ALCOHOL INKS AND YUPO PAPER SERIES WEEK #3

Alcohol Markers and Ghost Stamping

Each week gets more exciting and this one was no exception! It is amazing how alcohol inks move even after drying! Drawing and coloring on the Yupo paper had such a beautiful effect and it was so easy! 

Images of Alcohol Markers and Ghosting

I highly suggest watching WEEK #1 & WEEK #2 videos to prepare for this week's technique. 

Click here to view WEEK #1: DIY alcohol Inks and Alternative Products

Click here to view WEEK #2: Get Your Inks Moving/Techniques and Tools

Some of your questions will be answered. Learn how to make your own DIY alcohol inks inexpensively. You will be shocked at how simple this process will be! There will be alternative ideas to Yupo paper that has very similar results. 

Creating your Background

This week, the blending tool and felt pad softened the look of the ink on Yupo paper and Dura-Lar. By using alcohol or Ranger's Blending Solution on the blending tool, you are able to move some of the ink to fill in white spaces and remove some of the harsh lines. The felt pad will create bubbles that spread and make a wonderful mottled look on the paper. 

Spraying the alcohol produced fine spots that grew the longer it sat on the paper. Use a heat tool to stop this process!

Ranger Heat It tool will not blow your project around your work surface!

We know by now how to create a background that is unique each time. This will be the backdrop to the image we will create using a blender pen or Ranger's Blending pen that you fill with alcohol, Ranger's Blending Solution or your own DIY blending solution. 

Ranger's Alcohol Ink Blending Pen

Ranger's Alcohol Ink Blending Solution

YOU MUST NEVER EVER EVER SPRAY RANGER'S ALCOHOL BLENDING SOLUTION!!

DIY Recipe for Blending Solution

1-3 drops vegetable glycerin

1.5 to 2 oz. 91% isopropyl alcohol

Vegetable glycerin is an odorless liquid made from plant oils such as palm oil, soy or coconut oil. Although it comes in what seems like a large amount, it can be used as a hypoallergenic skin moisturizer and cleanser. It's used in soap making, some foods or medicinal remedies. This would be great to share with other crafters! It's also a very inexpensive way to reink your Versamark Ink Pad!

100% Pure Organic Vegetable Glycerin

Create an Image

Make sure your background is dried thoroughly before stamping an image for you to color. Use Versafine Black Onyx for a solid outline or a softer dye color such as Hickory smoke Distress Ink for a no-line coloring image. Use your heat tool to dry the ink before coloring!

Versafine Black Onyx Pigment Mini Ink Pad

Hickory Smoke Distress Ink    

Ghosting and Coloring your image

Use any blender pen you may have ie: Spectrum Noir, Tombow, Ohuhu, Copic, Prismacolor. You will not believe the beautiful results you can achieve by slowly removing the ink from the surface of your paper! 

Now that the alcohol ink has been removed, alcohol markers can be used to color in areas to detail or accentuate. These markers would be the same ones you use to color on your craft projects, scrapbooks or card making.

Alcohol markers you use in your craft room

The video shows the results of two different examples. The first is done on Dura-Lar and the second one is done on Yupo paper. They use both DIY Alcohol Inks and Ranger's Adirondack Alcohol Inks. Jen also does a great job explaining the process as she goes through it step by step.

Watch WEEK #3: Alcohol Markers and Ghost Stamping to learn this exciting way to create your own designs for your card backgrounds, images or sentiments!

Click to go right to WEEK #3: Alcohol Markers and Ghost Stamping

Just a few thoughts...

A great way to store all of your Alcohol Inks is to use this 3 layer Acrylic Nail Polish Caddy. It sits flat but has three risers so you are able to see your selection of inks easily! Really a space saver too!

Acrylic Nail Polish Caddy

Any inexpensive 91% isopropyl alcohol, found at Walmart, Target, Walgreens or any place you prefer to shop, will work on this craft.

Inexpensive felt purchased at any hobby store or section of your preferred store will work. There should be quite a few pieces cut to fit your blending tool out of one piece of felt.

