominoes, transparencies, metal, mica, and more...

so there you have it.  pretty neat huh?  just image the possibilities - oh never-mind.... experience the possibilities, give this technique a try today.  you may have to try it a few times to get perfect, but that's what blending solution is for.  if your image doesn't work out the first time, simply apply some blending solution to a paper towel and wipe all of the ink off of the fragment and start over.  let the inking playtime begin....t!m 

Comments

[Priscilla from California]

As always, you've come up with something new, different, and totally do-able. What would we do without you?

[Julie Howard]

Cool technique! I'll have to give this one a try!

[Liz Walters]

Well...as always....this was worth waiting for...
I just wish I had an ounce of your creativity. I'm just happy I can copy from the master.
Am up all nite so will head to the studio to play with this new technique.
You're the bomb!!!
Love, Liz
Prescott, AZ

[Helen]

this is a really cool way to make our own embellies, without running around looking for the one thing we don't have ! don't have it , make it LOL! I don't have a large range of alcool inks, but it will do? Does it work only with ARCHIVAL Ink ?
I'll make some tests ! have a great weekend !!

[Shelly B]

Love this!

[Kimberly]

Ahhaa, I have the Ghost butterflies and I was wondering how the heck I was going to color them or make them stand out from my page!! Other paints and inks just rubbed off. Brilliant!!!

[finnabair]

:) great one..sure I have to try!!! thanks a lot:)

[karine]

This technique is so cool ! These fragments are really fun.

[Phinny]

Wow - this is f a n t a s t i c !!

I canNOT wait for the new Fragment shapes to hit the stores. I am so glad you added the two new design. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[Lexy]

Hi Tim!!

I'm gonna have to try this one too. A nice excuse to buy more alcohol inks I think!

AND - I've ordered some MicroGlaze. I hope it gets here in time to use on my new pieces! Thanks for the hint, and I'll let you know how it works. My show opened last night - I've sold 12 out of 23 pieces so far :)

Love all these tags that you make. It's my favourite part in wrapping a present - the tag becomes a gift in itself.