The Rules...

We love to see all of your beautiful creations but to be in for the prize drawing it must be a scrapbook layout or mini album. After all that is what we are about here. We all love to stamp on our cards but sometimes we forget to use them on our layouts and other projects. They are cheap embellishments and plentiful after all. You are welcome to combine our challenge with others. Happy Crafting!



Saturday, March 20, 2010

Masking Tutorial

Hi everyone! Today I am going to take you through a short journey with MASKS! Maybe you have used them, maybe not. I LOVE masks! Masks are made from a durable, flexible material that is tacky on the one side. It is basically the opposite of a stencil. You can use them with anything that adds color – paints, ink, spray – you name it. Today I am going to use my favorite paint in the world – Ranger’s Paint Dabbers.
Of course I chose my paper first – I chose this stunning paper by Heidi Swapp, and I am also using one of the masks from her Mega Mask set – Brackets. I place it on my paper where I want it.

I then used a wide flat brush and mixed my Denim ( a dark Blue) and Cloudy Blue ( light blue) paint to get the color I wanted. I did not want my page covered completely, but I wanted the pattern to be clearly defined, so I made sure that I paid a bit more detail close to the mask.


When finished painting, remove the mask, and wash it. I found that washing it makes no difference to the tackiness – but I don’t wash them anymore when I use the paint dabbers – they dry so quickly, and it is just too much work! When I use distress ink or other inks, I wipe them immediately, but I think I can safely say you can leave it when you use the Ranger dabbers.


Next I added the letters from Heide Swapp’s Alphabet mask, spelling the title for my page. I am not going to use it as a MASK in the same manner, but as a STENCIL!! You can trace the words with a pencil, or, as I was going to paint them black, I used a black pen.


Here you can see what it looks like when I removed the mask. Now I am going to paint it with a thin paint brush to get the detail and my Black Paint dabber.


Here is a close up of the painting being done


And here my word is finished! I have to tell you – I was tempted to use the original mask as the title ( the masks are about the price of a sticker sheet of alphabets) but then I decided to go the proper route!!. You can, of course, use them as a sticker.


Next some embossing. I am using one of my favorite Tim Holtz flourishes, together with Distress Embossing Powder and the Distress Embossing Ink. The reason I am using these powders is because I like the distressed look for this page, with the painting being all distressed and a bit messy. I am using Black soot, Denim and Broken China – all spread over the stamped image.


Just a tip – remember to use your anti-static pad to make sure no stray powders land on your layout!


And this is the result of the embossing. I spread the colors on the image, so that you can get all of them onto the flourish.

And this is my finished layout. I just want to point out, that from a cost point of view, this layout cost me the piece of paper, the Cloudy Blue Dabber and Broken China Embossing powder( which was an indulgence – I did not have to do that to achieve my effects) and the photo. I had everything already in my stash – and it just goes to show – you CAN scrap and not spend a fortune!
My challenge to you this week would be to use either a mask (in any shape and size) or any form of embossing – dry, heat, wet – you name it, on your layout!! JUST CREATE and remember to use a STAMP!!!!


Tutorial by Cariena Basson

8 comments:

  1. Wow, this is great! Think i will try a layout like this :-)

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  2. Fantastic tutorial! I love it! I don't think I have ever tried the masking before (and I own a Tim Holtz mask!!LOL
    ~Lacey

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  3. love the LO and thanks for the tutorial!!!!

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  4. Fantastic tutorial Cariena!! Very helpful. I think I need to get some of those Ranger inks!!

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  5. Great tutorial....LOVE THIS PAGE!!!

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