Mask with Cardstock

Make a Mask with 1 layer of cardstock and a die; along with two other pieces of cardstock under the top layer at the same time that you die cut it. This one crank through the die cut machine will get you the mask, layer 1, and 2 card fronts to use the mask on. 

Layer 1: your die and cardstock

Layer 2 & Layer 3: cardstock

If you have a die without a coordinating stamp set, you can make a Mask with cardstock to make prints.

Take 3 different colors of cardstock, cut at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". 

Stack them on top of each other - since the top piece will be die cut, and the other two will appear embossed, choose your colors accordingly.

 Put the die on top and run them through your Cut & Emboss Machine altogether - just one time!

Layer #1 - Since this layer becomes the Mask, it doesn't necessarily have to be a color to coordinate with the theme of your die.  I've used the "Perched in a Tree" Aspen Tree die. I chose Merry Merlot for Layer 1; Gray Granite for Layer 2; Balmy Blue for Layer 3.

Layer #1 will be the only layer that will be die cut. Layers #2 and #3 will not be cut through but look embossed. This is what you want, so make sure that you don't put it through the machine more than once.

The photo above is the reverse side of the 2nd layer.  This is how it should be, a deep imprint but not cut through. The picture below shows the 3rd layer, embossed.

Now, to use your Die Cut of cardstock as a Mask, you'll place Layer #1 over one of the embossed layers, 2 or 3, and with a blending brush or sponge dobber you can create a background of colors.

You can hold the Mask in place with one hand and blend with the other; OR you can also use a low tack tape to attach the mask to your work surface to keep it in place. 

Layer #2 - shown above is Balmy Blue layer with a sunset background. Begin at the bottom, using a separate Blending Brush with each color, and work up. 

If you haven't used Blending Brushes, make sure to swirl the brush, with light pressure, first on a scrap paper, then over to the area you want to color. 

Start with Shaded Spruce, then Daffodil Yellow, adding a darker circle of yellow to represent the sun; then Pumpkin Pie, Poppy Parade, then leaving a space at the top for the cardstock color, Balmy Blue. 

When you lift off the mask, you'll be surprised to see how neat it will look. 

(I think you'll want to make more prints this way.)  

Layer #3 (above)

This print is a night time sky.  It's made the same way: lay the Mask layer over the Aspen Trees embossed print. I've added the small die cut tree, so it is also a Mask.  Start at the bottom as with Layer 2. Use light pressure with a Blending Brush, and Gorgeous Grape ink. Work upwards adding Night of Navy, layering the two colors until you get the look you want. 

If you want a little more dimensional look, try placing Layer #1/Mask a fraction of an inch more to the right of the embossed image. This perspective is visible on the upper right edges of the trees. 

Once your print is the way you want it, add Pearlized Enamel Effects Basics in White for the stars.  Set it aside to dry. 

Once you've created two prints with Layer #2 and Layer #3,  take a look at  Layer #1 - the Die Cut/Mask - to see if adding more inks, or embossing it for more texture or leaving it as is, would complete the look for a card front layer.

Here's Layer #3.  I added tone on tone near the bottom, to see how it would look.

                                        

Would it look good with a sky scene like this one?

                           

I cut off the two trees to the right, then embossed it, using the Forever Fern embossing folder for texture. The background I used was a water color scene I had made earlier.

I added the two trees as an embellishment on a Designer Series Paper layer, because nothing is scrap.

Here are some samples using the same technique:

Layer 3 pieces of card stock under a die. These dies are from Celebrating Sunflowers and Brilliance Wings sets.

                                

Run it through Cut 'n Emboss Machine  altogether, one time

Use the die cut layer 1 as a Mask and ink the design

                                

Add Die cut pieces to Layer 1 or 2

Emboss the whole piece for texture

Add ink with light pressure of blending brush, over the embossed (raised) sections.

The black and Merry Merlot prints above, have White Pigment Ink added to the embossed sections (shown before embossed with the Time Worn Type embossing folder).

Layer and add to card front.

Colors of ink used here are:  Evening Evergreen, Shaded Spruce, White

Colors of cardstock are Flirty Flamingo, Merry Merlot, Evening Evergreen, and Black.

Wink of Stella and Linen thread completes the design.

White glossy paper (its what I had on hand) was used to lightly blend the ink over the embossed text.

What dies will you use to make a Mask? 

How will you add interest and texture?

Thanks for stopping by!  Be Blessed!  sb

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