Adirondack Alcohol Ink Blending Tool

Glycerin information obtained from:

by Dr. Edward Group DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/what-is-vegetable-glycerin/

How to make your own Blending solution

http://alcoholinktips.com/faqs/how-to-make-your-own-blending-solution/

We all would love to see your creations as you play along with us! An album has been created on the Facebook page to download your artwork. Just click on 'Photos' up in the left-hand corner. Click on 'Albums' and then on the picture of the Alcohol Ink Design. Enter your artwork there!

What's the Koala T Craft's Patreon Group?

 When you make a monthly or one-time pledge, for as little as a $1.00, you are able to access special videos, additional swaps like the Envelope Challenge and just hang out and have fun! Your support helps Jen continue with her tutorials! Sign up atPatreon! 

  https://www.patreon.com/koalatcrafts

You are cordially invited to join our Facebook Community where you can hang out, always get help and advice from other community members and be inspired by like-minded crafters!

Join Koala T Crafts Facebook

When can I see the NEW videos?

This series continues at 5:00pm CST on Free Play Fridays! Remember to watch Koala T Crafts on Wednesdays for One in Ten by Jen: Card InJENuity from mailbox to masterpiece!

If you should have any questions for Jen, leave them on the Facebook page or email her at signace@yahoo.com.

Remember great things happen to those that create!  Artistically Yours,

Click on me to go to the Original Koala T Crafts Store!

Click here to visit the NEW Koala T Crafts Store!

** *** ***VISIT ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA!!*** *** *** PINTEREST - pinterest.com/koalatcrafts TWITTER - twitter.com/koalatcrafts FACEBOOK - facebook.com/koalatcraft INSTAGRAM - instagram.com/koalatcrafts PATREON - Patreon.com/koalatcrafts

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE:

When I need certain supplies I turn to Amazon because they have a great range of supplies, in one place,

that's easy to navigate, and I am able to find what I need with ease. I am part of various affiliate programs

including Amazon – when you click on an affiliate link and then go on to make a purchase, at no cost to you, 

I receive a small commission. I use the money raised towards the cost of running this blog. I hope if you like 

the content of my blog, you will support me by clicking through these links to make your purchases. 

Thank you!

Jen xoxo

Die Cutter Comparison / Cuttlebug, Big Shot, Silhouette and more!

Die Cutter Comparison

What qualities are on the top of your list?

As I stated in a previous blog, the Gemini Junior interested me. I have to consider space in my shrinking craft room and decide if its features were better than my 10-year-old Big Shot. My Sizzix Big Shot has been there through thick and thin, literally!

I found out that there are quite a few die cutting machines. Each has just that one thing that makes it unique. Although I am most interested to see how the Gemini Junior stands up next to my Big Shot, I looked at the details about other popular machines. 

This is a summary of what I found out. 

The Cricut Cuttlebug and the Sizzix Big Shot

The Cuttlebug and the Big Shot are very similar. The Big Shot is a tad bit bigger and heavier with a longer base plate allowing it to cut thicker, denser items. The Cuttlebug is more portable. Both can use embossing folders. Both are manual machines. The prices are comparable. 

Cricut Cuttlebug

Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Machine

The Tim Holtz Vagabond

The Vagabond 2 does the same exact thing, cut and emboss, as the Cuttlebug and Big Shot but it is 7 pounds heavier. It is electronic, a push of a button sends your dies through. Even so, the Vagabond does not have a way to stop if base plates and dies are too thick. Both the Big Shot and the Vagabond 2 are able to use steel rule dies for die cutting. The Vagabonds price can run about double that of the Cuttlebug or Big Shot.

Vagabond 2

The Spellbinders Grand Calibur

The Grand Calibur by Spellbinders is NOT an electronic machine as stated in the chart above. It is a manual, hand crank die cutting and embossing machine. Its base size is slightly wider giving it the ability to cut an 8.5"x 11" piece of cardstock. This allows the Grand Calibur to cut multiple dies at one pass. It has the ability to cut the same materials as the Big Shot and Cuttlebug ie; double thickness of cardstock, sticker-backed papers, fabric, vellum, acetate and more. It is comparable in price to the Big Shot and Cuttlebug.

