citra solv - a new frontier

Please excuse the black plastic and masking tape. This is what happens when you splash full strength Citra Solv natual cleaner (the original orange, concentrate) between the pages of an old National Geographic magazine (the older ones are supposed to be better). Mine was circa 1983 courtesy of Value Village ($.99). I found the Citra Solv at a health food grocery store in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, but I know that it's also available locally and online. If you google the Citra Solv company, you'll find lots of eye candy and instructions. I've been wanting to try this for a while and believe it or not, it's quite an easy process. Messy and stinky though, so be prepared to do this outside. Don't even start if you hate the smell of oranges!

Liberally splash or brush the Citra Solv onto the highly coloured pages (the mainly text ones turn out black and boring). Keep the magazine closed for at least an hour. If the pages look ready and you're satisfied with the effect, rip them out and lay them to dry on newspaper or plastic. Don't leave them too long or the pages will stick together. The ink quite literally runs off the page, so make sure you wear old clothes, gloves and remember to only do this in a very well ventilated area (outside is good!). Be responsible! Protect your clothes and your health and follow these instructions at your own risk! I doubt that you'll have problems, but be aware that I'm not responsible for any reactions you have to either the ink or the Citra Solv.

This photo isn't elegant, but it shows you the variety of pages I got. More black ones than I was expecting, but the ink movement is still quite interesting.



Three of my favourite pages......think of the possibilities!


The edge of a stream?





An underwater cave or grotto?





Fire or lava?




Any other ideas??

What will I use these for? Good question! My initial plan is to mix in a little fibre, collage is a given and the rest for the stash. Possibilities for inchies, artist trading cards, post cards and even larger pieces are limitless!

I'm itching to stitch! What about you?