Alcohol ink backgrounds

[@lindadesgroseilliers17]

I realize this video is a few months old and you many have done more with alcohol inks since you did this one but wanted to mention a couple of things. I've been working with alcohol inks for the last 15 years. Not all photographic paper brands work the same with alcohol inks. I've tried several different brands and have had varying degrees of success. One comment said she has success using the back side of the photo paper - I've never had that work for me, just different success with different brands. I tend to use isopropyl alcohol (prefer 99% but it was difficult to find during the pandemic) because of the expense of the Ranger Alcohol Blending Solution. One big difference with the Blending Solution is that it contains resin. That is the reason there is a warning (or at least there used to be) on the bottle not to use it with a mister/sprayer - can be harmful to the lungs if inhaled. I keep a mister bottle of the isopropyl alcohol handy - it gives a magical, soft effect to a a piece of alcohol inked "paper". I've used Yupo for years, started using it as a substrate for watercolor paintings, so it was a natural for me to use with alcohol inks. It was originally used to print the advertising signs that businesses used to have attached to the sides of cars or vans with magnets. Now the price has skyrocketed because crafters have discovered it, lol. I really enjoy your tutorials and apologize for "high-jacking" your comments section, but thought some might find the information handy.

[@Chrissieannie]

Wonderful and most helpful comments, thank you for taking the time to contribute. I'm sure it will be of great interest and help to many!😊😊😊

[@Richiedei50]

@@ChrissieannieI also use the back of photo paper as I hate using plastics wherever possible. I’ve found that the heavier sheets work better.

[@donnahoye-970]

I can’t tell you how much I have learned from your videos. I can also see the actual size of the die cuts you use. Thanks for all of your card ideas and videos.

[@Chrissieannie]

That's great, thank you 😊

[@shellyrene5708]

I adore your videos, your patient method of explaining steps and your humor - very calming

[@Chrissieannie]

Thanks so much, that's so kind of you. ❤️❤️❤️

[@susiea8116]

Oh my goodness, I loved this so much. What a great little chuckle before bed. You always bring so much fun to learning. Thank you for another great video. ❤️

[@helensheppard8435]

The alcohol inks on vellum is just gorgeous. The guilding flakes go everywhere hehe! Beautiful backgrounds.

[@Chrissieannie]

You are right... Gilding flakes have a mind of their own!!!!

[@--JoJo--]

Great video! I need to try some gilding and appreciate your humour and demonstration using it. I’m sure I’d end up with a mess as well. Thanks for sharing!

[@cindypaulson5576]

I made these the other day and now I can't STOP!! They are the most beautiful cards! I Love all of your ideas they are ALL so LOVELY!!!!

[@Chrissieannie]

It's great to hear you're having fun! ♥️♥️♥️

[@sharoncooper9593]

I just found your link today and I think you are absolutely adorable and your ideas are over the top fantastic. I love your voice and your hands and your techniques and your positive delightful attitude. So glad I found you.

[@Chrissieannie]

This is so good to hear... Thank you!

[@lisacutten5573]

Thank you for the demonstration and comparison. I just bought some alcohol inks and have played with them just a little. You are an inspiration!

[@Chrissieannie]

Thanks so much!

[@Bellbirdblue]

I’ve recently discovered your channel and I’m really enjoying your easy watch videos. It’s fun seeing the experiments, especially when I can’t get to the craft room. It feels like I’m participating anyway 😊

[@Chrissieannie]

That’s wonderful, I’m delighted that you are enjoying being with me in my crafting!

[@shelleybluebell397]

Oh made me smile as I too did a similar thing - turned a fan on in the summer whilst using gilding flakes and whoosh, craft room was covered!! I do enjoy your videos x

[@Chrissieannie]

I'm so pleased you enjoy them!🙂

[@pauladyer9845]

Someone clued me in to use poster board…it works so fine…thanks for your experiment…when I use the gel I plate…I start with hand sanitizer..so fun

[@Chrissieannie]

I’ve done videos with the hand sanitizer hack ! Love it !

[@sherylefagan5132]

Oh my goodness that background paper was stunning I love the gilding flakes on it that just made it and I have to give that a try… Love love love your videos I look forward to seeing every single one of them

[@Chrissieannie]

That's so good to hear, thank you! 💚💚💚

[@MargaretMcGee1]

Thank you, I like how you used gilding flakes rather than foil sheets. To seal the alcohol inked backgrounds I rub petroleum jelly over the dried ink and burnish it with a paper towel. It works great and does not come off. I use 91% or 99% alcohol w/ $1.00 store semi gloss poster card and it works very similar to Yupo & blending solution.

[@Chrissieannie]

This is all worth knowing, thanks so much!

