Creative Haven, Blends & Alcohol -

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Alcohol Ink Backgrounds on Vellum with Stampin’ Blends

If you love experimenting with colour and texture, today’s technique is one you’ll definitely want to try. Using Stampin’ Blends, pure alcohol, and vellum, you can create beautifully soft, wispy backgrounds that are completely unique every single time.

This is a play-based technique — there’s no right or wrong, and that’s what makes it so much fun. No two pieces will ever look the same, and even the so-called “mistakes” often turn into your favourite results.

Why Vellum Works So Well

Vellum is non-porous, which means it doesn’t absorb liquid the same way cardstock does. When you add alcohol and alcohol-based ink to vellum, the colour sits on the surface and moves around beautifully, allowing you to manipulate it until you’re happy with the effect.

Colour Tips (Very Important!)

Stick to 2–3 colours maximum to avoid muddy results
Choose colours that naturally blend well together
Always start with your lightest colour first

Creating the Alcohol Ink Background

Place your vellum on a non-porous surface (glass, silicone mat, or craft mat).
Apply Stampin’ Blends directly to the vellum — dots, stripes, or loose areas all work.
Add alcohol around the edges and gently move the vellum to encourage the ink to flow.
Continue adding alcohol sparingly until the colours begin to blend.
Or use the air pump:
- Close to the surface for strong lines and texture
- Further away for a softer, wispy effect
Allow to air dry, or gently speed things up with a heat tool on low.

💡 Tip: If you don’t like how it looks, just add more alcohol and keep playing.

Different Effects You Can Try

Pump close: Bold lines and dramatic texture
Pump further away: Light, feathery movement
Tilt & Air-dried: Soft edges and gentle blending, moving the vellum around letting the alcohol move and blend
Layered colour: Dry one colour before adding the next for defined sections

Left- dried with Pump 5-10cm away, Right- dried with pump close to velum creating short bursts

Stamping & Embossing on Vellum

Stamping

Because vellum is non-porous, ink choice matters:

Memento Ink: Not suitable on vellum — it smudges
StazOn Ink: Works well for stamping on vellum, but not with alcohol as it will bleed, to get away with this stamp on the reverse side of the Vellum. Down side is the Alcohol ink will not be as vibrant.

Embossing -Powder & Heat

Colour the vellum with alcohol
Stamp on the front using VersaMark
Heat emboss with embossing powder
Heat tools can cause vellum to ripple. Work slowly and alternate heat from the front and back.

Don’t Throw Your Leftovers Away!

Die cut leaves, flowers, or shapes
Use scraps for layered backgrounds
Create multiple projects from one large sheet

Detailed dies look especially beautiful on alcohol inked vellum.

Final Thoughts

This technique is all about playing. Try different colour combinations, drying methods, and tools. Flip your vellum, stamp on the reverse, die cut your experiments, and most of all — have fun.

If you give this a go, I’d love to see what you create. Share your projects or tag me so I can admire your beautiful work!

Happy crafting,
Michelle

Thank you for stopping by and reading my Blog. I hope you have enjoyed my projects & that you’re inspired to get crafty!

If you’re in Australia and need help with your crafting needs and don’t have a Demonstrator, I’d love to assist you. Feel free to reach out to me at 0408868771 or michele@jutrisa.com. Cheers!