I'm loving the Yupo paper and can't stop playing with the alcohol inks - it's quite fascinating to watch the inks react on it and every piece turns out so different. If you haven't invested, I think it's a must-have in any craft room!
So on to my project.......A peaceful blue lagoon.
Yupo Paper
Alcohol inks & Blending Solution
Felt Blending Tool
Archival Inks - Jet Black, Red Geranium, Cobalt & Olive
Tropical Fish & smaller fish from the Harbour Scene Stamp Set
Large Fern from the Entwined Cats Set, branch from the Journaling stamp set & the Bubbles Stamp
Alphabet Word Chains Un-mounted Set
(See links below to the Claritystamp website for the above products)
Start by creating a watery background on Yupo paper using a selection of green & blue alcohol inks. I found the best way is to drip the lighter colours onto the paper first, then use a couple of drops of blending solution on a clean felt pad to dab & mix the colours as a base. I then gradually dripped more ink in each colour around the edges and dabbed lightly with a clean felt pad to mix the colours. I wanted a more watery look to the middle to create an aperture, so I dragged the felt pad with the blending solution lightly a few times in one direction across the centre.
The glory of this paper is that you can keep going and going - it will never give up creating new blends as you add to it! Wish I'd known about it long ago, so thank you to Barbara for the introduction to this on her blog!
Once you're happy with your underwater background, start stamping the seaweed. (Be careful not to slide on the smooth paper).
Colours I used - Olive for the branch, Red Geranium for the fern & Cobalt for the bubbles, the letters were stamped in Jet Black.
All the fish were stamped in Black Archival on different coloured pieces of scrap Yupo paper, orange & yellow inks for the large fish and the smaller fish and word on a contrasting blue/green piece.
Once the Archival ink is dry (takes a while), cut out the fish & word and arrange them to create your tropical lagoon. They can be stuck with a glue runner or a ballpoint-tip glue pen, either works well on this surface.
So that's it.......Ahhhh......very peaceful.
I think I'll look in the charity shops to find a suitable frame as I may well add this piece to the gallery in our bathroom - a lovely scene to look at whilst relaxing in a nice bubble bath.
Hope you get inspiration from this, and all the other lovely Design Team ladies blogs.
It would be lovely if you found time to join in the fun this month and share your artwork with us, and other fellow crafters on the Challenge Blog.
I look forward to seeing your projects over the coming weeks. You've got until 31st August to create something "fussy cut" from your Clarity stash.
Everyone's welcome to enter, so why not have a go?
Have a lovely day, Carole xxx
http://www.claritystamp.co.uk/Mounts-and-Card/20476-/Alcohol-Ink-Yupo-Paper---White---10-sheetshttp://www.claritystamp.co.uk/Ink/Adirondack-Alcohol-Inks
http://www.claritystamp.co.uk/Ink/Adirondack-Alcohol-Inks/12941-/Alcohol-Blending-Solution-UK-amp-EU-only
http://www.claritystamp.co.uk/Ink/Archival-Ink-Pads
http://www.claritystamp.co.uk/Information/Search/18489-/Tropical-Fish-amp-Coral---Unmounted-Clear-Stamp-Set
http://www.claritystamp.co.uk/Clear-Stamps/Miscellaneous-and-Travel/18563-/Large-Harbour-Scene---Unmounted-Clear-Stamp-Set
http://www.claritystamp.co.uk/Information/Search/20202-/Entwined-Cats---Unmounted-Clear-Stamp-Set
http://www.claritystamp.co.uk/Information/Search/5123-/Bubbles---Unmounted-Clear-Stamp
http://www.claritystamp.co.uk/Information/Search/15301-/Journaling---Unmounted-Clear-Stamp-Set
http://www.claritystamp.co.uk/Information/Search/19990-/Alphabet-Word-Chains---Unmounted-Clear-Stamp-Set
You're right this is a relaxing scene! I must get my Yupo paper out which I bought at an Open Day ! Thanks for the inspiration ! xx
ReplyDeleteIt's a fantastic product to work with - I find it mesmerizing to watch the inks react with the paper. You'll love it Jackie :-) x
DeleteThe Yupo/alcohol ink background is such a perfect partner for the fishy stamps. Your scene wafts you away to some tropical lagoon or failing that to the aquarium in the middle of the shopping mall in Dubai! Another super creation, Carole!;~}
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Shelagh. I've never been to Dubai, but I expect the aquarium you mention looks spectacular!
DeleteThe Yupo & inks led me to the fish stamps as I was playing with the colours. Loving this new addition to my craft stash :-) x
Fantastic art work I love the background. Xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Carol - Yupo is well worth trying! x
DeleteMy last entry was with alcohol inks, can't put it down after I tried it following Barbaras demo . I'm addicted to it .
ReplyDeleteJust sent in an order and now I wish I had added the fish . Loving this . Frame it for sure .
Thank you Jan. I'm with you, it is soooo addictive once you start. The fish do go really well on the Yupo backing. The Clarity mermaid would look great too if you have her?
DeleteI'll post a pic once I've framed it :-) x
I love the effect you have achieved with the alcohol inks. Only used them on acetate myself and then never sure how to attach it. Must try out the Yupo paper. A great project as usual Carole. x
ReplyDeleteThanks Lesley - Yupo is the way to go. It's fascinating to watch the inks react on the paper. Take care x
DeleteA great project Carole. I too love Yupo paper and inks - and the underwater effect you've achieved certainly is serene. x
ReplyDeleteThank you Angela - It's certainly my new favourite ingredient! :-) x
DeleteOh this is soo cool Carole - I would love to have time to have a play ---I have the ingredients waiting for me lol
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, thank you.
DeleteOnce you start with them, you won't be able to put them away, so set aside a lot of time! x
This is fabulous Carole; its like a tropical aquarium. The little fish are a great addition too. I have the yupo paper and a few alcohol inks, so I definitely need to give this a go. And if you can't find space for it!... x
ReplyDeleteThank you Barbara - you'll love the Yupo...once you start, it's knowing when to stop that's the problem! lol
DeleteI'm still looking for a frame for it :-) xxx
Carole, that is a stunning scene. Thank you for sharing it with us. I think my favourite project at the Retreat was the alcohol inks on Yupo. I have just gathered my inks and pads together ready to have another go. Thank you for your lovely comments on my challenge entry. I really enjoyed doing it. xxx Maggie
ReplyDeleteHave fun with them Maggie - I find them amazing to watch once they're added to the Yupo paper. I bought some thinner 110gsm paper from SAA.co.uk which is so much easier if you wanted to cut out for paper-piecing. You use up the Yupo paper in no time trying out all the different colour combinations!
DeleteDon't forget to "show & tell" once you've had a play! xxx