Splattered on Alcohol (Ink)

Tim Holtz's July tag in the 12 Tags of 2012 series is a patriotic one, perfect for this month.  It features a very fun technique that I believe I first saw in a video, and which was later in Volume 1 of A Compendium of Curiosities.  Or maybe it was the other way around.  All I know is, it made me rush out to Staples to get a can of compressed air.

I decided to go in a different direction, keeping to the techniques Tim used, but using a whole other color way and theme.  I love the water; my favorite colors are blues and greens, so here is my version:

I used willow, pool, citrus, and sailboat blue inks for the background.  Then I stamped those fabulous Wendy Vecchi fish twice.  First with emerald green archival ink, then right over top with black.  The dots (bubbles, really) were done with an old Stampin' Up wheel stamp.  I think the way the inks blew upwards looks a lot like seaweed, which is how I wound up going in the direction I went. The tag is topped off with some taffeta ribbon dyed with distress stains (peeled paint, shabby shutters, weathered wood and broken china) and a couple of ocean themed charms.

OK, I lied.  I didn't neglect Independence Day altogether.  I also did a red, white and blue tag; I just don't like it quite as much as the first one.

I was hoping my red pepper and stonewashed inks would resemble fireworks, but I'm not so sure about that.  The stamp, one of my favorite Statue of Liberty stamps (from Viva Las Vegas), was done with black archival ink.

I'm taking Joanne Sharpe's online lettering class, so decided to do my own writing.  Trust me, I've done better, but at least I'm trying.  It was written with a micron pen and colored with distress markers.

If I don't post again before then, have a safe and fun July 4th!