2016 #22 Tiled Frame {by Ruth Mescall}

2016 Topic 22: Alcohol Inks and Pens

Hi everyone Ruth here this evening to share a post with you where I've used alcohol inked acrylic tiles to provide a background that makes the bright white images of Darcy's stamps just pop. Every time I use alcohol inks I think I should play with them more often, I just love the vibrant colours and effects they produce. 

I've created a tiled frame and chose to use tiles for a few reasons. I'm drawn to geometric designs so there is something very satisfying about fitting different sizes and shapes into a square frame, it also meant I could use lots of different colours and images. Darcy's designs work so well with this technique as they are bold enough to show up when embossed whilst having the detail which isn't lost on the small tiles.

Step One: I had a hardboard recessed frame and before I did any painting or inking I placed the tiles in a pleasing arrangement and took a picture for reference. It left a small space which I could pop a word into later.

Step Two: I used ink colours too numerous to mention but stuck to colour families for the tiles. Applying ink in the usual way with a felt applicator I covered the surface of the tile and once dry added more. I also used alcohol Ink blending solution on some of them. The picture shows the tiles turned over ready for stamping.

Step Three: I painted the frame with a mixture of fresco finish snowflake paint and fresco finish pearl glaze to give a subtle shimmer. Once dry I repeat stamped the flower spray from EDY09 in versamark ink and then heat embossed the images with a sparkling white embossing powder.

EDY09

Step Four: Next I had fun choosing the images, I used images from EDY09, EDY11 and EDY13 and heat embossed them in the same way as the previous step. It takes a bit of care as you need to emboss them from further away to avoid melting the acrylic tile. 

EDY11

EDY13

Step Five: Once cool, I adhered them with a thin spread of glossy accents, it allows a little bit of time for moving them into place.

Step Six: To finish I used a word from one of the phrases to stamp onto tissue in blue archival ink and then glue in place with matte medium. I always think heat embossing is magical so ‘magic’ seemed the right word to complete the frame.

I used sparkly embossing powder as I thought it would give a frosty feel and could be adapted for Christmas projects but metallics or black would also work well.

Instead of stamping on the front you could also try stamping in black on the back or inked part of the tile. If you use archival on the inked surface and then wipe the stamped image away it will give a subtle ghost image but there are lots of ways to play with ink on transparent surfaces and I hope you might be inspired to have some inky fun and join in with the challenge.

Ruth

Fabulous Ruth, great techniques. The final piece does look all magical and snowy, like snippets from a garden taken just after a snowfall. I love seeing just parts of stamps used, it always looks interesting. ~Darcy

All of our bloggers love to see your twist on their ideas, particularly if you were inspired directly by their post; so please spare a moment to comment or make your own creative item. They all love to see your feedback and what you can do more than you realise!

We would love to see how you interpret this Alcohol Ink and Pens topic by linking what you make to our 2016 Challenge #22: Alcohol Ink and Pens on this page HERE. The Alcohol Ink and Pens link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, Nov 27th 2016. The winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

All links go in the draw to win a £50 voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store.