Journal 52, Week 21: Making a Mandala for Mandala Monday

I've been offline for three days and nights.  I'm NEVER offline that long.  But my internet has been whacky for days, and I'm just now able to get back online, with the help of the people at AT&T, my internet provider.  And now it's time to catch up, or at least try.

This week at Journal 52, Chelle's prompt was Making a Mandala, and I'm also making it for Mandala Monday where Dawn is Girl Unwinding and our host.

I recently created a background using distress reinkers and 91% Isopropyl alcohol.  This week I'm using Staz-on (solvent) reinkers.  As I've explained before, I keep all my reinkers separate, these being Staz-on only.  I'm not much of a stamper, but I love these reinkers for backgrounds.  Each type (dye, distress, solvent, and pigment) has its usefulness, and Staz-on reinkers are great with this alcohol.  In essence, you are making alcohol inks.

As I poured the ink into the cup, I remembered that every time I show this technique, my friend Julia of WOYWW fame reminds me this alcohol can't be purchased over the counter in the UK.  I go through at least two, sometimes three of these bottles of 91% alcohol a year, so I can't imagine not being able to buy them without a sworn statement of use or need.

Back to the present, I started by adding the darkest areas around the outside, then added more alcohol to the mix, and finished the center.  I love this technique because it is quick and dries faster than you can say 91% Isopropyl Alcohol three times!  Your substrate also dries completely flat.  There's never any buckling, due to the alcohol.

The one disadvantage is, even though my file folder substrate is quite heavy and thick, much thicker in fact, than card stock, the ink seeps through to the back.  I hope next week's prompt works with this background.  Otherwise, I'll have to cover the substrate with paper.

Since the prompt was "Making a Mandala," and I'm no good at doodling, I decided to make one from nature's bounty.  These are last year's bounty that had been pressed into a book and waiting for me to use the flowers and leaves.

I used a few tear drops and faceted circles as embellishments for the 21st prompt.  I can't believe we are almost half way through the year!  Seems like only yesterday we were starting this project, and here it is the UNOFFICIAL start of summer weekend, at least here in the States.

A few close-up photos,

even a bit closer,

and up close enough to see the veins in the leaves.

The center has two circles, one plain, one faceted.

One final view, and it's time to share with both Dawn at Girl Unwinding, and those of you who visit from Journal 52 (since I only post here and not on Facebook or Flickr).