2021 Topic 4 Free to Fly with EAB {by Nikki Acton}

  2021 Topic 4: Free to Fly

Watching gel prints emerge from a gel plate is mesmerising enough, but adding in alcohol inks and stencils has taken Nikki's master boards to a new height. You'll be as intrigued as I am with this technique that's resulted in such beautiful cards that are harmonious in every way.
~ Keren

Hi, Nikki here from Addicted to Art sharing some 'Free to Fly' cards today, featuring quotes from 'The Happiness Edition'.

For these designs I have used alcohol inks on a gel plate to create some master boards. I was inspired by a Facebook Live on Stampers Grove Facebook page by Kate Crane. Kate demonstrated her technique for combining the alcohol inks with paint to pull prints. You can find Kate's technique here. I loved the grungy and slightly unpredictable nature of the results so just had to give it a go!

I love the organic feel of these prints, that have a matt quality (thanks to the Fresco paint!). I did a set in blues and a set in red/oranges.

 

My alcohol ink supplies are limited and old - so I just used what I had. I used PaperArtsy Fresco Acrylic Paint in Vanilla, along with 2 stencils PS102 (Sara Naumann) and PS147 (JOFY).

When I had all my prints (including the 'Ghost' Prints - ie the second print off the plate), I created by designs using ovals and layers to create two similar but different designs. I stamped the butterflies from ESC23 (Scrapcosy) onto the lighter, but coordinating ghost prints.

 

The quotes are from Alison Bomber's 'The Happiness Edition' EAB14. I wanted these to be quite dominant in the composition so mounted them on foam tape to create added dimension to the cards. 

If you have alcohol inks give them a go with Fresco Acrylics on your gel plate - the results are rewarding and fun! If not, any gel prints or other master boards could be used in the same way to create these coordinated cards. 

Enjoy!

Nikki x

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