Grand Calibur,
Cutting and Embossing Machine

The Silhouette Cameo 3 and the Cricut Explore Air 2

The Silhouette Cameo 3 and the Cricut Explore Air 2 are twice as long as the Big Shot though they have a low profile. They are very similar in base size cutting 12"x 12" cardstock. They are both electronic and are wireless to the computer which allows them to be programmed to cut intricate or simple designs, download images from websites to cut and the ability to draw and color digital designs. They are able to heat emboss by drawing your design with a Versamark pen. You add the powder and your heat gun. They also can make a  raised design by using a special stylus instead of a blade. They DO NOT use embossing folders. Both are able to cut similar items from double cardstock to vinyl to fabric and leather. They also had the same price when I checked Amazon, 3 times more than the Big Shot and Cuttlebug.

Silhouette Cameo 3 electronicDie Cut Machine

Cricut Explore Air 2Die Cutting Machine

The Gemini Junior

The Gemini Junior is also electronic. It is smaller in size than the Big Shot, 10.5"x 5.6" and 7" tall. It weighs as much as a gallon of milk. Although a smaller size means the base plate is smaller as well, it has the strength and ability to cut the same items as the Silhouette and Cricut Explore Air as well as jeans, 5 layers of cotton fabric and balsa wood. Even so, it's specialty is very intricate die cutting. The price is about double that of the Big Shot and Cuttlebug.

Gemini Junior

  


Take note of the qualities you are looking for in a die cutting and embossing machine. Do some research on the one you are interested in. Amazon carries almost all of the machines in the chart. They are the ones I summarized! Amazon gives quite a bit of information on each machine all in one place. This purchase is definitely an investment in your craft. 


By NO MEANS are these the only die cutting machines out there and many DO NOT emboss; Brother Scan and Cut 2, We R Memory Keepers Evolution Advanced, Cheery Lynn Designs Big Sister, Spellbinders Prizm, Sizzix Sidekick, Cricut Explore Air, Big Shot Plus and the list goes on...

What is Patreon?

For those that were hanging out on the Koala T Craft's Patreon Facebook Page last Saturday afternoon, you were treated to an exclusive video of DIY inks and alternative papers! What's the Koala T Craft's Patreon Group? When you make a monthly or one-time pledge, for as little as a $1.00, you are able to access special videos, additional swaps like the Envelope Challenge and just hang out and have fun! Your support helps Jen continue with her tutorials! Sign up at Patreon!   https://www.patreon.com/koalatcrafts


You are cordially invited to join the Facebook Community for Koala T Crafts. Clicking on the picture below will take you there!

Koala T Crafts

Remember to watch Koala T Crafts onYouTube Wednesdays and Fridays at 5:00pm CST. Jen goes LIVE to chat with the viewers as she creates and teaches!

Good things come to those that create!  Artistically Yours,

Click on me to go to the Original
Koala T Crafts Store!

Click Here to Visit the New Koala T Crafts Store!

Sites quoted:

1. Silhouette America  https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/

2. Cricut  http://shop.cricut.com/

3. Cuttlebug https://shop.cricut.com/

4.  Spelllbinders   https://www.spellbinderspaperarts.com/

5. Sizzix Vagabond 2  https://www.sizzix.com/

6. Crafter's Companion  Crafter's Companion

Join Jen on Social Media!

YOUTUBE: youtube.com/jenevers

PINTEREST: pinterest.com/koalatcrafts

TWITTER: twitter.com/koalatcrafts

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/koalatcrafts

PATREON: patreon.com/koalatcrafts

FACEBOOK: facebook.com/koalatcraft

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE:

When I need certain supplies I turn to Amazon because they have a great range of supplies, in one place,

that's easy to navigate, and I am able to find what I need with ease. I am part of various affiliate programs
including Amazon – when you click on an affiliate link and then go on to make a purchase, at no cost to you, 
I receive a small commission. I use the money raised towards the cost of running this blog. I hope if you like 
the content of my blog, you will support me by clicking through these links to make your purchases. 

Thank you!

