Month: November 2022

AECP ACCEPTED!

I submitted everything required and waited. Tonight I’m excited to announce, I got my acceptance letter! I’m so very honored to be starting my classes, learning from some of the most creative educators of the Altenew Educator Certification Program!

CRAFT YOUR SCRAPS

Sweet Pea Handmade Cards by Linda Fields

Don’t trash your scraps – turn them into something beautiful! I created this set of cards using Watercolor Paper, Altenew Sweet Pea Stamp & Die set, Spellbinders Nesting Square & Rectangular Die sets, Waffle Flower Painting Mats, Watercolor Pens by Altenew, Micron Illustration Pen, Archival Inks for stamping, Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Tim Holtz tools like the Cutter, Glass Mat, and Splatter Brush, then added Water Droplet Adornments last.

It was fun creating a new color by putting down the Autumn watercolor before painting a second, purple layer over the top. The two translucent color blended beautifully to create an amazing new color. I splattered left over, dried up watercolor paint for some of the backgrounds. I used cut up, black cardstock scraps, saved from cards I messed up. Speaking of which, when you mess up, and everyone does, find a new way to complete your card with whatever you have on hand. My last card is an example of just that. I ruined the front panel so I put down charcoal ink on its black mat instead and created the flower shadow background you see.

Challenge yourself! Create as many cards as you can with your leftovers. Turn your mistakes over and use the clean side! Even the smallest pieces can become a sentiment or part of a new design. Get creative and see what you end up with!

FALL IN LOVE

Handmade Slimline Card by Linda Fields

I’m created this card for the November 2022 Inspiration Challenge by Altenew.

MY MATERIALS

I like to gather all the materials I need first so my creative process won’t be interrupted. I used Yupo Paper but any non-porous substrate works when working with these wonderful inks. I used the Dark Chocolate, Buttercream, and Iceberg Alcohol Ink colors by Altenew. I also used Tim Holtz Alcohol Blending Solution, 91% Rubbing Alcohol, a special cut Cutip, a fine detail paintbrush, an Air Blower, Hair Dryer, a black Sakura Pigma Micron graphic pen, and an alcohol filled mister.

MY VISION

I wanted an organic, Autumn themed backdrop. I imagined a blue sky, misty lake, a vibrant brown cliff decorated with leaves from a sleepy tree and sunshine yellow highlights dance between the shadows. Want to try alcohol inks? My advice is to let go. Let the inks tell you what they want to be no matter what your vision is.

MY TIPS

Rubbing Alcohol is easy to find but at what percentage? The lower the percentage, most commonly found around 70%, the higher the water content to alcohol ratio. The higher the percentage, 91%+ is usually recommended, the higher the alcohol. More water means your piece will take longer to dry. Even your environment or the weather where you create can affect your inks. Is it too dry? Maybe too wet? Machines can be used to increase or decrease the humidity in your work space.

GET MOVING

Alcohol dilutes and lightens the inks. The sticky, blending solution has bonding resins so it’s perfect when you want to gradually blend one color into another. Don’t be afraid to experiment! Move your substrate and you’ll get different effects. Tilt it, bend it, rotate, blow or puff the inks. A few drops goes far. The darker, deeper colors have beautiful tones to discover when you thin the pigments. Remember, you can always add but you can’t always take away if you use too much. Don’t despair – you can literally start over with an alcohol swipe!

What happens when you mist your artwork with alcohol?

An amazing chemical reaction!

MY FINAL THOUGHTS

Use a detail brush dipped in alcohol to erase or change parts you don’t like. I used a Micron pen to draw the tree and leaves. Don’t get discouraged – this medium takes patience and practice but it’s so worth it. Fall In Love with alcohol inks.

Final Slimline Card with Black Mat on White Cardstock
DECEMBER UPDATE
I’m honored to be one out of four winners for the November Challenge

SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL

Sometimes the clean, simple designs are the most beautiful. I wanted a very graphic tone to showcase this beautiful butterfly. Introducing the Perspective Butterfly Thinlit Die from Sizzix. Measuring in at an amazing 6.25 x 5.25, I cut off the excess and put it on the matching envelope (not shown).

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

These beautiful, gold edged cards have matching slimline envelopes. I created them using Tim Holtz Stamps, Distress Inks, and Gold Embossing Powder.

SACRED SPACE

Digital Watercolor Flower by Linda Fields

Welcome! Feel free to walk around and invite your friends to join you! My sacred space is for creating art with heart. It’s not just fun but therapeutic. Enjoy handmade project tutorials, inspiring blogs, creative tips and innovative tricks.

LOVE YA!

This was so fun to make! I originally created this card for Altenew’s October Monthly Challenge. They have an inspirational contest every month. I used the Wallpaper Art Stamp & Die Set and Rock Garden Artist Alcohol Ink Marker set from Altenew for all the beautiful colors. I added Glimmer Drops for morning dew.