Summer of Creative Chemistry 2016: Week 7 -- Alcohol Inks

I'm back with my latest Summer of Creative Chemistry 2016 project.  It's week 7 (ok ... which of you guys made my summer speed by?!?!) and this week's challenge is all about Alcohol Inks.  Perhaps it is the excessively warm temperatures, even in the mountains of NC, and no air conditioning that made me want to do a Christmas card for this week's challenge.  Regardless of motivation, here it is ... Peace on Earth, ornament, snowflakes and all.

I used a great deal of alcohol ink for this card.  First, I used Tim Holtz's alcohol ink monoprint technique on the paper behind Tim's Globe (die cut from metallic silver cardstock).  I made several monoprints with my ink and then took quite a minutes to try to figure out which one I wanted as the backdrop for the die cut..  That was pretty fun!  This effect is really pretty.  I keep thinking of all the other diecuts that would look great with this technique in the background.  As you can see, I created a Christmas ornament out of this globe by diecutting the ornament holder from one of Tim's Christmas ornaments dies. 

Another technique taught in Creative Chemistry 102 was Tinted Tinsel.  I must admit.  I cheated a little here.  I started with Tim's turquoise (Broken China ?) colored tinsel and applied the technique with a grey alcohol ink.  These pieces of tinsel were attached with a Tiny Attacher around my Peace on Earth sentiment (die cut with Tim's Holiday Words - Block thinlits).  I grunged the banner and outline the letters with with a Walnut Stain Distress Marker.

Next, I played around with a couple of different Creative Chemistry Techniques for the background of my card.  I used Specialty Stamping paper that is coated (good for alcohol ink) but with more of a matte finish than a glossy finish.  I applied the alcohol ink using a ink blending tool and felt.  Then I used did a Paint Monoprint over top of this.  I went over the entire background with a light layer Walnut Stain Distress Ink and then distressed the edges with that same ink.  I added some highlights (with Ranger White Ink pen) and shadows (with a Hickory Smoke Distress Marker) to the snowflakes.  I gave some dimensionality (word?) and sparkle by putting Glossy Accents on the center of the snowflakes.

I went back and used the alcohol ink monoprint technique to create the holly leaves and greenery diecuts at the top of my ornament.  I used Walnut Stain to grunge them a little more.  The pearl "berries" were also colored with alcohol ink.  As you see, I used some alcohol ink to add a little "rust" to the ornament holder.  The ornament is attached to my Peace On Earth banner with a loop pin.

Okay ... an abundance of alcohol ink here!  Seriously, if you haven't taken one of Tim Holtz's Creative Chemistry Courses, now is the time to do it.  They are being offered through Online Card Classes.  Creative Chemistry 101 and 102 are being reviewed during this summer (with weekly challenges and Live Chats with Tim Holtz himself).  Then we start with new products in August.  Loving my summer!

Since it's July and I'm doing a Christmas Card, I've decided to enter this into One Crazy Stamper Inc's Christmas in July Challenge.  I'm going to leave you with a few more pics of the entire card.  Thanks so much for dropping by!  Hugs -- Mary Elizabeth