Mixed Media Fish Collage

For this weeks Grungy Monday challenge not only did I learn a new technique I also found yet another Tim Holtz product to pine for…Alcohol ink!  Naturally since my Distress ink collection is nearly complete (must have one in EVERY color) now I need to start gathering colors of alcohol inks.  I had purchased the blending solution and applicator felt awhile back but somehow never got around to getting the ink.  After viewing Tim’s instructional video off to the craft store I went.  Fortunately all scrapbook supplies were on sale so I was able to jump-start my new collection.  First time using alcohol inks and I am HOOKED!

Color Color COLOR!!

I apologize for the splotchy photo…don’t worry I took detail shots  I think I got a little over zealous with the Metallic Mixatives…shiny things amuse me

Get Out of the Fishbowl

The inspiration for this piece came from a variety of places.   The overall concept came from this illustration I made in college.

I wish for Fish!!

The phrase “Get out of the Fishbowl” came from a dear friend of mine who always used to tell me that if I wanted to be happy in life I needed to “Get out of the Fishbowl”.  The illustration above was inspired by this as well as the new piece.  I stamped the magazine letters  on Ranger glossy cardstock that had been alcohol ink’da-fied, mounted them on grunge board and edged them with Black Soot distress ink.

I used my fishbowl stamp as a jumping off point and over a couple of days the whole thing just came together….seriously I have had this stamp since I was 11 it is nearly 20 yrs old…talk about staying power!!

The Fish Bowl

I had forgotten to pick up glossy card stock when I grabbed the ink and was trying to think of a suitable alternative since it was late at night when I began working on this project.  I had just finished wrapping a bunch of Party favors for the Kid’s party planning company I freelance for and had a slew of cellophane scraps at my feet…Thats when the idea hit me to use the cellophane.  I inked up a piece and stamped the fish bowl then mounted it on shimmer cardstock so I could cut it out.  The next day I went to the store to get the glossy paper to create the rest of the images.

Make your own Bling!!

I was so excited to learn that I could color bling with Alcohol Inks.  Sooo easy just a drop and the swish of an applicator and wala!  custom shiny bubbles!!

Over the border line

Originally I was going to leave the border black and white but it just seemed to need a little something more so I inked up more cellophane scraps and layered them over the Grunge Cirque stamps…I kept the edges jagged to give them an aquatic feel like seaweed swaying in the waves.

Sea shells by the sea

To finish off the piece I added the shells to the corners in a mock frame fashion….now all I have to do is find a shadow box to put this in and it’s ready to adorn a wall.  I myself am ready to start alcohol inking again!!  Till next time …thanks for stopping by today!   Let me know what you think