Faux Batik Wings

This is one of the first techniques I ever learned using alcohol inks, and I never tire of it because it turns out a little different every time.  In the class I took many years ago from Peg Robinson, she called if Faux Batik, but it's also called Faux Bleach.   Today I wanted to try a variation of the technique using my Spectrum Noir refills and markers.

I started with one of the lighter colored large tags from the Large Tag Package from Crafter's companion (love that you get two colors and lots of sizes).  I stamped the medium Feather from Falling Feathers multiple times using Versamark Ink and then clear embossed.

Next I took my Pale Pink #5 (PP5) Spectrum Noir marker and colored in the feathers … no need to be neat … I just want a bit more pink to show on the feathers when I'm finished.

I inked a felt pad using drops of
Blue Turquoise #7 (BT&) and Flesh #6 (FS) reinkers and then added a few drops of blender solution.

I dabbed the ink around the tag, rotating it slightly with each dab, until the entire tag was covered.

Several companies I purchase products from use plain newsprint as packing paper, so I always save it for this technique.  If you want to stamp on your tag after ironing, make sure you don't have any wrinkles in your paper (so you get full removal of the embossing powder), but if you don't plan on stamping on it, wrinkles work fine.  You can also used cardstock or typing paper, but I learned with newsprint originally, so that's what I prefer.

I have an iron that I found at a yard sale for a $1.00 that I use solely for crafty techniques.  Since the embossing powder will melt through the paper, I fold it between several layers before ironing with the embossed side facing the iron.

Your first layer of paper should look something like this after ironing.  Make sure you remove it while it's still hot … if it's sticking a bit, iron again to melt it again.

I love how those feathers pop once the embossing powder is removed.

For my final step, I put a few drops of Blender fluid on a dry baby wipe and went around the edges of the tag to fade out the colors a bit more for a softer effect.  I stamped the sentiment from Divine Inspiration on a smaller tag with India Ink and then clear embossed before trimming and attaching with foam tape.

I finished by attaching the entire tag to the card front with more foam tape and accenting with a few pink pearls and pink ribbon.  This will be a great card for my Chemo Angel volunteering.