16 October 2012

MCT Show Me Your Technique: Masking

by Veronica


Using stamps together to make your own unique scenes is a great way to make your project stand out from the pack. It's also a great way to extend the 'shelf life' of your stamps - making them more versatile for you and therefore, helping you not to get bored with the stamps in your collection.

One way to make your stamps go farther is to use the 'Masking' Technique. With this technique, you create little covers for your images (masks) to allow other images to be stamped around them - giving them a look of belonging together in the scene.

Steps to Masking. Please forgive photo quality - I took pictures of each step with my phone while at a crop.

Steps to Masking

  1. Stamp and cut out the masks of the images that need covers. I recommend using a Post-It Note for this step and stamping on the upper/adhesive section. This way, the mask can be lightly adhered to the stamped image and will remain in place as you stamp on top of it.
  2. Stamp your first image. The trick here is to start from the front. The image that is in the foreground of the scene should be stamped first.
  3. Place your mask directly over your image (this is where the adhesive on the back of the Post-It Note comes in handy.
  4. Stamp the second image (this should be the image that is directly 'behind' the first image in the scene).
  5. This isn't a step you must complete. I've just shown you in the image that after removing the mask from the small pumpkin, you can now see that the large pumpkin is 'behind' the small one.
  6. Apply the mask to the second image (notice that I re-applied the mask to the first here, as well).
  7. Stamp the third image.
  8. Remove all masks and admire handiwork.
Of course, if you have more than three images, you might need to repeat steps 3-7 again (as many times as necessary).

Click image for larger view
After successfully stamping and masking my scene (created using MCT's Piles of Smiles), I colored it with my Copics. The oval it's stamped on was cut using the Elegant Edges Cricut Cartridge (I used the 'negative' of the scallop oval frame). The green scallop oval was cut using the same cartridge.

All of the layers on the card are popped up and I paper pierced the edges of the small dotted patterned paper layer. The flower was created after being inspired by the flowers I made in this project. I hand-set the green rhinestones into a little flourish shape and cut the flag-shaped sentiment layer after stamping "Autumn Wishes" from Piles of Smiles.

Thank you for stopping by today. Feel free to leave any questions you may have on Masking in the comments below. Be sure to stop by the other blogs in this mini hop to see what fabulous techniques they have up their sleeves!

Cathryn
Cassandra

I hope you were inspired!

- Veronica

24 comments :

  1. I often forget about this technique, thanks for reminding me to make a scene with my stamps and masking!!

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  2. This looks great! I need to find some of this masking paper, or the sheets of post-it paper. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. This is so adorable, Veronica! Excellent tutorial!

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  4. I've never done this...great tutorial and card!

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  5. Thanks for the masking tutorial. I had an idea but wasn't sure how to do it...I think you've taken out the guess work I was having. Can't wait to try this out. TFS --C

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  6. I LOVE IT! What a great card for this season. I forget about masking and do get bored with some stamps. Thanks for reminding me to think outside of the box.

    Love ya,

    Mom

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  7. I am loving this masking technique and will certainly have to try it soon. I always get confused about which later to start with first. Now I know. Thanks for the tip & technique. Smooches...

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  8. Great tutorial!! I love how your card came out!! :)
    Cindy

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  9. Very detailed explanation. Looks like the skys the limit when you have a stamp collection.

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  10. Great job on explaining how masking works. Your project looks wonderful. Good coloring job too.
    quilt 4 fun 2 at hot mail dot com

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  11. Great card! Love the masking technique. Thanks for the great pictorial!

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  12. Beautiful card!! Great tutorial! Thanks so much for sharing! I need to try this :)
    Tracy

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  13. Veronica ~ Oh my this is AMAZING!! I LOVe all the pictures and the detail instructions! WOW! I have to give this a try! I TOTALLY agree with your post as well! Well you card is just BEAUTIFUL! The papers, the coloring and of course the stamps! AWESOME job!!

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  14. PERFECT tutorial. I always shy away from this technique and you made it looks SO easy. AND I love the end result. BEAUTIFUL job. Hugs- Glora

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  15. Awesome masking Veronica, love the way you showed each step and your card is gorgeous.

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  16. Beautiful card Veronica. Thanks for the great picture tutorial for masking.

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  17. Beautiful card Veronica!great technique,I need to try this!!!:)

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  18. Great step by step tutorial! And great photos too! Such a pretty card. I gotta try this :)

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  19. Great tutorial, thanks for sharing!!

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  20. Thank you for the tutorial Veronica! Your card is gorgeous! I am always masking my stamps and love it!!!!
    Have a wonderful day!
    Liz

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  21. Great tutorial! This card is simply beautiful! That you for another fabulous technique!

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  22. wonderful card, veronica! your tutorial is super easy to understand too!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! I appreciate your feedback and hope you were inspired!