Friday, September 28, 2018

~ Growing in Unity ~ Day Five ~ Alcohol Lift-Ink

Hello! I can't believe that it's my last day being the Growing in Unity gal... I'm so bummed, but I'm really excited to share my fifth Source of Inspiration... Technique!

There are so many techniques out there to try in our paper crafting world. 
Most recently Tim Holtz released a new fun ink called Alcohol Lift-Ink that can literally lift the ink from a background piece created using alcohol ink on Yupo card stock AND you can then stamp on regular card stock transferring that ink from the stamped background. (I hope that makes sense. For more details do a search for Alcohol Lift-Ink on YouTube. Tim Holtz shares a wonderful tutorial on how to use this ink). Let's check out what I created, shall we?!


I have to admit, I'm new to alcohol inks... but I've found them very forgiving. What I mean by that is, if you don't like how your background is going you can literally paint some rubbing alcohol over it and just basically start over. In fact, I did this with this piece. The background wasn't flowing how I wanted... it was more splotchy and really not the direction I wanted it to go. So I got my paint brush and my jar of rubbing alcohol and painted all over the piece. I blended the colors of the alcohol ink and really just softened it. From there I was able to add more alcohol ink and using a blending tool with the mini applicator felts I could move the ink around the way I wanted.


For this background, I used Turquoise, Willow, and Butterscotch Alcohol Inks with some Mixative Copper. Now, for the fun Alcohol Lift-Ink technique... I stamped the gorgeous background stamp from the Everlasting Romance set using the Alcohol Lift-Ink and then stamped it again on white card stock. I set the white card stock aside for my second card and dabbed my alcohol ink background with a paper towel. Once I had dabbed it enough so that the ink didn't appear wet, I gently rubbed the background with the paper towel. This process really makes the stamped image pop. I then stamped a portion of the sentiment from the He Will Sustain You stamp set by masking it off. 
While learning how to do this technique, I saw a video by Jennifer McGuire where she cut the background piece similar to this. I loved how it looked but found that a white card base didn't work for this background, but copper did! Before I adhered this to my copper card stock... I pulled out the heart stamps from the God's Sight set. I laid out the background pieces on my mat similar to how they would be on the card and then stamped them with a gold ink (I don't have a copper ink, sadly.)... almost making the hearts look broken. 


I die cut a stitched rectangle piece of Tonic Pearlescent Card - Cosmic Copper and adhered my cut pieces of my background leaving a bit of space in between for the copper card stock to peek through. I wrapped the panel several times with copper metallic thread that I adhered on the back using scotch tape. I then punched a hole and added an antique brad from my stash. I popped up the whole panel using foam tape and adhered it to a Vintage Cream card base. In the picture above, you can see some of the detail in the background and also the hearts that I had stamped. That's it for my first card using this technique. Now onto card number two...


I wanted this card to be more simple... I started with the white card stock piece from the Alcohol Lift-Ink technique. Isn't that just beautiful?! I really loved how it turned out, but I wanted to also use the other stamps in the God's Sight stamp set. I stamped the girl using Old Paper distress ink and then I stamped the sentiment using Gina K's Black Amalgam ink.


I added a few drops of Nuvo Silver Lining drops... sadly one of my drops got messed up a bit, but I think it still turned out lovely overall. 

I had so much fun creating each and every card for you all this week. I sure hope that you've enjoyed my creations this week and that maybe I've helped you find more Sources of Inspiration.

Be sure to leave a comment on each of my GIU blog posts for a chance to win one of two fabulous grab bags of 25 stamps from Unity Stamp Company!!! You'll have until Sunday to comment on each post and then I'll pick two winners on Monday.

You can check out my other GIU days:


Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.
~ Crystal

71 comments:

  1. Wow both of these are gorgeous! Love the God is with you card! That should be framed it is so pretty and true. A great reminder God is with us even when we don't feel like it! Your cards have been so inspiring! Pam Foy

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    1. Thank you so much, Pam! I think that's a great idea to frame that card!

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  2. Great cards love the second one with the alcohol lift! This is a great stamp set. I need to get it

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    1. Thank you so much, Sharon! I sure had a blast with this technique... I hope you give it a try!

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  3. Such a great week for you! Today’s cards are so amazing but then every day this week has been full of lovely cards! 😊 it’s been great seeing your creations here!

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    1. Awww... thank you so much, Vicki! I've had so much fun sharing and reading all the comments! Thank you for checking out my blog every day! :)

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  4. Wow. This has been the best example of the Alcohol Lift I have seen.

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    1. Awww... I'm so glad that you liked my post today! Thank you so much, Kim!

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  5. Ooooh, love these beauties!! I don't have any alcohol inks myself, but this new ink pad is making me want to get some to try this. And now I really think I will due to this beautiful inspiration. I have so enjoyed your lovely projects this week! tfs

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    1. Thank you so much, Becca! Ohhh... you will be hooked! I started with just a couple of alcohol inks but now I want them ALL!! lol Thank you for checking out my blog posts all week and leaving sweet comments... I so appreciate it!!

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  6. Wow, very cool technique and your cards are beautiful! I will have to check out the tutorials!

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    1. Thank you, Stephanie! It is an awesome technique! I sure hope you check it out!

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  7. These cards are stunning. I love the colors and blending. I am being honest I can not do mixed media. I do not know where or how to start but I do love what you have done. thank you for awesome cards this week

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    1. Thank you so very much, Patricia! And thank you for checking out my blog posts all week... I truly appreciate it!

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  8. Wow, Wow, Wow!! I love this technique. I will definitely give this a try!!!