[@margaretcapill3543]

You brighten my day while watching your card making. Todays looked like so much fun. I'm going to get some alcohol inks soon. Keep up the entertainment.

[@Chrissieannie]

That’s really kind thank you!

[@usherl250]

Pretty backgrounds, love the color combinations

[@Chrissieannie]

Thank you

[@mangobaby2]

Then a little blower thing from Tim Holtz was used to blow it around. Don’t remember the name of it, lol.

[@sianhope2505]

Thanks Chris, great tutorial. I bought some gilding flakes a while back not sure why at the time as I didn't have a clue what to do with them!

[@Chrissieannie]

They are lovely, I haven't used them for a while I must use them as they are supposed to be used!

[@amandalock9510]

Finally had an opportunity to view this video Chrissie! I did enjoy it! Alcohol ink backgrounds are amazing. Love the gilding flakes with it for a bit of veining through the colours. Have you tried silver flakes? I’d love to see how that works with the inks. Possibly with some soft wistful colours? Just trying to tempt you ….🥰😉😉😘

[@mariabuglione4652]

Your style of card are so classy,I think you are amazing

[@Chrissieannie]

That’s really kind thank you🥰

[@paulwilliamford6789]

Love the knot Chrissie. 👍

[@Chrissieannie]

😊

[@fionawalker8184]

Thank you for sharing! I use the photo paper on the wrong side and then it works just like the Yupo paper. The shinny side is designed to absorb ink quickly for photo printing.

[@Chrissieannie]

I discovered this since making the video, it's a great tip I picked up from another commenter. Thanks so much!

[@nancyglaspie6735]

I use dollar store poster board and vellum. I do put a bit of alcohol down first, then ink. The guilding looks great!

[@LadyJP6969]

This is Awesome Ms. Chrissie Thanks!!!

[@Chrissieannie]

You are so welcome!

[@peggysuerice5565]

What fun! The inks will move better on photo paper when you use the backside instead of the glossy.

[@sheilayoung6552]

What a lovely idea! Thank you for the tips. I need to buy some alcohol ink!!! X

[@Chrissieannie]

It's fun! 😊😊😊

[@Cyrilmc222004]

Thank you so much Christine for sharing your technique’s with us all. I really really love ❤️ the results. You could probably seal the backgrounds with cheap hairspray too? I think they’re going to be fabulous as card’s. Please stay safe and well too xxx Mags

[@Chrissieannie]

I often use hairspray as a fixative! 😊😊😊 thank you ❤️

[@lindabarrett7543]

that was really helpful thank you. In inspiration as usual. xx

[@Chrissieannie]

You are so welcome!

[@handmadebyshirley3715]

This is so effective, love all the cells it creates with the alcohol inks & blending solution and the added gilding flakes, tried something similar myself, great end result 😊

[@Chrissieannie]

That's good to know thank you! 💚💚💚

[@elainedelworth7621]

The vellum turned out much better than i was expecting :-) I did have to chuckle at the gilding flakes, last time i used them i forgot to close the window and needless to say i was finding them everywhere for weeks lol

[@Chrissieannie]

It did makes me laugh... I'm getting old!

[@helenbates5940]

I love how you got into a pickle, as much as I do with Gilding flakes. The finished results were fab.

[@Chrissieannie]

It's fun isn't it! 😄

[@Chrissieannie]

It's fun isn't it! 😄

[@shelleyhenry4846]

I’ve done the same thing using photo paper with some leftover bits of hot foil and applying it while it’s still damp.

[@Chrissieannie]

Excellent

[@annevancingel8250]

Thank you for sharing, Chris

[@barbbassano1417]

That was really a interesting video, thank You

[@Chrissieannie]

Thank you♥️♥️♥️

[@badsworthcats]

U can get isopropyl from Amazon U.K. I bought it originally to refresh some dried pens. It’s not expensive.

[@Chrissieannie]

👍

[@lindabunce5133]

The second you said you would speed up the drying, I was chuckling as I noticed the flakes lid on your table! I've lost many a flakes that way. I believe I prefer the vellum look the best....probably because the cost is less than Yupo. I've also used the inks on foil paper with great success also.

[@Chrissieannie]

I use them on mirror card too... I love that effect!

[@patriciaandrews2007]

Tried this on photo paper yesterday and it works very well if you wet the paper first with alcohol and I did use isopropyl alcohol x

[@Chrissieannie]

Great stuff! ♥️

[@amandalock9510]

Finally have had an opportunity to view this video Chrissie and I love it. The gilding flakes leave a wonderful veined effect which is quite beautiful. Have you tried it with silver flakes and some soft colours? Just trying to tempt you to do a variation …. It certainly looks amazing with the gold and the strong colours. Thank you for making it. My apologies if this comment somehow appears twice. I seem to have lost it the first time I tried to post it.

