Challenge: "Alcohol Inks"

Back again with another project I completed within a private challenge group.  This challenge was a fun one, using alcohol inks (which I fully admit I underutilize, given how many I own!).

Here's my finished tag:

Materials/tools used:

 - Ranger Inkssentials Black Tags

 - Ranger Alcohol Inks: Citrus, Denim, Meadow, Slate

 - Ranger Archival Inks: Cobalt, Deep Purple, Jet Black, Olive

 - Ranger Glossy Accents

 - Ranger Alcohol Ink Blending Solution

 - idea-ology: Tissue Tape (Hobgoblin), Pen Nibs

 - Ranger Heat Tool

 - Ranger Alcohol Ink Applicator

 - Tonic Craft Scissors

 - Xyron 2.5" sticker maker

 - White glossy paper, double-stick tape, foam dots from my stash

 - "The Raven" text stamp by Impression Obsession

 - Pen Nib & Bird stamps by Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous: CMS167, CSS30195

 - Poe stamp carved by me

You had to know I'd do another Poe tag this year, right?  :-)  Overall, I had a LOT of fun doing this tag, and like it a whole lot better than the other tag I did this month.  Not sure there's anything at all I'd change about it.  I enjoyed challenging myself to use the alcohol inks on the various elements of the tag, from the text background, to the raven cutout.  Even the pen nib got some treatment with the Denim alcohol inks before I glued it on.

A couple more views:

Overall, this tag was a fun reminder of why I need to use my alcohol inks more frequently!  :-)

It looks like November will be a slightly calmer month for me than September and October were.  I'm looking forward to being able to show you more projects than just the monthly tags!  We're overdue for a Product Spotlight, too, so I think that'll be next!  

*hint* The next Product Spotlight is a product I used on this tag!

'Til then!

BAC

October tag...

Hello all!

It's been a crazy month, but I did have a little time yesterday evening to hit my studio and catch up on some projects, including my October tag!

Materials/tools used:

 - Ranger Inkssentials Manila Tags

 - Ranger Distress Ink: Black Soot, Brushed Corduroy, Peeled Paint, Stormy Sky, Walnut Stain

 - Ranger Distress Glitter: Broken China, Mowed Lawn

 - Ranger Distress Paint: Broken China, Mustard Seed, Peeled Paint, Picket Fence, Spiced Marmalade

 - Ranger Archival Ink: Jet Black

 - Ranger Glossy Accents

 - idea-ology: Crinkle Ribbon, Grunge Board, Vial Labels

 - Ranger Heat Tool

 - Ranger Inkssentials Mister

 - Ranger Inkssentials Foam Blending Tool

 - Stamps by Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous: CMS120, CMS167

 - Sizzix Movers & Shapers Dies: Mini Apothecary Bottles

 - Sizzix Big Shot

This month's technique was really about familiarizing yourself with the Distress Glitter.  I have to admit, I'm not really a "glitter" person.  I get too easily frustrated by the way it sticks to everything, and you continue finding little pieces of it in various places months later.  When I need sparkly, I usually use Stickles.  Consequently, I only own 4 colours of Distress Glitter so far, so my options for the tag were a little limited.  If I had it to do over, I'd probably choose some different colours, but at least I spent some time playing with them.  I DO have to say that cleaning up after this glitter wasn't that difficult.  It wiped up easily, and washed off my hands easily, so that was cool.  I was a bit frustrated though, when trying to ink over the top of the glittered pieces, that I wound up with glitter sticking to my blending foam and ink pad.  It's an interesting technique, but probably not one I'll use on a regular basis.

But it's good to try new things, right?  :-)

I'll have another Challenge project to share, either later today or tomorrow morning.  

'Til then,

BAC