The NEW 2021-2022 Annual Stampin’ Up! catalog is absolutely fabulous. So many great bundles and the Designer Series Papers are without equal in beauty. I grabbed the Hand-Penned Petals bundle for today’s adventure in painting with Stampin’ Blends. The images are open and have just enough detail to make this easy.
The catalog cover inspired me to try the alcohol ink technique. I am no expert but I am certainly having fun watching the ink move and the images come alive as they dry.
** VIEW THE ANNUAL CATALOG 2021-2022 ONLINE HERE **
Here are my cards using the Hand-Penned Petals image as a starting point.
Let’s get started creating.
Painting with Stampin’ Blends and Alcohol
Grab you favorite combination of Stampin’ Blends. These are the combinations that I chose.
Card #1 
Card #2
You will also need:
- 91% isopropyl alcohol (2). TIP: Use a small container like a 1-ounce portion cup. Keep one clean and use the other like water in watercolor painting.
- Paper towel or lint-free cloth. HINT: Use an old cut-up 100% cotton t-shirt folded into a nice square. This will be used to wipe the brush.
- Cotton Swabs. Use these to pick up any overzealous alcohol drips or runs.
- 2 watercolor brushes. Alcohol is tough on brushes. You do not need expensive brushes. TIP: I prefer to have a pointy tip brush for control.
- Vellum – TIP: Cut 8-12″ x 11″ sheets in quarters (4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″) to make it easier to use.
- Neutral ink pad. I used Basic Gray because I think it blends well with pinks and purples. If you are using yellows or oranges, try Gray Granite.
- Craft Mat. It will be easier to pick up the painted vellum. If you prefer a non-flexible surface, use a clipboard or the cardboard backing from your Paper Pumpkin kit. (Nothing goes to waste!)
Let’s begin the technique
Stamp the image onto the vellum. Let dry. Lay down a little scribble of color on the petals and leaves of your image as shown. TIP: Use the side of the brush end of the Stampin’ Blend to preserve the tip.
Working around the image in non-adjacent areas, add little drops of alcohol. The color will move to the edges of the drip. Use the brush to push the color if desired. Let each area dry before working on the adjacent area. It takes less than a minute to dry depending on how much alcohol you use.
Not particularly pretty here. I definitely need to add more layers of color. That is easy to do. Repeat the process of scribbling on some color and moving it with the alcohol.
I used a fine tip brush to flick some alcohol ink over the entire image to get the dew drop effect.
Add a layer of Basic White cardstock to the back of the painted vellum to really make the colors pop.
Just like in nature, no two will ever be the same. That is the beauty of alcohol ink painting. I hope you give this a try. If you need any Stampin’ Up! supplies, just head over to my shop by clicking on any of the product links or HERE.
Assembling the Cards
Card #1
- Thick Basic White cardstock (card base): 4-1/4″ x 11″ scored at 5-1/2″
- Basic White cardstock: 2-3/4″ x 4″ embossed with Painted Texture embossing folder
- Mossy Meadow cardstock: 3″ x 4-1/4″ plus scrap for leaf and sentiment
- Rough up edges of the card panels with the edge of the Paper Snips
- Stamp the sentiment with white ink and heat emboss with white embossing powder
- Die-cut the painted image (backed by the Basic White cardstock) using the Penned Petal dies
- Layer with Dimensionals
- Add a bow using the white 1/4″ crinkle ribbon and a Bumblebee trinket (adhere with glue dots)
Card #2
- Thick Basic White cardstock (card base): 4-1/4″ x 11″ scored at 5-1/2″
- Basic White cardstock: 3-3/4″ x 5″
- Mossy Meadow cardstock: 3/8″ larger than Basic White panel plus scrap for sentiment
- Fresh Freesia cardstock: 2″ x 5″ embossed with Dainty Diamond embossing folder (retired)
- Stamp the sentiment with white ink and heat emboss with white embossing powder
- Die-cut the painted image (backed by the Basic White cardstock) using the Penned Petal dies
- Layer with Dimensionals
- Die-cut foliage from Forever Flourishing dies. Snip apart and tuck behind the painted image.