Jen xoxo

ALCOHOL INKS AND YUPO PAPER SERIES WEEK #1: DIY Alcohol Inks and Alternative Products

ALCOHOL INKS AND YUPO PAPER SERIES:

WEEK #1 DIY Alcohol Inks and

Alternative Products

How very exciting, using alcohol inks and Yupo paper to create beautiful printed paper! It is so fun to watch how the inks move across and around the Yupo paper! Each and every time you use a clean piece of paper, a new, unique design is created! It's so very satisfying to make your own patterned paper. Just think of the possibilities!

DIY Alcohol inks with
Alternative Products

Jen has started a series of tutorials showcasing Alcohol Inks and Yupo Paper! BEWARE! She tells us that this technique is very addicting! It can also be expensive acquiring all the needed supplies. During Free Play Friday, Jen gave us some tips and tricks to DIY the materials for crafting our own beautiful designs! 

What alcohol do I use?

Use any 91% Isopropyl alcohol you may have or pick up an inexpensive brand from your local market or pharmacy. This will be the main ingredient in your DIY alcohol ink. 

What Markers can be used

Now, you get to pull apart markers! Use pliers to do this, making sure to wipe it between colors. What markers is she recommending?  Jen starts with water-based markers like Sargent and Crayola. 

Beadalon Slim Chain Nose PLIERS 

                                                                               

Crayola Permanent Markers

Sargent Washable Markers

She mixes them with the alcohol in 30ml. Plastic Squeezable Dropper bottles to create her DIY sprays inexpensively.

30ml plastic Squeezable
Dropper Bottles

Jen uses some alcohol-based markers, like Ohuhu, takes them apart and adds alcohol. She tests them against the water-based marker solution and then upon the different surfaces. I wonder what the difference will be in the papers. 

Ohuhu Alcohol Markers

While the mixtures are sitting, she explains the special properties of Yupo paper. Yupo paper allows the alcohol inks to move the way they do on the surface. There is also a couple cheaper versions. One is Dura-Lar Film and it is available on Amazon!

9"x12 " Dura-Lar Film,25 sheets

What heat gun works best?

She also goes through the benefits of using Ranger's Heat It Craft Tool. If you use your regular heat gun, the one you use for heat embossing, it blows your paper around, can blow your ink right off the paper and even melt it if held in one place for too long!  How do you dry puddles of ink? What is so special about this heat gun?

Ranger's Heat it Craft Tool

                                                                                                           

Are you curious about how to pull apart a marker? 

What are the surfaces Jen experiments with?

What does it look like when the ink is applied to the Yupo paper? 

What hat is Jen wearing?

If you'd like the answer to these questions and more, Jen invites you to watch the whole video! Clicking below will take you right there!

#1 DIY Alcohol Inks and Alternative Products Tutorial

Results after mixing DIY alcohol inks 
with alcohol on the back of what type of paper?

This series continues Fridays at 5:00pm CST on Friday Free Play! Remember to watch Koala T Crafts on Wednesdays at 5:00pm CST for One in 10 by Jen: Card InJENuity from mailbox to masterpiece!

You are cordially invited to join Koala T Crafts Facebook group! Be inspired by like-minded crafters and fun activities! 

Click to join Koala T Crafts Facebook Page

I am very interested to try this craft and I look forward to the rest of the series! Are you? 

Great things happen to those that create! Artistically Yours,

Click on me to go to the Original Koala T Crafts Store

*** *** ***VISIT JEN ON SOCIAL MEDIA!!*** *** ***

PINTEREST - pinterest.com/koalatcrafts TWITTER - twitter.com/koalatcrafts FACEBOOK - facebook.com/koalatcraft INSTAGRAM - instagram.com/koalatcrafts PATREON - Patreon.com/koalatcrafts

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE:

When I need certain supplies I turn to Amazon because they have a great range of supplies, in one place,

that's easy to navigate, and I am able to find what I need with ease. I am part of various affiliate programs

including Amazon – when you click on an affiliate link and then go on to make a purchase, at no cost to you, 

I receive a small commission. I use the money raised towards the cost of running this blog. I hope if you like 

the content of my blog, you will support me by clicking through these links to make your purchases. 

Thank you!

Jen xoxo