Stamping with Alcohol

Janette Kausen

Stamping with alcohol... I'm talking the isopropyl type here friends! Today, I am featuring the Loving Swans stamp that takes center stage above a Leafy Vines alcohol stamped background.

To begin, I stamped Loving Swans in Intense Black Copic friendly ink. I then used a touch of grey marker to add depth to the shadowed areas of the swans. I fussy cut the swans omitting the waterlilies and water marks. The waterlilies can be saved for another project.

Next, I Copic airbrushed the background beginning with a deep purple at the bottom up through sunset colors to a lemon yellow. I filled my Water Mist Bottle with good ol' rubbing alcohol and lightly sprayed over the Leafy Vines stamp and pressed it to the background. I let it sit for a moment to allow the alcohol to do its magic. I'm sure that alcohol is not recommended for our cling stamps, but after one use, I've experienced no adverse effects.

Once the background was dry I trimmed it to 4 1/4" x 4" and adhered it to a Snow Layering paper A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") card base. I added a 1/4" Black Midnight Layering paper accent and popped the swans up with dimensional adhesive once I had stamped Three Tiny Hearts and the sentiment from the adorable Cherubs stamp set. For the final touch I applied Nuvo Crystal Glaze over the hearts for shine and dimension.

My New Year's resolutions include learning to create with techniques I am currently unfamiliar with or intimidated by. Tell me, do yo have crafty resolutions too? 

xo, 


  • paperpicnic

    This card is so elegant, Janette! It’s perfect for weddings and anniversaries! I can’t wait to try this technique, I had no idea! Lovely!

  • Lorraine Turner

    Great card Janette, I love the background technique. I would love to have seen you do this. You don’t do video tutorials do you? I have got a New Year craft resolution: mine is to use the craft resources I have purchased this year at least once.

  • Cindy C.

    Wow!! What a beautiful card! Thanks for sharing this fun technique Janette.

  • Dorothea Pepping Pomstra

    Woh… never thought about using alcohol to stamp with…
    Thanks for your explanation off this technique. Going to try this too.

  • Kathy H

    Just beautiful!

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