- Add silver metallic thread, heart trinket and Artistry Blooms adhesive sequins to complete the look
I hope you enjoyed this project and will try your hand at painting with Stampin’ Blends and alcohol.
If you do not currently have a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, I would love to be your guide. Contact me anytime to place an order or use the Host Code in the sidebar ==>> to place your order. All orders will receive a thank you note from me and orders over $50 will receive a small gift.
Ann, I think that these cards using the alcohol technique are just beautiful. Can you tell me how you attached the vellium to the white cardstock base so that your adhesive didn’t show. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you. To attach the vellum to the white backing, I used Multipurpose liquid glue. A VERY VERY thin coating over the entire backing of the vellum.
Wonderful directions! Thank you
Thank you, Jackie. I hope that you give painting with Blends a try.
Your card is beautiful!! Thanks so much for sharing! I can’t wait to try.
I am thrilled that you are going to try this technique. It is so rewarding to layer on the color and watch a piece go from ‘meh’ to ‘wow’.
Thank you for sharing this technique. I cannot wait to try it!
You are welcome and I am sure you will have lots of fun with this technique.
Your cards are exquisite and should be hanging in a museum! Thank you for the great tips. What a wonderful treat for the eyes…thank for sharing.
Juanita, Thank you so much for your super kind comments. I need to be careful not to get an inflated ego. Please try the technique. We can hang our cards in the museum together. 🙂
Wow!!! Stunning. Can’t wait to try this. Thanks so much for sharing this
Thank you so very much for your enthusiasm. Please try this technique. It is very addicting.
Your cards are absolutely breathe taking!! I’m going to try my hand at your wonderful directions. Thank you for making them simple and for being so detailed!!
I am so glad that you will give painting with Stampin’ Blends and alcohol a whirl. That is quite a compliment indeed.
Oh my goodness!! I just saw your card on Mary Fish’s post and had to see more details. I absolutely think these are the most beautiful cards. Thank you so much for the detailed examples and tips! Cannot wait to try this technique. Thank you for sharing your talent!
Yeah! I am so glad that these have inspired you to try the technique.
OMG, Ann, your cards are STUNNING! I LOVE THEM BOTH! Your directions are so clear and YOU’VE INSPIRED ME to give this technique a try! Your results are so very lovely n’ I hope I can achieve something close! (Fingers crossed!) I like that you’ve only used a few simple embellishments so the PRETTY FLORAL IMAGE takes the spotlight! TFS, Ann, n’ HAPPY STAMPIN’ n’ CREATIN’!! Sending SMILES from Madison, WI! :-))))
I treasure your comments. Thank you. Inspiration and creative exploration is what we are all about. Smiling back at you from Crystal Lake, IL 🙂
These cards are beautiful and your tutorial is so easy to follow! Thank you for sharing these beautiful cards and instructions with us!
You are very welcome. I hope to continue to inspire and share.
Thank you so much Ann for sharing this technique! Beautiful!
You are welcome. I hope that you will try this technique. It is a lot of fun. And I am amazed at the variations that can be achieved.
Absolutely stunning Ann!! And your step by step directions make it so easy that we can all make a beautiful card. Thank you for sharing your talent!
You are so very welcome, Lee Ann. 🙂
Ann, Thank you for sharing this wonderful tutorial. You explain everything and lead us through your explanation so very clearly, including each detail. I love the technique and I’m off to my “studio” to follow your directions. I love the Hand Penned bundle. I have been working with the colored pencils and water for a watercolor effect, which I enjoy also, but love the look the alcohol gives. Thank you for sharing, especially to a fellow demonstrator without charging for the tutorial. You are amazing!!
You filled my heart with joy. I share because it makes me happy when I get comments like yours. Thank you.
Oh Ann these are the most beautiful cards I have seen in a long while from anyone. Thank You so much for sharing. I love the detailed instructions. I will be making these as soon as I can order the Hand Painted bundle. Thank you again
I am overjoyed. Thank you for bringing a smile to my heart today.
OMG- So amazing! Just sold me on that bundle. Can’t wait till we can play. You are quite the artist! Love this technique. Did I say I love this!
You are so kind. Thank you.