Extreme masking!!!

Hello there!  The start of another month (and, yes, its April already), means its time for a new theme over on the Claritystamp challenge blog.  Click here to pop over and see some wonderful projects to inspire you from the rest of my talented teamies.  This month, we're doing something a bit different, and asking you to showcase your grasp of a fundamental stamping technique:  masking.  So please make sure your project involves masking, to avoid being disqualified and missing out on the chance to win a £50 Clarity voucher.

 

So let's get started.  There's lots of masking in this one.

 

I've planned to make a gatefold card using the NDC acorn stamp.  Cut a piece of 7" x 7" stencil card to make 2 pieces, each 3.5" x 7".  Then I started by stamping the first part of my sentiment into place with black archival using the woodpress set.  This was then masked off  (good news;  the masks are included with this set). 

 

 

 Then I stamped the acorn into place using potting soil archival.

 

 

When you remove the masks, you can clearly see how the acorns are sitting behind the letter boxes.

 

 

Repeat the same steps for the other side of the gatefold:  boxes and letters first, and cover with masks.

 

 

 On this side, I stamped the oak tree from and an old classroom set:  trees and their mantles.

 

 

Remove the masks again. 

 

 

I completed my sentiment on the main piece (7" x 7" stencil card) and masked  off again.

 

 

Before starting on this panel, I had to stamp the acorn on to a couple of post its and cut out the masks.  This was a bit fiddly because the stamp is quite intricate, but it'll be worth it.  So, working from the centre outwards, start stamping the acorn sprig, covering up and moving the masks as necessaryas you go along. 

 

Just keep going... 

 

At this stage, I added a frame with low tack tape, and yes...  still kept going!

 

 

Once the masking tape is removed, you can see how I let some acorns and leaves overlap into the frame.

 

 

Its time now to add some colour.  I decided to go with three of last year's new distress colours:  twisted citron, carved pumpkin and wilted violet. 

 

I inked up and stamped the mantle with twisted citron.  Then I scribbled onto the stamp with carved pumpkin and wilted violet distress markers and lightly spritzed with water.  This gives a fab variegated effect without going muddy.

 

 

That's it for the stamping now. 

 

I just need my spectrum noir pencils, choosing colours to match the inkpads I've chosen.

 

 

Having coloured in the acorn sprig on the front panel, I coloured in the background on this main piece.  This really makes the acorn sprigs pop. 

 

 

And here's the finished card.  I hope you like it. 

 

 

I'm looking forward to seeing loads of fabulous entries again this month, even if it does make it very difficult to pick a top 5. 

 

And don't forget to tune into Barbara Gray on Hochanda on Sunday and Monday.  She has some absolutely fabulous stamps to show you.  You are going to love 'em!  Till next time.  Xxx