Warning- lots of photos!

Yes, these are the results of my play session with my Ranger Alcohol Inks. I have had some for quite a while, but so far have only used them to do 'caught in crystal' backgrounds. In my usual roundabout way I decided to have a go at 'polished stone' backgrounds. Here's the trail...
UK Stampers' new ATC swap for August is technique based this time, so each ATC will use an image transfer of some kind. There are several different methods of transferring an image, about which I am bound to write more another time. I remembered that I had seen an interesting Technique on Trish Bee's Art Venture blog involving lifting text with clear packing tape. She mentions that since this technique leaves you with a shiny surface, Alcohol Inks are the ideal medium for adding colour. So I decided that since I would be getting all of the equipment out, I needed to make a few things.
My first attempt was with the greens and blues, and I tried the effect on glossy photo paper. Yuck! The paper is very absorbent, despite the gloss finish, and you cannot 'work' the colours at all. Then I tried acetate, as I had loads of scraps around, and suddenly I could see why people like this effect. As you lay down the inks, the colour moves and changes, so you really don't know what you will end up with. I then grabbed some Dominoes, which Carrie had kindly sent me, and the effects were gorgeous. What a great surface to work on! You can see I tried three different colour combinations before deciding to use the reds on my image-transferred background. I still have plenty to do on that, but it's an interesting start!
Now I have to get around to buying some 'proper' glossy card. I know I need either Kromecote or Astralux to get the best effects. I know where to buy it too, it's just I'll end up buying more than just card! When I get some, I shall gather a collection of things to alter, and really go to town. Hmm, I may have to go and browse the online shops now...!