Time for a little alcochol .... inks that is

Happy Thursday .....

And a Happy 4th July to all you followers across the pond.  I hope you have a great day ..... enjoy your holiday celebrations

Before I leave for our little family trip, there's just time to tell you about this month's CAS Stencil Challenge.
Our host for July is Cathy, and what a theme we have for you .......... Alcohol Inks/Alcohol Lift

If you're like me and love Alcohol Inks but you just don't use them enough, well now's your chance.
Get out those little bottles of inky gorgeousness, your favourite stencils ......... and have some fun!

I've used the Alcohol Ink Pearls from Tim Holtz, onto YUPO paper.
These pretty inks came out a little while ago ......... they're just like the regular Alcohol Inks but, these give a soft pearlescent finish. Not sure it comes across in the photos that well though .....

I simply dropped a few colours onto the YUPO paper, added a little bit of Blending Solution into the mix, and then let the inks do the work.

Once it was all dry I took my floral stencil and laid it onto the YUPO, securing it with a little stencil tape.
I then put some of the Alcohol Lift Re-inker onto a foam applicator and gently dabbed it through the stencil design.  Less is definitley more with this, and be gentle.  Too much ink and it will seep underneath your stencil.  Also it's a good idea to keep cleaning the foam by dabbing it onto a paper towel, especially when you move on to a different colour.

You will see the design slowly getting lighter as you remove the alcohol ink.  Once your happy with it, remove the stencil.
Using a clean paper towel gently dab over the design to remove more of the alcohol ink.  At this stage DON'T RUB ...... just gently dab over the design, making sure to use a clean part of the paper towel as you move around the design.
Once all the ink has been removed and your paper towel comes away clean, then you can gently buff over the top to polish the ink.

I added a frame using a stitched border die cut ......

and a simple sentiment with a few sparkly gems to finish off .......

I hope I've inspired you to play along with this month's challenge ...... if you're still not sure check out the CAS Stencil challenge blog where you'll find links to some great videos on how to use Alcohol Inks and the Lift technique.
You'll also find more great designs on there from the rest of the Design Team.  And, you can meet our newest member.  The lovely Viv from Viv's Visuals has joined the CAS Stencil Team ..... welcome to the family Viv!

Thanks for popping by ...... enjoy the rest of your day.

It's been a busy one here already.  Nails done, trip into town for a little last minute shopping, the bank done, post office, a quick coffee with Lauren and that was all before lunchtime!  Time to finish the packing now.

We're away first thing tomorrow ..... we're on the morning ferry across to the UK.  Let's hope the water's calm!
After a quick stop off to see the in-laws, we're driving down to Norfolk, where on Saturday, we pick up our boat.

Yes, we're messing about on the river ......... the Walmsley family are cruising the Broads again!
Aye Aye Captain!!!

Cheerio until next time .......

Products used:
Stamps: Simple Strips BBackground (Taylored Expressions) and matching die
Inks: Alcohol Ink Pearls - Deception (pink), Alchemy (yellow), Splendor (orange) & Sublime (green); Blending Solution; Delicata Golden Glitz for the sentiment; Alcohol Lift Re-inker
Others: Tim Holtz Floral stencil; YUPO paper; Crazy Double Stitched Rectangle Nesting Dies (STAMPlorations)