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    1. Yay! Thank you so much, Mary! I hope you share if/when you give this technique a try!

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  9. Thank you so much for all of your awesome creations! I am. On a mission to add alcohol lift inks to my list of things to get! Your cards are amazing and love them all. Thank you so much!

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    1. Awww... you're welcome, Rachel! Thank YOU for checking out my blog posts all week!! I truly appreciate each of your comments! :)

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  10. Oh goodness, these cards are sensational!!! I love, love, love these!!!!! The Stamps you used are perfect for this technique!!! I tried it eith Coptic reinkers, and it did not work- gotta try this again!!!
    Thanks for a fabulous week with your GIU!!!

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    1. Yay! I'm so glad that you liked my cards today! Thank you for checking out my blog and commenting! I've appreciated every one of your comments! :)

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  11. Oh my friend!! What a way to end your week! I’ve never used alcohol ink. The technique of cutting your paper then laying it is fantastic! And that second card. Looks amazing with her lightly stamped behind the sentiment! You are such a talent that I draw from!! ♥️♥️♥️

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    1. Your kindness means so much to me, my friend! Thank you for your sweet support! I was thinking of you while making these cards... you inspire me! <3

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  12. Well, girl! I absolutely LOVED your GUI week
    These lasy 2 cards are amazing!! I LoveLoveLOve the 2nd card!!! You blow me ahhhway!!!

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    1. Awww.. thank you, my friend!! You've been so supportive behind the scenes... couldn't have made it through my week without you! <3

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  13. Again, your cards are just gorgeous! You've definitely convinced me that I need to get some alcohol inks & lift. Thank you for such an inspiring week!!

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    1. Awww... thank you so much for all of your sweet comments all week!! I appreciate your kindness, Wilma!

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  14. So beautiful. I love how the colors just flow together. that is a really cool technique. One I haven't tried yet.

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  15. Thank you for sharing your beautiful talent with us. I have slowed down making cards and now I want to make some this weekend.

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    1. Awww.. thank you so much for your kind comments this week! I'm so glad that you're inspired to create... makes me so happy!

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  16. What a great way to end your week. I love both of the cards and the Lift ink is now on my wish list.

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    1. Thank you, Denise! You will love the lift ink... it's awesome and so many things to do with it! :)

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  17. Thanks for introducing me to alcohol inks and the lift technique... this maybe something I need to explore.😊. Your cards are lovely & the sentiments inspiring. ( Gid’s Sight) was one of the first Unity stamps I bought.😊) thanks for sharing all your lovely work this week!!❤️

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    1. You are so very welcome, Dorothy! Thank you so much for your sweet comments this week! They mean so much to me! :)

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  18. "Two for one" That is such a great technique, I love the results!

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    1. Thank you, Glennis! I think that's the fun part of this technique... it's two for one! :)

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  19. LOVE this technique and thanks for the tips and where to find the process. I love the colors, patterns, stamps, and designs. Just stunning cards, Crystal.

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    1. Thank you, Kim! I appreciate all your lovely comments this week! :)

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  20. Love these Crystal. Just beautiful!

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  21. Wonderful week of your
    creations. This technique
    is cool and love the second
    card.
    Carla from Utah

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    1. Thank you for checking out my blog all week! I've enjoyed reading all of your comments! :)

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  22. Both of them are fabulous and amazing!! Gonna check out the alcohol inks and the lift off ink!!
    thanks for your inspiration this week!!

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    1. Awesome! So glad that you like my cards! Thanks so much for checking out my blog all week, Sandra! :)

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  23. Beautiful cards! I just bought one of the Alcohol Lift-Ink pads and haven't tried it yet! You've inspired me!
    Thanks for a great GIU week!

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    1. Thank you so much, Denise! I’m sure you’ll love the lift ink!!

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  24. Lovely cards! Your alcohol ink technique is beautiful! I really love the flow of the different colors all together!

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    1. Thank you so much, Cindy! I really had a blast making that background!

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  25. What a great way to end your week! The card is stunning. Your inspiration is amazing.

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    1. Yay! I’m so glad you love them! Thank you for checking out my blog!

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  27. Wow, wow, wow😍. You dropped the bomb your last day. So incredibly amazing...I have to try this !

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  28. Omgoodness! My favorite day yet! Love the green combos! What a fun week! Thank you for sharing this week. <3

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  29. AAAHHHH! I haven't played with alcohol inks but this makes me want to start!!!! 😍😍😍 The blending of colors is amazing! Thanks for sharing your week of inspiration! I enjoyed it very much!

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    1. Yes! I just started playing with alcohol inks and I am loving them! You’re so welcome! Thank you for checking out my blog this week! I really appreciate it!

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  30. I like your alcohol lift cards! I want to get this ink pad so I can make some cards like these!
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thank you so much, Sue! I hope you do... you’ll love it!

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  31. Gorgeous. I love it when you can create two cards at the same time! Thanks for the inspiration.

    sue nagata

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    1. Thank you, Sue! I agree... it’s awesome when you can create two cards at the same time!

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  32. So cool. I have yet to try this technique.

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  33. Oh my! Been wanting to try this technique! You’ve done a beautiful job bringing both these cards to vibrant life! Just gorgeous!

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  34. The palette you've used for your cards is fab. I've never tried alcohol inks but the effect of them combined with the lift ink is lovely.

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    1. Thank you so much for all your sweet comments, Andre!

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  35. Wow, both cards are fantastic! Great post on this hot new trending technique 👍🏻👍🏻

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