Welcome to our 1st blog hop of 2023! You may have just come from Laurie Meier’s blog where she shared her version of this month’s theme (she’s so creative!), or you may have started here with my blog. However you got here, we thank you for joining us!
We have a fun topic this month, creating a card using the masking technique. I searched Google for a good explanation of this technique and this is what I found – “Masking techniques are used to cover up or block off part of your card or image. It’s a way of protecting an area from ink when stamping or blending. In its simplest form, masking with low tack tape can create a straight line or a frame.” So, now that you have a written explanation, let me show you visually what it looks like.
I chose a bundle that can be found in our current Jan – May Mini Catalog (contact me to get your copy!). I just loved these adorable bunnies and am so happy that it comes with a coordinating punch (the punch coordinates with the bunny on the right). And while some might think this set is only appropriate for Easter or Spring, these images would work great to welcome a new baby, birthdays, or just A Thinking of You card.
Can you see how it looks like the bunny in the center is sitting in front of the two on either side of him? That’s what masking allows you to do.
I started by stamping the center image on a piece of 5 x 3 3/4 piece of Basic White cardstock. I stamped it in Memento Black in because I wanted to use our Stamping Blends to color the image. TIP – Whenever you use Blends, you need the image to be stamped using Memento Ink, otherwise, the black outline will bleed.
Next, I stamped the same image on a piece of our Masking Paper and fussy cut it. You want to stay as close to the image outline as possible. I peeled off the protective backing from the Masking Paper and placed it over the stamped image. Then I stamped the other images on both sides of the center image. TIP: When you peel off the protective backing from the Making Paper, press it on your shirt sleeve, or pant leg to lessen some of the tackiness. It will make it much easier to peel off the mask when you are finished.
Next, I stamped the little bird on top of the right ear of the center bunny. I stamped and cut the other 2 bunny images from our Masking Paper and applied them over the stamped images. I did this so that I could stamp the grass without stamping over the bunnies. For the grass, I actually used one of the stamps from the Thanks A Bunch Sale-a-Bration stamp set. It’s supposed to be used as detail for the carrot, but if you turn it on its side it creates grass! I don’t know which demonstrator figured this out, but I’m so glad they shared the idea 🙂
The last step of the masking technique is to gently peel off the masks. The Masking Paper is thin, so if you peel it off gently, you can use the same mask a few more times if you are making multiple cards.
I used my Blends to color in the images and applied Wink of Stella on the Petal Pink areas on the bunnies, although sadly, it doesn’t photograph well.
I finished off the card with a sentiment and a butterfly from the Easter Bunny stamp set. Then I cut a piece of Balmy Blue gingham paper (5 1/4 x 4) and layered it on a piece of Balmy Blue card stock (8 1/2 by 5 1/2). Then the stamped panel with the bunnies was attached to the card front using dimensionals. I colored 2 pieces of our Whisper White Crinkle Seam Binding using the light Balmy Blue Blends and added bows. TIP: Keep several spools of this ribbon on hand because you can color it using any of our Blends to create your own coordinated ribbon! And it’s so easy to tie into a bow as well!!
And there you have it, three little bunnies with their bluebird friend waiting for Spring!! And I’m with them, lol! In the 8 yrs that I’ve lived in NC, I can’t say we’ve had any bad winters (not like we experienced up north!). But I’m always anxious for Spring to arrive with all the beautiful colors it brings with it.
I hoped you enjoyed my card and the explanation of how to use our Masking Paper. There are so many ways to work with it. Continue on through the hop to see how everyone else used theirs. Jo Anne Hewins is up next and I know she has a fun project for us 🙂
Toni Campana – You are here!
Jo Anne Hewins
Tina Lesson
Tracie Evans Langley
Laurie Meier
Such a cute card and I love that stamp set. Thanks for sharing
Thank you very much, Tina 🙂
These bunnies are so cute! I can’t wait to try this.
Thanks, Amanda. Looking forward to see what you come up with 🙂
Such a cute card! Great directions. Love the carrot grass!!!
Thanks, Jo Anne 🙂 I first saw the tip to use the carrot stamp to make grass from Patty Bennett 🙂 I couldn’t remember who it was when I typed up the blog, but had my memory jogged when I was on her page today.
This is adorable. I love these bunnies!
Thanks so much, Carol! I’ll admit, I’m not usually drawn to cutesy type images but these bunnies were too darn cute not to have in my inventory 🙂
Toni – Your card is awesome! Too cute! And, your directions are perfect. Love all the tips and tricks that you added. Agreed – I usually don’t get the cutesy stamps – but, I will be making an exception and adding the stamps and punch to my stash.
Thank you, Laurie 😊. I’d love to see what you create when you get that set. I have a few others ideas for it and hope to get to them soon! I’m still recovering from Quarterly, lol!
Toni, your bunnies are adorable! What a sweet card and I am with you, I am definitely ready for Spring! Thank you for sharing!