I am back for my second post as a guest designer for Inspired by Stamping. I don’t think it’s any surprise that one of my absolute favorite techniques is masking. Masking is one of those techniques that you can use as a “starting point” for a number of other techniques as well. In today’s tutorial I want to share two different ways I used masking to create one layer cards. I will be using two different sets by Inspired by Stamping for my cards. The first, Hummingbirds, is the PERFECT set to use for masking a scene. All you need to do is add some coloring (in whatever medium you choose) and a sentiment and that card is ready to go. The second, Fresh Bouquet, already has a masked bouquet included so for a quick card, color the stamp, mask it off and a bit of distress inking around the image to really make it pop! Watch the video below to see exactly how I made and masked each card and if you’re interested in the picture tutorial you can head over the Inspired by Stamping blog to see it!
If you want to see the Plaid Stamping Tutorial I also did for Inspired by Stamping head HERE!
Don’t forget that coupon code is still active!! 20% off for a $20 or more purchase (excluding clearance items)!!! It’s active until November 20, 2016 so hurry and make your purchase!!
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ENJOY!!
As I stated above, if you want the full picture tutorial make sure to head over to the Inspired by Stamping blog to check it out. But I do want to share a few photos of the finished cards with you here and share a few important tips.
For my first card I wanted to create a scene with just one set. I used the Hummingbirds stamp set and Inkadinkado masking paper for all of the masking. Now I am used to creating scenes and have created so many, it’s very easy for me to envision the end results, however, if you have trouble placing your stamps and getting the order correct, stamp the scene first onto scrap paper without any masking and use that as a sort of map. I stamped all of my images in black dye ink that was waterproof, since I would be watercoloring my scene. Before you start stamping, make sure to plan ahead and use the correct ink and paper that will coordinate with your coloring medium.
Another tip in masking is to use your tweezers as much as possible when handling your masks. This will help them keep their stick and last a lot longer. Removing the masks is my absolute favorite part. Seeing the scene sort of come together as your remove them is so much fun! I save my masks on the back of the stamp set so I can reuse them over and over. When choosing colors for coloring in your scene, make sure to carry them across your scene. You can see in my scene I chose a lot of yellows and oranges. I also carried reds and pinks across the card as well as browns. You can also google images that are in your scene so you can color according to real images. To finish off my first card I simply stamped the “thinking of you” sentiment in the right hand corner and mounted the panel onto an A2 side folding white card base with double sided adhesive. You can dress up your panel if you want to, but I really like to let my scene take the spotlight on my card.
For my second card I chose to use the “Fresh Bouquet” stamp set, also from Inspired by Stamping. Included in this set is a bouquet of flowers that already has the appearance of a masked scene. I stamped the large stamp onto an A2 sized panel with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink using my MISTI. I also stamped the large bouquet onto plain computer paper and trimmer out the stamped image with my fine detail scissors. When masking large stamps like this I really don’t like to use my masking paper. First of all, masking paper can get pricey and large stamps like this take up the majority of one sheet. Post-It’s are an option, but this stamp is much too large to use them with, but of course computer paper has no adhesive on the back. To remedy this issue I use Rubber cement, yes the kind your buy in the children’s aisle. I simply apply a very thin layer on the back of the computer paper “mask” that I’ve created and then quickly lay it over the now colored in image (I used my alcohol markers). After giving it a few minutes to dry, it is adhered to the panel and won’t budge as I do my ink blending over the top.
I used Antique Linen and Vintage Photo Distress ink to create a vintage looking haze around my colored image. I was really trying to create a vintage scene on this card so I kept to warm tones for my “haze”. When I was happy with the intensity and blending of distress ink I peeled up my mask. The rubber cement is strong enough to hold the paper in place while you work, but it is removable, so it removes easily from the panel. Sometimes there is a bit of residue left over, but it rubs away quickly with your finger or a clean cloth. Also, if you get a little crazy with the rubber cement and it seeps out the sides a bit, you will find it masks off that area as well. If you have any white spots where it did seep, just use a fantastix foam tool dipped into your distress ink to quickly blend color onto that tiny area. To finish off this card I stamped the same sentiment only adding “We’ve Been” before the “thinking of you”. Again, I used my MISTI for the stamping so I could double stamp as I used Vintage Photo Distress Ink to stamp the sentiment. Finally, I attached the panel to an A2 top folding white card base using double sided adhesive. And again, you can choose to dress up this scene with ribbon, sequins, etc. but I like to let my scene shine.
For the full picture tutorial make sure to head over to the Inspired by Stamping Blog. Masking scenes is so much fun, but masking is also the starting technique to so many other great techniques. Masking can be used on it’s over or combined with any number of other techniques to really make it unique to your card. It’s also a great way to use one set or even one stamp and really stretch it to fill up an entire card!
If you’re interest in any of the supplies I used on today’s card, you can find them all linked on the Inspired by Stamping Blog. You can find the two stamp sets I used linked below, and make sure to buy them before November 20th and use the coupon code cwcb20 for 20% off $20 or more!!!!
Thanks so much for stopping by today! Happy Crafting!!
For the full supply list head to the Inspired by Stamping Blog
Crafting While Caffeinated with Lindsay Adreon 
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