Paper and Fiber Arts: Magical Marker Techniques

Do you like to color? If so, do you have a favorite media to use? Pencils, markers, crayons, pastels, or a combination of things? A class I recently completed through the Altenew Academy, Magical Marker Techniques, was all about using alcohol-based markers. The focus was actually not on coloring but rather on how to use alcohol markers in other ways to apply color to paper. Many of the techniques would also work for water-based markers and pastels. Sometimes it is fun to get out your supplies and try using them in alternate ways. This card uses one of the ideas from the class. But first, let's do the background.

Background

Today's card has a randomly stamped background using the Build-A-Flower: Primrose stamp set from Altenew. The three floral outline images are stamped with black ink on a standard A2 card front in no particular fashion. When random stamping, it is important to stamp off the page and also to turn the stamps so they look different from their neighboring images. I love using Gina K. Designs Master Layouts to get clean, crisp cuts for layering the card fronts. The smaller size was used for the stamped background and the larger one was used to cut the turquoise layer. These are popped up with foam tape onto a white card base.

Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol

To make the ombre layer, I scribbled three different corresponding colors from Altenew's D set of Artist Markers onto a piece of plastic packaging that was destined for the trash. Then I spritzed some rubbing alcohol onto the plastic and smooshed the cardstock onto it. I repeated the spritzing of alcohol a couple of times because there was not enough liquid on the plastic to allow it to transfer to the paper. After allowing it to dry, I tore the edges and outlined the paper with one of the markers. It was a more intense color than I wanted so I sprayed the edges with the alcohol, as well. The Isopropyl I used is 70%, it comes in 91% also and is available at Target, pharmacies, and supermarkets.

The flower was made by stamping one of the same floral images, as was used on the background, onto a scrap of cardstock. This was stamped with Altenew's Permanent Black Ink because it is safe to use with alcohol markers. I used the same D set of markers and colored the flower with some of the pink shades. To give it the mottled/watercolory look, I spritzed it with the rubbing alcohol. When dry, I die cut it and popped it up onto the card with foam tape.

For the pearl center, I used one of the same pink markers and colored a self-adhesive pearl from my stash. The "Hello There" sentiment is from the same Primrose stamp set.