[@Chrissieannie]

Do you know I don't think I have any 'soft' colours of alcohol ink, I certainly will have to investigate this thought! Thank you !

[@patriciaandrews2007]

You can get isopropyl alcohol in uk!

[@jillianselwood]

Brilliant tutorial as always Chris. I always use a shallow box when I work with gilding flakes although they still get everywhere!

[@Chrissieannie]

I got most of them back in the pot🤣

[@jillianselwood]

@@Chrissieannie well done 😁

[@kirriesummers5219]

As I watched that poor wee photo paper do not much, I wondered if it could be dampened with alcohol before the inks are added. I can't try myself; my inks are packed so I can move once my house is sold. As always, thank you so much. 😊

[@Chrissieannie]

The wrong side of photographic paper works brilliantly!

[@mangobaby2]

I’ve seen that done with a blending solution done first

[@Chrissieannie]

There are lots of variations for most techniques!

[@floradiamonds]

Amazon sell isopropyl, I have a large bottle from them. Apparently hand sanitizer works well for alcohol inks, though I haven't tried it. I've had a go with photographic paper but can't make it work, so I must keep at it until it does 🥴

[@Chrissieannie]

The reverse side of photographic paper works well!

[@floradiamonds]

@@Chrissieannie It didn't for me so it might have been the inks. Cheap and cheerful from Amazon, maybe too cheap?

[@Chrissieannie]

Who knows, but I had success with the photographic paper which is much cheaper than yupo!

[@floradiamonds]

@@Chrissieannie I saw that, which is why I wonder if it's the ink at fault; I've never used Yupo, it costs too much for me but I can buy decent quality photographic paper in my local Poundland, so if I mess up my masterwork (🥴) it's not a problem.

[@Chrissieannie]

Wishing you success!

[@danielapagliaro8025]

Gorgeous cards! Could you please tell me what the die is you used for the leaves on the green card? Thank you!

[@Chrissieannie]

Thanks so much 💚💚💚 www.simonsaysstamp.com/product/Memory-Box-FRESH-FOLIAGE-Craft-DIE-98502-52186?currency=USD

[@knackability7098]

Thank you, I'm in need of a simple and elegant card right now and I think this will be perfect. I was wondering, if putting the alcohol solution down first on the photo paper would help the alcohol ink move around more?

[@Chrissieannie]

That works too, just go for it, the result is different every time!

[@loua3926]

Don’t sneeze 🤧 😂

[@Chrissieannie]

Exactly!

[@jillclaydon]

The velum looks like a skull wearing headphones.

[@Chrissieannie]

I saw a skull shape too!

[@sandypritchard311]

Haven’t had a try of alcohol inks as I have heard you need to be in a well ventilated area…did you find fumes a problem ?

[@Chrissieannie]

I don't notice any fumes when working with alcohol inks, but the advice to work in a ventilated area is always sound, it doesn't mean you have to work in a barn however, just having a window open would be sufficient.

[@bobbivee515]

Hi Christine Your cover plate is quite unique. Did you create it yourself? I’ve been racking my brain to come with a way to use a partial cover plate but it’s just not happening. Can you help. Thanks Bobbi

[@Chrissieannie]

I’m not quite sure what you mean by my cover plate, can you give me some more info?

[@bobbivee515]

Ok here we go. What do you call the white card with the holes that you put over the alcohol ink background? I thought it was a background die or a cover plate that you have blocked in some way. But maybe it’s just a fabulous die!

[@Chrissieannie]

Ok, I cut a square panel slightly smaller than the front of the card, cut a round aperture in that with a circular die. The leaves are from another die which were just adhered partially over the aperture. Does that answer your query?

[@laurelpeterson1358]

I was told to you to use the alcohol with an air roofer just a thought.

[@Chrissieannie]

Don't know what an air roofer is!?! 😕

[@laurelpeterson1358]

@@Chrissieannie ment to puffer or blow into a straw to move the ink sorry for miss print

[@Chrissieannie]

I have done that too, it just depends what effect you want... Is all fun!

[@sallyhickling5410]

I have Yupo paper but my ink does not disperse like yours seems to be doing. Are there different types of Yupo, or had you pretreated the paper with anything?

[@Chrissieannie]

I really don't know the answer to this one, maybe the kind of ink you are using? Sorry!

[@barbbryant1319]

Using foil instead of gilding flakes, saves some messiness.

[@Chrissieannie]

But not so much fun!🤣🤣🤣

[@big.fan.of.justice5754]

Do you have Insta or pics of your finished cards?

[@Chrissieannie]

I have Instagram! I don’t always remember to put them on as I only started using it recently!

[@big.fan.of.justice5754]

@@Chrissieannie going to search for you now on insta!

[@Chrissieannie]

Look for chrissiejob