hey there bloggers! hope you had a great weekend. it's been lots going on around the studio, but of course i always find a little play time to create. i started working with the new snow cap mixative for the adirondack alcohol ink line. this was a new release at the recent cha show and just the the picket fence distress stain - it's a game changer...
by simply adding this wonderful opaque white alcohol ink to the mix, it takes the translucent alcohol inks to another level of possibilities. i decided to do a little how-to and show you what this one ink can do to whatever collection of alcohol inks you may have. i'm working with the basic supplies when it comes to alcohol inks: non-stick craft sheet (this is so important to have a non-stick and non-porous surface when working with the inks), ink applicator tool, alcohol inks (various colors), blending solution, and the new snow cap mixative. let's get started...
one of my favorite uses for the snow cap mixative has to be creating the look of patina. the technique is the same in all of the samples i'm showing here, it simply depends on the colors you select. so i've decided to share a few of my favorites:
step 1: apply alcohol inks to metal adornment by dripping directly on.
step 2: shake snow cap mixative well. (since it's a mixative you need to shake it each time before you use it)
step 3: drip the snow cap directly over the inks.
step 4: tap ink applicator tool with a piece of felt attached to it on to inks to combine the mixative with colors creating a milky mixture.
step 5: allow ink to dry or dry with heat tool (careful metal gets hot). reapply if needed.
blue patina: stream, sail boat blue, stonewash, snow cap mixative
green patina: lettuce, meadow, juniper, snow cap mixative
mixed patina: stream, lettuce, meadow, ginger, snow cap mixative
another cool thing to use this ink combination on are staples - especially tiny attacher refills. i get asked all the time about creating these staples in more colors and antique finishes. the solution is simple, just ink them! simply apply the inks directly on to the refill block of staples and dry with a heat tool.
check out the color possibilities. here is the difference when coloring the staples with just the ink (remember the colors are translucent), and using the same color alcohol ink with a little snow cap mixative (which creates a perfect pastel color).
another possibility is creating faux antique finishes just by using alcohol inks: antique silver (mushroom), antique bronze (ginger), antique brass (caramel)
you can see that when stapling on your projects inking them really stands out.
now how about creating backgrounds with alcohol inks and the snow cap mixative? again, really cool results. this photo shows ink backgrounds on ranger's alcohol ink cardstock. the background on the left is just using alcohol ink colors, the one of the left uses the same colors plus the snow cap mixative. see the pastel effects this gives?
well hopefully this little how-to inspires you to give this new snow cap mixative a try. whether you're creating your own patinas, altering your favorite embellishments, or using it for backgrounds, it's amazing how one single color opens up numerous possibilities. let the inking begin...t!m
how stinking cool...a must have!!! thanks!!!
Posted by: Chelle | August 21, 2011 at 09:44 PM
Soooo cool! Love what u can do with those inks!
Posted by: Joy | August 21, 2011 at 09:45 PM
Ooooh the staples! Now that's cool tim!
Posted by: Sherry goodloe | August 21, 2011 at 09:45 PM
I love alcohol inks and think Snow Cap is pure magic!
Posted by: Tammy Tutorial | August 21, 2011 at 09:45 PM
great tips! thank you
Posted by: jennifer | August 21, 2011 at 09:46 PM
Oh my you need to stop giving me so many great project ideas...I need to give my bank account a break..LOL...thanks for the wonderful products and ideas...
Posted by: Dedi Wood | August 21, 2011 at 09:46 PM
Great ideas! I saw the snow cap on a release and can't wait to get mine!
Posted by: Cheryle S | August 21, 2011 at 09:48 PM
This is so awesome. Leave it to Tim and he comes up with another winner. I can not wait to try this.
kim
Posted by: kim | August 21, 2011 at 09:48 PM
that is very cool!
Posted by: sheri | August 21, 2011 at 09:49 PM
Super cool. I am so inspired. I am gonna have to find them in the LSS. thanks again.
Posted by: Winnie | August 21, 2011 at 09:49 PM